Let yourself be dazzled by this incredible country: its golden pagodas, the grandiose site of Bagan, the Shan country, the ancient Myanmar capital, tribes and markets of the Inle Lake area, the fervor and the authenticity of Myanmar welcome.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Yangon Day 2: Yangon tour Day 3: Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo Day 4: Kyaikhtiyo - Golden Rock Day 5: Golden Rock - Loikaw Day 6: Loikaw tour Day 7: Loikaw – Nyaungshwe Day 8: Inle Lake boat tour Day 9: Inle – Indein – Inle Day 10: Nyaungshwe – Heho - Bagan Day 11: Bagan by electric motorcycle Day 12: Bagan tour – Yangon Day 13: Yangon departure
Highlight
Lively local markets in Yangon, Inle and Bagan
Strolling on the Pilgrim's Way to Kyaikto
Minority ethnic groups and their daily life around Loikaw
The lakeside villages and floating vegetable gardens at Inle Lake
The archaeological sites of Bagan
Full itinerary
B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)
Open and close
Arrival in Yangon. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival, you will have the opportunity to explore the colonial district, Chinatown and a local market to discover Burmese colors and smells. Overnight at the hotel.
Explore Bogyoke Aung San Market, a shoe and clothing market (closed on Mondays and holidays). Beautiful fabrics (batiks, silks, and cotton) are sold by the meter. Antiques and souvenirs are along the central alley. Continue your journey and head to the pagoda Chaukhtut Gyi - the tin roof of this pavilion shelters a colossal reclining Buddha of 70 meters long. The morning will end at the National Museum which displays interesting pieces, such as the lion-shaped Simhasana throne where sat Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king. In the afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most famous in the country for its 98 meters high stupa covered with gold. The setting sun darting its last rays on the golden dome offers a magical spectacle. Overnight at the hotel.
Leave the ancient capital to transfer to Kyaikto and its Golden Rock Stupa. Stop several times along the way to meet villagers and discover their daily life. Wander in a large local market in Bego (80 km from Yangon). Arrival in the late afternoon at the small town of Kinpun (Kinmon). Enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Overnight at a local inn.
Car: 150 km / 4h
Short transfer by car to Kinpun, the village of pilgrims between Kyaikto and the Golden Rock. Start a 13km trek on a winding path to reach the shrine. You’ll walk through beautiful undergrowth, rubbing shoulders with pilgrims, especially in the dry season. Along the way, shrines tell the legend of the creation of the temple. Once at the top, spend the night at the hotel near the Golden Rock to enjoy the special atmosphere of this site all night long!
Hikking: 4-5h
After breakfast, transfer to Loikaw. Along the way, you’ll see the landscape subtly changing. In Loikaw, it is mainly the cultivation of maize, millet and rice that prevails. Overnight at the hotel.
Car: 370 km / 7h
Loikaw is the home country of Kayah. Kayah women are better known by the nickname "Giraffe women" given to them in the 1950s by the polish explorer Vitold de Golish. They are called Padaung ("Long neck") by the Burmese. Vitold de Golish had also given them the nickname "Elephant wives" because they traditionally wrapped plant fibers around their knees, but nowadays only for parties and celebrations. Early in the morning, visit the Thirimingala Market which is frequented by several ethnic groups including the Padaung. Then, a car transfer will take you to the hamlet of Pemsong, where you’ll meet the famous Kayah ethnic group, one of the emblems of Kayah State. Visit traditional homes and get acquainted with their way of life. Afterwards, head to a local musician’s home to hear and learn to play traditional instruments. Continue your journey in Kayah people’s lives, discover their traditional costumes, and try them on. Overnight in Loikaw.
Transfer by car to Nyaungshwe, a small town near Inle Lake. Upon arrival, visit Shwe Yan Pyay, a lively teak monastery inhabited by many monks and novices. Then, a short transfer will take you to the small hill of Taung Che. The path climbs gently up to reach the winery of "Red Mountain". Enjoy a wine tasting of four varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Selection, Syrah and Shiraz-Tempranillo while watching the sun set behind the mountains.
Hop on a sampan and navigate on the Inle Lake, one of the most important sites of Burma. Located 900 m above sea level, this large lake (15 km long by 6-8 km wide) has an irresistible charm. Villagers grow many varieties of flowers, vegetables and fruits here: tomato, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, betel, melon, papaya and banana. Visit remarkable floating gardens, and lake villages mainly inhabited by Intha. You will be amazed by the unique method used by the fishermen of the lake, and certainly charmed by the peaceful beauty of the lake itself. Venture into Nga Phe Chuang Monastery and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda (5 golden Buddha statues). Stop to find some craft trades: a traditional cigar factory, a fishing boat factory and a silver jewelry factory.
Boat: 4-5h
Still by local sampan, visit one of the multi-ethnic markets of the region which take place once every 5 days. It could be either Nampan, Indian, Maing Thauk, Phaung Daw Oo or Ywama according to schedule. You will come across vegetables, fresh fish caught in the lake, Shan bags, farm implements, embroidered shirts and longis, tapestries, jewelry and all the usual memories. Then stop at Indein, the former Shan capital, to discover his garden of stupas. Get back to Nyaungshwe in the late afternoon.
Boat: 3-4h
Transfer to Heho airport to take an internal flight to Bagan. This city is the most amazing place in the country, if not all of Southeast Asia. This afternoon will be spent exploring the Old Bagan, the heart of the archeological area. It contains the most important temples, the walls of the ancient city and a museum. Your guide will take you to visit both of the richest archaeological sites in Asia: the Shwezigon Pagoda (the most revered in Bagan) and the Ananda Temple (the most beautiful one) originally dedicated to the infinite wisdom of the Buddha, famous for its Indian architecture. Overnight in Bagan.
An electric motorcycle is the perfect means of transport to explore the Bagan area. Riding on paved roads and sandy paths with little traffic is pleasant and fun. Discover the imposing Dhammayangyi Temples, Htilominlo, Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myingabar with its stunning Jataka murals and create lasting memories. Continue your beautiful journey by venturing into monuments and bring your day to a peaceful end on the terrace of a temple - a perfect spot to admire the sunset.
Moto: 4-5h
Early in the morning, head to the colorful market of Nyaung U, an essential place in the local life. Then visit the archaeological museum of Bagan which has on display a large number of religious representations and items found in the temples nearby. Next, a stroll in small villages will allow you to discover a typical rural life and some crafts: wickerwork and manufacture of lacquered products. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon. Transfer to the airport and flight to Yangon.
Free time and departure.
€ 1,105euro/personneUSD
The price includes
þ Accommodation and breakfasts in hotels on the accommodation list
þ Meals clearly mentioned in the program: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
þ The entrance fee to the sites
þ Competent English–speaking guides throughout the trip except the free days when it is mentioned clearly: without a guide
þ Private air – conditioned car for all land transport except free days when it is mentioned clearly: without driver
þ One litre of drinking water per person per day
þ Domestic flight in economy class
þ All logistic services necessary for the program
The price does not include
ý International flights and airport taxes from/to your country
ý Visa fees
ý Means of transport not mentioned in the program
ý Meals not mentioned in the program
ý Tipping for services: local guides, crew members, drivers, porters…
ý Drink, telephone, linen or all personal expenses not mentioned in the "price includes" section
You need to know
Trip price
All prices mentioned in the quotes provided to clients are in US Dollars (USD). Euros are accepted, but the exchange rate will be determined by the international website https://www.xe.com/ on the date the payment is made. iLOTUS TOURS guarantees the rates mentioned in the quotes, invoices, or documents given to the client. Upon payment of the deposit or the full price, we guarantee the price of your trip (excluding changes made by you). However, certain force majeure situations may require us to adjust our prices to meet the travel conditions described in the quote. These force majeure situations may include: • An unpredictable and significant increase in the rate of our local providers (hotels, trains, planes, junks, boats, road vehicles...) • A significant currency fluctuation that has a considerable impact on the exchange rate • The introduction of a new tax imposed by the government Proof of these force majeure events will be provided to the client. In these cases of force majeure, even after the deposit has been paid, the client may refuse these increases and cancel their trip. We commit to refunding the deposit you have paid.
Reservation and Confirmation
All reservations must be sent to iLOTUS TOURS by email at: contact@ilotustours.com • Registration must be accompanied by a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip and 100% of the cost of international flights. • The deposit required for trips lasting less than one week is 50% of the total trip cost. • A larger deposit may be required in the case of last-minute bookings or depending on the specific requests of certain high-category hotels or airlines. • The balance must be paid upon your arrival, without any reminder from our side. • Upon confirmation of the booking, an invoice will be sent to the client by email.
Payment
The trip can be paid for in cash, by bank transfer, by credit card, or through an application (Wise, Revolut, One Pay...): • Cash payments must be made at the iLOTUS TOURS office located in Hanoi, and the client will not be charged any payment fees. • Credit cards: we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. Any bank fees are the responsibility of the client. • Bank transfer in US dollars or euros.
Cancellation by the Client
In the event of trip cancellation, all cancellations must be confirmed by email. The client must pay cancellation fees corresponding to the following rates: • 25% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 30 days before the trip start date. • 50% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 10 days before the trip start date. • 75% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 3 days before the trip start date. • 100% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS 2 days before the trip start date or in case of no-show. For trips to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, your travel advisor will provide you with all the information regarding the deposit and cancellation fees.
Cancellation by iLOTUS TOURS
iLOTUS TOURS reserves the right to cancel trips agreed upon with clients for reasons related to a force majeure situation: war or the threat of war, riots, a natural or nuclear disaster, a port blockade, looting, fires, and any terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, an epidemic, quarantine, or any similar event. In all these cases of cancellation, iLOTUS TOURS will deduct the amount of these penalties from the deposit paid by the client but will refund the remaining amount to the client by bank transfer, with the client covering all bank fees.
