Myanmar Discovery
7 Days
from
$2995 per person*
Highlights:
Myanmar
(Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake)
Trip Start/End:
Yangon
/
Yangon
Glide silently past local Shan villagers and their centuries-old stilt houses on the serene waters of Inle Lake in this time-locked land.
Myanmar – formerly known as Burma – was off-limits to foreign tourists for many years until the political instability that has dogged the country for decades was finally resolved in recent years. Now you’ll be among the first foreign tourists to discover this ancient land and its spiritual rituals that have been preserved without western influence. Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the temple zone of Bagan; visit the distinctive wooden Shwe Yan Pyay monastery with its oval windows; village-hop by bicycle; picnic beside ancient jungle temples; sample local wine and cigars; meet talented village artisans; and tour the colonial-era city of Yangon.
Experienced local guides and private drivers will reveal the secrets of Myanmar that have been lost to western eyes for decades. You’ll meet the local people, sample authentic Burmese cuisine and gain an insight into the ancient spiritual rituals of the elaborate monasteries in a genuinely authentic travel experience. And you’ll do so while staying in impeccable four- and five-star hotels that have been carefully selected to showcase all the diversity, character and refined hospitality of Myanmar.
Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Yangon
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
| Savoy (3*)
Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Yangon
| - Private - Yangon City Tour with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
- Private - Yangon After Sunset with Shwedagon Pagoda - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
| Savoy (3*)
Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Yangon - Bagan
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Air - Yangon - Bagan [Direct (1.5 hrs)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Private - Markets, Monasteries, Boat Ride to 12th Century Hidden Cave Temple with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Tharabar Gate Hotel (4*)
Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Bagan
| - Balloons over Bagan - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Private - Bagan Explorer with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Tharabar Gate Hotel (4*)
Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Bagan - Inle Lake
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Air - Bagan - Inle Lake [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Private - 1/2 Day Experience Shan Culture with Lunch & Wine Tasting - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Villa Inle Resort (4*)
Lake Side Garden Single Villa (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Inle Lake
| - Private - A Day on the Lake with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Villa Inle Resort (4*)
Lake Side Garden Single Villa (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Inle Lake - Yangon
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Air - Inle Lake - Yangon [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
- 1/2 Day Vehicle at Leisure - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Yangon
Savoy Hotel
Day 1: Yangon
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Yangon and the airport.
Accommodation: Savoy (3*) Overlooking the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, The Savoy Hotel is ideally located in a picturesque area of Yangon and is easily accessible from popular regional attractions. Each guest room is comfortably furnished with colonial-style wooden fittings, traditional Myanmar antiques and beautifully appointed bathrooms. Dine at Kipling's Restaurant where a splendid assortment of Asian flavors are served, or savor traditional Italian cuisines at Rossini. Sip your favorite drink at the Captain's Bar and enjoy refreshments and tea specialties at the Cafe Yangon. Spend your day absorbing the aromas, sights and sensations of a different world, at The Savoy Hotel.
Sule Pagoda - Golden Buddha
Shwedagon Pagoda Illuminated
Day 2: Yangon
Yangon is a sprawling city with a relatively small downtown area including several markets, colonial buildings, the Yangon River and a very green area with tree-lined streets and several lakes. During this full day tour you will be shown you the different faces of Yangon from the landmarks to the hidden markets that have sees only few westerners. During the day you will visit the Sule Pagoda, colonial downtown, the harbour, The Strand, one of the colourful local markets and Kandawgyi lake. The reclining Buddha will be visited just before taking the famous circular train to bring you right behind Bogyoke Aung San market before heading back to your hotel. The tour includes a drink at the Strand Hotel with lunch.
At the end of the day many Yangonites leave their office and on the way back home they stop for some shopping, catch up with friends at a teashop, visit a pagoda or go to a beer station. This is exactly what you are going to do as well this evening. Highlight of the tour will be the evening visit to the illuminated Shwedagon pagoda – a magic and mystical moment at a time that it’s not very busy on the main platform. After the pagoda visit there will be local snacks to be tasted as well as a local draft beer or a fresh lime juice. The tour includes drinks at the highest tower in Yangon, a walk over the night market in downtown, tea and snacks as well as a simple local dinner shared with some locals.
Accommodation: Savoy (3*) 
Bagan
Tharabar Gate Hotel
Day 3: Yangon - Bagan
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Yangon and the airport.
Fly one way from Yangon to Bagan.
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Bagan and the airport.
An ideal excursion on your second or third day in Bagan when you feel like you have seen most of the temples (or at least enough) and also want to discover some other things. Cross the river by private boat to Pakkoku and visit a local slipper factory, the market and see where the famous Pakkoku blankets are made. Continue by boat to Kyauk Gu Ohnmin cave temple that rarely sees foreign visitors. After a picnic lunch near this fantastic temple your guide and driver will show you how palm juice is collected and you will visit later in the day a local lacquer-ware workshop in Myinkaba village.
Accommodation: Tharabar Gate Hotel (4*) The Tharabar Gate Hotel is located in the most unique Archeological Site of South East Asia, the Ancient capital of the Burmese Empire, Old Bagan. Surrounded by more than 4000 ancient temples and Pagodas, you will be enchanted by the breathtaking views. The Hotel offers 84 luxury rooms including 4 Suites. Every room is decorated with teak floors and typical Burmese furniture.
Ballooning over Bagan
Beautiful Bagan Temple
Day 4: Bagan
Simply a “must-do” when visiting Bagan. Early morning before sunrise you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the launch site for a spectacular hot air balloon ride over the temple zone in Bagan. The mostly British balloon pilots are operating each balloon under highest UK safety standards and the views you will get are simply breathtakingly spectacular. After floating in the air and following the wind you will land safely and be welcomed back on the ground by a smiling crew serving cold champagne before bringing you to your hotel.
A full day tour by car, with an experienced guide through Bagan will show you the best known temples of the area. You will begin the day climbing Buledi Pagoda to get a first impressive view over the whole area. From here the guide plans his way to some of the other amazing temples that have been here for hundreds of years. Places like the Ananda, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Thatbyinnyu will certainly impress you. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant and around 4:00PM, you will continue the tour by horse cart to Pyathagyi pagoda to catch the sunset with some refreshing drinks served. The best part of this tour; whenever you see a temple you like, just ask your guide to stop to have a look at it. Simply pick your own favourite temple.
Accommodation: Tharabar Gate Hotel (4*) 
Inle Lake
Gang Hay Lay - Traditional Shan Curried Pork
The Villa Inle Resort
Day 5: Bagan - Inle Lake
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Bagan and the airport.
Fly one way from Bagan to Inle Lake.
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Inle Lake and the airport.
As described in many books, the Shan culture is very interesting and rich and especially in Nyaung Shwe you still get a bit of the feeling of the former Shan kingdom of Nyaung Shwe. Begin with a visit of the Buddha museum which is housed in the former “Haw” (palace) of the last Shan prince of Nyaung Shwe (Mr Sao Shwe Thaike, who later became the first prime minister of Myanmar after independence). Enjoy a nice Shan lunch at the Viewpoint restaurant and then continue the tour to the local market looking for some traditional Shan cotton and Shan traditional dresses. A visit to the ancient teak wooden Shwe Yan Pyay monastery with the oval windows is certainly giving the opportunity for some great pictures. You will be peddled around some small canals and pass floating gardens in a small wooden boat for about half an hour to see more of the local Shan life from the water. End the tour with a visit and some wine tasting of the excellent wines at the Red Mountain winery in Nyaung Shwe.
Accommodation: Villa Inle Resort (4*) Villa Inle Resort & Spa is located beside the cultural and natural icon that is Myanmar’s Inle Lake. Spread over more than 20 acres on the eastern fringe of the lake near the village of Maing Tauk, the property features 16 secluded lakeside villas. All villas at Villa Inle Resort & Spa are designed to harmoniously blend in with the natural environment and feature hand-selected local paintings and antiques, high wooden ceilings, spacious living areas and bathrooms . Rooms include king size beds, air conditioning with heating facility, LCD television, WiFi access and lakefront balconies. Hotel Restaurant serves Western & Shan, Myanmar and Inthar cuisine. The hotel also features Spa Services on site.
Life on the Lake
Day 6: Inle Lake
Inle Lake in southern Shan State is a vast natural lake surrounded by traditional Shan villages. On the lake itself the Intha people have been living for many centuries in village built entirely on stilts on the lake. Today, you will be taken by a private motorboat around the lake to discover its natural beauty, visit the floating gardens and hopefully see some of the famous leg rowers as well as enjoy tea time at a local family’s house. On and around the lake, traditional markets are held in different villages according to a 5-day rotating schedule and today you will visit a colourful market frequented by Shan and Pao people living nearby. Afterwards, visit a local cheroot factory (where the Burmese cigars are made), floating tomato gardens, Intha Heritage house where the Burmese cats are bred and if wanted you can visit a weaving factory. Return to your hotel around 4:00 PM, in time for sunset.
Accommodation: Villa Inle Resort (4*) Day 7: Inle Lake - Yangon
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Inle Lake and the airport.
Fly one way from Inle Lake to Yangon.
Enjoy the usage of a private vehicle with English speaking driver and guide at leisure for a half day in Yangon.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Savoy Hotel
Savoy (3*) - Yangon
Overlooking the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, The Savoy Hotel is ideally located in a picturesque area of Yangon and is easily accessible from popular regional attractions. Each guest room is comfortably furnished with colonial-style wooden fittings, traditional Myanmar antiques and beautifully appointed bathrooms. Dine at Kipling's Restaurant where a splendid assortment of Asian flavors are served, or savor traditional Italian cuisines at Rossini. Sip your favorite drink at the Captain's Bar and enjoy refreshments and tea specialties at the Cafe Yangon. Spend your day absorbing the aromas, sights and sensations of a different world, at The Savoy Hotel.
- Tharabar Gate Hotel
Tharabar Gate Hotel (4*) - Bagan
The Tharabar Gate Hotel is located in the most unique Archeological Site of South East Asia, the Ancient capital of the Burmese Empire, Old Bagan. Surrounded by more than 4000 ancient temples and Pagodas, you will be enchanted by the breathtaking views. The Hotel offers 84 luxury rooms including 4 Suites. Every room is decorated with teak floors and typical Burmese furniture.
- The Villa Inle Resort
Lake Side Garden Single Villa
Villa Inle Resort (4*) - Inle Lake
Villa Inle Resort & Spa is located beside the cultural and natural icon that is Myanmar’s Inle Lake. Spread over more than 20 acres on the eastern fringe of the lake near the village of Maing Tauk, the property features 16 secluded lakeside villas. All villas at Villa Inle Resort & Spa are designed to harmoniously blend in with the natural environment and feature hand-selected local paintings and antiques, high wooden ceilings, spacious living areas and bathrooms . Rooms include king size beds, air conditioning with heating facility, LCD television, WiFi access and lakefront balconies. Hotel Restaurant serves Western & Shan, Myanmar and Inthar cuisine. The hotel also features Spa Services on site.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Myanmar
VISA/PASSPORT
A passport and visa are required for entry into Myanmar for both US and Canadian citizens. We will provide a letter of invitation which you can then use to acquire your visa. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival. Processing generally takes 8 working days along with a visa processing fee of approximately $30. Travelers are required to show their passports with valid visas at all airports, train stations, and hotels. Security checkpoints are common outside of tourist areas.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Myanmar for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are not widespread and poor quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/burma.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Yangon (Rangoon).
Government: Socialist Republic since 1974. Power assumed by the army in 1988.
Language: The official language is Myanmar (Burmese). There are over 100 dialects spoken in Myanmar. English is spoken in business circles.
Religion: 89% Theravada Buddhist. The remainder are Hindu, Muslim, Christian and animist.
Time: GMT + 6.5.
Electricity: 220-230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone: Country code +95. Only larger cities can be dialed direct from within Myanmar; smaller towns still use manual switchboards and callers need to ask the operator to connect them to a specific town operator. International calls are difficult to place outside hotels.
Mobile Telephone: There is no international roaming in Myanmar. Note: Mobile phones may be collected by customs on arrival and released to you upon departure.
Internet: There are a few Internet cafes, but access to many free international e-mail services is blocked. All Internet use is monitored by the government and is usually expensive.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 60 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus 30% of the program price and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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