Prayers, Pagodas & Arts
9 Days
from
$3090 per person*
Highlights:
Myanmar
(Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake)
Trip Start/End:
Yangon
/
Yangon
Watch the sun set over Myanmar as you sip cocktails perched high on Pyathagyi pagoda and reflect on the rich cultural heritage of this mysterious region.
Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar was closed to foreign tourists for many years as politically instability rocked the once wealthy country. Westerners are still a curiosity for many Myanmar locals, and on this trip you’ll cast your eyes on sights rarely seen by foreigners. You’ll witness the echoes of colonialism in Yangon’s historic architecture and meet the friendly locals in the city’s many open-air markets. The Yangon River, Kandawgyi lake and reclining Buddha give the city its distinctive character. You’ll journey further on where you’ll discover the Kyauk Gu Ohnmin cave temple; visit a local village; climb the Mountain of Deities for stunning views; visit the quirky ‘jumping cat’ monastery; and cruise through lush floating gardens.
From five-star heritage hotels to jungle resorts and beach-side villas, your accommodation has been selected to showcase the diverse landscapes of Myanmar while keeping you firmly in the lap of luxury. Your private guides and drivers will bridge communication gaps and help you experience the stories and talents of the local craftsmen, chefs and stallholders that have been isolated from the west for so long.
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
| The Strand (5*)
Deluxe Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Yangon
| - Private - Yangon City Tour with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| The Strand (5*)
Deluxe 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
| - Private - Bagan Explorer with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Tharabar Gate Hotel (4*)
Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Bagan - Mandalay
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Air - Bagan - Mandalay [Direct (0.5 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Private - Mandalay Monuments - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Private - Mandalay’s Night Market & Marionettes - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
| Rupar Mandalar Resort (4*)
Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Mandalay
| - Private - Day Cruise over the Ayeyarwaddy River with Lunch - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Rupar Mandalar Resort (4*)
Deluxe (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Mandalay - Inle Lake
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide
- Air - Mandalay - Inle Lake [Direct (0.5 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 8
- 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 9
- 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
The Strand
Day 1: Yangon
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Yangon and the airport.
Accommodation: The Strand (5*) Built in 1901, The Strand is a Yangon heritage hotel in a category all its own. This luxury resort offers large suites with lazily whirring ceiling fans, teak floors and luxurious bathrooms. All rooms are tastefully furnished with a touch of colonial style and are equipped with up to date amenities. Adding to the splendid old-world ambience is a valuable private collection of local art and antiques. From the famous Strand Bar, move on to The Café that peers onto the street or to the famous Strand Grill with its elegant Bagan prints, chandeliers and glass roof. Take pleasure in an afternoon tea or enjoy Burmese music in the Lobby Lounge.
Sule Pagoda - Golden Buddha
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.
Accommodation: The Strand (5*) 
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.
Beautiful Bagan Temple
Day 4: Bagan
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*) 
Mandalay
Kuthodaw Pagoda
Rupar Mandalar Resort
Day 5: Bagan - Mandalay
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 Mandalay.
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Mandalay and the airport.
It’s not just the former capital cities around Mandalay that are interesting to visit. During this half day tour (morning or afternoon) you will be taken to the most famous monuments of Mandalay starting with a drive by pickup truck to the top of Mandalay hill for a great view over the Mandalay fort. Next, continue onward to Atumashi and the Shwenandaw monasteries which are excellent examples of the architecture and crafts work of this region. The tour will end with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda with the white marble slabs. The Kuthodaw Pagoda is often referred to as the “World Biggest Book” in tourist guide books but actual a place of worship, rather than a place to read the religious text as it would take 450 days to read this “Book”.
A fun tour to get to know the real Mandalay, starting with a visit to a viewpoint near the Ayeyarwaddy River for a cold Mandalay beer during sunset. Continue to the busy Yadanar night market to have some traditional snacks and a walk around before heading to one of the most famous beer stations and BBQ restaurants in Mandalay. Your guide will order the food and make sure you’re satisfied. Continue before 8:30 PM to the excellent Mandalay marionettes theatre for a show performed by a mix of traditional dancers, musician and puppeteers.
Accommodation: Rupar Mandalar Resort (4*) The Rupar Mandalar Resort is a romantic boutique hotel in an exotic atmosphere surrounded by nature. The hotel has 16 rooms with modern facilities, swimming pool, tennis court, and a health & beauty spa.
Mingun Pagoda
Day 6: Mandalay
Mandalay and the other former royal capitals around it have all been capital cities for a while for one major reason: they are all situated on the Ayeyarwaddy River (Irrawaddy). Feel the breeze of the river and imagine how it must have been to arrive by boat in Mingun or at the court of Ava. From the jetty in Mandalay you will be taken upstream to Mingun and visit the Mingun Pagoda with the big crack caused by an earthquake and the giant bronze bell. Take a leisurely boat cruise for about 3 hours downstream to Ava. A simple lunch packed in rattan baskets will be served while cruising down. Arriving in Ava, horse carts are ready to take us around this magnificent site with various ancient temple ruins that used to be majestic buildings during the 400 years that Ava was the capital. Return to Mandalay by car. An ideal excursion if you don’t take the boat from Mandalay to Bagan since the most interesting part of the long boat ride is covered in this shorter cruise.
Accommodation: Rupar Mandalar Resort (4*) 
Inle Lake
Gang Hay Lay - Traditional Shan Curried Pork
The Villa Inle Resort
Day 7: Mandalay - Inle Lake
A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Mandalay and the airport.
Fly one way from Mandalay 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 8: 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 9: 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
- The Strand
The Strand (5*) - Yangon
Built in 1901, The Strand is a Yangon heritage hotel in a category all its own. This luxury resort offers large suites with lazily whirring ceiling fans, teak floors and luxurious bathrooms. All rooms are tastefully furnished with a touch of colonial style and are equipped with up to date amenities. Adding to the splendid old-world ambience is a valuable private collection of local art and antiques. From the famous Strand Bar, move on to The Café that peers onto the street or to the famous Strand Grill with its elegant Bagan prints, chandeliers and glass roof. Take pleasure in an afternoon tea or enjoy Burmese music in the Lobby Lounge.
- 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.
- Rupar Mandalar Resort
Rupar Mandalar Resort (4*) - Mandalay
The Rupar Mandalar Resort is a romantic boutique hotel in an exotic atmosphere surrounded by nature. The hotel has 16 rooms with modern facilities, swimming pool, tennis court, and a health & beauty spa.
- 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.
Stay in the know: Subscribe to our newsletter to have our hand-picked trips & specials delivered to you!