Myanmar Off Beaten Track (14 Days)

Yangon – Lashio – Hsipaw – Kyaukme – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay – Bagan – Heho –

 Kalaw – Inle Lake – Yangon     (14Days 13Nights)

Day 1: Yangon arrival

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be welcomed by Exotic Myanmar Tour’s representative and transferred to your hotel for check in. Afternoon, experience the full history of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the daily lives of local people living in the immediate surroundings and a deeper insight to the local spiritual beliefs in Nats – the Myanmar spirits. The tour begins from the bottom of the hill, passing local workshops, markets and monasteries. Participate in popular local activities that include offerings to the pagoda, a visit to a traditional medicine shop, and a chat with a fortune teller.

Overnight in Yangon. 

Day 2: Yangon city tour

Start early this morning at 6.30 am with a visit to the bustling fish market on the Yangon River. Continue to a vegetable market and sample the famous Burmese breakfast called Mohinga, a mild fish soup with noodles and crackers. By this time, the monks are walking through the streets to collect their alms and you have the opportunity to donate some food to them. Head back to your hotel for a full western breakfast and later, explore the different faces of Yangon from famous landmarks to the hidden markets that have seen few westerners. Starting from a famous tea shop in the 1960s, you will visit the Sule Pagoda, colonial downtown, the harbour, the historic Strand Hotel and the Kandawgyi Lake. Stop over at the reclining Buddha before taking the famous circular train which takes you right behind the Bogyoke Aung San market.

Stay overnight at hotel in Yangon.

Day 3: Yangon to Lashio to Hsipaw

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Lashio. Upon arrival at Lashio, you will be met by our representative and proceed to drive about 1.5hours to Hsipaw. If time permits, you will take an easy walk in a nearby village. Overnight in Hsipaw.

Day 4: Hsipaw

After breakfast, take a boat ride up the Dokthawaddy River through amazing scenery of mountains, plantations and rural village life. You will get out of the boat for an hour’s walk to visit a 150 years old Shan monastery in the forest. If desired, you may swim at the river confluence. On the way back to Hsipaw, visit a charming traditional Shan village and learn more about their culture. In the afternoon, walk through a panoramic scenery of paddy fields and other seasonal crops. Passing by small creeks, Shan villages, local schools, the grave of the first prince of Hsipaw, a local nunnery as well as a wooden monastery. Learn about the life of Shan people around Hsipaw and see some home-based industries like cheroot (cigar) rolling and bamboo weaving. Hear why each Shan village has a spirit house built at the entrance of the village.

Stay overnight at hotel in Hsipaw.

Day 5: Hsipaw to Kyaukme

This morning, visit the local market in Hsipaw and continue by car to Kyaukme for about 1 hour. On arrival, start trekking through the mountains surrounding Kyaukme. You will get an insight to the life of the Palaung people living in the hills. Enjoy lunch in one of the Palaung villages where you can still find people who have never seen a western foreigner and live by century old traditions.

Overnight in Kyaukme in a very simple guest house.

Day 6: Kyaukme to Pyin Oo Lwin

In the morning you have some free time to explore the town with its colonial buildings and a colorful market. Transfer to the train station and board the train for a 3-hour ride to Pyin Oo Lwin, crossing the mighty Gokteik Viaduct which was constructed in 1901 by constructors from the Pennsylvania Steel company and was once the second highest railway bridge in the world. The train will also pass by spectacular mountain scenery and small villages where vendors will enter the train to sell drinks and local snacks. At around 2pm, you will disembark from the train and continue another hour by car to Pyin Oo Lwin. Visit the botanical gardens and some of the colonial houses this town is famous for.

Stay overnight in Pyin oo Lwin.

Day 7: Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay

In the morning depart for Mandalay by car for about 1.5 hour.  Visit the exquisite Shwenandaw pagoda and Kuthodaw pagoda, often referred as the “world’s biggest book.” Hike up the Yankin Hill to see Nga Yant Min (King of Mudfish) Cave and receive meritorious prosperity by pouring water over the fish statues.

Afternoon, you will check in at your hotel before exploring Amarapura, the 18th century capital of Myanmar on bicycles. Stop along the way at a local teashop and visit a colorful market. Continue to Mahamuni pagoda, the most sacred temple in Upper Myanmar. Visit a local weaving workshop and see how tiny bits of gold are flattened into thin gold leaves where locals paste them onto Buddha images. Walk over the famed U-Bein Bridge, a 158-year-old teak wood bridge – the longest teak bridge in the world. Return to hotel by your bicycle.

Stay overnight at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 8: Mandalay to Bagan

After morning breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your noon time flight to Bagan, the most famous archaeological zone in Myanmar. On arrival in Bagan, you will be taken to a temple with a good view over the Bagan archaeological zone. Learn the history of this ancient capital which was a central power base in the mid-9th century under King Anawratha, who unified Burma under Theravada Buddhism. You will also visit other remote temples and enjoy a spectacular sunset views over thousands of temple ruins.

Stay overnight in Bagan.

Day 9: Bagan tour

Enjoy breathtaking views of the temple-studded landscape of Bagan. The dry, arid conditions have uniquely preserved more than 4000 stupas and temples built here between the 11th and 13th centuries. Explore the less visited temples today by mountain bikes along small unpaved lanes. Stops are made to enjoy some of the most spectacular views of ancient temples and you can stop whenever you wish for more photo opportunities. Arrive at noon at a temple in Minnanthu area where a picnic lunch is awaiting. After, continue by your bike to explore some of most famous temples before returning to your hotel.

Stay overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Day 10: Bagan to Heho to Kalaw

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive another 2 hours to Kalaw, at 4300 ft above sea level. Kalaw was once a favorite hill station for British administrative officials and a summer resort. On arrival in Kalaw, your guide specialized in elephant conservation will welcome you and start a half day trek through the forest. Along the way, learn about the different vegetation and animals in this area.

Stay overnight at hotel in Kalaw.

Day 11: Kalaw trekking

Wake up to a local village style breakfast in the jungle. This morning, you will visit an elephant camp and be a mahout for half a day. Learn the basic commands to give an elephant, help to feed and wash the elephants. After a simple lunch at the camp, you will drive back to Kalaw. Rest of the afternoon is free at leisure to explore this charming hill station.

Overnight in a local village house in Kalaw. 

Day 12: Kalaw to Inle Lake  

Today you will cycle about 4 hours from Aung Ban to Indien, south of Inle Lake. The trip is mostly off-road and technically easy with most of the roads flat or downhill. You will bike through numerous Pa O villages where few foreigners are seen. Stop on the way to enjoy the fantastic views over the lake and the Shan countryside. Lunch is served in a local village before visiting the ancient ruins of Indein, which are partly covered by vegetation and resemble a “pagoda forest”. After, continue to your hotel by private motorboat and relax with a spectacular sunset view over the lake.

Stay overnight at hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 13:  Inle Lake to Heho to Yangon

Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Yangon. Upon arrival be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a 1-hour foot massage (own account) and continue to Bogyoke market for some last shopping. The rest of the day is free for your last night in Burma.

Included Service:  

• Accommodation based on 13 Nights Twin or Double Room sharing program including Daily Hotel breakfast
• All kinds of internal transportation as above mentioned itinerary
• Domestic Flight (Yangon-Lashio, Mandalay-Bagan, Bagan-Heho and Heho-Yangon)
• Boat riding up the Dokthawaddy River
• Kyauk Me – Pyin Oo Lwin train via Goteik Viaduct
• Bicycle services for Amarapura & Bagan visit
• Kalaw to Inle Lake(2 days – 1 nights) trekking services
• Private boat sightseeing on Inle Lake excursion
• English Speaking Guide (Different Guide in each place)
• Entrance Fees & Zone Fees as per mentioned program
• Good local car experienced car driver
• Government Tax
• Service Tax 

Excluded Service: 

• International Ticket Fare with insurance surcharge and Fuel surcharge
• Visa Fees & Travels insurance
• Meals (Lunch and Dinner)
• Early Check in and Late Check out
• Visits not mentioned in the program
• Camera or Video Camera fees
• Reclining Chair for golden rock trip.
• Tips and gratitude to guides / drivers / porters at the hotels & Airports
• Personal Expense such as beverages, telephone calls, laundry services, Mini bar, etc….
• Drinks at meals and purify drinking water and snow Towel along in program
• Myanmar Visa Fees 50 USD

Accommodation in sharing Twin/Double room (Standard Category)

Please Note!: If some of the hotels below are fully booked, we will arrange for you another hotel with the same star rating within the same area

Accommodation in sharing Twin/Double room (Superior Category)

Accommodation in sharing Twin/Double room (Deluxe Category)

Domestic Flights