Example Itinerary

Cultural Highlights and Himalayan Foothills

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Heritage, Amazing Landscapes
Destinations
Myanmar

Revel in the lush natural beauty of a country known for it’s colorful political past. Myanmar boasts the most intricately-designed Buddhas in the world, as well as several traditional temples open to the public. Discover your adventurous side as you travel into the country’s beautiful trekking scene. This 14-day Myanmar itinerary will take you through Yangon, Bagan, Lake Inle, Mandalay, and Putao. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Ancient Bagan: Explore the ancient city of Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built over more than 38 square miles next to the Irrawaddy River, this massive 9th-century complex is one of Myanmar’s most impressive cultural wonders.
  • Inle Lake: Enjoy the floating gardens of Inle Lake in the Shan Hills of Myanmar and learn how to make a cheroot cigar with locals.
  • Himalayan Foothills: Southeast Asia gives way to snow-capped peaks at Putao, where travelers will raft, bike, and drive through the northernmost accessible areas of Kachin State.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Yangon

Arrive in Yangon, the country’s former capital filled with beautiful colonial style buildings. Spend the evening familiarizing yourself with your surroundings and checking into your hotel. Relax at your hotel this evening. We recommend the Governor's Residence or The Strand.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set in a historic 1920s colonial mansion in the sought-after Embassy Quarter of Yangon

Pool: Large fan-shaped swimming pool framed by lush tropical gardens and a lotus pond

Decor: Rooms and suites are adorned with traditional Burmese teak furniture and hand-woven Southeast Asian fabrics

Bathrooms: En-suite bathrooms have large sunken bathtubs and indulgent toiletries

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Governor's Residence Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Strand is located on the Yangon River in the heart of the shopping and diplomatic district of the city

History: Built in 1901, The Strand is Myanmar's most famous hotel, patronized by prominent 20th century figures.

Service: Butlers work 24/7 to ensure guests have everything they need.

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The Strand Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Bagan

After having breakfast at your hotel, fly to the ancient city of Bagan. The city once had over 10,000 Buddhist temples and more than 2,000 remain today. After checking into your hotel, take a tour of the Ananda temple. The temple contains four massive Buddha images and King Anawrahta’s famous golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda. Feel enlightened as you visit the Temple of Omniscience, known as Thatbyinnyu. See the grand interlocking brickworks at the famous, massive Dhammayangyi Temple. Watch the sun dip in the tangerine sky from Bagan’s ancient monuments and take a quaint horse cart ride through the old town in the evening, before retiring to Aureum Palace Hotel.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Aureum Palace Hotel is situated in one of Myanmar’s most ancient kingdoms, abundant with old pagodas and crumbling ruins.

Setting: The resort is reminiscent of an ancient oriental settlement with traditional Burmese architecture inspired buildings on 27 acres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens.

Spa: The hotel’s in-house spa provides a peaceful oasis with treatments ranging from traditional Myanmar and Thai massages to herbal oil massages and foot reflexology.

Food: The hotel boasts Burmese, Shan, Thai and other exotic regional cuisines.

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Aureum Palace Hotel Preferred Hotel
Bagan
Bagan

Day 3

Bagan

Catch a majestic Bagan sunrise to begin your day. Learn about village life as you visit Tayokepay Temple and Min Nan Thu Village. You’ll have the rare opportunity to learn how to extract coveted groundnut oil. Marvel at the intricate murals painting the walls of the Phaya Thonezu and Nanda-pyinnya Temples. Stock up on artisanal goods and snack on Burmese treats and ripe produce as you peruse the lively Nyaung Oo Market. Gain new cultural insight as you continue to Myinkaba to visit the Gubyaukgyi Temple, noted for its intricate stucco detail, as well as Nanpaya Temple, Manuha temple and its grandiose Buddha images. The day is complete as you relax on a sunset boat trip and cruise down the Ayeyarwady River.

Day 4

Inle Lake

Day four of your adventure is spent traveling through Heho and arriving in Inle. Enjoy a ferry ride and catch a glimpse of the beautiful floating gardens and the unique one-legged fishing style specific to the area. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

History: Opening in November 2014, Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min was the very first Novotel property to be launched in Myanmar, leading the way for premium hotels and resorts in this beautiful, unspoilt region.

Location: Thoughtfully placed on the banks of Lake Inle - the second largest body of water in Myanmar - Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min hotel is situated in one of the most scenic spots in the country.

Service: Guests will receive the excellent levels of personal service that Novotel is famous for, with attentive staff always on hand to fulfill guests’ personal needs and requests.

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Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The hotel places tourists in the heart of scenic Inle Lake, where serene waters are fringed by marshes, floating gardens, and Buddhist temples.

Comfort: From temperature-controlled infinity pools with stunning rooms to opulently appointed rooms with round the clock room service, guests of the Sofitel Inle Lake are guaranteed to leave refreshed.

Reliability: Over the past 50 years, the Sofitel brand has built a reputation on the promise of luxury, ensuring tourists of Inle Lake that they can enjoy a remote natural beauty without having to sacrifice an ounce of personal comfort.

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Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Preferred Hotel

Day 5

Inle Lake

You’re just in time for the fifth day market. Join in as the region’s ethnic tribes meet to buy, sell and exchange delicious home grown produce. Watch as local tribesmen create traditional handicrafts such as the local cheroot - a cigar with open ends on each side. Explore the well-known “Nga Phe Chaung” monastery and view the stunning collection of Buddhist statues.

Inle Lake
Inle Lake

Day 6

Mandalay

Take a boat ride to Nyaung Shwe to reach Heho airport for your flight into Mandalay - the last royal capital of Burma. See the world’s largest book at the golden Buddhist Stupa - Kuthodaw Pagoda. The pagoda is made up of 729 marbles slabs. Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda that is regarded as one of the holiest Pagodas in Myanmar’s history. Walk through the Golden Palace (Shwe Kyaung) monastery, decorated with elaborate wood carvings. Spend the sunset in peace as you watch the evening prayers. That night, rest at your hotel in the city.

Hotel Options
About

With 206 guest rooms and suites featuring beautiful views of the Irrawaddy River and the Royal Palace, the Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel is a comfortable retreat located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Amenities include a fitness center, two tennis courts, a swimming pool, massage services as well as a number of dining options to choose from.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Being a boutique property this hotel prides itself on its high standards of Myanmar grace and hospitality. The hotel is a celebration of all things Myanmar, featuring teak furniture, fixtures and fittings made from rattan, mother-of-pearl and Myanmar marble.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 7

Putao

Lounge in leisure until it’s time for your mid-morning departure to Putao. Putao is the gateway for trekkers looking to explore the snow-capped mountains and sprawling flat valleys. Enjoy dinner and a quiet overnight in a white canopied bed at the Malikha Lodge.

Hotel Options
About

Travelers visiting the rather off-the-beaten-track Northern Kachin State, can bask in the glory of this cozy resort perched high above the Nam Lang River with spectacular views of mountains and rice terraces. Malikha Lodge, designed by world famous architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Aman Resorts, exudes the sought-after feeling of luxury and seclusion in a wilderness setting.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Putao

Begin the morning by strolling through a local Putao market ran by the area’s ethnic tribes. Enjoy a jeep excursion down a pebbled road and across the Malikha River to the quaint colonial style town of Machanbaw. Explore the candidly-named “Stone Dragon Park,” before taking a local river boat for a tour of the sprawling Rawan local village. Here, you have the rare opportunity to see the Kanugmulon Pagoda - a historic Buddhist monument built in 300 B.C.

Putao
Putao

Day 9

Putao

Catch a glimpse of the country’s humanitarian efforts as you visit one of the local orphanage schools. Once you’ve finished your visit, walk and bike to the Paneling Hkamti Shan Village and find the exotic Mahamuni picture displayed in the village. Journey through Putaung Shan, Gyin Lisu and Malawagy villages all against an incredible backdrop of picturesque, snow-capped mountains. Make your way back to the Malikha Lodge through the village of Lonsut.

Day 10

Putao

Get ready for an adventurous day as you take a jeep ride into the Mulashidi village. It’s time to grab an oar and raft down the pristine freshwater of Mula river. Post-rafting, you can explore the exotic white river beaches before returning to Putao by jeep.

Day 11

Putao

Walk or bike your way through the Lonsut village and the unending paddy fields. Cross Namhtun creek, the Hopaing Shan Village, the village’s exquisite monastery and see a different way of life as you stop and discover how the locals live.

Putao
Putao

Day 12

Mandalay

Stock up on last minute souvenirs from the area’s local market before catching your flight back to Mandalay. Rest up at your hotel that evening.

Hotel Options
About

With 206 guest rooms and suites featuring beautiful views of the Irrawaddy River and the Royal Palace, the Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel is a comfortable retreat located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Amenities include a fitness center, two tennis courts, a swimming pool, massage services as well as a number of dining options to choose from.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Being a boutique property this hotel prides itself on its high standards of Myanmar grace and hospitality. The hotel is a celebration of all things Myanmar, featuring teak furniture, fixtures and fittings made from rattan, mother-of-pearl and Myanmar marble.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 13

Yangon

Travel to the jetty by an exclusive private boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River that will take you all the way to Mingun. Take a picture with the world’s largest functioning bronze bell: the Mingun bell. See the unfinished Mingun Paya that once aspired to be the world's largest pagoda, though this has yet to come to fruition. Take a late afternoon flight to Yangon and enjoy an evening of leisure in your hotel.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set in a historic 1920s colonial mansion in the sought-after Embassy Quarter of Yangon

Pool: Large fan-shaped swimming pool framed by lush tropical gardens and a lotus pond

Decor: Rooms and suites are adorned with traditional Burmese teak furniture and hand-woven Southeast Asian fabrics

Bathrooms: En-suite bathrooms have large sunken bathtubs and indulgent toiletries

Read More
Governor's Residence Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

A Cultural Stronghold: With its stately, British-inspired architecture, glittering Buddhist pagodas, colorful markets, parks, lakes, and long riverfront, Yangon is a vibrant cityscape that’s ripe for exploration. Rosewood Yangon is an ideal starting point for those looking to tour the nearby markets, art galleries, bars, restaurants and historic sites.

Wellness at Your Fingertips: Sense: the Rosewood Spa, is second-to-none in the city of Yangon when it comes to its menu of massages paired with natural ingredients and several locally-inspired healing treatments. A private hair salon is also on site.

A Refined Sense of Aesthetics: Living spaces and facilities at Rosewood Yangon are well-appointed with touches like lavish furnishings, hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Stimulating contemporary art pieces adorn the walls alongside tasteful glass shelving units.

Read More
Rosewood Yangon Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Strand is located on the Yangon River in the heart of the shopping and diplomatic district of the city

History: Built in 1901, The Strand is Myanmar's most famous hotel, patronized by prominent 20th century figures.

Service: Butlers work 24/7 to ensure guests have everything they need.

Read More
The Strand Preferred Hotel

Day 14

Departure

Walk along the streets of Yangon to discover the city’s picturesque colonial architecture, the Karaweik Royal Barge suspended over the quiet Royal Lake and a last chance shop through the massive Bogyoke Aung San Market. Your adventure ends here, as you travel from Yangon and make your way home.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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