Discover Burma Tour

Journey to a country steeped in history, a mystical, beautiful land of golden temples with a rich and vibrant cultural heritage.

Experience the tranquility of Inle Lake and see its intriguing leg rowers, explore the artistic heritage of Mandalay and the faded charm of old Rangoon, journey down the Ayeyarwaddy River to the famous archeological temple site of Bagan, enjoy the natural environments of the lofty hill stations of Mt Popa and Pyin U Lwin, and meet the people who make this country so unforgettable.

"We believe that responsible tourism, if undertaken correctly, can be used as a tool to promote economic assistance to the people in Burma, as well as a means to raise awareness of the many issues that Burma faces". Voices for Burma - www.voicesforburma.org

Discover Burma Tour Highlights

• 2000 year old golden Shwedagon Pagoda
• Inle Lake - infamous leg rowers, floating gardens, silk weaving villages
• Day walk to a Pa-O village and Kakku, a hidden treasure of Buddhist stupas
• Sunrise over Mandalay’s U Bein wooden footbridge
• Explore the ancient city of Amarapura on foot and bicycle
• The lofty resort of Pyin U Lwin and the 400 acre National Kandawgyi Gardens
• Visiting a local orphanage who have invited us to spend time with them
• Mingun village and the world’s largest ringing bell
• Ayeyarwady River boat trip and fascinating insight into local river life
• Bagan - World Heritage archaeological site of ancient temples and pagodas
• Mt Popa - lush volcanic forest environment and wildlife
• Very personalized small group experience
• Escorted by fantastic tour leader/s supported by local guides

“We were first time travelers looking for an ‘off the beaten track’ type trip with a bit of adventure. We certainly had this. We enjoyed the company of a great group of fellow travelers. The attention to detail by Pacific Discovery and the tour leaders was exceptional.” Mary-Anne and Trevor Stretton

Discover Burma Tour Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 Arrive Yangon, sightseeing
Day 2 Morning flight to Heho, transfer to Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake, sunset at lake
Day 3 Inle Lake boat trip and sights
Day 4 Inle Lake, Pa-O village, Kakku
Day 5 Flight to Mandalay, sightseeing
Day 6 Mandalay, explore Amarapura
Day 7 Drive to Pyin U Lwin, exploring area
Day 8 Exploring Pyin U Lwin area
Day 9 Drive to Mandalay, boat trip to Mingun Village, visit Sagaing
Day 10 Ayeyarwaddy river trip to Bagan
Day 11 Bagan sightseeing
Day 12 Bagan sights, then drive to Mt Popa
Day 13 Exploring Mt Popa area
Day 14 Drive to Bagan, flight to Yangon
Day 15 Farewell Burma, depart Yangon

Discover Burma Tour Itinerary

Journey to a country steeped in history, a mystical, beautiful land of golden temples with a rich and vibrant cultural heritage

BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Day 1. Yangon

A mid-morning arrival in Yangon. Check into our lovely traditionally styled hotel, on the edge of the Royal Lake in the heart of Yangon. We enjoy the sights of Yangon, including the huge reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, a walk through the city centre’s busy streets to give you a feel for local life, and Bogyoke Aung San Market where an extensive selection of Burmese handicrafts can be found. Late afternoon we visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Burma’s most famous landmark. Over 2,000 years old, Shwedagon is plated with 42 tons of solid gold slabs. Its tip is inset with thousands of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz. Shwedagon is symbolic of the importance of Buddhism to Burma and legend has it that the pagoda houses eight of the Buddha's hairs. Enjoy sunset city views from the hilltop.
LD

Day 2. Nyaung Shwe & Inle Lake

Morning flight to Heho. From Heho we drive one hour to Nyaung Shwe, a small gateway town to Inle Lake. After checking into our boutique hotel, we explore the town and enjoy a short canoe ride to watch a spectacular sunset on the lake.
BD

Day 3. Inle Lake

Today’s excursion by boat on Inle Lake gives us an insider’s view of life in this unique community where villages, farms and a monastery perch over the water on stilts and float on pads of reeds and earth. We will see the famous leg rowers, floating gardens, fascinating local fishing and village life, and a floating market. We also visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the silk weaving village of In Paw Khon, and Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, known for its jumping cats.
BL

Day 4. Inle Lake & Kakku

We take a 4 hour walk crossing the small mountain range that borders Inle Lake, to a Pa -O village where we have a simple lunch. The Pa-O, also known as Black Karen, are one of Burma’s many ethnic minorities. Historically enslaved and forced to wear indigo-dyed clothing to signify their status, many still do so today. Most Pa-O are Buddhist but their written language was created by Christian missionaries. After lunch we continue by van to Kakku to walk among magnificent collections of late 19th century style Buddhist stupas. We return to Nyaung Shwe for dinner.
BLD

Day 5. Mandalay

A morning flight to Mandalay, the spiritual, cultural and traditional capital. Exploring Mandalay today we visit Shwe Nandaw Kyaung (the Golden Palace), one of the few intact buildings of the royal palace and which was donated by King Thibaw for use as a monastery. At Kuthodaw Pagoda we see the world’s largest book, comprising 729 marble slabs of Buddhist scriptures. We also visit Mandalay Palace and some of the many local handicraft workshops that make Mandalay the arts and cultural heart of Burma, specialising in woodcarving, marble masonry, kalaga tapestries and gold leaf hammering.
BD

Day 6. Mandalay & Amarapura

An early start today enables us to enjoy a tranquil sunrise over picturesque U Bein Bridge, a 1.2 kilometre long teak footbridge, and to observe the colourful bustle as local daily life begins. From the ancient city of Amarapura we explore, by foot and bicycle, the legendary monasteries where thousands of monks study Buddhist scriptures. We return to Mandalay for the afternoon where you can explore more of the city’s sights or take a relaxing break by the pool.
BD

Days 7-8. Pyin U Lwin

We travel 2 hours by private van to the scenic hill resort of Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo), situated over 3600 ft above sea level, and famous for its lovely lake, National Kandawgyi Garden and colonial era buildings. Visit Pwe Kauk waterfall, nearby Shan villages and walk in the 400 acre National Kandawgyi gardens. We will also spend time at a local orphanage and school, whose Director was one of the many people who inspired this tour to Burma.
BD, BD

Day 9. Mandalay, Mingun & Sagaing

We return to Mandalay and then travel by boat for one hour to Mingun village on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River. We’ll explore Mingun village, see the world’s largest intact working bell, and visit Shinbume Pagoda built in 1816. In the afternoon we visit Sagaing, with its 600 white painted pagodas and monasteries it is widely regarded as the religious center of Burma, being home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers.
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Day 10. Ayeyarwady River to Bagan

An early breakfast then transfer to Kyawzun Jetty and board our ferry for the downriver trip to Bagan. The Ayeyarwady River is the main trading artery, particularly between Mandalay and Yangon, and this is a great opportunity to observe Burmese life along the way, such as local people using bamboo rafts to carry supplies. We arrive in Bagan late afternoon.
BLD

Day 11. Bagan

Bagan is considered one of the most amazing sites in Asia, and whilst remaining virtually unknown, its significance is comparable to sites such as Rome and Jerusalem. Of the 13,000 temples that once stood, 2,200 remain. Travelling by horse cart today, we visit some of the famous Bagan temples and pagodas to gain insight to their history, different architectural styles, and to see their incredible wall paintings. Finish off a fantastic day soaking up a beautiful Bagan sunset from the summit of a pagoda.
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Day 12. Bagan & Mt Popa

This morning we continue exploring the ancient pagodas, Nyaung U market, and some of the workshops producing lacquare ware, for which Bagan is famed. Late afternoon we depart Bagan for the one hour journey to Mt Popa, travelling by private van through villages and fertile volcanic plains verdant with peanut and sesame plantations.
BD

Day 13. Mt Popa

A relaxing start to the day with a leisurely breakfast overlooking a stunning view of Taunglakat – a tower-like volcanic plug believed to have blown out during an eruption over 250,000 years ago. Options today include a short walk to the summit of Taungkalat, visits to a sandalwood forest and Popa village, forest walks to spot colourful birds and butterflies, and a reviving swim in the natural spring pool at our lodge.
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Day 14. Bagan & Yangon

This morning we return to Bagan and transfer to the airport for our flight to Yangon. Our final afternoon in Yangon we have time to visit markets, craft workshops, enjoy a coffee at the historic Strand Hotel, or return to some of your favourite haunts from our first stop in Yangon.
BD

Day 15. Yangon & flight home

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our departing international flights, and a poignant farewell to Burma’s heartwarming people.
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Discover Burma Tour Notes

Journey to a country steeped in history, a mystical, beautiful land of golden temples with a rich and vibrant cultural heritage

Suitability

This tour is suitable for anyone who is moderately active - we’ve had 10-80 year olds join us on our itineraries. For the active, there is the option of a day trek near Inle Lake. Southeast Asian towns and cities are often best explored on foot and bicycle however, motos, cyclos, and taxis are available for the less active.

Accommodation

Our accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to enhance our experience. On this itinerary we enjoy: 13 nights in locally owned character hotels and guesthouses with private bathroom/ensuite and air conditioning.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling in Asia and throughout there will be the opportunity to eat authentic Burmese or Western style food. Special dietary requirements are catered for. Asian style eating is often a communal affair, and allows for a far greater variety of dishes to be sampled - it’s also more fun. Most meals are included as indicated in the itinerary but we do have some independent meals enabling a choice of where, when and what you eat.

Transport

The itinerary has been designed to maximise comfort and safety whilst also giving you the opportunity to experience local transport and take part in daily life. We utilise private vans, taxis, boats, bicycles, horse carts and take three flights within the region.

Tour Cost

Tour cost is NZ $5135 / US $3850

Tour inclusions

› All tour related travel and transport from tour start to finish including three flights within Burma and applicable airport taxes
› All accommodation*
› Most meals as indicated in the itinerary
› All excursions, activities and entry fees as described in the itinerary (unless noted as optional)
› Escorted by a Pacific Discovery tour leader and the services of English-speaking local guides
› Online image library for your tour
›› Refer information booklet for international flight options and exclusions
*Twin or double share basis. Single supplement available for additional NZ$785, US$590