Golden Four of Myanmar with a River Cruise Trip - 9 Days
Tour Code: DF-9D8N-2
This trip will take you to explore Myanmar for an authentic travel experience as a holiday in Myanmar offers culture, tradition and awe-inspiring scenery in abundance, from the mystical plains of Bagan, to the imperial architecture of Mandalay, the gleaming pagodas of Yangon, stilt-villages and floating gardens of InLe Lake, with full day river cruise trip to Bagan to enjoy an idyllic sunrise, and treat yourself to some relaxation while sailing by beautiful shores, villages and pagodas.
Start ~ Yangon, Myanmar
Finish ~ Yangon, Myanmar
Physical rating: 2 out of 5
The Itinerary
“Mingalabar” – “Welcome to Myanmar” at the airport by your tour guide and your EMH – Enjoy Myanmar Holiday’s transfer team. We then transfer you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Meal is not included on this day.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and take a short flight to Mandalay. On arrival, we’ll drive to the hotel to check in. After taking a short relax, we’ll start sightseeing for Mandalay that will include most of the city’s outstanding historical and cultural sites:
- KuThoDaw Pagoda, known as the world’s biggest book;
- ShweNanDaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), famous for its wood carving;
- Mandalay Royal Palace, the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy
- MaHaMuNi Pagoda, famous for its life like Buddha image
Then, you will be driven to the famous U Bein Bridge for a stunning sunset view. This U Bein Bridge is 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) and built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Really nice to walk on the bridge under sunset.
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, cost is on your own, before we return to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
RIVER CRUIST TRIP TO BAGAN (FROM OCTOBER TO MARCH): Your day will be started with a beautiful sunrise from the upper deck of RV PANORAMA, enjoying breakfast on the upper deck under the warm sunlight and gentle breeze. Downstream from Mandalay to Bagan, exploring a typical village at a river bank of the Ayeyarwaddy will give you unforgettable memories. Delicious Myanmar cuisine will await you for lunch and you will have a relaxing time for sunbathing on the sun deck. As an additional service, our crew team will demonstrate different ways of wearing Myanmar Traditional Longyi (garment worn by Myanmar people) and Thanatkha (fragrant paste made from the bark of Thanatkha tree). Enjoy the gorgeous sunset moment and arrive at your destination.
FLY TO BAGAN (FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER): Morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the airport to take a flight to Bagan. The flight time is approximately 30 minutes. On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Bagan is a truly mesmerizing destination, and a favourite of many travellers. Renowned as the city of four million pagodas, this is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Today there are more than 2,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries — most built during the Bagan Dynasty, founded by King Anawrahta in 1044.
Firstly, we’ll go to the lively Nyaung U Market where provides great photo opportunities, and also the chance for tourists to mingle with the local Myanmar people, and watch how they conduct their daily lives.
Next, we will set off to explore:
- Shwe-Zi-Gon Pagoda (considered a prototype of all future such temples)
- Hti-Lo-Min-Lo Temple (a double-storied building with artistic stucco works)
- Ananda Temple (the architectural masterpiece of a millennium)
- That-Byin-Nyu Temple (the tallest in Bagan)
- Dham-Ma-Yan-Gyi Temple (noted for its intricate brickwork)
- Nyaung Lat Phet Hill to enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Today is your own day at leisure in Bagan.
Suggestions for your free time:
You can take a half day trip to Mt. Popa, the core of an extinct volcano lasted active 25,000 years ago; also known as the ‘Mt Olympus’ of Myanmar, the abode of Myanmar’s most powerful Nats (Spiritual beings) and the most important Nat Worship Centre. On the way to Mount Popa, stop to see skilful toddy-palm climber collecting the wine on top of the tree, toddy palm juice & palm sugar (jaggery) making cottage.
For your afternoon free time, you can rent an e-bike and ride around the town to explore more of Bagan’s temples and to witness the true local life. For the sunset time, you can take a boat to enjoy sunset along the mighty Irrawaddy river.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for a flight to Heho. On arrival, proceed to Pindaya by car (about 2 hrs drive). This drive will give you delightful sceneries of hill station by passing through picturesque landscapes. Huge Banyan Trees near Pindaya caves are also well known for photo stop. Then visit PINDAYA CAVES where one can enjoy countless number of Buddha images from the late 18 centuries. Well known for its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Next stop is Traditional cottage industry of UMBRELLA MAKING and Pone Ta Lote Lake.
Then, proceed to Red Mountain for a wine tasting amidst magnificent views. At the Red Mountain Estate Vineyards and Winery, you’ll gaze out over the stilted villages of Inle Lake, sample local wines and learn about the grape varieties grown on the estate. Then drive to the hotel for check-in.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Looking down over the lake from the Taunggyi road, Inle lies in an enormous carpet of greenery. Dotted around the lake are the stilt-house villages and floating gardens of the Intha tribe. The Intha technique of leg rowing – where one leg is wrapped around the paddle to drive the blade through the water in a snake-like motion – is unique.
With our Inle Lake boat tour, you will experience a unique way of life that has lived on through generations, whilst exploring the culturally significant surrounds that form part of this beautiful region of Myanmar. You will be provided with a life jacket and easy seat for each person on the boat.
Inle lake sightseeing will be filled with visit to:
- PHAUNG-DAW-OO PAGODA, the most important symbol of religion of Shan State
- NGA-PHE-CHAUNG MONASTERY, attractive wooden monastery
- FLOATING VILLAGES (INNPAW KHONE, POUK PAR, YWA MA, KHAR TAW)
A visit to these sights provides deep insight into how the people on the lake make their livings, you can enjoy Unique One Leg rowing fisherman, Lotus and silk weaving, boat making and cheroot making.
- After lunch proceed to Indein. And take a short trek to Indein Pagoda. On the way, you can enjoy the serene atmosphere as you wander through artfully scattered 8th century Pagodas in ruins covered by trees and bushes.
- Then observe Intha tribes Village lives and enjoy the local market along the shore.
Finally, we will return to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to take flight to Yangon (1 hour and 20 minutes). On arrival, we’ll drive to the hotel to check in. After taking a short relaxing time at the hotel,
- start sightseeing by walking around the city centre to enjoy the city being busy with the sellers on the street and also the pedestrians and Colonial Style buildings.
The whole day is the brief tour to famous Landmarks,
- KaRaWeik Hall & Royal Lake for Photo stop
- Explore BoGyoke Market (aka) Scott Market, which is the best place for shopping in the country.
- Enjoy sunset at ShweDaGon Pagoda, one of the spectacular monuments of Myanmar
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast and free time until time to go to the airport for departure flight. Then, transfer you to the Yangon International Airport three hours prior according to your flight departure time.
Meals: Breakfast
~ 8 nights accommodation: Standard Option (3 Star Hotels) or Premium Option (4 Star Hotels)
~ enjoy daily breakfast at hotels
~ lunch on a day ferry cruise trip
~ 3 internal flights
~ professional English speaking tour guides
~ sightseeing tours by air-conditioned private vehicles
~ river ferry cruise trip from Mandalay to Bagan
~ private boat to explore the InLe Lake
~ return airport transfers
~ enjoy exploring Myanmar as per itinerary
~ Visa fee
~ Entrance fees, approx. AUD $70 per person for an entire trip
~ Meals not specified in the “Inclusions” section
~ Personal insurance and other personal expense
Do I need a visa to visit Myanmar?
It’s far easier these days to obtain a visa for Myanmar via the new online e-visa system. It takes about 3 business days to process your visa, after the payment is made. Your eVisa will be emailed to you. You just have to print it and show it at immigration.
Over 100 countries are eligible for an e-visa, to view a full list of e-visa countries via this official link – https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/.
E-visa for Myanmar costs US $50, and are valid for 28 days.
From 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020, Australian passport holders are eligible to apply for tourist Visa on arrival. Fee for Visa on Arrival (Tourist) is US$ 50 in cash and the duration of stay in Myanmar is 30 days. You will also need to bring two recent colored passport size photos taken within the past 6 months. More information for the Visa on Arrival can be found via this link – https://tourism.gov.mm/visa-requirements/visa-on-arrival/.
Alternatively, you can apply for this visa via Myanmar e-visa Official Government Website, https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/,with $50 USD per person. Please Note: approval time can take up to 3 business days.
Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Myanmar?
No vaccines are required in order to enter Myanmar but some are recommended for protection against disease. You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Myanmar and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.
Can I drink the tap water in Myanmar?
As drinking tap water isn’t safe in Myanmar, only drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. You can help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Your tour guides and your hotels can tell you where to find filtered water at hotels. Remember to avoid drinks with ice and peel fruit before eating it.
What is currency in Myanmar?
KYAT is the Myanmar currency. While in the country, you’ll use a mix of US dollars and Myanmar kyat. Most hotels and domestic airfares, travel companies, tour guides, some entrance fees will be in USD, while everything else (food, souvenirs, uses etc) will be in Kyat.
Along with USD, it is easy to exchange Australian Dollars, Euro, British Pounds at the banks and the registered money changers. Please note, the money changers at the airports may not accept Australian dollars or British pounds to change. You will visit the money changers in towns to exchange them.
It is essential that bills are in first class, good condition, with no folds, rips or writing. New is best and keep them flat, maybe between two pieces of card. 100’s and 50’s will get the best exchange rate.
When you leave the country, you can exchange your kyat at the airport or banks before you take off. Keep in mind that no where outside of Myanmar will be interested in exchanging your extra Kyat, make sure you get rid of your extra before you leave.
ATM’s: There are now over 2000 ATM’s in Myanmar with a choice at major airports and widespread availability at downtown Banks. 24 hours ATM are in all major tourist destinations such as Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and InLe Lake. They only dispense kyat. Do note that there is a fixed charge of 5000 kyat, plus your own Bank’s charge and a maximum withdrawal of 300,000 kyat, up to three times daily.
Many smaller villages and small towns have yet to get an ATM but those that have a Bank branch in town will either have one or get one soon.
There have been reports that Banks in some countries still follow the outdated US embargo so do check with your Bank that your card will be accepted.
Credit cards: Credit cards are accepted by some hotels, restaurants and shops, but Myanmar is largely a cash economy. It’s best to carry cash for purchases.
As always, it’s best to call your credit card company and bank in advance to let them know you’ll be traveling, so the chance of your card being blocked is reduced.
What do foods and drinks cost in Myanmar?
Most travelers will find that a budget of USD $8 per lunch or per dinner for food is more than enough, especially if daily breakfast at hotel is included on your tour. Bottle of beer in a bar or restaurant is 2000-2500 MMK.
What’s the food like in Myanmar?
Myanmar cuisine shares many similarities with neighbouring southeast Asian countries. Rice is the cornerstone of most meals and curries are common, though typically more oily and less spicy. Pickled vegetables and tea leaves feature prominently in Myanmar dishes, as well as fish and seafood from the country’s numerous lakes and extensive coastline.
Is tipping customary in Myanmar?
Tipping isn’t mandatory or expected in Myanmar, however if you would like to offer a tip to show your gratitude for the service, you can do so.
What’re the toilets like in Myanmar?
Although Western-style flushable toilets can be found in your hotels and tourist areas, squat toilets are most common in Myanmar. Please ensure that you carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as they are usually not provided.
Is WiFi widely available in Myanmar?
Internet can be accessed at most hotels, but be aware, the speed may be slower than what you are used to, particularly in rural areas.
Can I use my mobile phone while in Myanmar?
International roaming in Myanmar is now possible with a growing number of mobile network providers. Check with your service provider before leaving home. Local SIM cards can be purchased for about USD $2. Pre-paid cell service included data service is affordable with decent coverage throughout the country.
Is it not appropriate for me to wear shorts in Myanmar?
Knee-length shorts are fine, however trustees at some pagodas will ban short trousers and skirts showing knees from the pagodas’ platforms. Longyi, a long fabric piece running down to the feet and worn by wrapping and knotting around the waist, can be borrowed with a few costs at the pagoda’s entrance.
What sort of sockets are used in Myanmar and what is the voltage?
Standard voltage is 220 – 240 volts. Primary sockets generally require 2 flat prong plugs, 2 round pin plugs, and 3 fat round pin plugs. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor.
Most of the international hotels have their own generators. Other places may experience power cuts and voltage fluctuation so it’s best to pack a voltage regulator or stabilizer to protect electrical items.
Weather overview
Like much of South-East Asia, Myanmar’s dry season runs from October through to May, and the wet season from May/June through to early October, when the south-west monsoon starts to blow. Within each season, there are variations in temperature; April and May are usually being the hottest of the year (temperatures can reach over 40ºC).
The colder months follow the end of the rains, from October to December/January. The driest regions of the country, avoiding much of the annual rain, are the plains surrounding Bagan and Mandalay, which remain relatively dry aside from the odd heavy downpour, all the way through to August.
Temperatures throughout the country are greatly affected by altitude, and therefore the hill stations, lakes and Himalayan foothills are far cooler than the southern lowland and coastal regions.
The very best months to visit Myanmar are from November to February.
Don’t forget you can modify this tour. Whether you enjoy travelling as a part of a small group with other like-minded travellers, or perhaps you are looking for your very own private journey, we have the right option for you. Click on talk to us button to send us your enquiry.