Treks and Places of Myanmar in Short Time – 8 Days
Tour Code: DF-8D7N-2
Travel on this ‘Trek and Places of Myanmar in Short Time – 8 Days’ tour and discover a country of mythical landscapes, ancient treasures and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. From golden-gilded pagodas in Yangon and the magical temples of Bagan (where you’ll pedal for a Bagan countryside biking tour) to the tranquillity of Inle Lake with a trekking journey to enjoy a uniquely local experience at the homestay, Myanmar will excite, impress and intrigue you.
Start ~ Yangon, Myanmar
Finish ~ Yangon, Myanmar
Physical rating: 3 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.
In the early morning, take a short flight to Bagan. Once at Bagan, your tour guide will take you around its wonderful scenery and architecture.
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 lively Nyaung U Market. This Nyaung U Market provides a great photo opportunity, and also the chance for tourists to mingle with the local Myanmar people, and watch how they conduct their daily lives.
Next, we will start sightseeing as below:
- Ananda Temple (the architectural masterpiece of a millennium)
- Hti-Lo-Min-Lo Temple (a double-storied building with artistic stucco works)
- Shwe-Zi-Gon Pagoda (considered a prototype of all future such temples)
If time allows, we will visit more places of this UNESCO world heritage site.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Today is free at leisure in Bagan.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast
Alternatively, you can take the opportunity to join the optional tours with extra costs.
Optional Activity 1: Hot Air Balloon Experience over Bagan (Please contact us for the price and the itinerary.)
Optional Activity 2: Bagan Countryside Bike Tour (Please contact us for the price and more details.)
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to start pedaling for a full day Bagan countryside biking tour. Warm up your legs with a 2 kilometer ride on sealed roads before turning westwards into the countryside. During the morning’s ride you will continue along this path to explore the local villages, like Nwar Kyo, Kan Poat and Tuwin Taung. Aside from the fabulous views of rice paddies, toddy palms and distant temple spires you’ll also pass by a unique colonial-style monastery and ancient trees, like the shady tamarind tree in Let Wel village. Around midday we will reach the base of the hills and bike parallel to them, affording great views of Shwe Pon Taung Pagoda and Bu Kin Pagoda. During the journey we will stop for a picnic lunch in a shady spot while relaxing in the tranquil countryside. There will also be plenty of stops for water and photos. Back to your hotel at around 16.00pm Distance: 25-35 kilometres (distance varies depends on number of villages visited; 90% dirt/sand track, 10% sealed road)
After breakfast at the hotel, take a short flight to Heho. Once at Heho, we’ll drive to the start point for the trek. Please note, your luggage will be transferred to your hotel in InLe Lake by our driver and the car. We’ll carry the small backpacks that have daily essentials for these 2-days trek.
During the day you will trek past a number of minority villages, home to the Pa-O minority whose cheroot-smoking tribesmen wear black clothes and vivid headscarves. In the morning you will walk for about 2 hours through picturesque undulating green countryside punctuated with fields of corn, potatoes and ginger: agriculture is the main form of income in this region.
Enjoy lunch and a rest at “Kone Hla” village before continuing your trek for a further 2.5 hours taking in the surrounding views of the Shan Mountain Range.
In the late afternoon you will arrive at “Pattu” village where we’ll stay overnight at a village home. You can walk around in the village to see how people use bamboo to make baskets.
Distance: 18 km and 300m elevation/6 hours walk
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, embark on the last leg of your trek to Inle Lake, passing through Pa-O minority villages and farmland where you may see the local villagers at work plowing the fields or harvesting crops. After an hour or so of treking, views of Inle Lake, your final destination, will appear in the distance.
After a steep downhill section of track, enjoy a break for lunch in “Tone Li” village where there is a small restaurant in bamboo forest which is a good place to sit and rest at the end of the trek.
After lunch, walk to the jetty where your boat will be waiting to take you onto Inle Lake. The narrow channels widen as you approach the lake proper, and you’ll soon be crossing the broad & (usually) tranquil waters, with hills and mountains surrounding you in every direction. The panorama is simply breathtaking, a mood only enhanced as you pass the fishermen deploying their unique foot-rowing technique.
The region is home to at least eight different tribes, who live both on and beside the lake. Inhabitants of this region rely on the lake in a variety of ways, be it for transport, food or income. Upon arrival at your hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Distance: 15 km/5 hours walk
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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 Trip Day 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, so 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. Then, we’ll 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 refreshment at the hotel, we’ll set off to explore Yangon city. The highlights are:
- 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.
- Explore BoGyoke Market (aka) Scott Market, which is the best place for shopping in the country
- KaRaWeik Hall & Royal Lake for Photo Stop
- 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
~ 6 nights accommodation at hotels
~ 1 night homestay at the village
~ enjoy daily breakfast at hotels, 2 lunches and 1 dinner as described
~ 3 internal flights
~ professional English speaking tour guides
~ air-conditioned private vehicles for land sightseeing tours
~ private boat to explore the Inle Lake
~ return airport transfers; and all transfers and transports as mentioned in the itinerary
~ enjoy exploring Myanmar as per itinerary
~ Visa fee
~ Entrance fees, approx. AUD $55 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.