Myanmar round trip: Yangon, Bagan & Inle Lake

Arrival at Yangon International Airport by noon and greeting by our tour guide. We drive to the hotel and have free time until the tour starts. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a picturesque and charming city. With a mix of beautiful colonial architecture and modern Burmese daily life, Yangon is one of the most interesting and fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. We begin the tour and walk together to the historic post office and Sule Paya in the city center. Along the way, we pass the luxurious 'The Strand' hotel, the Mahabandoola Garden, and the Independence Monument. With the destination in sight, we now head to Myanmar's most magnificent monument - the Shwedagon Pagoda. The holiest sacred building in the country will impress you with its octagonal main stupa, towering 90 meters high and covered in gold leaves. 64 additional small gold stupas surround the impressive complex. In front of this uniquely beautiful backdrop, we enjoy the sunset on our first evening in Myanmar. Joint welcome dinner at the 'House of Memory' restaurant. Overnight in Yangon - Hotel Rose Garden****

Mandalay, the largest city in Myanmar, was the last capital of the country before the British finally took over control of the region, and thus the city still holds great cultural and historical significance today. The Buddhist monasteries in and around Mandalay are among the most important in the country. Over half of all monks in Myanmar live in the catchment area of this city. We visit the famous Mahamuni Pagoda with its nearly 4-meter-high Buddha statue, which is greatly revered by the locals. Over the years, the devotees have affixed so many gold leafs to the Buddha that its robe now looks almost like a fluffy coat. Immediately afterwards, we visit various craft quarters, where gold leaf manufacturers, bronze casters, and stone masons live and work. Strolling through the small streets and workshops, we gain insight into the craftsmanship of the Burmese in Mandalay, who also produce wooden goods and tapestries here. Particularly interesting is the making of gold leaf, as the technique used has not changed for centuries. This is how all artworks were adorned at the royal court. Of course, a visit to the Kuthodaw Pagoda is also on our agenda. Here are 729 marble slabs inscribed with the teachings of Buddha, making it also known as 'the largest book in the world.' To conclude this very interesting day tour, we visit the Shwenandaw Monastery. The complex is the only building of the former royal palace from the 19th century that survived the great fire of 1945, as it was built outside the palace walls in 1880. The teak monastery is known for its excellent wood carvings. At the end of the day, we continue by vehicle to Amarapura and walk across the 200-year-old U-Bein Bridge made of teak, which is 2 km long. Overnight in Mandalay - Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel***

A very interesting day program takes us through the 'Wonders of Bagan' today. When Bagan was the capital of Myanmar from the 11th to the 13th century, the rulers of the country had thousands of beautiful stupas and small temples built, which are still preserved in their splendor today. The impressive temple world along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River has enchanted countless visitors and will captivate us today as well. To introduce us to the history of Bagan, we first visit the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, the most important reliquary shrine of the city. Afterwards, we explore the nearby cave temple Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi with its artistic wall paintings, as well as the elegant Htilominlo Temple, known for its intricate stucco carvings and shiny sandstone decorations. In the afternoon, one of the most beautiful temples – the architectural masterpiece – the Ananda Temple is on the program. The complex was built in Mon style and houses two unique Buddha statues that have a different effect on visitors depending on the viewing angle. Next door is Ananda Okkyaung, a small red brick monastery, one of the few surviving buildings from early Bagan times. On the interior walls, there are drawings from the 18th century depicting the life of Buddha and parts of Bagan's history. After this round of exploration, we take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride and leisurely drive through Bagan. From an elevated viewpoint, we have a fantastic view of the sunset over Bagan. Overnight in Bagan - Bawga Theiddhi***

After checking out in the morning, we meet with the tour guide and embark on a walking tour through Kalaw - an old hill station in the Shan State founded by British officials escaping the heat of the plains. The relaxing and refreshing climate makes Kalaw ideal for a morning walk to discover the main sights for locals and visitors. We begin with a visit to the Hnee Pagoda in the southwest of the city, a 500-year-old pagoda that houses a bamboo Buddha statue. From there, it is a 40-minute walk to the center of Kalaw. As in many cities in Myanmar, the market lies at the heart of the city and is an activity hub in the morning when villagers from the surrounding hills come to sell their goods. This is the next stop on the tour, where Shan souvenirs and local snacks recommended by the guide are available. While walking to the market, there are reminders of the British colonial period, especially in the architecture. After shopping and snacking, we stop at the Thein Taung Pagoda and the monastery north of the market. The steep climb up the stairs offers a magnificent view of Kalaw and the surrounding hills. The hilltop monastery is very quiet and a lovely place to relax or interact with friendly monks. Afterwards, we take a short walk to Kalaw train station. Departure to Shwe Nyaung near Inle Lake. Luggage from the hotel will be waiting for us at the train station entrance along with the car and driver. Once the luggage and passengers are safely on board, it is time to begin the 50 km adventure (3.5 hours) through the landscape. Myanmar has the longest railway network in Southeast Asia, and the train is a fascinating way to travel from Kalaw to Inle Lake, as the gentle speed allows for truly appreciating the landscape. The open windows in first class provide excellent natural air conditioning, and the train ride offers an interesting glimpse into the lives of people in the Shan hills. There will be a few stops to stretch legs and purchase drinks or snacks. The railway adventure ends at Shwe Nyaung station. We will be greeted by our driver and taken for the night to the city of Nyaung Shwe (30 minutes by car) or to a hotel on the shores of Inle Lake (up to 1 hour by car). Overnight at Inle Lake - Myanmar Treasure Resort****

In the morning, transfer back to Heho airport and fly to Yangon. Arrival in Yangon and transfer to the hotel where the rest of the day is free for us. Overnight in Yangon - Hotel Rose Garden****