Temples & Hill Treks

~ All sightseeing tour and transfer services with private air conditioned car as per our itinerary
~ Accommodation with breakfast at hotels as specified
~ Meals where specified
~ Domestic flight tickets with available domestic airlines in Myanmar
~ Transfers and tours with the same language speaking local guide throughout
~ All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the program
~ Boat trip as specified in our itinerary
~ Train ticket as specified
~ Trekking
~ Insurance surcharge on Domestic Airlines in Myanmar
~ Domestic airports taxes
~ Service charges, room tax and baggage handling
~ Water and snow towel during sightseeing

Excluded in our price:

~ Services not mentioned in our itinerary
~ Meals where not specified
~ Visa fees
~ International flight tickets to and from Yangon
~ International airport departure tax of US$ 10.00 per person (Currently)
~ Expenditure of a personal nature (Such as: uses of mini-bar and refrigerator, laundry service, telephone call and etc...)
~ Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness)

The price for the Classic Cities with Soft Adventure will be from USD2820 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin / double room and excluding international air travelling.

*Please note that the price confirmed at the time of booking is subject to change and depends on the availability of accommodation.

East Hotel

East hotel is a boutique hotel, set in the heart of the Yangon business district and is conveniently located between two major roads, Sule Pagoda and Bogyoke. The property is unique in that when many hotel a large proportion of similarly designed rooms with a small amount of individual rooms, east is the other way around. East hotel radiate an opulent charm of contemporary Myanmar décor perfectly blended with the traditional warmth of Myanmar hospitality.

Zfreeti Hotel

Last decade ago, the area of Zfreeti Hotel was standing as two separate hotels named ‘New Heaven’ and ‘Golden Village’ Hotel. In 2012, those old styled bungalows were demolished and the contemporary two storied buildings were developed which is mixed with ancient Bagan architectural design. The location of the hotel is situated in a very prime area of Nyaung U. Bagan’s main food corridors for tourists are in a walking distance from the hotel.

Hotel Yadanarbon

Hotel Yadanarbon is situated in the heart of Mandalay City (near Mandalay Railway Station, Yadanarbon Super Market, Diamond Plaza Shopping Malls and Mandalay General Hospital). It is 5 minute drive to Zegyo Market and Night Bazaar and 10 minute drive to major tourist attraction places.

Kandawgyi Hill Hotel

Kandawgyi Hill Resort is a delightful respite from the summer heat with an altitude of 1070m and relatively cool climate. Well-known for its colonial-style houses, English cottages and pine trees, eucalyptus and silver-oak abound in this historic town. Well-appointed bungalows overlooking the gardens and enjoying panoramic views of the Kandawgyi Lake and its lush surroundings.

Mr Charles Hotel

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It is located seven minutes from Hsipaw, situated in a Shan village, between a quiet river and one of the most scenic view of the area. It is nicely decorated with the romantic style room and big charming balcony.

Their compelling services are one of their strength.

Kalaw Princess Hotel

The hotel is situated at the old train station and it is only a few minutes walk to Mhainh Lone Mountain. The 22 European stylish appointed rooms are charming and comfortable with large windows allowing you to see breathtaking views right from your bed. You will have your own balcony decorated with flowers providing a romantic atmosphere.

Paradise Inle Resort

Paradise Inle Resort located in the midst of splendour of serene Inle Lake, the resort offers an ideal leisure and relaxation experience and had been meticulously restored to its original amenities of Inle region. Wooden walkways connect all bungalows with the main reception building, restaurant and jetty. The resort is entirely made out of local materials and designed with a comfortable sitting area, a private terrace with an incredible view.

Botahtaung Pagoda is close to the Yangon Jetty (Botahtaung Jetty). Bo means leader and Tahtaung means one thousand in Burmese. Botahtaung means One Thousand Military Leaders/Officers of the king. They were drawn up as a guard of honor to welcome the landing in Burma of the relics of the Buddha brought over from India more than two thousand years ago. There is a sort of mirrored maze inside the stupa, with glass showcases containing many of the ancient relics.

Botahtaung pagoda is also a home to a nat, or spirit, shrine of Amadaw Mya Nan Nwe, a devout Buddhist famous for her devotion to the pagoda, dedicated her life to making merit. Following her death in 1957, Amadaw Mya Nan Nwe became a revered figure in her own right. In 1990, a shrine containing a statue of her was erected inside Botataung Pagoda, and from that point on she was worshipped as Mya Nan Nwe Htayyi (Goddess), a nat with the power to grant the wishes of those who appealed to her for help.

Bo Bo Gyi means great grandfather, traditionally refers to the name of a guardian spirit, nat, unique to each Burmese Buddhist temple or pagoda. Bo Bo Gyi is typically depicted as a nearly life-sized elderly man, dressed in a curved cap and sometimes carrying a cane, to signify old age. Offerings of scarves and paso are common by worshipers. There are many Bo Bo Gyi shrines throughout the country, and some are more widely respected than others. Botahtaung Bo Bo Gyi is more famous among the Thai tourists who repeatedly visit the Bo Bo Gyi shrine yearly as their wishes are said to be fulfilled. They would like their forehead to be touched by Bo Bo Gyi’s pointed figure and make a wish.

Bogyoke (Scott) Market (closed on every Mondays & Public Holidays) has the largest selection of Burmese handicrafts, antique, jewellery, clothing and arts. The market is a major tourist destination and known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets.  

Shwedagon Pagoda is the 'heart' of Buddhists in Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,600 years old and there are always full with many people praying and making offerings at Shwedagon and especially on Full Moon days and religious days.

Bagan, situated in central Myanmar is one of the world’s richest archaeological and historical sites, featuring more than 2,000 pagodas and temples all set on a vast 26 square-mile plain beside the legendary Ayeyarwady River. The Bagan kingdom was swept away by earthquakes and the invasion by Mongols. Some 2,230 of an original 4,450 temples survive. Buddhist belief that to build a temple was to earn merit and that could be the reason there were so many pagodas throughout Bagan’s desert plain.

Popa : In the middle of the scorched plain 50 kilometres (30miles) from Bagan rises Mount Popa, an extinct volcano set in a national reserve whose slopes are covered in lush greenery. Beautiful as it is, the primary draw is a smaller rocky outcrop rising steeply out of its slopes atop which perches Popa Taungkalat monastery known as the “Olympus of the Nats” as it is home to Myanmar's legendary 37 "Nats" (animist spirits).

Mandalay: Preceded by associations of a rich and exotic past, Mandalay’s name resonates well beyond the borders of the country. The last royal capital of Burma and the country’s second largest city, Mandalay is considered the main economic hub of Upper Burma and is rich in Burmese culture, arts, artisans and architecture, as well as a cultural and religious centre for Buddhism in the country. Mandalay’s positioning also means it’s a great base for sightseeing trips to other ancient royal capitals.

Amarapura: Once a city of some 170,000 inhabitants, Amarapura (‘City of Immortals’), is now just a quiet southern suburb of Mandalay. The town is well known for its numerous workshops where bronze foundries and woodcarvers creating devotional objects for the markets of Mandalay, and the looms of cotton and silk weavers produce fine longyis. Nearby U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world is perhaps the most unique attraction. The bridge, constructed using 1700 vast teak pillars, stretches 1.2 kilometre over fertile fields and is still, over two centuries after it was built, an integral part of the community with hundreds of locals and monks making their way back and forth across it daily. The bridge is particularly popular at sunset as it provides a famous photo opportunity as the sun sinks behind the chunky pillars of the bridge.

Pyin Oo Lwin: At 1095 metres above sea level, Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo) became a popular hill station under the British who escaped the searing plains of Mandalay for the cool pleasant climate of the town. The town today still retains a much anglicised feel with colonial houses surrounded by gardens, churches and Purcell Clock Tower marking the centre of town. For the tourist Pyin Oo Lwin’s market is amongst the best in Myanmar, a perfect place to lose yourself amongst its stalls. The town’s Botanical Gardens are perhaps its greatest draw. With a rich array of well-maintained landscapes, the gardens are a fantastic way to spend an afternoon strolling amongst a fine collection of tress, orchids and bamboos. Unique to the town are its fleet of beautifully decorated horse drawn carriages that will transport you through its streets. Just outside town, found down a steep gorge, is the cascading Anisakan Falls, where you can swim in its pool with wild monkeys swimming through the tree tops.

Hsipaw: Many people are interested both in the intriguing history of Sawbwas and the town relaxing vibe of Hsipaw. The Sawbwas of Hsipaw were well known and powerful and played fluctuating roles in regional Shan and national Burmese politics from the 11th century all the way until the 1962 military coup by General Ne Win. Hsipaw is famous for the Bowgoy Pagoda, situated in Bowgoy Village about 6 miles far from Hsipaw as well as the trekking routes, waterfalls and Shan villages.

Mingun: With a short and scenic trip up the Ayeyarwaddy from Mandalay you find Mingun, best known for the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, a huge, unfinished pagoda, which, if completed, would have stood at over 150 metres and been the largest monument in the world. At 50 metres high, what remains of the pagoda is still spectacular, and climbing up its ruin’s barefoot rewards explorers with a fantastic view of the Ayeyarwady. Mingun is also home to the world’s largest working bell. Weighing 90 tons, the Mingun Bell is actually second in size to one in the Kremlin in Moscow but the Russian bell is cracked and therefore not in service. A trip from Mandalay takes around one hour upriver and 40 minutes to return, a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon.

Innwa: With a few interruptions Innwa (formerly known as Ava) was the capital of the Myanmar Kingdom for nearly 400 years, making it the longest running centre of government in the nation’s history. The city was finally abandoned in 1839 after a series of devastating earthquakes and the majority of intact buildings were transferred first to Amarapura and then to Mandalay. What remains is the exquisite Bargaya Monastery, famous for its 267 teak posts, the largest of which is 9 feet in circumference, and covered in elaborate wood carvings and embellishments. The Nan Myint watchtower, which stands slightly tilted, is also popular as an interesting example of Myanmar architectural style in the early 19^th century.

Inle Lake: Set in the heart of the vast Shan State and ringed by hazy mountain ranges, the shallow waters of Inle Lake are one of Myanmar’s most stunning scenic and cultural attractions. Its position 900 metres above sea level rewards visitors with pleasant temperatures throughout the day and can call for a jumper in the evening. The hills surrounding the lake are a melting pot of culture and are inhabited by over 30 ethnic groups. Of these, the Inthar, are perhaps the best known.

Indein is one of the small villages of Inlay Lake located on the western bank of the lake. A Buddha Image has been enshrined at a whitewashed stupa, which is on the summit of a hill. Below the stupa around the hill are cluster of hundreds of ancient stupas. The walkway of Shwe Indein Pagoda is one of the longest. The walkway itself is the market area lined with endless souvenir stalls.

The 5-day Markets rotate among the villages in regular order - one village becomes the host of the market every 5^th day.  Exploring these markets will highlight the insight into the daily life of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Inthar inhabitants, who come to these markets to sell their local produce and goods. The ways of life and traditional dresses of the different tribes are such a sight to behold.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival - Every year, on the eve of the full moon day in October, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda festival is held, which sees the pagoda's revered Buddha images displayed on the golden Karaweik – a replica of the ancient royal barge – and taken to villages around the lake. Unlike most other pagoda festivals in Myanmar, which typically run for about three days, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda festival goes for 18 days, and also includes boat races that attract spectators near and far.

Kalaw: ​The small pretty town of Kalaw sitting at 1300 metres above sea level on the western edge of the Shan Hills was a popular hill station during British colonial rule. Today it’s a popular place for those looking to hike through the scenic surrounding hills along trails that pass through hill tribe villages. There’s a vibrant market rotating on a five-day cycle that is awash with colours as members of the Palaung hill tribe flock to the town from their surrounding villages.