Cultural Highlights of Myanmar

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Yangon, Kyaiktiyo, Bago, Bagan, Pindaya, Inle Lake

This tour visits the highlights of Myanmar and a few off-the-beaten-track locations. All touring is with your own expert escort guide and private drivers, and accommodation is at the country's best luxury hotels and resorts.

Begin in Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar. See atmospheric British-colonial architecture, the spectacular golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda and the enormous reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Temple while touring with your private guide and driver. Browse sprawling Bogyoke (Scott) Market for traditional Burmese crafts such as lacquerware, baskets and longyis. Visit Little India, Chinatown and other dynamic neighborhoods that reflect Yangon's diverse cultural influences. 

Next, transfer to one of Myanmar's most important Buddhist sites, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock. With your private guide, hike (or take the cable car) to the mountaintop pilgrimage site to see the precariously perched golden boulder, which is topped by a gold stupa said to contain a hair of the Buddha.

Continue to Bago, the 15th-century capital of the Mon Kingdom, to see the highly venerated Shwemawdaw Pagoda and the Shwethalyaung Buddha, a 10th-century reclining Buddha.

Next, fly to awe-inspiring Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where thousands of pagodas and temples cover arid plains along the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River. During private touring, learn about Bagan's history as a major Buddhist center between the 11th and 13th centuries, and see the most interesting temple ruins and their Buddhist frescoes and sculptures. Also meet with local artisans who produce Bagan's revered traditional lacquerware. One evening, enjoy sundowner cocktails during a relaxing private sunset cruise on the river. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as a spectacular hot-air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan at sunrise; and a visit to a local Buddhist monastery.

One day, if desired, take a private excursion to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano that's considered the home of Myanmar's most powerful nats (spirits). Climb the 777 steps up the mountain to see the colorful shrines dedicated to the nats, and learn about this indigenous religion and its iconography. Also visit a local farm to see how palm sugar and toddy liquor are made.

Next, visit the Pindaya Caves, another important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Explore the limestone caverns, where thousands of Buddha statues have been placed among the stalagmites and other formations. Also enjoy a private cooking class focusing on local dishes.

Next, tour beautiful Inle Lake and the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a private traditional boat ride on the lake and through canals to visit villages built on stilts over the water and floating gardens that the local Intha people use for growing crops. Also visit a local winery in the hills, the ancient pagodas of In Dein and active monasteries. Meet locals who produce lotus silk weavings, woodwork, cheroot cigars and other distinctive Inle Lake crafts. With a local fisherman, try the traditional fishing method using distinctive conical baskets. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a private cooking class, biking and other activities and excursions in this fascinating region.

Return to Yangon for a night and continue private touring. Depending on your interests, other touring options include visiting art galleries, the National Museum, Myanmar's only synagogue, or other architectural, cultural and culinary highlights.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world