Myanmar Independent Experience

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, please take a taxi to the downtown area and find a cozy hotel to get some rest. We suggest you the 4-star Merchant Art Boutique Hotel. The taxi ride from the airport costs around USD 8.

After settled, if time permits, you can pay a visit to the resplendent and magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, about 500 meters (550 yards) away from the hotel. In the evening, you are advised to kill the night by strolling around the Shwedagon Pagoda and the brilliant Karaweik Palace. Before going to bed, you can ask the hotel staff to help you book tomorrow's flight to Bagan.

Tips:
1. October ~ February is the best visiting time with the average temperature of around 27C (80F). March ~ May is the dry season with the highest temperature while Myanmar (Burma) often goes through rainy period from June to September.

2. Sim cards of MPT, Telenor, and Ooredoo are available to access the Internet in Myanmar. MPT card is more recommended because it has wide signal coverage.

Accommodation Suggestion: Merchant Art Boutique Hotel (4 stars)

In the morning, take your entire belongings to check out the hotel, and then hail a taxi to the airport for your onward flight to Bagan. After landing, you may take a taxi at a cost of USD 5 to reach the recommended Bagan Umbra Hotel. After some rest, you can start your independent Bagan tour immediately. Located in the middle of the country, Bagan is a well-known Buddhist city of Myanmar and even of Southeast Asia. There are a large amount of temples and pagodas scattered on the Bagan Plain, and that's the reason why Bagan got a reputation as "the city of millions of pagodas". We suggest you to visit several must-see stupas including Shwesandaw Pagoda, That Byin Nyu Temple, Ananda Temple, Manuha Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, Htilominlo Temple, Sulamani Temple, Dhammayangyi Temple… You are suggested to charter a car for your backpacking tour in Bagan.

You can first go to Shwesandaw Pagoda, which looks like a pyramid at the center of the Bagan Plain, and there are valuable Buddhist relics worshipped in the stupa. Besides, the top view here is excellent and worth a look. Then head northwest to That Byin Nyu Temple. It is the highest Buddhist construction in Bagan. Afterwards, you can go northeast to see the graceful Ananda Temple of distinctive Indian style.

You may then go northeast to the Htilominlo Temple built in 1218. The next stop is Sulamani Temple. Along the way, you can pay a visit to some villages to get a close contact with local families. Built in 1183, Sulamani is a two-floor building, and has the prettiest plaster sculptures. Later, head westwards to Dhammayangyi Temple to enjoy the unique arched door at the entrance. You are suggested to enjoy the charming sunset over there to see how glorious the Bagan Plain is in the sun light.

Today's Bagan backpacking tour will end here, and you can return to the hotel to have some rest.

Accommodation Suggestion: Bagan Umbra Hotel (4 stars)

This morning, you can continue yesterday's unfinished pagodas exploration. In the morning, you can get up early to admire the fascinating sunrise, and the recommended viewing spots are Shwesandaw Pagoda, Pyathada Paya, and Shwegugyi Temple.

At around noon, you will taste authentic Myanmar Food at a popular restaurant, A Litte Bit of Bagan on the food street of Nyaung U Town. After lunch, you can either pay a visit to some interested temples or continue to wander around blocks and experience the local lifestyle. Like yesterday, the wonderful sunset should not be missed again, and you can press the shutter as much as possible to record this memorable moment.

You will then go to the famous Nanda Restaurant to the northeast of your hotel for dinner. In the meanwhile, you can have a visual feast of the traditional puppet show as well.

Accommodation Suggestion: Bagan Umbra Hotel (4 stars)

Having seen many Buddhist ruins and temples, today you may take a taxi to Irrawaddy River to enjoy some natural scenes. Besides, it is another recommended place to watch the spectacular sunrise. After that, you can pay a visit to the Mani Sithu Market by taxi. There are many stalls selling vegetables, food, commodities, as well as various souvenirs, and you can find some favorable presents there. If you are interested, you can take a fire balloon at a cost of around USD 350 to overlook the beautiful Bagan.

When the whole day's trip is over, take a taxi back to your hotel and get ready for your next day's flight to Inle Lake.

Accommodation Suggestion: Bagan Umbra Hotel (4 stars)

After breakfast, take a taxi to the airport for your onward flight to Inle Lake. It is suggested to check in the La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel upon landing. You can make a phone call to book the hotel's airport-pick-up service which costs USD28.

In the afternoon, you can hail a taxi to visit Nyaung Shwe Market, where you can experience local people's daily life. After that, we suggest you to rent a bike and proceed to the Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery, charging about USD1/day. You will reach there after 30 minutes. The visiting is free of charge, but you should pay to taste wine. Besides, you can overlook the green terraced fields and the beautiful Inle Lake from this hillside estate. Later, reverse the trip back to your hotel.

Accommodation Suggestion: La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel (2 stars)

The most beautiful lake in Myanmar is Inle Lake and taking a boat is the best way to appreciate the scenery. You are advised to ask the hotel staff to help you rent a boat in advance. The cruise will not disappoint you for it will take you to traditional handicraft workshops, distinctive houses, and gardens by the river, as well as a riverside temple worshipping five Buddhas and exquisite water villas. Paying a visit to the famous Jumping Cat Monastery and the Indein Village may be another highlight of your independent Inle Lake tour.

On the way back, you can ask the experienced boatman to find an excellent place to enjoy the fascinating sunset.

Accommodation Suggestion: La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel (2 stars)

After breakfast, take the car booked from the hotel to the airport of Inle Lake for your flight to Yangon. Upon landing, hail a cab to the Merchant Art Boutique Hotel in around 30min for check-in. After a short break, start your independent Yangon tour with the Chaukhtatgyi Paya Pagoda by taxi. Here, you can see the remarkable giant reclining Buddha, which is the biggest one in Myanmar of around 20 meters (65 feet) in length and 5.4 meters (18 feet) in height. You will be amazed trough viewing this noble-looking reclining Buddha with 108 delicate patterns on its feet. Then you can take the red bus no. 43 to the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda constructed on a holy mountain. After that, take a taxi back to your hotel and to have a good sleep.

Accommodation Suggestion: Merchant Art Boutique Hotel (3 stars)

Your one-week independent Myanmar tour will come to an end at this point. Take your entire belongings to check out the hotel, and then hail a taxi to the Yangon International Airport. You are suggested to reach the airport 2 hours in advance for your leaving flight.