Explore the temples of Bagan, one of the world's great religious fables and a mystical collection of architecture from bygone centuries
Visit ancient monasteries and meet the monks that inhabit them
Travel along the Irrawaddy River, disembarking to find Buddha images in trees and thousands of exquisite stupas
Marvel at the 450,000 Buddha images that fill the sandstone caves of Hpo Win Daung
Absorb the spirituality of Pindaya, where pilgrims join you in visiting the ancient caves
Journey through the centuries in Mandalay, exploring iconic former capitals and cruising along the river to Mingun
Discover local life around Inle Lake, including enchanting stilt villages in the water and the traditions of Buddhism in the area
Complete the trip in Yangon, where shimmering golden temples are juxtaposed with the relics of colonial rule
(Day 1): Bagan – A Famous Sunset Welcome to Myanmar
(Day 2): Bagan – Exquisite Temples of Bagan
(Day 3): Bagan – Hot Air Ballooning Above 2300 Temples
(Day 4): Pakokku to Monywa – Serene Travel Along the Mighty Irrawaddy
(Day 5): Hpo Win Daung to Mandalay – Murals and Buddha Statues Along the Chindwin River
(Day 6): Mandalay – Exploring Buddhism in Working Monasteries
(Day 7): Mandalay – Day Trip Along the River to Mingun
(Day 8): Pindaya to Inle Lake – Through Shan Hills to the Pindaya Caves
(Day 9): Inle Lake – Stilt Villages and Local Life Along the Lake
(Day 10): Yangon – Golden Temples of the Colonial City
(Day 11): Yangon – Departure
Myanmar floats on a spiritual carpet, the local life revolving around Buddhism and its enchantment. As red-robed monks chant softly inside ancient temples, pilgrims wander to gold-enshrouded pagodas. The architecture is sublime, unraveling all the styles and sizes of Buddhist design; caves filled with hundreds of thousands of Buddha images and murals, stupas adorned with exquisite tones, monasteries bathing in simple beauty. It's the scale that will most impress, both with the abundance of iconic monuments and the unequivocal commitment to Buddhist principles found in all corners of the country.
This handcrafted luxury tour takes an intimate journey into the Buddhist beauty of Myanmar. Capture the modern mystique of the country while exploring all of the evocative histories it offers. Not just a sightseeing tour, rather a journey to discover all of the religious landmarks and dozens of sacred temples. This 11-day vacation unravels the complexities of a nation, enabling you to meet the locals and discover how Buddhism dominates all life in the country. There's 10th-century sandstone temples and glowing golden pagodas, hypnotic processions of monks receiving daily alms, young monks practicing their English at sunset, and pilgrimage sites imbued with a surreal atmosphere.
Bagan is the natural starting point with over 2000 ancient temples revealing the ambiance of the 9th to 12th centuries. They stand proudly though unrestored, places of worship that rise beside each other on dusty plains. A hot air balloon unveils the scale while an expert-guided tour showcases where Buddhist chanting continues to fill millennia-old temples. Then move your travels along the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers to Mandalay, absorbing the atmosphere of local villages and religious monuments that hide in caves and mountains. Mandalay offers an intriguing insight into Buddhism in the city, and you'll have many opportunities to explore its complexities with local monks.
Also around Mandalay are Myanmar's ancient capitals, vivid memoirs that are defined by their iconic architecture. Continue your journey as you enter into Shan state, a land of contrasting tribal groups that are united by religion. Join the pilgrims in admiring the Buddha images of Pindaya Caves, then discover stilt villages and places of worship only accessible by canoe. A day in Yangon completes the itinerary, the country's most important Buddhist monument an indelible conclusion to a tour through Myanmar's spiritual heart. Throughout the itinerary, a series of expert local guides ensure you capture the stories that lie behind the evocative sights.
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