Here’s a ten-day travel itinerary for exploring Myanmar, that includes Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan, and Mandalay.
Why Travel To Myanmar
- Magnificent Buddhist temples, monasteries & pagodas
- Stunning landscapes
- Budget friendly
- Friendly & smiling locals
- Delicious local cuisine
Best Month To Visit Myanmar
Considering the weather, the best time to visit most of Myanmar is from November to February when temperatures are relatively manageable. Keep in mind that the prices of accommodations and flights will be high during these months.
Myanmar Top Experiences
- Stunning Swedagon Pagoda (Yangon) in evening
- Exploring spectacular temples in Bagan
- Inle Lake boat tour
- Beautiful sunset at U-Bein Wooden Footbridge (Mandalay)
- Delicious Burmese cuisine & Burmese milk tea
- Relaxing Burmese massage
- Sight of friendly locals in traditional Burmese costume with 'Thanaka' painted faces
Myanmar Itinerary Map
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A:Yangon B:Inle-Lake C:Bagan D:Mandalay
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Myanmar Travel Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Yangon
- Day 2: Explore Yangon
- Day 3: Explore Yangon
- Day 4: Yangon to Inle Lake in Morning, Explore Inle lake
- Day 5: Explore Inle Lake
- Day 6: Inle Lake to Bagan
- Day 7: Explore Bagan
- Day 8: Explore Bagan
- Day 9: Bagan to Mandalay, Explore Mandalay
- Day 10: Explore Mandalay
- Day 11: Depart from Mandalay
If you've extra days then you can include Mount Popa.
After arriving in Yangon, settle down into your hotel. Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar and was the capital of Myanmar until 2006. If you're not too tired then wander in the city and enjoy some local cuisine. Soak in and enjoy the sights of local life, street food vendors, fruit/vegetable vendors, etc.
Best area to stay in Yangon: Best location to book your stay in Yangon is Downtown Yangon.
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| Yangon Street |
Day 2: Explore Yangon
- After a good night's sleep and a hearty morning breakfast, start your day by visiting Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple which is the most well-known Buddhist temple Yangon. The reclining Buddha at the temple is 217 feet long, and one of the largest in Burma.
- Next visit Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda where you'll admire another massive Buddha statue.
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Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda (Yangon)
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| Ngar Htat Gyi Pagoda (Yangon) |
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- After visiting the pagodas in morning have a nice lunch at the Ragoon Tea House restaurant. I would recommend trying delicious Burmese Tea-Leaf salad and milk tea. After lunch join a walking tour of Yangon to understand it's rich history and cultural heritage.
- In late afternoon/evening visit Swedagon Pagoda which is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. The pagoda stands 367 feet tall and dominates the Yangon skyline. I recommend to visit Swedagon Pagoda complex in the evening when it is very atmospheric.
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Swedagon Pagoda (Yangon)
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Day 3: Explore Yangon
- Start your morning by visiting Sule Pagoda located in the heart of downtown Yangon. According to legend, the pagoda was built before the Shwedagon Pagoda during the time of the Buddha, making it more than 2,600 years old.
- Right next to Sule Pagoda is Yangon City Hall and Maha Bandula Park where you can spend some time. Then walk to Bogyoke Aung San Market where you can buy Burmese handicrafts and jewelry.
- Take a lunch break after visiting the market and try delicious Burmese Shan Noodles. Spend the afternoon exploring the streets of Yangon. If you're still open to seeing one more pagoda, then you can visit Botutaung Pagoda. End your day with a relaxing Burmese foot massage at a spa.
Day 4: Yangon to Inle Lake, Explore Inle Lake
- Take an early morning flight to Inle Lake (Heho airport). Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Nyaungshwe township.
- After settling into your hotel in Nyaungshwe, explore the town in afternoon. Visit the unique Buddhist wooden temple Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung.
- Book full day boat ride for the next day to explore the village life around Inle Lake. End your day with a relaxing Burmese massage at a spa.
- Best area to stay in Inle Lake: Best location to book your stay in Inle Lake is Nyaungshwe.
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Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung Buddhist Temple (Inle Lake)
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Day 5: Explore Inle Lake
Meet your tour guide in morning for a full day boat tour around Inle Lake. During your boat tour you'll see silk/lotus fiber weaving workshop, Cheroot making workshop, silverware workshop, etc. You'll also see local village life over and around the lake. Along the way you'll also visit some Buddhist pagodas and monasteries.
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| Inle Lake Boat Tour |
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Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda (Inle Lake)
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Day 6: Inle Lake To Bagan
- Travel to Bagan via air or road. Bagan is an UNESCO-protected ancient city which was once home to more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries constructed between 11th and 13th century.
- Settle into your hotel in Nyaung-U area. Explore the town of Nyaung-U in evening and enjoy a nice dinner. Book an e-bike for the next day to explore Bagan temples. If you prefer to not ride an e-bike then you could explore the temples with a tuk-tuk driver, but e-bike would give you lot more freedom to explore the temples. You could also consider hot air balloon ride over the Bagan temples.
- Best area to stay in Bagan: Best location to book your stay in Bagan is Nyaung-U.
Day 7: Explore Bagan
Begin your exploration of Bagan temples on e-bike or tuk-tuk. Explore Ananda Temple, Htilominlo, Shwezigon, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani and other temples. Finish the day with stunning sunset at a small hill near Sulamani temple.
Day 8: Explore Bagan
Continue exploring Bagan temples on e-bike. Explore Thatbyinnyu Phaya Temple, Shwesandaw Pagoda, Thakya Hit Temple and other temples. Finish the day again with a sunset at one of the lovely sunset points.
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Thatbyinnyu Phaya Temple (Bagan)
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Day 9: Bagan To Mandalay, Explore Mandalay
- Travel to Mandalay via road or boat in morning. Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar, after Yangon. Settle into your hotel in afternoon. First visit Shwenandaw Monastery which is finely carved teak wooden building. Next visit Atumashi Monastery followed by Kuthodaw Pagoda which has around 1000 small Stupas.
- End your exploration for the day by climbing Mandalay Hill. On the hill you can visit more pagodas/monasteries and enjoy some lovely views of the city from the top.
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Shwenandaw Monastery (Mandalay)
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| Stupas Of Kuthodaw Pagoda (Mandalay) |
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Day 10: Explore Mandalay
- Begin your day by visiting Mahamuni Buddha Temple to see the Buddha statue with gold leaves applied by the devotees. Then take a ferry to checkout Mingun Pagoda and Mya Thein Tan Pagoda.
- This being the last day of your Myanmar itinerary, you can dedicate some time in the afternoon for shopping. You could also visit local Jade Market to see how the merchants make Jade deals.
- Then enjoy a lovely sunset at U Bein Wooden Footbridge. Later in the evening you can also visit Mintha Theater to enjoy classical Myanmar dance.
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View From Mandalay Hill
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U Bein Wooden Footbridge (Mandalay)
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| Mya Thein Tan Pagoda (Mandalay) |
What To Shop In Myanmar
Myanmar is known for low-priced Jade/gemstone jewelry, lacquerware, Longyi (traditionally Burmese clothing), sand painting, tapestries and gold leaf.
Foods To Try In Myanmar
- Tea leaf salad
- Shan-style noodles
- Shan-style rice
- Mohinga (fish noodle soup)
- Burmese tea shop meal
- Milk tea
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Burmese Tea-Leaf Salad & Shan Noodles
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I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary! Feel free to share your questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
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