Explore the cultural highlights of this magical Southeast Asian treasure

Marco Polo called Myanmar “one of the finest sights in the world.” In the centuries since then, this rich land has only gotten better. Leading this trip is MTS trailblazer Gary Wintz, whose credentials—traveling to over 210 countries and spearheading humanitarian projects in Asia—are matched only by his masterful storytelling, deep historical sense, and contagious wanderlust! We’ll discover spectacular treasures like gilded Shwedagon Paya, the towering reclining Buddha of Chaukhtatgyi Paya, and extraordinary 800-year-old temples at Bagan. Explore sacred Buddha caves, spend two full days at beautiful Inle Lake, and learn about traditional fishing and silk weaving, all while staying in the best five-star hotels and resorts.

Activities

14 days easy to moderate touring

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the beautiful architectural glories of Myanmar: sacred pagodas, ancient Buddhist temples, and monasteries that defy the imagination
• Discover Inle Lake, where high hills rim calm waters dotted with floating gardens and fishermen ply the lake in flat-bottomed boats
• Exclusive departure with MTS favorite guide and Burma expert Gary Wintz!

Duration: 15 days Start Location: Yangon End Location: Yangon

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Yangon, Myanmar

  Arrive in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Rangoon). Transfer to hotel.

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  Day 2 : Pindaya

  Morning visit to the most celebrated attraction of Yangon, the great Shwedagon Paya. We'll then take late morning flight to Heho, then drive to Pindaya.

• Day 3 : Pindaya - Inle Lake

  Explore sacred Buddhist caves in the morning, before driving to Inle Lake.

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  Days 4 - 5 : Inle Lake

  We'll have two full days to explore Inle Lake and its traditional villages.

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  Day 6 : Mandalay

  Late morning flight to Mandalay.

• Day 7 : Amarapura and Mingun

  In the morning visit Amarapura, a former capital of Myanmar. In the afternoon, we’ll take a boat trip up the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy), the major river that bisects the country, to Mingun and visit the unfinished Mingun Paya pagoda.

• 

  Day 8 : Bagan

  Morning visit to several monasteries, then afternoon flight to Bagan.

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  Days 9 - 10 : Bagan

  We have two full days to explore Bagan where over a range of 40 square kilomaters are hundreds of pagodas, from spectacular structures to simple places of worship.

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  Days 11 - 12 : Bagan - Ngapali

  Morning flight to Ngapali, a peaceful beach located along Burma's famous scenic western coastline.

• Day 13 : Yangon

  Mid morning flight to Yangon. Visit Scott Market.

• Day 14 : Yangon

  Full day to explore Yangon city, including a visit to the reclining Buddha of Chaukhtatgyi.

• Day 15 : Fly home

  Transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flights.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Gary Wintz

  Gary has traveled to more than 220 countries in the last 40 years, researching, writing, photographing, and lecturing about distant lands and cultures. He has worked on humanitarian projects in Indochina, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, and has contributed his expertise to development projects in Ethiopia for UNICEF. In 1981-82, Gary taught at universities in both China and in Tibet and lectured for the Soviet Academy of Sciences in 1989. Gary has lectured on Central Asia, Inner Asia, Southeast Asia and Buddhist themes at many universities, including Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Columbia as well as lectured on cruise ships and private jet trips. He has led hundreds of trips to all continents. Gary is a longtime member of the Mongolia Society, the Association of Asian Studies, the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies, and the Central Eurasian Studies Society as well as a number of Southeast Asian study groups. He has been a long time leader of citizens diplomacy exchanges, including pioneering "peace trains" on the trans-Siberian during the cold war days of the former Soviet Union. Some of his current soft diplomacy "signatures" include utilizing creative techniques, such as Frisbees and dark chocolates. Gary wins rave reviews as a tour director.

photo credits: ©Nadia Le Bon