Too often we’ve seen solo travelers wanting the professional services and security of booking a custom trip with a tour company only to be rudely awakened by the sobering costs of solo touring. In magical Myanmar, we’ve created an attractive solution, offering a special affordable 7-day “Best of Myanmar by Bus” tour with reasonable pricing for solo travelers. You can start it any day of the year so it has all the benefits of a custom tour without the steep prices. Instead of expensive internal flights, on this tour you’ll travel via scheduled bus services within Myanmar, traveling in comfortable modern buses with fully reclining seats, bus attendants on board, air-conditioning, and blankets. Please contact us for more details, to make your reservation and/or to check availability for you.
This Best of Myanmar by Bus trip can easily be combined with an affordable custom Best of Thailand 5-8 day tour or a trip to Angkor Wat (3-4 days). You can also easily extend this Myanmar tour with 3 nights on a Myanmar beach too – the beautiful beaches in Myanmar are quickly gaining more publicity – the secret is out!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Yangon-Bagan by comfortable overnight bus
Shwedagon Pagoda
Try to arrive in the morning, otherwise we’d recommend adding a pre-tour night in Yangon. On arrival at the international airport, you will be met by your guide. Experience Yangon’s highlights including the old colonial-style buildings in central downtown Yangon, the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years, and shopping for Myanmar specialties within hundreds of stores (closed on Mondays) including rare gem shops. We’ll visit fabled Shwedagon Pagoda , the world famous golden stupa, and enjoy the sunset there. Take the evening bus to reach Bagan overnight.
Day 2: Early Morning Arrival Bagan
Bagan
Tour the best Bagan highlights, including the Gubyaukgyi temple to see the original 12th century Mural paintings, frescoes and base-relief works; Ananda temple – the best preserved masterpieces of Mon architecture and nearby brick monastery, one of the few that survived from the Bagan period. We’ll also visit the Thabyinnyu temple – the highest monument of universal science, and Gawdawpalin – one of the largest and most imposing monuments in Bagan, plus Dhammyangyi – known for its unique double images of Buddha and the Shwesandaw temple – for a panoramic view of entire ruins. Stay overnight in Bagan Zfreeti Hotel.
Day 3: Bagan-Mandalay by day-time bus
Take the morning bus at about 8 AM, absorbing the colorful sights of the countryside en-route, and arrive into Mandalay about 3 PM. Your local guide will pick you up at the bus station and transfer you to the hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at Mandalay Royal Power Hotel.
Day 4: Mandalay Sightseeing
Mandalay Palace view
Start your day in Mandalay by sightseeing Amarapura, U Bein Bridge, and other tour highlights including: “the largest book” at Kuthodaw Pagoda where the entire Buddhist canon, Tripitaka, has been recorded on stone tablets totaling 729 in number; Shwenandaw “Golden Palace Monastery,” the ex-palace complex of former Myanmar kings, to observe finest Myanmar wooden architecture; and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, a large Buddha image carved out of single block of marble. After this great day of seeing Bagn’s best sites, you’ll take this evening’s overnight bus from Mandalay to Nyaung Shwe.
Day 5: Inle Lake Sightseeing by boat
Inle lake by boat
Arrive in Nyaung Shwe in the morning where your guide will meet you to board a traditional long motorized boat for a sightseeing tour of famed Inle Lake. Traveling on the lake is an exhilarating experience for nature lovers and a chance to observe the unique traditions of the Intha people. Wonder at unique leg rowing fishermen, floating farms, houses, and monasteries on the stilts. Visit the floating village of Ywama; the lake’s downtown; 11th century Phaungdaw Oo pagoda housing five sacred Buddha images; the weaving village of Inpawkhon, famous for traditional silk-weaving; Se Gaung Village, famous for the blacksmith work; and Nan Pan Village with cheroot making and boat-building dockyards. After a visit to famous Ngaphechaung, a museum-like monastery where the belongings of many old monasteries are restored, stay overnight in Nyaung Shwe Paradise Hotel.
Day 7: Inle-Yangon by Bus
Inle Lake fisherman
Free day in Inle Lake. You can spend a day photographing the locals going about their everyday lives or enjoy an optional tour, from biking in the countryside to sea kayaking on the lake. Later in the evening, take the bus overnight from Nyaung Shwe to Yangon.
Day 7: Yangon Departure
Arrive Yangon in the early morning and then transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight or remain in Yangon for more sightseeing.
2016 PRICES:
- Solo traveler (single occupancy): US$1,495
- 2 or more travelers (twin or double occupancy): US$945/person
Price includes:
- All accommodations including breakfast
- Private car with air-conditioning/driver for station transfers and sightseeing
- Bus tickets
- Private professional local English-speaking tour guides
- Touring as indicated
- Entrance fees on scheduled tours
- Boat for Inle Lake visit
- Services and support of the local office
Excludes:
- International flights
- Lunches and dinners
- Visa fee
- Departure airport tax
- Optional tours / extra days / extra nights
Please contact us for more details or to check availability for you. We hope you can find a way to join Adventures Within Reach for beautiful Myanmar!