Overview
This is the second part of our incredible journey through the mysterious land of Myanmar. You can find the first part with the full itinerary in the blog, under the Asia section.
Route summary (part 2)
- Yangon
- Flight to Inle Lake (Taxi to Pindaya, then to Maing Thouk Village by boat organized by the hotel)
- Inle boat and taxi to the airport, flight to Bagan
-Bagan: electric scooter/bike
- Bagan to Mandalay by private car, with a stop at Mount Popa
Day 6
After a short 40-minute morning flight, we reach Heho Airport. We negotiate a ride with a taxi driver for the journey ahead. Our first stop is the Pindaya Caves, where we are greeted by over 8,000 images of Buddha in various sizes and materials. These caves are a popular pilgrimage destination with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The scent of incense and the deafening sound of cicadas will stay with you! We then head to Inle Lake, passing through rural landscapes where smiling children bathe in less-than-inviting brown ponds, and rice is laid out to dry on the asphalt. At Maing Thouk Village, a small boat organized by the Myanmar Treasure Resort awaits us. We glide through mangroves, amidst fishermen returning from their day’s catch. And as we reach our stilted bungalows, a stunning sunset greets us—truly unforgettable!
Day 7
The hotel arranges a tour of the beautiful lake, where we explore the floating village, the floating market, and then the Indein complex. We encounter the Pa-O tribe and visit the Shwe Inn Dein pagodas and the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda. Words can’t quite capture the feeling of exploring a world that seems almost alien, where people use boats instead of cars, streets are canals, and rickety wooden houses have expensive satellite dishes—showing the paradox of these Southeast Asian countries. Poverty is juxtaposed with the need for modern gadgets like smartphones and TVs. The day ends back at our magnificent bungalows with a traditional dinner.
Day 8
I had high expectations for this day, though everything wrapped up earlier than expected, leaving us with half a day to relax and do nothing. In the morning, we grab the resort’s bikes to visit a small Buddhist temple on a nearby hill. The atmosphere is mystical, perhaps because of the light mist. We’re the only visitors, and even the monks seem surprised! After descending the hill, we head to a nearby village by the lake to cross it by local boat. We negotiate a price, and in no time, our bikes are loaded onto a rickety wooden boat. The crossing takes about 10-15 minutes. Our plan is to cycle around half of the lake and return to the resort in the afternoon. To be honest, the road was far from rural and sometimes even dangerous. Only in the last 15 km did we find some peace, with tree-lined avenues and pack animals on the roads! We arrive back at the hotel just in time for some well-deserved relaxation.
Days 9-10
In the morning, first by hotel boat and then by taxi, we return to Heho Airport for a short 30-minute flight to Bagan. Bagan, an ancient city in Myanmar, is famous for its over 2,000 temples and pagodas from the 11th to 13th centuries, scattered across a vast plain. The views, especially at sunrise and sunset, are priceless. Upon arrival, we rent bikes to explore the site on our own. This turns out to be a bit of a mistake due to the area’s sheer size, so the next day, we switch to an electric scooter. Over the two days, we let ourselves be captivated by the beauty of Ananda, Pato Silamani, Shwezigon Paya, and the main pagodas and sites, all easily accessible. It’s like wandering through an open-air museum. On our last morning, we treat ourselves to a hot air balloon ride—an absolute must! Bagan leaves behind a mystical, dusty memory, with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. While many temples are off-limits for climbing, ask the locals—they’ll guide you to the best spots for a small fee.
Days 10-11
It’s time to say goodbye to Bagan and head to Mandalay with a driver we had previously arranged. We extend the journey to visit Mount Popa, a dormant volcano and important spiritual site. At the summit, you’ll find an enchanting monastery, which you can reach by climbing over 700 steps, surrounded by cheeky monkeys. We then continue to Mandalay, where another unforgettable sunset awaits us, this time from Mandalay Hill. The following day, we hire a driver recommended by the hotel to visit the city center, including its monasteries and the Mandalay Palace, before heading to Amarapura, Inwa, the Sagaing Buddhist Center, Kyaung Monastery, and the Mingun Bell. Each site helps us connect with the humility of the Burmese people, which is supported by a history and spirituality of great depth.
Day 12
Flight to Singapore, but I’ll cover that in a dedicated post
Conclusions
Myanmar was a land that exceeded all my expectations. The people are undeniably humble yet always smiling, and the country boasts an immense and sometimes unexplored cultural heritage. Often, I felt like an Indiana Jones uncovering hidden treasures. Tourism is present, but it’s not yet (and I believe it won’t be for a long time) at a level that would make the experience any less beautiful.
Add comment
Comments