Exotic Myanmar: Ancient Kingdoms and Hidden Temples on the Irrawaddy River

15 days
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Explore Yangon and Inle Lake with local experts, then discover sacred temples and traditional ways of life along the Irrawaddy, from Mandalay to Bagan aboard a luxury river boat.
26%
$5,393
From$3,995
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Yangon for the Burmese - the Shwedagon Pagoda
    • Journey to Inle Lake to discover the Intha people’s floating farms and markets and learn about their unique leg-rowing technique
    • Explore life along the Irrawaddy River aboard a river cruise boat, viewing ancient temples, local villages and people and a landscape from long ago

What's this trip about?

    Explore Yangon and Inle Lake with local experts, then discover sacred temples and traditional ways of life along the Irrawaddy, from Mandalay to Bagan aboard a luxury river boat.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

  • Asia

Attractions

  • Bagan
  • Mandalay
  • Yangon

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Itinerary

Day
1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day
2 En Route In Flight

Day
3 Arrive Yangon, Check-In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Yangon D Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon Activity note: Hotel check-in available 2:00 p.m. Arrivals throughout the day. Transfer time from the airport to the hotel will be approximately 50 minutes to an hour d...
Day
4 National Museum, Shwedagon Paya Yangon B,L,D Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon Activity note: Cameras and any bags are not allowed in The National Museum. Walking approximately 1.5 miles (2 kilometers); mostly even terrain; watch out for occasional potholes; one b...
Day
5 Fly to Inle Lake, Floating Gardens, Monastery Inle Lake B,L,D Pristine Lotus Spa Resort Activity note: Early morning flight from Yangon to Heho (near Inle Lake) is 1 hour. Coach transfer from airport to lakefront town of Nyuang Shwe is approximately 1 hour. Inle ...
Day
6 Long Tail Boats, Village Market, Silk Weaving Village Inle Lake B,L,D Pristine Lotus Spa Resort Activity note: Early departure for full day field trip away from the resort. Morning departure on the lake that involves walking across planks and getting into/out of ...
Day
7 Inle Lake, fly to Mandalay, Embark Ship, Classical Ballet Mandalay B,L,D Paukan 2012 Activity note: Late afternoon flight from Heho to Mandalay; approximately 40 minute flight. 1 hour transfer by motor coach from Mandalay airport to jetty to board the ship. ...
Day
8 Mandalay Discovery, Amarapura, U-Bein Bridge Sagaing B,L,D Paukan 2012 Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship. Morning: Depart by motor coach towards Mandalay Hill where spiraling staircases lead to sw...
Day
9 River Cruise, Mingun, Sagaing River village B,L,D Paukan 2012 Activity note: Board a motorcoach to drive to the base of Sagaing Hills and then board open air trucks with wooden benches to drive up to the top of the hill. Breakfast: For early risers, coffee a...
Day
10 Cruise Downstream, Lathapyin Village Yandabo B,L,D Paukan 2012 Activity note: Ship cruises downstream from Sagaing towards Yandabo; approximately 60 miles. Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship. ...
Day
11 Cruise towards Yandabo, School and Village Visit River village B,L,D Paukan 2012 Activity note: Cruise downstream from Yandabo towards Bagan. Tonight we moor overnight north of Bagan. Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Bu...
Day
12 Bagan Discovery, Puppet Show Bagan B,L,D Paukan 2012 Activity note: Optional, sunrise balloon ride for an additional fee. Cost is not included in your program fee. Information about balloon ride listed in the mailings, under free time options in Bagan. The field...
Day
13 Village Visits, Sunset view of Temples Bagan B,L,D Paukan 2012 Activity note: Village visits are a short 10-30 minute drive outside of the Bagan zone by private motorcoach. Tonight we moor overnight at Aye Yar Jetty in Bagan. Breakfast: Buffet on board the ...
Day
14 Disembark Ship, Fly to Yangon, City Discovery with Students Yangon B,D Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon Activity note: Morning flight from Bagan to Yangon; approximately 1.5 hours. Breakfast: On board the ship Morning: We disembark the ship and transfe...
Day
15 Program Concludes In Flight B Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program. Morning: Airport transfers to Yangon International Airport (RGN). Refer to your personal air itinerary for flight information. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,995
Price per day$266
Last Updated: 9/22/2021

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Michael

Dec 2023

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Not a good bicycle trip

Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, th...

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Marsha

Nov 2023

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Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

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Jane Johnson

Sep 2023

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There is a nonrefundable deposit

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Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 34 Meals
  • 12 Breakfasts
  • 10 Lunches
  • 12 Dinners
  • The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-78

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