Family Adventure to Myanmar
A fun and educational family trip with everlasting memories
To go or not to go, this is a question. True, the thought of making your family vacation in Myanmar can be taunting yet its untold stories are calling you out.
Why You'll Love This Trip
- Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, Bagan's temples, boat ride in Inle Lake and more essential experiences are covered, good for first timers.
- See things differently with us: finding hidden temples, night visit, talking to young monks and other experiences that make this trip unique.
- No long-distance buses, always well-paced, hotels with swimming pools and nice breakfast, we make sure everybody is well-entertained and relaxed.
- Planned wisely to max up your experiences within only 10 days, getting great value of travel.
Family Adventure to Myanmar: 10-Day Myanmar Family Trip
This tour is designed based on our travels and only the sites and experiences that excite us are written down. However, review it as a suggestion and it can be customized to your own taste.
Day-01 Mandalay Arrival
Mandalay is connected with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore and Kunming. When your flight arrives in the afternoon, you will meet our friendly local guide and driver. Transfer to hotel and adjust yourselves to Myanmar's heat.
Gatsby Tips:
- Most international flights to Mandalay arrive in the early afternoon. In the afternoon, you may want to visit Mandalay Palace or go for a sunset view at the top of Mandalay Hill.
- Gatsby's hotel recommendation: Rupar Mandalar Resort , Junior Suite accommodates up to 4 people, fabulous breakfast, swimming pool and close by major sites.
Day-02 Life and Faith in Mandalay
Rise up early today, you will be a part at the daily face-washing ritual at Mahamuni Pagoda. Return to your hotel for breakfast and a short break.
Later in the morning, we will drive outside of town to Mahagandayon Monastery, where thousands of monks and nuns are having their lunch, also their last meal of today. You will have a chance to talk to some young monks after their lunch at 1100am.
Enjoy a freshly-cooked lunch by a riverside restaurant and we will transfer you to the famous White Pagoda near Mingun. Stop by the world's largest bronze bell, Mingun Bell and try a toll.
Drive to Amarapura before sunset. Locals are heading back home on this teak wood bridge that has been standing for ages. Take a boat ride and enjoy the sunset casting beautiful shades of the bridge.
Gatsby Tips:
- If getting up early is not your thing, we can change Mahamuni Pagoda visit with a morning market.
- For your first meal in Myanmar, we will choose some western food and some options for Burmese are also available if you want to try.
Day-03 Mandalay to Bagan (by air)
Today's flight to Bagan is at 0810am. Transfer to the airport after breakfast.
Arrive in Bagan during mid-morning, we will stop by a local village on our way to the hotel.
Minnanthu Village is situated among the temples. As laid-back as it is, villagers here still have a pretty happy life. You will learn about the ox cart crafting and other funky stuff you've never seen before.
Check in at your hotel and take a cool dip in the water.
Gatsby Tips:
- Gatsby's hotel recommendation: Hotel @ The Tharabar Gate, located near some famous pagodas, big rooms with soft beds, guests love their breakfast.
Day-04 Dawn and Dusk of Bagan
In the early morning, get to our favorite spot for balloon-watching. Your tour guide will take you on an e-bike ride to break the morning mist, feeling like Indiana Jones on a mission?
Back to your hotel for breakfast. Set off again for more exploration. Your tour guide will take you to some less-known places. Also, you will be welcome at a nearby village and chat with the locals.
Cool off in a underground chamber of an old temple. Return to your hotel for some rest.
Later in the afternoon, you will take a boat ride to watch a line of small pagodas by the riverbanks. As nightfall comes, you will venture to those illuminated pagodas as other tourists left.
Gatsby Tips:
- Balloon launching site changes every day due to different wind direction. It is only operated during October to March; we will arrange an early morning sunrise watch if you come during other time.
- E-bike is scooter powered by electricity, pretty easy to control and very mobile. For your own safety, only children above 15 years old can ride the bike.
Day-05 Bagan to Inle Lake (by air)
Your flight to Inle Lake leaves at 1000am. Transfer to your waterfront hotel and enjoy the rest of today free at leisure.
Gatsby Tips:
- If you are interested in taking a ballon flight, make sure you book the seats at least 3 months ahead. Let us know if you need help.
- Gatsby's hotel recommendation: Pristine Lotus Resort Inle, interesting boat house by the lake, private balcony with great views, kids can go swimming while the parents enjoy a nice spa treatment.
Day-06 Life of Inle Lake
5 major villages take turns to host the market, thus the famous 5-Day Market. Today you will take a boat ride to be a part of the bustling and hustling.
Rowing slowly, you will be weaving the way into some floating gardens. Learn about how the locals make farming beds out of watergrass. Along the way, you also get to witness local fishermen catching fish with their unique one-leg rowing skill.
Step into a family-run workshop for lotus weaving. It's truly impressive how the ladies weave the lotus fibers into a clothing, right?
Return to your hotel by the evening.
Day-08 Inle Lake to Yangon (by air)
Take a mid-day flight to the former capital city Yangon. Stop by Aung San Suu Kyi's House on the way to town. This is the place where she has been held home arrest for over 15 years.
Check in at your hotel.
Later in the evening, you will go and enjoy a gorgeous sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda.
Gatsby Tips:
- Aung San Suu Kyi's House is close by Yangon University, you may swing by the campus if interested.
- Gatsby's hotel recommendation: Mercure Yangon Kaba Aye, Two-bedroom Suite is big enough for 4 persons and close by Inya Lake with a grand park.
Day-09 Yangon at a Glance
Take the morning train ride with the locals heading to work or market. This one-hour journey on Yangon Circular Train brings you into their daily life.
Stop at an interesting local market and check out what they are selling, all the funky stuff will amuse you.
Pay a visit at Sule Pagoda before a nice buffet lunch at Shangri-La Sule.
Stay away from the afternoon sun and visit the National Museum, a nice place for both adults and kids to learn more.
Saunter along colonial district and discover untold stories behind these aged buildings. Take a break and enjoy English high tea at The Strand's.
We consider ourselves as rather an itinerary designer than a tour operator for Myanmar. Hotel rates or airfares might not be our strong suit and what we are offering is ideas and possibilities for your own adventure.
Start Planning Your Trip to Myanmar
Contact an expert in Myanmar that will support you 1-1 from the initial chat, itinerary design, and even on the trip.
