Yangon, Myanmar
Bagan, Myanmar
Mandalay, Myanmar
Lake Inle, Myanmar
Kalaw, Myanmar
Palaung, Myanmar
Join us and YPT this Christmas to a country long considered a pariah state, isolated from the rest of the world until today! Where tourism is still a growing market, Myanmar receives less visitors than any of her surrounding neighbors, so take this chance to see it whilst it’s still off the beaten track and not yet entrenched in the typical South East Asia backpacker route.
The tour kicks off in Yangon, former capital and largest and most vibrant city in the country. After visiting temples, local markets and traditional villages, we make our way through the country to watch sunsets over ancient ruins, drink in bars perched on lakes, play with elephants, venture into caverns filled with statues that are centuries of years old, and party it up at a night carnival.
Home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas and ruins in the world, this stunning country boasts some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. Mix that with the YPT ethos of good times, jam packed itineraries and a healthy dose of partying, and you’ve found the place to spend your Christmas this year.
And as with all trips we are offering discounts to all returning Pioneers, GNTers, Monsooners, and group bookings.
20th December
- Arrival at your own leisure into Yangon, former capital and largest city in Myanmar.
Afternoon
- Transfer to our hotel. Meet the rest of the group before heading out for a few drinks.
- Overnight in Yangon
21th December
Morning
- Up nice and early for a tour of Yangon’s main sights.
- Check out the stunning temples. (Pack trousers or a skirt that cover the knees, and something to cover your shoulders)
- A visit to the bustling food market to sample some delicious fresh food.
- Next, we hop on a ferry to visit a traditional Burmese village. Plenty of opportunity to take incredible pictures!
Afternoon
- Lunch on some local delicacies.
- If you’re looking for an authentic travel experience, this is it! After stocking up on dinner, snacks, and of course traditional Burmese booze, we jump on the overnight bus to Bagan.
22nd December
Morning
- 10am arrival in Bagan.
- Transfer to hostel and a quick bite to eat.
Afternoon
- Big city tour of Bagan, an ancient city steeped in history and home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and ruins in the world .
- Watch the sunset over the temples, truly the view of a lifetime!
- Head to the Night Market/Carnival. This is a real party place and quite the eye opener! Dinner and drinks.
- Overnight in Bagan.
23rd December
Morning
- Up nice and early for the seven hour transfer to Mandalay, with a stop for snacks.
Afternoon
- Arrival in Mandalay, the second biggest and most important city in Myanmar. Transfer to hotel.
- Lunch in the city before a big walking tour including the former Royal Palace, Mandalay Hill, and the obligatory Temples and Stupas.
- At night we take it a bit risque by watching a show performed by the legendary Mustache Brothers, former dissidents that have done hard time in jail over their comedy. Dinner and drinks.
- Overnight in Mandalay.
24th December
Morning
- Internal flight to Heho Airport, then onto Nyaungshwe Jetty of Inle Lake. Here, traditional wooden huts poke above the water and we spend the day touring the lake.
Afternoon
- Dinner and of course drinks at some of many riverside bars and restaurants. Watch the sunset over the lake.
- Overnight in Nyaungshwe
25th December
Morning
- Merry Christmas! We celebrate Christmas morning by..
- Exploring Pindaya Shwe U Min Natural Cave.
- This natural cave complex is full of Buddha images in numerous shapes, sizes and materials such as alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement. There are nearly 9000 statues in the cave, some of which have been there for centuries.
Afternoon
- Lunch, before a drive to Kalaw, a high altitude old hill station with a laid back atmosphere, and stunning views.
- On arrival we transfer to our hostel, before heading out for our Christmas Dinner feast!
- After dinner has settled, we hike up the “stairway to heaven” to get a scenic view of the city and enjoy the sunset. Chilled Christmas drinks in the city.
- Overnight in Kalaw.
26th December
Morning
- A pleasant drive through the mountains, with opportunity to stop and take photographs of the untouched landscape.
Afternoon
- Lunch, followed by a short hike to:
- Green Valley Elephant camp, where we can play with and bathe the elephants! (Extra charge)
- If you don’t wish to hang out with elephants, we offer the alternative of trekking to Palaung village, home to an ethnic hill tribe.
- Board the overnight bus bank to Yangon
27th December
Morning
- Arrival in Yangon and end of tour. Lots of options for international flights.
This is a joint trip with Young Pioneer Tours that will have representing Monsoon Diaries staff present on tour. We secure exclusive sales agreements with these companies whereby we can advertise and sell these tours at a significant discount to the customer.
Please note that this discount can only be secured when the booking is made though The Monsoon Diaries. Contact us for information on other tours run by these companies as we may be able to offer further discounts across all tours!
Christmas in Myanmar!
- All-inclusive price including food, guides, accommodations, and transportation
- 20% down payment required to secure your spot, the rest you can pay there when the trip begins.
- Spots limited! Inquire today!
Price inclusive of:
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Guide services
- Entrance fees (unless specified otherwise)
- Flight ticket from Mandalay to Heho
Price exclusive of:
- Porter fees
- Tips for the local guide
- Entrance fees for elephant camp (125 USD per person)
- Meals
Interested in Myanmar!