Myanmar 10 Day Itinerary

Myanmar is an intriguing and beautiful country, famed for its fairytale like temples and adventures at every corner. The country is a little more off the beaten track than much of Southeast Asia, but is still relatively easy to explore as an independent traveller. This perfect Myanmar itinerary takes in Yangon, Bagan, Mount Popa and Lake Inle. Read on to find out how to experience an incredible 10 days in Myanmar!

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Travel Warning: As of 1 February 2021, Myanmar is under a military coup. Travel advisories warn not to travel to Myanmar due to civil unrest and armed conflict.

Myanmar Itinerary 10 Days Overview

Yangon (1 night): Start your Myanmar 10 day itinerary in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. Visit the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, stroll around Kandawgyi Lake, and check out the city’s gorgeous colonial architecture. Stay at The Strand for a slice of colonial luxury or Esperado Lake View Hotel for great value and lovely lake views.

Bagan (3 nights): Next, head to Bagan, home to thousands (yes, literally thousands) of pagoda temples that create a unique and magical landscape. Explore the temples by bike, take a hot air balloon ride and do a river cruise. In Bagan, stay at Bagan Thande Hotel for its comfortable rooms and incredible sunsets over the river.

Mount Popa (1 night): Mount Popa is a Buddhist monastery complex built on the top of a tall volcanic plug, which makes for one of the most spectacular temples you ever did see. Visit Mount Popa on a day trip from Bagan, or stay overnight to experience the luxury Popa Mountain Resort.

Inle Lake (3 nights): If you’re all templed out, you’ll love Inle Lake, a massive sparkling lake with floating villages and markets (okay, and some temples) that can be explored by boat. As well as the lake, discover the surrounding areas by bike and even visit one of Myanmar’s only wineries! Stay at Aureum Palace Resort & Spa for lake front luxury or La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel for cosy and good value boutique hotel.

Yangon (1 night): Finish your Myanmar travel itinerary back where you started in Yangon. Soak up any sights you missed at the start and, time permitting, take the 3 hour Yangon Circle Train around the city outskirts to observe local life.

If you prefer faster paced travel, you can cut out one night at each of Bagan and Inle Lake, and add Mandalay into your 10 day Burma itinerary. However, internal travel in Myanmar is on the slow side, so don’t forget to account for travel time and the all too common delays.

If you have longer than 10 days in Myanmar, add Mandalay into your itinerary and, if you’re a hiking enthusiast, consider the 2-3 trek from Kalaw to Inle.

Now that you know what you’re in for, let’s break your 10 day Myanmar itinerary down into a day-by-day itinerary.

Myanmar Itinerary Day 1: Yangon

Yangon is the gateway to Myanmar, and is where most people start their Myanmar itinerary. Formerly known as Rangoon, Yangon is the biggest city in Myanmar and has an eclectic mix of British colonial architecture, modern city buildings and shimmery gold pagodas. It’s relatively easy to see the main sights in Yangon in a day or two.

Getting to Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon is home to Myanmar’s largest international airport, so if you’re flying into Myanmar, chances are that you’ll be landing in Yangon. Once you’ve navigated customs, grab a taxi to your city hotel. The trip should take 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Day 1 Itinerary – Travel to Yangon & Visit Shwedagon Pagoda

If you have time on your first day in Yangon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the undisputed crown jewel of Yangon. Shwedagon Pagoda is a massive gold plated stupa temple that stands at almost 100 metres high, and is topped with thousands of diamonds and other precious gems. All this bling bling means the pagoda is said to be valued at billions of dollars.

Shwedagon Pagoda is open daily from 4am until 10pm, with a US$8 entrance fee. The pagoda is particularly pretty in the late afternoon and early evening, when the temple sparkles in the afternoon sun and casts a glow over the city with the setting sun. Shwedagon Pagoda is a religious site, so please dress respectfully in modest clothing, with at least your knees and shoulders covered.

After sunset, head to downtown Yangon where you’ll find a large variety of local and international restaurants.

Where to Stay in Yangon

In Yangon, aim to stay somewhere relatively central so that it’s easy to get around sightseeing. One good option is the main Yangon downtown city area to the south near Yangon River, in the blocks around Sule Pagoda. Alternatively, check out the hotels surrounding tranquil Kandawgyi Lake, many of which have gorgeous lake and park views.

Luxury $$$: If you want to experience luxury in Myanmar, do it in Yangon as it’s hard to come by elsewhere. Yangon has some truly beautiful luxury hotels. If you love luxury colonial style hotels, check out The Strand, the Yangon Excelsior or Rosewood Yangon. These hotels all have beautiful heritage architecture, opulent touches and top notch dining.

Check The Strand Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Check Yangon Excelsior Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Check Rosewood Yangon Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Midrange $$: For good value in Yangon, we loved Esperado Lake View Hotel with its comfortable rooms, rooftop bar and lake views with Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance. If you prefer trendy hotels, Hotel G has funky decor and is centrally located for sightseeing.

Check Esperado Lake View Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Check Hotel G Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Budget $: Most hotels in Yangon are mid-range. However, if you’re on a budget, the best picks are Hotel Bahosi near the city or Hotel Rose Hill near the lake.

Check Hotel Bahosi Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Check Hotel Rose Hill Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Myanmar Trip Days 2-4: Bagan

Bagan is a pretty magical destination (see photographic evidence above!), and for many people is the absolute highlight of their trip to Myanmar. The small city is famed for its fairytale-like pagodas that dot the landscape and horizon.

In its heyday in the 11th to 13th centuries, there was estimated to be over 10,000 temples, pagodas and shrines around Bagan. While many of those temples have since been destroyed, there’s still over 2000 temples in the region, an impressive number by anyone’s count. Even though you’ll probably visit only a fraction of those temples while you’re in Bagan, the effect of being surrounded by temples of all sizes and varieties is nothing short of spectacular.

Getting from Yangon to Bagan

Many things can be said about internal travel in Myanmar, but speed is most certainly not one of those things. Overland travel in Myanmar is oh so slooooooooow and while flight times are short, flights are also frequently delayed.

We took internal flights to save time, but all our flights were delayed by 1-3 hours. Often the only notice you’ll have of your flight being ready to board is when the flight staff start frantically waving around a little sign with your flight number. If you catch a flight, don’t plan too much on your first day after arriving in case your flight is delayed.

Flights: Flying from Yangon to Bagan (Nyaung-U Airport) takes around 1 hour 20 minutes, with multiple flights daily, including direct flights. When booking, check the route in advance as many flights take a circular route around Myanmar. Those flights have multiple short stops along the way to let some passengers off. Nyaung-U Airport is around 20 minutes drive from Bagan.

Overland: If you’re going overland from Yangon to Bagan, be prepared for a long journey. The bus from Yangon to Bagan takes around 10 hours, or you can take an day / night train trip of around 17-19 hours. Probably best left to those with more than 10 days in Myanmar!

Day 2 Itinerary – Travel to Bagan & Settle In

On your second day in Myanmar, travel from Yangon to Bagan and get settled into your hotel.

If you have time after arriving in Bagan, grab a bike or go for a walk and explore the nearby streets to get your bearings. You’ll have plenty of time to visit the Bagan temples, so don’t worry about seeing everything at once. One of the joys of having 10 days in Myanmar is that you can take things a little more slowly, and savour the quieter pace of life in Myanmar.

Dinner & Food in Bagan

The food and restaurant scene is probably not going to be the highlight of your trip to Myanmar, sorry to say. However, you can expect basic but tasty food with meals typically including meat, fish or vegetables and rice. Many Southeast Asian cuisines aren’t heavy on salads, so I was delighted to discover that traditional Burmese salads feature on most menus. Don’t miss the delicious Burmese tomato salad and iconic tea leaf salad.

Bagan has plenty of restaurants, with good choices dotted around Old Bagan, concentrated in New Bagan and spread out along the river front. For dinner on your first day, check out The Moon (Be Kind to Animals), a fantastic vegetarian restaurant. The Moon has restaurants in both Old Bagan (the original The Moon) and New Bagan (The Moon 2), with plenty of other options nearby if The Moon is busy or vegetarian ain’t your thang.

Day 3 Itinerary – Bagan Temples

Bagan Bike Tour

A guided bike tour is a fantastic way to get acquainted with Bagan’s impressive temples. The main areas are relatively compact so you can cover a lot of ground on a bike. You’ll also have a richer experience for having a local guide, who will be able to explain the history and function of the temples.

The roads around Bagan are relatively flat, with a mix of paved, gravel and dirt roads. If you’re not confident on a bike or have limited fitness, take a guided e-bike tour, where you have the option to peddle or let your electronic bike do the work for you.

If you’re on a budget, simply hire a bike or e-bike and follow your eyes – the temples are impossible to miss! Riding in the heat can be exhausting, so leave some time for a relaxing lunch and a swim if your hotel has a pool.

Bagan Boat River Cruise

End the day with a relaxing sunset boat cruise along the Irrawaddy River. After a tiring day exploring the temples, there’s nothing better than sitting back with a cold beer or cocktail, cruising along the river and watching the sky explode into colour. You’ll be sharing the river with a variety of other tourist and fishing boats, but that doesn’t detract from the experience. And, yup, you’ll even be able to see some temples along the river bank.

The cruises typically take around 90 minutes, and depart late afternoon depending on sunset time. Most boats will allow you to purchase drinks to bring aboard, or will offer drinks for purchase. You can purchase your tickets online in advance, or simply turn up to Fantasia Jetty where Bagan Boat Trips departs from.

Day 4 Itinerary – Bagan Pagodas

With 10 days in Myanmar, you’ll be able to explore Bagan at a slower pace, discover ‘hidden’ temples, pagodas and stupas, and see the magic of the city unfurl right before your eyes. However, if you prefer to pack lots into your trips, you may want to skip a day in Bagan (or alternatively Inle Lake, depending on your interests) and add Mandalay into your itinerary.

Bagan Pagodas at Sunrise

On Day 4, get up early to experience Bagan’s temples at sunrise, when hot air balloons fill the sky. Yeah yeah, I know my most overused word about Bagan is magical, but I can truly guarantee that witnessing colourful hot air balloons floating across the orange and yellow sky above gorgeous pagodas is the quintessential magical experience to have in Bagan. (Promise. And I am definitely not a morning person!)

Join an early morning temple tour, or simply jump on a bike and find a pagoda or field to watch the spectacle from. When we visited, we were lucky enough to be permitted to climb a small pagoda (with a small fee for the privilege) and sit back to watch the morning show. However, most of Bagan’s pagodas were closed for climbing in 2019, to protect the heritage of the buildings. Check the latest regulations when you arrive and, if climbing is not permitted, search out some awesome alternative sunset and sunrise locations in Bagan.

If you have cash to splash, then why not tick one off your travel bucket list and take a sunset hot air ballon tour over the Bagan temples!? Balloons Over Bagan is a reputable hot air balloon operator offering top quality hot air ballon tours over Bagan. Expect to pay $300-400 per person. Bucket list experiences don’t always come cheap!

Rest & Final Temple Hopping

After your morning temple trip, have a long relaxing breakfast, a swim in the pool and perhaps even a nap after the early start to the day. The middle of the day can be very hot in Bagan, so you may prefer to do your sightseeing at the start and end of the day.

In the late afternoon, visit any temples and pagodas that you’ve missed, or return to some old favourites. Some of the best temples in Bagan include:

• Ananda Pagoda: Ananda Temple is one of the biggest and best preserved temples in Bagan, with a unique style of architecture and lovely grounds to walk around.

• Shwesandaw Pagoda: Shwesandaw Pagoda is 5 stories high with some rather steep stairs and spectacular sunrise and sunset views from the top. However, as at 2019, it’s no longer permitted to climb the pagoda.

• Dhammayangyi Temple: Dhammayangyi is another one of the largest temples in Bagan, even though it was never fully completed. This temple dominates the skyline so can be seen from most places in Bagan. Take time to explore the internal corridors and relics.

• Thatbyinnyu Pagoda: Thatbyinnyu is the tallest temple in Bagan, and is particularly gorgeous at nighttime when it’s lit up and visible from miles away. The temple also has gorgeous frescoes inside, so be sure to view this one from both afar and up close.

These are some of the biggest temples in Bagan, but don’t limit yourself to only the major temples. The smaller pagodas are actually some of the prettiest and least crowded. Many of the pagodas are clustered, so you can map out your trip in advance or simply follow your eyes.

In the evening, have an early dinner along the river, starting with sunset drinks. If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to an absolutely incredible sunset with deep pinks, purples and oranges. We witnessed one of the most impressive sunsets I’ve ever seen at the restaurant at Bagan Thande Hotel – the photo below absolutely does not do it justice!

Where to Stay in Bagan

Most accommodation in Bagan is mid-range and perfectly comfortable, if a little tired. The main hotel areas are ‘New Bagan’ and ‘Old Bagan’, which are both pretty central. New Bagan and Old Bagan are really much-of-a-muchness since there are temples and restaurants in both areas.

My Bagan Residence ($$): We spent a couple of nights at My Bagan Residence by Amata in New Bagan, located near the river and walking distance to lots of restaurants. My Bagan Residence is a great option for exploring the temples independently as there is a bicycle and e-bike hire place at the bottom of the driveway. The hotel is comfortable, with nice grounds and a lovely pool – perfect for a refreshing dip after a hot day of cycling and temple-hopping!

Check My Bagan Residence Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Bagan Thande Hotel ($$): We also spent a night at Bagan Thande Hotel, which is in a great location in Old Bagan right on the river and cycling distance to many temples. The decor is decidedly old school if somewhat charming (as is the case with lots of places in Myanmar), but the nice spacious rooms have everything you need. The best thing about Bagan Thande Hotel is its gorgeous riverfront restaurant, which is the perfect spot to have a drink and watch the stunning sunset against the beautiful big acacia trees.

Check Bagan Thande Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Blue Bird Hotel ($$): Blue Bird Hotel is really nice hotel with a lovely swimming pool that came recommended by friends. Blue Bird Hotel is a on the outskirts of New Bagan, so is a great option if you want a quiet location that is still close to restaurants and temples.

Check Blue Bird Hotel Rates: Agoda

Myanmar Travel Day 5: Mount Popa

Mount Popa is an extinct volcano that rises above sea level, with a picturesque monastery (Taung Kalat) that appears to be perched precariously at the top of the mountain. It’s a pretty impressive sight to behold from afar, although the temple itself is somewhat underwhelming up close.

Mount Popa is usually visited as a day trip from Bagan. However, we decided to stay overnight at the gorgeous luxury Popa Mountain Resort to relax, soak in the incredible monastery views and do the 3-4 hour return hike up Mount Popa (the mountain, not the monastery) the following morning.

To optimise our Myanmar itinerary, we spent 2 nights in Bagan, 1 night in Mount Popa, and then 1 more night in Bagan. This worked much better for our morning flight and transfer times than 3 nights in Bagan and 1 night in Mount Popa.

Getting to Mount Popa

Mount Popa is roughly one hour / 50km drive south-east of Bagan, so can be easily visited on a day trip from Bagan. Your Bagan accommodation can help to organise a driver.

Day 5 Itinerary – Mount Popa Monastery

Visit Mount Popa Monastery

The main things to do in Mount Popa revolve around the Mount Popa Monastery. On the drive to Mount Popa, ask your driver to stop on the side of the road as you’re approaching the monastery so that you can view it from a distance and make the most of the excellent photo opp.

Next, visit Taung Kalat, the famous Mount Popa Monastery itself. Here, you’ll climb 777 steps to the top of the monastery and battle the enthusiastic (slash aggressive) monkeys along the way. The monastery is a popular pilgrimage site for the local Myanmar people, who visit to worship the spiritual Nat gods residing here. There’s not a lot to see at the top, but you will be treated to lovely panoramic views.

If you research Mount Popa, you’ll see that it gets really mixed reviews. I can sum it up in a Clueless quote for you ‘90s kids: “[It’s] a full-on Monet. It’s like a painting, see? From far away, it’s okay. But up close, it’s a big old mess.” Yup, Mount Popa looks spectacular from the distance, but is somewhat underwhelming up close. In another Clueless tribute, ”survey says”? In my view, still well worth a visit for its unique and impressive location.

Lunch at Popa Mountain Resort

After climbing 777 steps to the monastery, you’ll no doubt be famished. Head to Popa Mountain Resort for a tasty lunch with unparalleled views of Mount Popa monastery in the distance. The restaurant can get quite busy at lunchtime, so reservations are recommended.

Where to Stay in Mount Popa

If you decide to stay overnight in Mount Popa, I 100% recommend staying at Popa Mountain Resort (also known as Mount Popa Resort). This resort is well worth it for the amazing views of the monastery alone, particularly if you stay in a mountain view room. Popa Mountain Resort also has a gorgeous pool and restaurant with views of Popa monastery, which is a little busy at lunchtime with day trippers from Bagan, but super tranquil at dinner time.

If Popa Mountain Resort is a little pricey for you, I recommend staying in Bagan and visiting Mount Popa as a day trip, as other Popa accommodation options are limited.

Check Popa Mountain Resort Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Myanmar Itinerary Days 6-8: Inle Lake

Inle Lake is the final major stop on your 10 day Myanmar itinerary. While Bagan is the highlight for many, gorgeous Inle Lake is the place for adventure hunters and was my personal favourite. If you have have more time in Myanmar, you can even take the 2-3 day hike from Kalaw to Inle.

Getting from Bagan to Inle Lake

Inle Lake is around 325km / 200 miles from Bagan. As with most places in Myanmar, overland travel is slow but relatively cheap, and flying is quick but expensive, with frequent delays.

Flight: The best way to get from Bagan to Inle Lake is to fly from Nyaung U Airport (around 20 minutes from Bagan) to Heho Airport. The flight is around 40 minutes. From Heho Airport, take a taxi to your Inle Lake accommodation, which will take around 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on where you are staying.

Overland: If you’re on a budget, you can take a bus or minivan from Bagan to Inle Lake, which takes around 8 hours. Expect to pay around $15. You could save a little time by hiring a private car, although this comes at a cost.

Day 6 Itinerary – Travel to Inle Lake & Winery

On Day 6, travel from Bagan to Inle Lake. The trip can take the best part of the morning or the day depending on your mode of transport, departure time and any delays, so don’t make any firm plans on your first day in Inle Lake.

If you have time on arrival, hire a bicycle and cycle roughly 5km from Nyaungshwe (where most Inle accommodation is located) to Red Mountain Estate Vineyard and Winery. Yes, a winery – not exactly what you’d expect to find in Myanmar, and one of only two wineries in the entire country.

Unsurprisingly, the wine at Red Mountain is nothing to write home about, but it’s a novel experience with a cosy atmosphere and pretty views. Red Mountain offers wine tasting flights so that you can sample all the different varieties.

After imbibing and watching the sunset, head back into Nyaungshwe town for dinner.

Day 7 Itinerary – Lake Inle Boat Trip

Exploring Inle Inle by boat is the number one absolute must-do activity while you are in Inle. Inle Lake is renowned for its incredible natural beauty, traditional floating villages and unique leg-rowing of Intha fishermen.

The lake is massive and there’s a lot to explore, so plan for a full day out on the lake. Highlights include the floating villages, markets with traditional arts and crafts, Inle Heritage House with its gorgeous Burmese cats (my personal fav!), floating gardens that bloom upwards out of the water, Intha fishermen who balance expertly on one leg, and simply puttering around the natural beauty of the lake in complete tranquility.

The best way to discover Inle Lake is to hire a traditional wooden boat for your private group. Most boats fit up to 5 people comfortably, although it’s common to have just 2 people per boat. Prices tend to be per boat rather than per person, and can vary depending on how far you plan to go. Since the boats are private, itineraries are flexible and you can either plan your own itinerary or simply ask the driver to take you to the best spots.

There are three main ways to book your Inle Lake boat trip.

• Advance Booking: Book your Inle Lake boat tour online in advance. This option provides the most peace of mind and allows you to read reviews in advance, although can be more expensive.

• Hotel Booking: Ask your hotel to book your Inle Lake Boat trip for you when you arrive. Expect to pay around US$20-25 for a full day private boat trip (an absolute bargain given the experience). Our hotel organised our boat, and we were very happy with the experience.

• No Booking: Head on down to the Nyaungshwe jetty in town and barter with the many boats that line the shore. Best for budget travelers who want to save a few bucks and don’t mind running a hard bargain.

Day 8 Itinerary – Inle Lake Biking & Kayaking Tour

Many people only stay in Lake Inle for one full day, to allow enough time for a traditional boat tour. However, if you love the outdoors, then I highly recommend spending two full days in Lake Inle to make the most of the area’s natural beauty.

On your second day in Lake Inle, join the Inle Bike, Boat and Kayak Tour run by Grasshopper Adventures. I’ve joined Grasshopper Adventure tours in several countries, and they are consistently the best run and most interesting tours. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and say that their Inle Lake tour is one of the best tours I’ve ever taken, period.

If you love variety and outdoor activities, then this is the tour for you. In the morning, you’ll see a different side to Inle Lake while cycling through the lake’s surrounding villages and picturesque countryside. Later in the day, the mode of transport changes to traditional long-tail boat to explore the lake’s floating gardens and have a tasty local lunch on the lake. After cruising through the floating villages by kayak, end your day with a boat transfer back across the gorgeous lake.

The Inle Bike, Boat and Kayak Tour is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and a thirst for adventure. The biking is on a mix of paved, gravel and dirt roads, with some undulating terrain. The kayaking is in comfortable sturdy kayaks, and usually takes around one hour, although can be shorter or longer as the boat stays nearby to pick you up.

Where to Stay in Inle Lake

Most people stay in Nyaungshwe which is a small town around 10km north of Inle Lake, with plenty of hotels and restaurants. Alternatively, treat yourself to a lakefront hotel, many of which are on stilts over the water.

Luxury $$$: Most luxury options are on or near the lake. An excellent choice is the 5-star Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, which is located on the lake front just off the entrance to Inle Lake. The hotel features a lake front swimming pool, cute cottage accommodation and is surrounded with lush vegetation. Alternatively, nearby Sanctum Inle Resort is an equally gorgeous choice.

Check Aureum Palace Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Check Sanctum Inle Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Midrange $$: We stayed at La Maison Birmane Boutique Hotel in Inle Lake, which was my favourite hotel in Myanmar. It’s a lovely boutique hotel with friendly staff and a quiet location on the outskirts of Nyaung Shwe town but just a short walk or bike from restaurants. If you want to stay on the water front, Myanmar Treasure Resort is a great mid-range option.

Check La Maison Birmane Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Check Myanmar Treasure Resort Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Budget $: On a Budget? Check out Inle Cottage Boutique Hotel in Nyaung Shwe town. The hotel features cute traditional bungalows surrounded by gardens in a quiet location.

Check Inle Cottage Boutique Rates: Booking.com | Agoda

Burma Itinerary Days 9-10: Yangon and Departure

The final stop on your Myanmar 10 day itinerary is right back where you started in Yangon, since most international flights depart from Yangon.

Getting from Inle Lake to Yangon

It’s roughly 650 km / 400 miles from Inle Lake to Yangon. Again, flying is your best option unless you’re on a tight budget or have time to spare.

Flight: The flight from Heho Airport (roughly 45 minutes from Inle Lake) to Yangon takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.

Overland: The overland trip from Inle Lake to Yangon is long and slow, on bumpy roads. The bus takes around 12 hours, and a private car takes around 10 hours. The train takes a whooping 30 hours, but does wind through beautiful mountain scenery.

Day 9 Itinerary – Travel to Yangon & Yangon Sightseeing

On Day 9, aim to get an early flight back to Yangon so that you can fit in any Yangon attractions that you missed at the start of your Burma itinerary.

Yangon Circular Train

If you have time and are up for an adventure, experience local and rural life on the Yangon Circular Train. The Yangon Circular Railway is a 3 hour loop through the city outskirts. The loop covers 39 railway stations across approximately 45km (yup, it’s a slow trip!) all for less than $1. If you’re short on time, you can do just do a few stops and then jump on the returning train from the opposite side of the platform.

Colonial Architecture & Sule Pagoda

Walk through downtown Yangon (blocks around Sule Pagoda) and admire the beautiful but often dilapidated colonial buildings. Don’t miss Yangon City Hall, the Rowe & Company building and the Yangon High Court. If you’re really into architecture and/or city walks, follow this Yangon heritage walk.

While in the Yangon downtown area, walk past or visit Sule Pagoda. This gold pagoda is particularly special due to the juxtaposition between busy downtown Yangon and a gigantic golden pagoda in the middle of a roundabout. Entry is 5000 kyat / roughly $4.

Cocktails at The Strand Hotel

On the last night of your Myanmar itinerary, have a drink at the very grand Strand Hotel bar. The Strand Hotel is an absolutely gorgeous 5-star colonial hotel that opened in 1901 and was impeccably restored in the 1990s.

I can personally attest to the fact that The Strand does top notch cocktails. In fact, The Strand Hotel was such an oasis after a sometimes intense 10 days in Myanmar, that we stayed for hours sipping cocktails and snacking in the bar. Expect to pay western prices, and expect it to be worth every penny.

Day 10 Itinerary – Depart Yangon

Kandawgyi Lake

If you have time on your last morning in Myanmar, take a walk around picturesque Kandawgyi Lake (also known as Yangon Lake) and through Kandawgyi Park. Our hotel (Esperado Lake View) was right across the road, so this was a convenient way to do some final sightseeing before departing Myanmar.

Farewell Myanmar!

Sadly, the time has come to finish your incredible Myanmar travel experience and farewell the country that has no doubt captured a piece of your heart. I hope you’ve enjoyed your 10 day Myanmar itinerary as much as we did!

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