Hidden Myanmar

Arrive in Yangon

Upon arrival in Yangon International Airport, meet an MT Sobek representative and transfer to the hotel. Settle in, then receive a trip briefing in the evening, followed by a welcome dinner.

Fly to the Heart of Kengtung

Depart this morning from Yangon and fly to Kengtung (Kyaing Tong). In the event of flight schedule changes, fly to Tachilek and then drive four hours to Kengtung. Kengtung is a beautiful area with great trekking and an intriguing variety of temples, thanks to the diverse population of ethnic tribes in the region. Upon arrival, check into your hotel, and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Follow Forest Trails to Remote Hill Tribes

Shortly after breakfast, take a 45-minute drive to the starting point of today's strenuous trek, which leads you along steep, forested tracks that link villages of the Pin Tauk Lahu, Eng, and Akha hill tribes. The Eng are particularly unique and are found only here. Striking in appearance, they're known for their black clothes and the custom of blackening their teeth with tree bark and betel nut. Enjoy a hearty picnic lunch along the way, and finish the hike in the late afternoon, when you return to your hotel in Kengtung.

Tour Kengtung & Journey to Inle Lake

After breakfast at the hotel, walk to the town's historical attractions and exquisite monasteries: Wat Sonkhan, Maha Myat Muni and Wat Inn. After touring these fascinating sights, depart Kengtung for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before the drive to your charming hotel situated on Inle Lake.

Explore Picturesque Inle Lake

Today explore scenic Inle Lake, famous for its floating villages and traditional leg-rower fishermen. These fishermen perform the acrobatic task of standing on one leg while rowing with the other, leaving a hand free to maneuver their large, conical fishing baskets. The lake's edge is dotted with villages, monasteries, and beautiful hotels, all perched gracefully atop wooden stilts. Visit Indein village and its hundreds of Shan-style stupas, and see the panoramic lake view from Shweinndein Pagoda. Take an afternoon stroll in Khaung Daing and meet friendly villagers working in their cottage food-related industries.

Visit Inle Lake’s Villages & Pagodas

Enjoy a full day exploring Inle Lake. Stroll the lively Indein market, then walk among hundreds of hilltop stupas — some of which are centuries old. Visit Phaung Daw Oo, a lovely Buddhist pagoda known for its gold leaf-covered Buddhas, and stilt-supported Nga Phe Chaung monastery. See the floating gardens of the local leg-rower fishermen's village, tradespeople at work in Nampan village, and silk weavers in Inn Paw Khong. Optionally, further explore the lake's peaceful villages by canoe. Sit down with locals for a cup of tea before returning to your hotel.

Take a Scenic Drive to the Pindaya Buddhist Caves

Journey to Pindaya, passing through Pa-O tribal farmland of the scenic Shan Plateau. The area offers spectacular views of enchanting pagodas and pastoral scenes. In Pindaya, walk to the nearby Htutni Da-Nu tribe's village, then continue to the Pindaya Buddhist Caves. These are the largest such caves in Myanmar, and a popular meditation site for local Burmese. Discover a dazzling assortment of over 7,000 Buddha statues, as guides share local myths and legends. Then walk among hundred-year-old banyan trees to Singaung village, where you learn all about making bamboo umbrellas.

Fly to the Temple-Studded Plains of Bagan

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and the remainder of the morning at your leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the Heho airport for your flight to the temple-studded plains of Bagan. Upon arrival, transfer to the stunning Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort, perched on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy this beautiful hotel's amenities during your two-night stay, whether it's unwinding at the nature spa, enjoying a drink at the bar, or simply strolling the resort grounds.

Discover Bagan’s Spectacular Temples

Gracefully lining the shores of the muddy Irrawaddy River, thousands of peaceful, scenic Buddhist temples make up the spectacular and ancient city of Bagan. Covering an area of about 25 square miles, the temples range from grand structures to simple places of worship. Bike to Bagan's highlights, including Htilominlo Temple, the finest example of late 12th-century stucco carving; Tharabar Gate, a ninth-century city wall; Myingaba Gubyaukgyi, with its fine early-12th-century murals; Minanthu Village; Phayar Thonesu Temple; and stunning Ananda Temple, built by King Kyansit around 1105, during Bagan's heyday.

See Bagan’s Shwezigon Pagoda & Kyaukgu Umin Cave Temple

Visit a vibrant local vegetable market before continuing to the astounding gold-gilt temple of Shwezigon Pagoda. Completed in 1102, Shwezigon is considered the prototype for all Burmese stupas — and some believe it enshrines holy relics of the Gautama Buddha. Journey to Kyaukgu Umin, an elaborate three-tiered cave temple built into sandstone cliffs that contains beautiful stone devotional sculptures. From here stroll down to the banks of the Irrawaddy and board long-tail boats for the return trip to Bagan. Enjoy lunch and visit a toddy palm farm before flying back to Yangon.

Explore the Wonders of Yangon

Immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Yangon, noticing the striking contrast of modern skyscrapers, Victorian-era structures, and ancient pagodas. Witness Yangon's ethnic diversity as you pass churches, mosques, synagogues, Burmese pagodas, and Hindu and Chinese temples. Visit stimulating Bogyoke Market, have tea at the elegant Strand Hotel, and then experience one of Buddhism's most sacred sites — the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, believed to enshrine relics from four different Buddhas. Witness the temple at sunset, when evening light glints off the gold-plated, jewel-encrusted dome. Finish the evening with a festive farewell dinner.

Depart from Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.