Explore the soul of Burma: Yangon Capital and Surrounding in 4 days

Upon your arrival in Yangon, welcome by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then visit famous Chauk Htat Gyi, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. The feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.

Drive to Syriam. Also referred to as Thanlyin, Syriam has an interesting past first rising to prominence as a port during the 15th century, then briefly falling under Portuguese rule in the 17th century, serving as the base for the French East India company and finally joining the British empire. These days Syriam is home to three universities and, despite its proximity to Yangon, remains a quiet, sleepy town.
Upon arrival we'll explore this pleasant town, driving around the tree-lined streets to see the main sites and get a glimpse of local life. Visit the hilltop pagoda at Kyaik Khauk, which is 4 kilometres outside of the town centre, and offers fabulous views including Shwedagon Pagoda in the far distance. Also visit Ye Le Paya (also called Kyauktan) which is built on a small island. We'll take a local boat across to this unique temple.
A lunch stop will be made in Syriam (client's account). Then we'll begin the drive back to Yangon, arriving mid-afternoon.

This morning your guide and driver will greet you at the hotel and embark on the drive to Bago, a 2 hours drive. Bago, also known as Pegu, was the capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century and is a town steeped in legend.
The sites in Bago are spread out around the town and you'll spend the day exploring with your guide, learning about the history and myths of the city. Stops include the 55-metre long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha, the four seated Buddhas at Kyaikpun and the old palace of Kambozathadi. The Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda is the most outstanding religious monument in Bago. This golden temple stands at 114 metres tall, higher than Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, and can be seen from around 10 kilometers outside of the city.
While in Bago we'll also take time to visit the city's local sites, including the town market and a Mon neighborhood where the locals produce beautiful woven textiles. A lunch stop will be made at a local restaurant during the day's touring in Bago.
From Bago we'll return to Yangon this afternoon. Before reaching the city limits, stop in Taukkyan township to visit the Allied War Cemetery. This beautifully-landscaped, peaceful area is the final resting place for more than 27,000 Allied Soldiers who perished during the World War II campaign in Myanmar.
Once in Yangon you will be transferred to your hotel.