ALL THE MUST-SEE TEMPLES AND MONUMENTS IN ONE DAY
On this classic Bagan temples tour, your guide will unravel the mysteries of the defining features of each structure, including their floorplans, structural features, and distinctive decoration, each shaped by historical influences over Bagan’s 450-year history. Learn about Bagan’s ancient temple and stupa architecture, paintings, and sculpture on this premium Bagan temples tour experience. See the iconic 9thto 13th-century monuments of Bagan including Ananda Pagoda, Dhammayangyi, Shwezigon Pagoda, Sulamani, Dhammayazika, and Htilominlo temples and stupas.
We have curated this itinerary to include the most carefully restored and best-preserved examples from the 2,000+ temples of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colorful people, lively discussion, and stories that tie it all together add to the experience on your Bagan Classics temples tour.
Uncover hidden sites and secret temples on our Bagan temples tour. Classic temples, as well as lesser-known and remote sites await as you travel comfortably by air-conditioned private taxi and driver. We take you to significant sites, monuments and locations rarely visited by tourists. A truly exceptional day out for the “Best of the Best” in Bagan!
Following our tradition of being the most valuable resource for Bagan private tour experiences, we offer this compact showcase tour of Bagan’s must-see sites. For each, we provide as much detailed information as you are interested in, without making your tour a history lesson! The Bagan Archeological Zone is vast, and your time is limited.
The challenge of visiting Bagan’s most iconic temples is often avoiding the crowds and finding the best viewpoints. Our approach is to time our visits to maintain a distance from the big-bus crowds while capturing the most magnificent views of these masterworks. We realize most visitors can only maintain interest in a few sites each day before everything begins to look the same. This Bagan Classics temples tour brings you to the most notable and special sites across the Bagan Monument Zone.
06:00 (or 30 mins before sunrise): Pickup from your hotel by air-conditioned private taxi to position for sunrise
06:15-07:30: Sunrise balloon viewing at location within the monument zone. Due to changing regulations and to avoid crowds, specific site will be chosen shortly before tour date.
07:30-8:30: Discover the elegant struggle of daily life with Burmese people from nearby villages as they go out into the fields to farm or bring their animals to graze in the fields between the ancient temples. Smiling faces and colorfully dressed, with thanaka across their cheeks, Burmese women are constantly active with daily chores.
08:30-09:30: Al fresco light breakfast with local pastries, fruit, and fresh coffee/tea at our “home” pagoda situated within harvest area of local community. Orientation to Bagan, its historical significance, topography, agriculture. Discussion of your goals and confirm the day’s plan. Return to hotel for breakfast by request.
09:30-12:00: Guided tour of Bagan’s largest and most iconic pagodas, most of which are clustered along the riverside from Old Bagan to Nyaung U. Emphasis on exterior landscapes, dramatic interiors, significant structures, and murals.
12:00-13:30: Lunch break and travel time
13:30-15:30: Interior tours of main (and less-visited) pagodas in riverside section of Old Bagan-Nyaung U to avoid harshest light and heat.
15:30-17:00: Tour of late-period ruins in northeastern sector against tourist traffic, situated adjacent to agricultural village and reservoirs with amazing golden light in late afternoon. Sunset viewing and photography among village ruins OR position for classic views among Old Bagan pagodas.
17:00-18:30: Sunset at secluded pagoda in northeast section or Old Bagan based on your desired subjects and perspectives.
18:30-19:00: Return to your hotel
