Start with a hearty vegetarian breakfast at Real Food, a long-standing Yangon vegetarian/organic cafe offering salads, wraps and local veggie dishes; great for stocking up on snacks before touring. Typically open 8:00am–9:00pm but confirm on arrival.
Yangon's most iconic pagoda—an essential cultural and spiritual visit; admire the golden stupa and city views. Open daily (commonly ~4:00am–10:00pm); foreigners usually pay an entrance fee—confirm current rate and dress respectfully (shoulders/knees covered).
Enjoy Burmese-style vegetarian dishes and tea house classics; ask for no fish sauce/shrimp paste to keep dishes vegetarian. Typical opening hours ~10:00am–10:00pm; verify locally.
Walk through Yangon’s colonial streets and browse Bogyoke Market for handicrafts and teas; market usually open roughly 9:00am–5:00pm — check hours for Sundays and holidays.
Yangon has several reliable Indian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants—order thalis, dal, and vegetable curries; confirm opening hours in your neighborhood (most open until 10:00–11:00pm).
Explore Shwemawdaw (very tall stupa) and the unique Kyaik Pun four-faced Buddha — both showcase Mon-era architecture and are short walks apart. Sites usually open daytime; small local donations advised.
Choose a reliable vegetarian restaurant in Yangon—enjoy Burmese salads (request vegetarian preparation) and international veggie dishes. Check each restaurant’s hours (many open into the evening).
Drive (approx 3–4 hours) or take an arranged transfer to Kinpun where the mountain cable car and truck shuttle to the Golden Rock trailhead depart; leave early to make the most of daylight.
Take the cable car or shuttle and then walk up to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock), one of Burma’s most revered pilgrimage sites with spectacular views; cable car operations commonly run ~6:00am–6:00pm but may vary—confirm before travel.
Summit guesthouses and small cafes serve simple vegetarian meals—dal, rice and vegetable curries—plan modest expectations and carry snacks; check open hours with your guesthouse as food service can be seasonal.
Spend the afternoon visiting the main pagoda and nearby shrines; sunset over the surrounding hills is beautiful and the site is atmospheric into early evening (many pilgrims stay overnight).
Stay overnight near the summit to experience early-morning pilgrim rituals and fewer crowds; facilities are basic—advance booking recommended in high season (Nov–Mar).
Pick a riverside café or local vegetarian-friendly eatery for Burmese vegetable dishes and rice; many simple restaurants can prepare vegetarian meals on request.
Explore Sadan Cave (boat through the cave) and Kawgun Cave’s ancient stucco Buddha reliefs—caves usually accessible in daylight hours (~8:00am–5:00pm), but times vary seasonally.
Visit the photogenic Kyauk Ka Lat rock-pillar pagoda at sunset for excellent photos and quiet atmosphere; public site, free but small donations welcome.
Drive back to Yangon (allow 4–5 hours) or take a pre-arranged transfer; if pressed for time, consider returning to Yangon the evening before to catch an early flight to Bagan.
Head to an approved sunset viewing area—Pyathadar or a permitted temple spot—for panoramic views over the plain of temples; check local rules as some temples restrict climbing at sunset.
Dine at BKTA, a well-known vegan/vegetarian cafe in Bagan offering local and international veggie dishes—open daily but check seasonal hours (commonly midday to evening).
If your budget allows, a sunrise balloon over Bagan is unforgettable (seasonal: typically Nov–Apr). Book in advance; flights start pre-dawn and last ~1 hour. Confirm operator safety standards and schedule.
Explore some of Bagan’s most elegant temples—Ananda (restored interiors) and Shwezigon (important pilgrimage site). Typical visiting hours ~6:00am–5:30pm; fees for archaeological zone apply.
Hire an e-bike or driver-guide to reach quieter temples across the plain—great for photography and relaxed exploration. E-bike rentals and guides are widely available; safety helmet recommended.
Head to Amarapura to walk the famous U Bein Bridge (wooden bridge over Taungthaman Lake); best light is early morning or late afternoon. Bridge is public and open all day; crowds vary.
Try a vegetarian thali or Burmese vegetable curry at a local restaurant; many eateries near the bridge serve vegetarian options—confirm no fish products.
Climb (or drive) Mandalay Hill for panoramic views; visit Shwenandaw (intricately carved teak monastery). Mandalay Hill access is typically open daylight hours; small donations may apply at some sites.
Take a morning boat across the Irrawaddy to Mingun to see the unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi and the giant Mingun Bell; boat trips normally operate early morning and return mid/late afternoon—confirm times with boat operator.
Have a relaxed vegetarian meal in Mandalay town—no shortage of vegetarian curries, salads and noodle dishes; ask about ingredients to avoid fish/shrimp additives.
Visit the Kuthodaw marble-inscribed pagodas (often called the world’s largest book) and the Mahamuni Buddha (note the Mahamuni is a functioning temple—respect dress codes). Open during the day; some areas have restricted hours for visitors.
Morning domestic flight to Heho (~1 hour). From Heho, transfer ~1–1.5 hours by road to Nyaung Shwe / Inle Lake. Book flights in advance—times and availability vary.
Take a private or shared longtail boat to see Inle’s unique stilt houses, floating gardens, and leg-rowing fishermen—most trips run daily in daylight (approx 8:00am–5:00pm).
Visit the famous rotating five-day market that serves surrounding communities (market location rotates by weekday); verify which market is held that day—markets typically open early and run until mid-afternoon.
Boat to Indein to see the impressive hill of pagodas and ancient stupas—best visited in cooler morning/late afternoon hours; access is usually available during daylight but pathways can be uneven.
Optional visit to nearby Red Mountain Vineyard for a tasting and views (check opening/seasonal hours), or visit workshops that weave lotus silk; verify opening times and availability ahead of time.
Morning transfer to Heho and flight to Thandwe (Ngapali) usually requires a connection via Yangon on many schedules—allow a full travel day. Book connecting flights early and plan for transfer times between flights.
Enjoy a vegetarian dinner with seafood-free options—resorts typically accommodate vegetarian requests but confirm menu and closing times (often around 9:00–10:00pm).
Relax on the sand or rent a bike to explore nearby fishing villages (avoid asking for fish dishes)—locals are friendly and vegetable snacks are available in small stalls.
Enjoy a last vegetarian breakfast at your hotel or nearby cafe; confirm airport transfer or taxi in advance to allow sufficient time for international check-in.
If your flight is later, take a short walk to Sule Pagoda and surrounding colonial buildings or visit the National Museum (check opening hours—commonly ~9:30am–4:30pm).
Have a final vegetarian lunch and depart to the airport allowing 2–3 hours for check-in depending on your airline’s recommendation; verify traffic conditions.