Last December, we sailed on a 14-Day Asian Holiday cruise from Singapore on Holland America Line’s ms Volendam.
One of the highlights of the cruise was the three-day visit to Myanmar (formerly Burma.) The Volendam was docked in Thilawa, the port city for Yangon, Myanmar, and we took three different shore excursions to Yangon, which you can review in detail here, here and here. 
During our time in Myanmar, we did not get to visit Bagan, the ancient city and surrounding plains where with more than 2,200 Buddhist temples and pagodas survive today that were built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Our friends James and Rick did take an overnight flight tour to Bagan, Myanmar, purchased through Holland America’s shore excursions.
They were kind enough to share the highlights of their experiences from the Best of Bagan Tour here on this blog.
3 Highlights of Bagan, Myanmar During our Best of Bagan Tour through Holland America Shore Excursions
As a visit to Myanmar was the primary reason we booked this sailing, we were relieved that our high expectations were exceeded by both the shore excursion and the people we met in Myanmar. These were our three favorite highlights.
1. Shwezigon Pagoda
The first Buddhist pagoda we explored was just minutes from the airport in Nyang-U. Built in 1102 AD, this original structure is in beautiful condition and appears popular with visiting Burmese. As with all pagodas and stupas, you will be required to take off your shoes and socks and are encouraged to circumnavigate the structure in a clockwise direction, in accordance with religious custom. We could not resist the temptation to take hundreds of photos here – our first of six major temples on this tour.
2. Shwesandaw Pagoda and Reclining Buddha of Shinbinthalyaung Temple
In one iconic stop, you will immerse yourself in the essence of Bagan. Although most pagodas are off limits for climbing, here you will have a chance to ascend five terraces and look down upon the hundreds of temples of this ancient city.
Nearby enter the Shinbinthalyaung Temple to encounter a massive reclining Buddha.
3. People of Myanmar
Time after time we found the people of Myanmar to be joyful and curious. Although English is surprisingly widespread, traveling in Bagan still requires a healthy dose of humility and a sincere smile. Here we met two children inside the Ananda Temple (both wearing the ubiquitous thanaka cosmetic paste on their faces).
Other memorable encounters included artists in the Nyaung U Market and of course, our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, Daniel Townsend, pictured below.
Tour Details
Price: $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy. While this is the most we’ve ever paid for a shore excursion, it was absolutely worth the price and we would book again. The tour price included an English speaking guide, all transfers, sightseeing and excursions by private air-conditioned coach with driver, entrance fees, cold towels and bottled water on board, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and one beer or wine per meal, domestic air ticket and deluxe hotel accommodation.
Group Size: We were 15-20 in a bus that could hold 30-40.
Ground Service: The group was led by a very professional guide and also included a coach driver, an assistant driver and a shore excursion staff escort from the ms Volendam. Throughout we were given the highest level of service, no different than aboard the ship.
Air Travel Yangon to Bagan: We had more curiosity about this aspect of the tour than any other. Our flights were both operated by domestic carriers using very new ART-72 aircraft (European built). The 60 to 90 minute flights both were smooth and included a meaningful snack. En route to Bagan we flew via Heho aboard Air KBZ and on the return we flew nonstop aboard Mann Yadanarpon Airlines.
Lodging in Bagan: Our stay at the Bagan Lodge was beyond expectation. The meals were delicious, the rooms were spacious and well appointed, and to our surprise, the Wi-Fi was better than at any hotel we’d see during our three weeks in Asia. As an unexpected bonus – we awoke to dozens of the famous hot air balloons of Bagan being inflated all around the property.
Questions We’ve Been Asked:
Could you do this on your own? In our opinion, no; not by visiting Myanmar aboard a cruise. The logistics are just too much given that the industrial port is over an hour from the airport and transportation requires patience in Myanmar. If visiting Myanmar independently, you could organize a Bagan trip on your own.
Did you feel safe? Absolutely. We don’t want to understate the struggles going on within Myanmar, but tourism is highly prized by the government. All our encounters with locals left us to believe we were welcomed. The aircraft, buses and hotel all felt very safe.
Was it hot? Not in December. The temperature in Bagan was in the 70’s – cooler and dryer than along the coast at Yangon.
Was it enough time? Is it ever enough time? We felt there was a huge value to doing the overnight tour option and not compressing this into one long day tour. That said, if you were going independently I’d suggest three to four days in Bagan. But as first time visitors, we definitely felt we saw the highlights in 24 hours.
Any final tips? For the minimal $69 surcharge, add the evening at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. We were so happy to see this massive structure at night. Plus the route traveling from the Yangon airport to the pier made this a logical stop.
Many thanks to James and Rick for sharing their photos and the highlights of their overnight shore excursion to Bagan.
Have you visited Myanmar via a cruise ship? What was the highlight for you? Please share in comments below.
To read more about our Asian Holiday cruise experiences, check out these posts:
Exploring Langkawi, Malaysia by Taxi
Early Morning Views from Singapore
Exploring Kuala Lumpur By Taxi from Port Kelang, Malaysia
Christmas Day in Phuket, Thailand with a Visit to Tiger Kingdom
Christmas Eve on Holland America Line’s Volendam
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