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Myanmar

Myanmar: Magic of the Golden Land — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 0 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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See the best Myanmar has to offer in this once-in-a-lifetime journey across the Golden Land. Explore Bagan and Irawaddy Island, then hike the mountains of Kalaw on a beautiful mountain trek across farms and villages. Explore Inle Lake and see the diversity and beauty of this ancient corner of the world.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 9-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to Myanmar!

Arrive into Yangon International Airport (RGN) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Visit the country’s pride and joy, the famous golden Shwedagon pagoda. Learn about the legend behind it and why thousands of Buddhists make the pilgrimage to this site every year. Enjoy dinner at the former office of General Aung San, Myanmar’s national hero, and join your Program Leaders for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Minglabar!
2

Explore Bagan Markets

Wake up early for a morning flight to Bagan, Myanmar’s famous archaeological zone, covered in stunning peaks of thousand-year-old temples. After checking into the hotel, take a brief stroll through town to the local morning market. Split up into small teams for a market scavenger hunt, talking to vendors, sampling local fruits and snacks, and even getting your face painted with thanaka, used by Burmese people as sunscreen, makeup, and skin care. Visit a language center supporting Burmese teenagers, university students, and young professionals. Sit down with volunteer teachers to learn about their mission and goals and help to improve Burmese teens’ English fluency by serving as a conversation partner. End the day wandering the dusty plains exploring the hundreds of temples and pagodas that dot the landscape. Cap it off with one of the most picturesque sights in Myanmar, sunset from the roof of a pagoda.
3

Discover an Irrawaddy Island Village

Start your morning with a chartered boat across the Irrawaddy River to a small island rarely visited by tourists – home to several of Rustic Pathways’ staff members and their extended families. Spend the day exploring this traditional village, meeting with teachers, elders, the head of the village, members of the community, and other teenagers. For lunch, enjoy a delicious feast made from local ingredients cooked personally by our staff’s family! Cross back across the river to Old Bagan for a special sunset dinner along the Irrawaddy. Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.
4

Venture Into the Mountains of Kalaw

Catch a short one-hour flight to Heho Airport and take a gorgeous one-hour drive through the rolling country hills on your way to Kalaw. Upon arriving, tour the town and learn about the fascinating history of Kalaw and its diverse population. Spend time at a friendly children’s home that cares for kids from all around the region, and learn about projects being undertaken by NGOs in the region. Visit a fair trade shop that supports local villagers, schools, and clean water projects.
5

Hike Through Kalaw

Over the next three days, trek through stunning mountains, visiting villages and learning about life here. Kalaw’s rolling hills are covered with colorful fields of canola, ginger, tea, and many other crops. The air is fresh and the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys are breathtaking. Stop at villages along the way to meet locals and stay for the night before continuing our trek in the morning.
6

Continue the Trek and Experience Village Life

Over the course of your three-day hike, you will interview people from various ethnic groups and activists who have been dealing with issues including conservation, agriculture, trafficking, and land disputes in this region for a long time. Travel through villages of hill tribes, including the Pa-O and Inthar ethnic groups. Spend tonight in a monastery to fully experience the Shan state.
7

Reach Inle Lake

Today is your last day trekking as you make the final push to Inle Lake! Arrive at the beautiful Inle Lake, one of the most visited natural attractions in Myanmar. Join your group for a debrief in the evening, discussing what you've experienced and learned so far.
8

Explore Inle Lake and Back to Yangon

The massive Inle Lake is dotted with traditional houses along the banks and floating villages. Though Inle Lake is in the heart of the Shan States, there are several ethnic groups living in an around the waterways, and everyone makes a living off the plentiful fish and other natural resources that abound. Hit the waters as we explore a bustling morning market and the vibrant villages on the shores of the lake. Find various local handicrafts, speak with vendors, and witness Inle Lake’s diversity firsthand. Make the short trip back to Heho Airport and catch a quick flight to Yangon, where we’ll have a final farewell dinner and savor the last night in this amazing country.
9

Ta Tar, Myanmar!

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Total: 9 calendar days / 8 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Myanmar

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Myanmar offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Myanmar Asia Adventure
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