Snapshot of Myanmar

Day 1 - Yangon

Arrival in Yangon. Transfer by air conditioned vehicle to the hotel. Then, sightsee in Yangon.

Start in the heart of Yangon which features an interesting selection of monuments and colonial buildings. Among others, you will see the Independent Monument, the High Court, the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda (view from the outside only).

Visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda

The reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda in Yangon which is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. It's housed in a large metal-roofed shed on Shwegondaing Lan, only a short distance north-east beyond the Shwedagon Paya. Surprisingly, this huge figure is little known and hardly publicised at all- if the chance to go to Bago to see the Shwethalyaung is often missed.

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset

The highlight of any trip to Yangon is a visit to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, which dates back about 2500 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tonnes of gold-leaf, which is constantly being replaced.

Meals Included – None

Day 2 - Yangon - Inle

Transfer from the hotel to the airport and flight from Yangon to Heho. Arrive in Heho and transfer by vehicle from Heho to Inle Lake.

Today we get to see the famous one-legged rowers on Inle Lake. This is no ordinary lake though. Inle is an enchanting world of villages on stilts and gardens that float on the surface of the lake. One of the most photographed sights is the skilled Intha fishermen who balance on one leg, while using the other to maneuver the oar.  We'll take a relaxing boat ride across Inle Lake, stopping to see these sights along with some pagodas and lakeside villages. Today's Highlights: Boat trip on Inle Lake, local market, villages, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 3 - Inle - Mandalay

Transfer by vehicle from the hotel to Heho airport and flight from Heho to Mandalay. Arrive in Mandalay and transfer to the city center.

Mandalay - the name alone evokes the romance of old colonial Burma. We'll visit Mahamuni Paya, famous for its seated Buddha covered in gold leaf. We'll wander into a workshop to see muscled workers hand-beating gold leaf with enormous hammers. At Shwenandaw Kyaung, made entirely out of teak (even though it's also known as the Golden Teak Monastery), we can see the beautifully intricate carvings. There's a lot more to be enjoyed here, including Mandalay Hill, and other ornate temples and wooden monasteries such as the beautiful and peaceful Shwe Kyin Old Monastery.

Today's Highlights: Mahamuni Paya, Shwenandaw Kyaung, Kuthodaw Paya, Kyauktawgyi Paya, Shwe Kyin Old Monastery and craft workshop.

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 4 - Mandalay

Early risers can take the opportunity to visit Mahamuni Paya for the Buddha face-washing ceremony. This extraordinary ceremony takes place at 4 am each morning. The resident monks take part in a ritual cleaning of the venerated Buddha image, wiping it with elaborate face cloths donated by the devout. In order to witness this ceremony, it is necessary to depart the hotel around 3 or 3.30 am.

Just outside Mandalay we'll discover two ancient royal capitals! Inwa (Ava) is a rural riverside oasis of crumbling monasteries and artisan workshops. It's reached by local ferry and best explored by horse and cart. And then there's Amarapura, home to the iconic U Bein Bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake, making it the longest teak bridge in the world. We'll see loads of incredible sights and learn about the  history of the old kings of Myanmar. 

Just a boat ride away along the Ayeyarwaddy River is the little town of Mingun, which boasts some of the most impressive pagodas in Myanmar. We'll be amazed by the ruins of the enormous Mingun Paya - never finished, its size would have dwarfed all contemporary pagodas. Equally as grand is the Mingun Bell, a 13-foot tall bronze bell weighing 90-tonnes. 

Today's Highlights: Mahamuni Buddha face-washing ceremony, Inwa (horsecart ride), U Bein Bridge, Boat to Mingun.

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 5 - Mandalay - Bagan

Transfer by vehicle from the Hotel to the airport and flight from Mandalay to Bagan. Arrive in Bagan and transfer by air conditioned vehicle.

From Bagan, take an excursion to Mount Popa. Watch out for the monkeys at Mount Popa. An iconic sight, Mount Popa is an extinct sheer-sided volcano that rises out of the plain. Topped by golden stupas, it is a famous pilgrimage site for locals who come to worship at the Nat temples. We'll walk to the top via the winding staircase watched by mischievous monkeys hoping to be fed. Return to Bagan and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Today's Highlights: Mount Popa.

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 6 - Bagan

Enjoy the freedom of a regular bicycle, but without the effort, on this fun tour of the ancient city of Bagan.  Hop on your eco-friendly electric scooter and take a relaxing ride through Bagan stopping every now and then to explore the temples, take pictures, and hear the relevant history and stories behind the ancient ruins. Pass through the magnificent Tharabar Gate and visit the 201-foot-tall Thet Bi Nyu Temple; and Dhamayangyi Pahto, the largest temple in Bagan. Cycle to the beautifully preserved Ananda Temple. The combination of standing Buddha images, stone sculptures, sandstone reliefs, exquisite terracotta tiles, and teak wood carvings make this one of the finest and most revered of the Bagan temples. Stop at a tea shop to refresh yourselves with some Myanmar tea and snacks. Then continue to the sleepy village of Myinkaba where you can watch local artisans creating beautiful lacquerware in the many workshops. We will visit Nyaung U local market with electric scooter (if time permits).  Today's Highlights: Explore Ancient Bagan by Electric Scooter 

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 7 - Bagan - Yangon

Transfer by vehicle from the hotel to the airport in Nyaung U and flight back to Yangon.

There is a vehicle available for you until your departure from Myanmar and you may have an opportunity to do some more sightseeing in Yangon. 

Meals included - Breakfast