Arrive in Yangon where you will meet our guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Yangon is no longer the official capital but remains one of the most dynamic and busiest cities in the country. Today, explore the many cultural and historical highlights that can be found in between the hustle and bustle of city life.

Drive to downtown and wander around Town Hall where the old streets are lined with colonial buildings. See the colossal reclining Buddha of Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda and take a stroll in the park at Kandawgyi Lake. In the afternoon, grab a bargain at Scott Market.

In the evening take in the spectacular view of Shwedagon Pagoda all lit up. This is the most important Buddhist site in the country and is said to hold strands of Buddha’s hair and other relics. The spire reaches up to 110m and is encrusted with diamonds and covered by gold plate that shines against the night sky.

Overnight in Yangon

Hop on a short flight to Bagan, where the landscape is a sea of stupas and temples. This ancient city and important archaeological site once held more that 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries. With the ravages of time only 2,200 temples survive. Explore some of the last of the remaining temples and take a horse-cart ride at sunset to one of the highest points in Bagan.

Overnight in Bagan

Meet your guide at your hotel, and then make the 1.5 hour drive to Salay. Your first stop is Yoke Sone monastery, famous for its spectacular woodcarvings. Wander the complex and marvel at the intricate designs. There are over 50 monasteries in this small town so it’s a great time to take the opportunity to chat with the monks and learn a little about Buddhism in Myanmar. Wander on to see the collection of untouched British colonial buildings and to Man Paya to admire the largest lacquer Bhuddha in Myanmar.

On the way back to Bagan, stop for lunch at West Phwa Saw village. Sit down to eat in a local home and chat with the family about their lives, before a demonstration of how to apply Thanaka and how to wrap a Longyi. These traditional forms of make-up and clothing will be very familiar by the time you leave Myanmar!

In the late afternoon, meet your guide at your hotel to transfer to the Aye Yar Jetty. Cruise up river for a short time to reach a quiet part of the area where fewer boats go. Choose from a selection of drinks to enjoy while floating down river as the sun sets. Admire the glistening reflections on the calm waters and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the area. Chat with your guide about life on the river and then transfer back to your hotel as the sky darkens.

Overnight in Bagan

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. Mandalay is the last of the royal cities and is encompassed by smaller capital cities dotted around its edges. The centre piece of the city is the reconstructed palace which is surrounded by a large moat.

Today, visit Mahamuni Pagoda with its statues created in Buddha’s true likeness, then proceed to a marble stone carving and artisanal gold leaf workshop. See the largest book in the world at Kuthodaw Pagoda, where stories are etched upon 79 stone tablets and end the day with the sunset from high up on Mandalay Hill.

Overnight in Mandalay

Drive an hour outside of downtown Mandalay, crossing the Ayeyarwady river, to reach Sagaing Hill and the serene Sagaing Nunnery complex. Meet the Abbess of the nunnery to chat about the daily life of the Nuns, the role of Nuns in Myanmar and how they study the Buddhist literature. The Thilashin, novice nuns, at the nunnery school here are some of the most highly educated in the world.

Take a stroll through the grounds and admire the beautiful and unique lacquerware Buddha, before taking part in a 30 minute meditation practice guided by the Nuns. At 10:45 it is time for lunch, which involves the whole complex. Watch as 100s of shoes are placed in neat lines outside the communal dining area, where each day everyone comes together to dine on a delicious vegetarian meal. The ingredients are all donated by the local community and the food is cooked by the Nuns themselves. Then back to Mandalay and short relax.

In the late afternoon, your guide will picked up at your hotel to transfer by private car to a lively night market. Wander around the stalls and chat to the vendors selling simple fruits and vegetables and delicious Chinese food. After working up your appetite perusing the fresh produce, head over to a popular hot pot restaurant to try something a little different.

Burmese cuisine features plenty of noodles and curry, but this hearty stew is a unique favourite among Mandalay locals. Sit around a cauldron like pot, simmering with delicious broth and cook up a selection of tasty ingredients with your guide and travel friends. All manner of meats, seafood and vegetables are available so let your taste buds get creative. We promise you won’t leave hungry.

Overnight in Mandalay

Upon arrival, our Inle guide will pick up at the airport then drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village of Inle lake . On the way, visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monestery then transfer to your hotel for check in.

After settling in, take a boat ride across the lake and admire the unique one-legged rowing style as you pass by floating gardens filled with fruits and vegetables that provide an income to the lake dwellers. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, famed for its five small gold-gilded Buddha images, now covered in so much gold leaf they are more like round balls! Boat to Nga Pe Kyaung Monastery better known as the Jumping Cat Monastery. Although the performing cats no longer remain, the monastery houses an impressive collection of Buddha images.
Overnight in Inle Lake

Wake early for a full day on the lake. In the morning visit one of the local markets. These are held daily but the location of the event rotates through five different sites around the lake area. Rural ethnic communities from all over Inle come to these markets to sell their produce and wares so it is a fascinating insight into the diverse local culture of the area.

Next, head to a workshop on the lake to see craftsman at work building wooden boats, creating Buddha images made from the powder of dried flowers and watch as workers hand roll Burmese cigars!

In the afternoon, cruise by small boat to the magical Indein stupa forest, nestled on the banks of the lake. The village is famous for its overgrown and mystifying 16th century stupas as well its artisanal handicrafts. Walk around a local Intha village to observe the rural life before making your way to your final spot of the day.

Red Mountain Estate is perched above the lake amid rolling vineyards and is the perfect spot for sunset. The locally grown grapes have been produced from vines that were originally imported from Spain and France and you will try a variety in a wine tasting session.

Overnight in Inle Lake

Arrive in Yangon where you will meet our guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your final night of the tour.

Spend a day at your leisure before an evening foodie tour. You guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a stroll along the orderly streets of downtown Yangon. As we approach our destination, 19th street in Chinatown, the smell of BBQ grows stronger and the clink of beer glasses increases. Peruse stall after stall piled high with ready to grill skewers of all varieties and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Sit down at our vendor of choice and refresh with a cold beer or soft drink.

Let your knowledgeable guide pick out the best BBQ choices and make some suggestions of your own from the wide variety of meats and vegetable pairings on offer. The whole fish is especially delicious! When your food arrives at your little plastic table, BBQ-ed to perfection, take the time to savour every bite while chatting about local life with your guide. End the evening with a short stroll to the fruit vendors for dessert.

Overnight in Yangon

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.