Myanmar Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1 - Yangon
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to the hotel. Time permitting begin sightseeing including colourful downtown Yangon, Chaukhtatkyi, a colossal reclining Buddha; a scenic photo stop on beautiful Kandawgyi Lake and the Shwedagon Pagoda, arguably the world's most impressive golden stupa. Overnight Summit Park View Hotel or similar.

Day 2 - Heho - Inle Lake
Transfer to Inle Lake and begin sightseeing of this magical lake via private boat. Highlights include the boatmen with their unique 'one-legged' rowing style, the floating gardens and the 'jumping cats' monastery. Overnight Hu Pin Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 3 - Inle Lake
Continue exploring Inle Lake with a memorable visit to idyllic Indain village with its 16th century pagodas. We can also visit a local silk weaving 'factory' which sits on stilts on the lake. Overnight Hu Pin Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 4 – Kalaw
Drive to Kalaw, the capital of Shan state and a popular hillstation in colonial times. On the way visit Myin Ma Hti cave, which houses many Buddha images and small stupas. Overnight Dream Villa Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 5 – Kalaw – Mandalay
This morning you have a choice of activities; either visit the sites of Kalaw itself, including Nee Paya with its gold lacquered bamboo Buddha, or hike to the Palaung Villages of Ywathit Taryaw and Nyaung Gon (about 4 hours). The animist Palaung tribe were amongst the earliest inhabitants of Myanmar and have kept the tradition of several families living together in ‘long-houses’, cultivating cash crops and tanapet for Burmese cheroot cigars. In the afternoon transfer to Heho and fly to Mandalay. Overnight Mandalay City Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 6 – Mandalay - Amarapura
Visit the former royal capital of Amarapura and stroll along U Bein's Bridge, the world's longest teakwood bridge. Return to Mandalay to visit the town’s many attractions including Mahamuni Pagoda, gold leaf hammering, Shwe Inbin Monastery and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings. Overnight Mandalay City Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 7 - Mandalay - Maymyo
Drive to the former British hillstation of Maymyo (Pyin U Lwin). A tour of the town reveals elegant old colonial houses, and the famous 237 acre botanical garden. Overnight Royal Park View Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 8 – Naung Pain - Mandalay
Early morning transfer to the station to take a local train on a scenic ride over the famous Goitek Viaduct which crosses a deep gorge. We disembark the train at Naung Pain village and take a leisurely drive back to Mandalay. Overnight Mandalay City Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 9 - Bagan
Morning flight to Bagan. Bagan is one of Asia's premier archaeological sites and we spend our time visiting the spectacular temples and pagodas to be found here. This evening we watch the sun set over Bagan – a very special and immensely photogenic experience. Overnight Amazing Bagan Resort or similar. (B)

Day 10 - Bagan
Continue our exploration of Bagan. We visit the colourful Bagan market and Phya Saw village for an insight into traditional life. We also visit Manuha Temple, and finish the day by taking a sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight Amazing Bagan Resort or similar. (B)

Day 11 – Yangon
Fly back to Yangon. Explore the downtown area with its many large colonial buildings and pavement markets including those selling old books and magazines dating from the 1960’s up to the present. Also visit the famous Scott Market, a sprawling complex built in 1926 and noted for its variety of handicrafts, as well as Chinatown with its markets and small Chinese temples. Overnight Summit Park View Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 12 - Yangon
Tour ends. (B)