Myanmar
Classic Myanmar tour

After arrival meet your driver and transfer to hotel accommodation. This afternoon visit Yangon’s downtown on foot. A walking tour reveals a city that maintains one of Asia’s most impressive collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century colonial buildings. A leisurely stroll through Yangon’s back streets allows time to interpret the history of the architecture, some buildings are empty, some are being restored, many are now used for different purposes. The tour ends at Rangoon Tea House, a restaurant on lower Pansodan Street where many of Yangon’s expatriates meet up. Overnight Eastern Hotel or similar.

This morning we visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda and learn about its history and the daily lives of people living in its vicinity. We’ll pass workshops, markets and monasteries along the way, hoping to gain a deeper insight into the Buddhist religion, and how spiritual belief is mixed with belief in nats – Myanmar spirits. The tour includes a traditional Burmese breakfast, offerings to monks and the pagoda, and a visit to a fortune teller. The afternoon is free to further explore downtown Yangon. A visit to Shwedagon in the evening when the pagoda is illuminated is highly recommended. Overnight at Hotel 51 or similar. (BL)

After breakfast head to the airport for a short domestic flight to Mandalay. On arrival go first to the snake pagoda in Paleik, known for three pythons that sleep by the Buddah statue and are fed and washed by local worshippers. Nearby, visit ancient temples, some over 200-years-old and partly overgrown, which receive few Western visitors. Later, check-in to hotel accommodation before exploring Mandalay itself, visiting Mandalay Hill, Atumashi and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings. The day ends with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda where giant white marble slabs represent the world’s largest book. Overnight at Ayeyarwaddy River View Hotel or similar. (B)

After breakfast take to the Ayeyarwaddy River for a leisurely day cruise. Sailing past hills dotted with temples, the boat stops at Sagaing to visit the Setkyar Thida Nunnery before continuing to Ava. The former capital’s magnificent site is explored by horse drawn buggy – no tourist affectation, it’s just the way it’s done. After lunch, continue to Amarapura by road, taking the opportunity to walk across the U-Bein Bridge, believed to be the world’s oldest and longest teakwood bridge. Return to Mandalay for the evening. Overnight at Ayeyarwaddy River View Hotel or similar. (BL)

This morning we take the public bus to Bagan. After checking-in to hotel accommodation head to Minnanthu Temples, visit two or three of the temples and take a picnic lunch nearby. Overnight at Zfreeti Hotel or similar. (BL)

Today is dedicated to exploring the area’s most interesting temples, starting by climbing a pagoda to gain an impressive view over the whole plain. Many of the structures are hundreds of years old, and the Ananda, Dhammayangyi and Thatbyinnyu being among the most impressive. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue by horse drawn buggy Pyathagyi Pagoda for atmospheric sunset views. Overnight at Zfreeti Hotel or similar. (BL)

Today starts with a visit to Kyauk Gu Ohnmin cave temple, little-visited by westerners. We continue to Pakkoku, known for its characteristic blankets. Later, board a private boat and travel downriver and enjoy lunch served aboard. There’s a visit to Myinkaba village and its lacquer workshop before returning to your hotel. Overnight Zfreeti Hotel or similar. (BL).

A short domestic flight to Heho precedes a road transfer to Inle Lake. Here, visit Indein village for its picturesque 16th century pagodas. Walk along the shores of the lake and take lunch in a local house, before heading onto the water and exploring by canoe. Overnight Thanakha Hotel or similar. (BL)

An early morning start sees a long-tailed boat tour of this shallow and magical lake. Highlights include the boatmen – masters of ‘one-legged’ rowing style, floating gardens and a local market. Overnight at Thanakha Hotel or similar. (BL)

After breakfast fly back to Yangon and spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Visit the Indian quarter, Chinatown, a Sikh temple, mosque and synagogue, all examples of the cultural influences shaping today’s city. The tour ends with a transfer to the airport for onward flights. (B)