Day 1: Rangoon
On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our professional local representative, who will welcome you and assist you with your transfer to your hotel where you will stay two nights. Spend your first afternoon in Burma at leisure, perhaps taking a stroll through the landmark Bogyoke Aung San Market, which is an indoor shopping precinct selling traditional Burmese handicrafts, jewellery and antiques. You could also choose to enjoy dinner here at one of the market’s restaurants or food stalls.
Day 2: Rangoon
Today your exploration of Burma begins in earnest with a visit to one of the nation’s most iconic sights – the breathtaking Shwedagon Pagoda. This opulent and sacred Buddhist temple complex features 64 small pagoda, surrounding a golden centrepiece that sparkles with thousands of diamonds, emeralds and rubies, and is a must see when in Rangoon. Following a tour of the pagoda your tour of the city continues on to the Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake where there will be a photo stop at Karaweik Hall, an ornate barge perched upon two golden hamsa birds. The final stop today is at the 200-year old Sule Pagoda, an intimate temple which sits right at the heart of the city. Return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3: Rangoon to Maymyo
Depart Rangoon for your morning flight to Mandalay. Today the focus is on the nation’s British colonial history with an exploration of the historic hill station of Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin). Located in the Shan Highlands in central Burma, this city once served as the capital of British Burma when the temperatures soared during the summer months and today showcases some of the country’s most well preserved colonial architecture. You will take a tour through the city on one of the iconic horse drawn carriages before stopping at Candacraig, an early 20th Century mansion and one of the oldest hotels in Burma. Continue on to your hotel where you will stay one night.
Day 4: Maymyo to Mandalay
The day begins with a visit to the Peik Chin Myaung Cave, where a network of temples and Buddhist shrines are found in a series of limestone caves. You will then begin the two to three hour drive back to Mandalay where you will spend two nights. Whereas yesterday the emphasis was on colonial relics, today the focus is on traditional Burmese architecture. This afternoon, your group will partake in a city tour during which you visit some of the city’s most spiritual sites including the teak-built Shwe Inbin Monastery and the intricately carved Golden Palace Monastery. The final stop of the day will be the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which houses an impressive collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with the teachings of Buddha.
Day 5: Mandalay
Spend the day at leisure exploring this former capital of British Burma independently or alternatively, join an optional full day tour during which you will visit the former royal seat of Amarapura; the U Bein teak bridge, which is the subject of one of Burma’s most iconic images; and the island of Ava (Innwa) which was the capital of Burma for more than 400 years where you will travel around by horse and cart. Stay: Mandalay Hill Resort. B.
Day 6: Mandalay to Bagan
Today’s journey is a real highlight of the tour with a cruise along the Irrawady River–dubbed by the 'Road to Mandalay' by the British – downstream to the ancient city of Bagan. During your 8 hours on board (times vary depending on river levels), you will pass regions largely untouched by modern civilisation and farmed for thousands of years using traditional methods. In Bagan, a truly spectacular vista awaits you with hundreds of centuries’ old pagodas rising from the plains and creating a majestic and unique skyline.
Day 7: Bagan
Today you will travel by horse and cart to some of the city’s most prominent and significant pagodas including the Shwezigon Pagoda, which was built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th Century to enshrine sacred relics of the Buddha. Later in the day, you are free to explore at leisure, perhaps using the time to visit more of the numerous pagodas and temples here.
Day 8: Bagan
Today you will learn a little more about the culture of Burma with a cycling tour to Myinkabar Village which includes a visit to a farmer’s house and traditional barber’s shop. Here, lacquerware and cigar workshops and bamboo fence makers line the streets and the locals go about their business, giving you a glimpse of the day-to-day lives of the Burmese people. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 9: Bagan to Inle Lake
A 35 minute morning flight takes you to Heho, from where you will travel by road to the town of Ayetharyar to visit one of the region’s vineyards–a relatively new industry in Burma that is growing apace. Following lunch and wine tasting, you will continue to the shore of Burma’s beautiful Inle Lake which is known for the unique leg-rowing technique used by the indigenous Intha people, the enchanting floating gardens and the local fishing traditions.
Day 10: Inle Lake
Today you will partake in a half day exploration of the most impressive sites on the lake, including the 18th Century Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, an intricately beautiful Buddhist place of worship which is set among overwater villages; and the Shwe Inn Thein Pagoda which is located on the western shore of the lake. You will ascend an ancient stairway to find this 'hidden' and hauntingly beautiful temple complex which consists of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some of which have been fully restored while others have been left to the elements.
Day 11: Inle Lake to Rangoon
This morning, the return journey to Rangoon will begin with a boat trip across the lake towards the town of Nyaung Shwe. From here, you will travel by road to Heho airport for your onward flight. On arrival in Rangoon, you will transfer to your hotel and later you and your group will enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 12: Rangoon
Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight back home with happy memories of your journey to Burma.
