Arrival at Yangon International Airport. Transfer to Insein railway station to experience the circle train around Yangon. First immersion into the Burmese local life in the rural outskirts of the city. Arrival at Main Railway Station in Downtown and orientation tour by bus inside the British colonial area renowned for its architecture. Transfer to hotel and check-in. Free time at the hotel. In late afternoon, head to to the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70 meter long reclining Buddha statue and move onto visit the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda, the defining image of Yangon with its 100-meter stupa which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf and a symbol of Burmese identity. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Yangon (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Yangon Airport to take a domestic flight to Mandalay. Founded as capital of the Burmese empire in 1861, Mandalay is the second largest city in the country. The tour will begin with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda which houses one of the country’s most honored Buddha images, completely covered in gold leaves. Then, head to traditional workshops and its expert craftsmen. In the afternoon, continue with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda where the marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures are called the ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Then move onto Shwenandaw Monastery, a grand example of 19th century Myanmar teak architecture and also a significant masterpiece of the wood-carver’s art before we reach summit of Mandalay Hill to catch sunset views. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Mandalay (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin with an expedition to investigate the previous capitals around the city. Starting at Amarapura’s Mahagandayon, home to more than a thousand monks, and a busy alms collection. Then move on to Ava which was the standing capital from the 14th through the 18th centuries. Visit Bagaya Monastery renowned for its extraordinarily elaborate woodcarvings and the Nanmyint Watch Tower - also called “the leaning tower of Ava“ – the remnants of the ancient palace, and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery by horse cart. After lunch time, cross the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing, with Sagaing Hill known as the spiritual hub of Myanmar and which claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. Stroll along the legendary U Bein Bridge which at 1.2 kms is said to be the longest teakwood bridge worldwide, before returning to Mandalay. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Mandalay (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Mandalay airport for your domestic flight to Heho airport in Shan State. Transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake and stop to Shan umbrellas factory and Shwe Yin Pyay teak monastery en route. After lunch time, embark on local motorized pirogues to explore Inle Lake, a magical watery world. Pass several stilted Intha villages built over the lake, observe the local leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens. Continue onto Phaung Daw U Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. Transfer by boat to your hotel and check-in. Free time at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Inle Lake (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by boat to visit the lake’s morning market, the location of which changes every day. The Intha and Paoh hilltribes sell their fresh products here. Continue by boat onto the Pa-Oh village of Indein, on the western shore of Inle Lake, enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. After lunch time, stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where traditional Burmese cigars are handmade. Transfer by boat to your hotel. Free time at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Inle Lake (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Heho airport for your domestic flight to Nyaung U airport. Transfer by bus to explore Nyaung U market, a colorful display of local products. From here, transfer by local trishaw to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for a closer look at Bagan’s affluent past. Transfer to hotel and check-in after lunch time. Free time at leisure. In late afternoon, explore Bagan complex by horse cart and watch extraordinary sunset over the plains. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Bagan (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to visit to a traditional lacquer workshop. Then, head to Ananda Temple, certainly one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples, housing two distinctive Buddha images. Their expressions transform, according to your viewing point. In the afternoon, short transfer to explore Minnanthu Village, an agricultural village which specializes in the production of sesame and peanut oil. The village is well worth to look around and get immersed in the rural life. Overnight at the hotel. Read more

Bagan (1 Night)

Breakfast at the hotel before transfer to Nyaung U airport for morning flight to Yangon. If time allows, head to the city center for a walking tour in Dowtown to explore the British colonial area and the crafts of Bogyoke Market. Transfer back to Yangon airport for international departure flight.