Our tour starts in historical Yangon, which contains the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia. After an unforgettable sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, we head north to the capital of Old Burma, Mandalay. In this ethnically diverse city, we visit Mandalay Hill, the largest book in the word, the longest Teak Bridge in the world and sail on the Ayeyarwaddy for the cracked pagoda of Mingun.As we travel through the rural country, we arrive at Monywa to admire the 500,000 Buddha images at the Mohnyin Thanboddhay Pagoda and explore the sandstone caves of Po Win Taung, one the most important Buddhist sites in Southeast Asia. Through Tanaka plantations we rejoin the mighty Ayeyarwaddy and sail down to magical Bagan.Along Inle Lake, we explore the shores of this picturesque lake by long-boats, visit old pagodas that have been forgetten through time and quaint markets. We will meet the lake’s inhabitants who have built their lives around the water. Afterwards, we will visit the remarkable caves of Pindaya before returning to Yangon for a final meet with an old disappearing world.

 

 

Travel Dates:

• 9th January 2016

• 13th February 2016

• 26th March 2016

• 7th May 2016

• 25th June 2016

• 27th August 2016

• 8th October 2016

• 19th November 2016

• 7th January 2017

• 18th February 2017

• 1st April 2017

• 6th May 2017

• 17th June 2017

• 22nd July 2017

• 26th August 2017

• 21st October 2017

• 2nd December 2017

 

 

 

Day 1: Depart from the UK

Our scheduled flight leaves London for Burma with a transfer in Thailand.

 

Day 2: Arrival in Yangoon

Yangoon

A staff member will meet you in Yangon and bring you to your hotel. In the late afternoon we then visit the incredible Shwedagon Golden Pagoda for sunset, followed by a dinner in town. 

 

Day 3: Yangoon to Mandalay

Mandalay

The day begins with an early morning flight to Mandalay. In the afternoon we visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, the Shwenandaw Monastery and then continue to the ‘world’s largest book’ at Kuthodaw Pagoda and later the Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda. Finishing with sunset at Mandalay Hill.

 

Day 4: Mandalay to Mingun

Mingun

We take a boat ride to Mingun up the Ayeyarwaddy River. On arrival we visit the Mingun Pahtodawgyi and the 90-ton Mingun Bell, one of the largest ringing bells in the world. We finish on the island by exploring the Myatheindan Pagoda before returning back to Mandalay.

 

Day 5: Mandalay

Mandalay

Today we board a local river ferry to Ava, the country’s former capital, taking in the Buddhist Maha Aungmyae Bonzan Monastery. After a horse cart ride around the sights of the old city we enjoy sunset over the 140-year-old U Bein Bridge, which spans Lake Thaungthaman and is the largest Teak Bridge in the world. 

 

Day 6: Mandalay to Monywa

Monywa

Along the way to Monywa located in the Chindwin Valley, we visit Mohnyin Thanboddhay Pagoda with more than 500,000 Buddha images, Boditahtaung Pagoda and the largest reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. We then explore the extraordinary complex of 947 sandstone caves dug out of the hills

 

Day 7: Monywa to Bagan

Bagan

On the way to Pakkoku, we stop at a village to see the rural lifestyle of Myanmar before boarding a local boat to Bagan drifting leisurely downstream.

 

Day 8: Bagan

Bagan

A day of temples awaits with the morning discovering the Mingalazedi, Gubyaukgyi and Nanpaya Temples. In the afternoon we visit Minanthu village famous for its mural paintings and make a stop at lacquer ware factory to watch the skillful craftsmen.

 

Day 9: Bagan & Mount Popa

Bagan

Mt Popa, an extinct volcano situated 1518-meter above sea level, well-known for the nearby picturesque Popa Taungkalat Shrine. After lunch we stop at Toddy Climber’s hut and explore the traditional production of palm sugar. Finishing the day with a river sunset cruise.

 

Day 10: Bagan to Pindaya and Inle Lake

Inle Lake

After flying to Heho airport, we drive across the Shan Plateau to the limestone caves littered with thousands of Buddhist images at Pindaya. We visit some local houses to watch traditional Shan paper making; before continuing to Inle Lake. 

 

Day 11: Inle lake

Inle lake

A photographer’s dream, spend the day on the calm waters of Inle Lake and pass endless floating gardens and houses. We visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery famous for its “jumping cats” and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. All before an afternoon visiting a silk weaving and a blacksmith workshop.

 

Day 12: Inle lake

Inle lake

After a boat trip to the Nge Phe Chaung monastery the boat will turn down a narrow creek stopping to explore the ancient ruined pagodas around the Pa-Oh village at Indein.

 

Day 13: Inle Lake to Yangoon

Yangoon

We retrace our steps to Heho’s before flying to Yangoon for a walking tour of Rangoon taking in the Nanthida Jetty, Strand Hotel and many other fabulous old colonial buildings. We will take a rickshaw to the Botataung Pagoda and take time to soak up the hustle and bustle before a visit the vibrant Bogyoke Market.

 

Day 14: Depart Yangoon

Yangoon

Today you are free to enjoy your last day in Burma (Myanmar) before we bring you to the airport for your departing flight.

 

Day 15: Arrive back in the UK Airport

Morning Arrival in the UK.

 

 

Price per person sharing: 4140 GBP (subject to change and availability)