Cruise, trek and fly in Burma $9,000/£7,200*

Day 2

Explore Yangon

Packed with pagodas and crammed with colonial relics, Yangon is one of the most enchanting cities in Asia. ​

​Visit the famous Scott market with a wide array of handicrafts including traditionally woven silk and cotton. Perhaps ride the local circular train around the city to get an insight in daily life.

STAY

Governor's Residence, Yangon

Day 3

Fly to Heho and Inle Lake

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho, transfer to Nyaung Shwe at the north end of Inle Lake. Here board a long-tailed boat for the trip to your hotel on the eastern shore.  After a relaxing afternoon take a tour by canoe through the peaceful stilt villages bathed in the golden light of dusk.

STAY

Inle Princess, Inle Lake

Day 4

Discover Inle

The lake sits in a valley between two mountain ranges and feels like a different world to the rest of Burma. Wooden houses are built high on stilts and fishermen steer their one-man boats with a unique rowing style, wrapping one leg around their oar. Rows of floating gardens produce delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers. Along with fishing and farming, traditional handicrafts are an important part of the local economy, especially silk weaving. As with all of Myanmar, religion plays a massive part in local life, and numerous pagodas and monasteries can be found on the lake and its shores.

STAY

Inle Princess, Inle Lake

Day 5

Visit Indein

Travel by long-tailed boat to the western bank of the lake to the ancient temple site of Indein. Explore the crumbling and atmospheric groups of pagodas and carvings of mythical creatures, and climb the covered stairway leading up the hill to Shwe Inn Thein Paya for wonderful views across the lake. 

STAY

Inle Princess, Inle Lake

Day 6

Take the train to Kalaw

Journey across the beautiful landscape of the Shan Plateau to Kalaw. In town, explore the central market and visit some of the old colonial houses including the Anglican Church, built by the British in 1900s. Visit Pinmagon monastery which houses the famous Nee Paya (Bamboo Buddha Image) estimated to have been built during the Ava Period over 500 years ago, before transferring to your hotel

STAY

Amara Mountain Resort, Kalaw

Day 7

Trekking around Kalaw

Kalaw offers some of the best trekking in the country. The surrounding mountains are home to numerous hill tribes and villages including Danu, Pa-O, Palaung and Taung Yoo ethnic groups. The villagers are mostly farmers growing tea, clementines, rice and a countless variety of fruits and vegetables. Your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the local people and be able to explain many of the plants encountered on your trek, including several herbs used in local cooking and traditional medicine.

STAY

Amara Mountain Resort, Kalaw

Day 8

Return to Heho and fly to Mandalay

After a relaxing morning return to Heho and fly to Mandalay.

This afternoon visit U Bein Bridge at Amarapura where you will take a rowing boat under the bridge for the best view at sunset.

STAY

Hotel by the Red Canal, Mandalay

Day 9

Sightseeing Royal Mandalay

Visit the gold leaf beaters - back-breaking work but highly regarded. As is tradition, men are able to place gold leaves onto the most holy Buddha image of the country: the spectacular Mahamuni that’s been growing in size every year by more and more thick layers of gold.

Enjoy the beauty of the Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and count the endless stupas of the Kuthodaw Pagoda, consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures.

STAY

Hotel by the Red Canal, Mandalay

Day 10

Board your river cruise

After a relaxing morning transfer to Gawein jetty for embarkation at 12 noon and enjoy a welcome cocktail in the Saloon. Cast off to begin your voyage up stream to Mingun. The boat's English speaking manager will assist you during the visit of the Mingun Pagoda Complex. Moor Overnight at a sandbank mid-stream. After dinner, guests can enjoy a Dance and Drama performance by the Mandalay Arts School on the sundeck.

STAY

RV Paukan 2012

Day 11

Cruising the Irrawaddy River

Continue your cruise on the Irrawaddy watching the river life slip by. Stop off at Sagaing to tour the temple complex and sail on to the village of Yandabo, where they specialise in pot-making.  You'll sail on to moor overnight near Shwe Nann Tint.

STAY

RV Paukan 2012

Day 12

Arrive in Bagan

Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan, before arriving at Aye Yar jetty.

Have a wander around the traditional market in Nyaung U, before checking into your hotel on the Irrawaddy river. Lacquerware is Bagan's speciality and you will have the opportunity to visit a workshop to watch craftsmen produce these beautiful handicrafts. Later climb onto a temple platform to watch the sun set behind the forest of stupas. Taste traditional Burmese food in an atmospheric restaurant by the river.

STAY

Thripytsaya Sanctuary, Bagan

Day 13

Balloon ride over the temple plain

Rise early for your transfer to the launch site for hot drinks and briefing. Then take to the air for dramatic views over the unique and enchanting 11th century ruins as the sun rises from behind distant mountains.

After breakfast, start your tour of some of Bagan's beautiful temples on the ground. At the beautiful golden dome of Shwezigon Pagoda you will hear the story of King Anwaratha and his conversion to Buddhism and at Dhammayazika Pagoda see the terracotta tiles illustrating scenes from the Jataka. 

STAY

Thripytsaya Sanctuary, Bagan

Day 14

Explore Bagan

Enjoy a day at leisure; relax by the pool or head out by bicycle to explore old Bagan

STAY

Thripytsaya Sanctuary, Bagan

Day 15

Fly to Thandwe and Ngapali Beach

Take short flight from Bagan to the beautiful beaches on the west coast of Myanmar.

STAY

The Sandoway, Ngapali

Day 16

Ngapali Beach

With its charming fishing village vibe, pristine white sands, the clear blue waters and stylish accommodation, Ngapali beach is the perfect way to end your stay in Myanmar.  Spend your time visiting the local fishing village by bicycle, hire a fishing boat to take you snorkelling, enjoy a barbecue on a deserted island or just relax on your beach front lounger.

STAY

The Sandoway, Ngapali

Day 17

Ngapali Beach

Enjoy a day at leisure. 

STAY

The Sandoway, Ngapali

Day 18

Fly to Yangon

Fly back to Yangon to say farewell to Myanmar and prepare for your international flight home.