Yangon • Bagan • Balloon over Bagan • Pandaw Cruises on the Irrawaddy • Mandalay • Heho • Inle Lake •

Myanmar is eager to share its charming reminders of colonial days and thousands of lovingly preserved pagodas with an appreciative world.Traveling by road, by air and on water; we discover why the country is often dubbed the Golden Land. A journey on Myanmar’s Ayeyarwaddy River is one of life’s great travel experiences.

Highlights

Day 1: Yangon

After arriving Yangon Airport, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy a full day private tour to explore the colonial heritage of one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive capitals, basking in its unique spiritual atmosphere. We will drive through the city and stop at China town and India quarter to take a stroll to get a sense of the city - not just its wide boulevards and British colonial architecture - but the small alleys and byways lined with shops and stalls. Stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares - some familiar, some exotic. The tour continues to Chauk Htat Kyi, a huge reclining Buddha image, followed by a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa that Rudyard Kipling called "a golden mystery...a beautiful twinkling wonder." At the pagoda we observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.

Day 2: Balloons over Bagan

Start your day with a magnificent flight by a hot air Balloon over Bagan before you explore Bagan, the most extensive archeological site in Asia, with a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples, such as Ananda Temple, one of the largest, best preserved, and most revered temples in Bagan. Also visit a local lacquerware workshop, where we watch men and women ply their craft using traditional methods.

Mid-afternoon enjoy lunch by the pool before venturing out again for our afternoon walk. We end our walk by climbing to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.

Day 3: Bagan - Mandalay & Cruise (Pandaw)

After breakfast you are transferred to the Shwe Kyat Yet Jetty and board the RV. Pandaw II. The RV Pandaw II was built in Yangon in 2001 after the historic vessel built in Scotland in 1948 for the shallow conditions of the Ayeyarwaddy. The Pandaw is a ship laden with charm, atmosphere and character. With fine cuisine and high standards of service a cruise on the Pandaw is a unique travel experience. In the afternoon you arrive Thein Gone Village.The village was established just 50 years ago on the fertile river plain close to the great River. Everyone in the village is a farmer and the main crops are corn, peanuts, tobacco and small areas of paddy. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 4: Cruise Pandaw - Yadanarbo

Yandabo is a rarely visited small village with no road access to the world. Dependant on the riverine economy this village is famous for the production of terracotta pottery made from river bank mud. See the pottery making process at various stages. You are invited into people’s homes and visit the local monastery. Lunch, dinner and overnight on the RV Pandaw II.

Day 5:Cruise Pandaw - Mandalay

Upon arrival in Mandalay at appr. 10:00 transfer to your hotel for check-in. Mandalay is a city of great cultural importance. It was the last Burmese capital before the British took over and moved the capital to Yangon. Upon arrive in Mandalay visit a 200-year-old teak bridge and famous Buddhist monastery, home to over 1000 monks.
This afternoon visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. Next visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Then climb up to the Mandalay Hill and see the best view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay hill as the sun slowly sets.

Day 6: Mandalay - Irrawaddy - Mingun

You cannot leave this enchanting country without getting to know its heart and soul - the magical Irrawaddy River. Boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun is about 11 km (one hour each way) upriver from Mandalay. Visit the Mingun Bell, weighing 87 tons and being the world's largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world's biggest pagoda). After lunch, back to Mandalay.

Day 7: Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya - Inle Lake

After breakfast, fly to Heho, our gateway to Inle Lake.  Known as the most beautiful lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake's calm waters are surrounded by high hills and dotted with floating gardens and stilted villages.  Upon arrival proceed to by road to Pindaya and visit Pinday Caves, a unique site housing thousand of Buddha images places there by pilgrims and devotes over the centuries. Then drive to NyaungShwe and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Day 8: Inle Lake

After breakfast you will tour around the lake with private boat. Enjoy a tour of Inle Lake. The five Buddha images of Phaung Daw U Pagoda are the holiest in Inle Lake. The images have been covered in so much gold they look like balls of solid gold. Next, visit a unique Monastery on the Lake where the local Monks have trained the cats to jump through hoops, it is now affectionately known as the jumping cat Monastery. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cigar [cheroot] making and canoe carving.

Day 9: Inle Lake – Yangon

Morning flight to Yangon. Upon arrival visit the over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to hear the brief history of Burmese Jewish Community and some interesting stories. Other amazing features of this incredible synagogue are the 120 years two old Torah from Baghdad, Iraq. Souvenir shop where you can see Burmese handmade Jewish items and historical photos of the Synagogue and community.
In the late afternoon enjoy a visit to Scott Market (Bogyoke Aung San Market) the sprawling 70-year-old Market. At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry - bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere!

Day 10: Yangon - Departure

After breakfast, day at leisure until transfer to airport for International departure flight.

* The itinerary above is designed to give you a flavor of what is possible and can be tailor-made to suit your preferences. This is simply a suggested itinerary, and can easily be customized to suit your schedule, budget, and interests.