Myanmar Revealed

On arrival in Yangon, transfer to your hotel before meeting your tour leader and the small group that will share your adventure at a welcome dinner. Walk through the winding city streets and discover the British-colonial architecture and the golden Sule Pagoda. The Indian Quarter and local markets offer an insight into local life in the city. Get a closer look at the Shwedagon Pagoda, seen from much of the city, as the sun sinks in the sky.

Take an early morning flight to Mandalay. Tour the city in the afternoon, visiting places such as the Royal Palace, ShweNandawKyuang and a lively Jade market. Wander along a 200-year-old teak bridge, spanning two kilometers and at Sagaing Hill, see hundreds of white-washed pagodas. With over 3,000 monks and nuns, this is widely regarded as the religious center of Burma. Here a trip to a local nunnery to share lunch with the nuns is a highlight for many travelers.

Spend a day on the Irrwaddy River as you travel to Bagan by boat. The city is famous for plains filled with literally thousands of beautiful temples. A full day of exploring Bagan includes ShwezigonPagoda and the famous Ananda Temple before visiting Minnathu Village for an insight into local life. See the imposing 12th century DhammayazikaPaya, discover the local handicraft of wood carving and lacquer ware at a workshop, and visit a local school . End the day with a sunset view of Bagan from atop a beautiful terraced pagoda.

Fly to Heho and transfer to the Pindaya caves, filled with Buddha statues from the 18th and 19th century. Continue on to Kalaw and spend the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a hike through the Shan Hills to spend a day at an elephant camp. Help the mahouts wash and feed these amazing animals before venturing through the forest. Spend the afternoon learning about the camp’s reforestation project before returning to Kalaw.Travel fromKalaw via train to NyaungShwe– a fantastic local experience! Continue by road to the shores of beautiful Inle Lake.

Get a taste for life in the region at a morning market, before a fun train ride to ShweNyaung, a real local experience. Explore a nearby town before enjoying an afternoon of relaxation. A tour of Inle Lake begins with the morning market which is a chance to meet some of the people who gather here from the surrounding hilltribe villages. See the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, then learn about local crafts at a weaving village, silversmith and see how typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. In the afternoon, visit a local village. Spend your last morning on Inle Lake observing the lives of those who earn their livelihood on and around the lake. Witness the unique fishing techniques used by local Inthar fishermen, and see the ‘floating gardens’ where local people use indigenous methods to grow a variety of crops suspended in the water.

A morning flight to Yangon leaves you with most of the day to explore, with the option to visit some of the great markets in town. Attend a farewell dinner in the evening. On the last day, enjoy free time before your departure transfer.