You will be greeted by a personal chauffeur who shall transfer you to your hotel. Take advantage of your free time there.
Check-in available at 2:00pm.
Yangon may have lost its status as the capital of Myanmar in 2005, when it was transferred to Naypyidaw, however, it still remains the country’s foremost city as well as the economic and cultural capital of the nation. Its streets are lined with charming colonial buildings (many of which are being restored) and scintillating golden pagodas including those of the Shwedagon and Botataung.
There are numerous parks as well as two impressive lakes connected by wide tree-lined avenues. Anyone with an interest in local life will feel compelled to stay at least a couple of days in this exotic city, taking in the various sights, exploring markets, wandering along bustling streets and through the commercial districts and communities found along the Yangon River. While the city has a distinct heritage, it is also rapidly modernising with trendy bars and restaurants popping up all over the place.
Following breakfast, expect a warm welcome from your English-speaking guide at 8:30 am by the hotel. Embark upon a tour of Yangon, immersing yourself in the charm of Myanmar’s largest city. Pay a visit to the pagoda of Chauk Htet Gyi, renowned for its reclining Buddha of extravagant proportions. Take a stroll through Kandawgyi Park amidst its picturesque wooden jetties that cross the surface of its lake.
This emerald-green haven is most often frequented by locals who come to enjoy the fresh air and the accompanying serenity of the eponymous lake. In the afternoon, visit the Sule Pagoda and the city’s Indian and Chinese districts.
At 4:30 pm, visit the majestic Shwedagon pagoda whose golden dome dominates the city’s skyline.
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the heart of Buddhism within Myanmar, a site all religious pilgrims must make their way to at least once in their lifetimes. Even if legend and history contest the date of the pagoda’s construction, it is certain that it was constructed well before the Kingdom of Bagan in the 9th century. The pagoda’s 100m dome, adorned with 8,688 slabs of gold, thousands of diamonds, rubies and other precious gems, is visible from everywhere in Yangon.
Wandering barefoot along the tiled floor, tirelessly maintained by an army of volunteer sweepers, you will find it easy to drift between the hundreds of buildings, miniature pagodas and prayer rooms amassed around the central dome.
Overnight stay in Yangon.
Following breakfast, transfer to Yangon airport and take off towards Mandalay. Alight at Mandalay’s pier and climb aboard a local boat on the Irrawaddy that will take you directly to the village of Mingun. Its unfinished pagoda would have been the tallest in the world if its construction hadn’t been abandoned following the death of the King Bodawpaya.
Sail onwards towards the south of Mandalay.
Depart for Ava Island for an unprecedented journey in horse-drawn carriage. Visit the monasteries of Aungmyay Bonzan and Bagaya.
In accordance with your schedule, stroll across the teak bridge of U Bein and discover the imposing Pathodawgyi Pagoda.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.
These 5-6 hours along the way will allow you to observe the scenes of daily life within the Burmese countryside, presenting you with the opportunity to make several stops and meet its ever-smiling, congenial population.
Arrive in the middle of the afternoon and transfer to your hotel.
Your driver through Bagan will be awaiting you for your first visit of the site, time permitting. Head to New Bagan, at the south of the original site, to visit a local lacquerware workshop. Learn about these ancestral techniques of production of this speciality of Bagan.
At the end of the day, take a horse-drawn carriage ride amidst the temples at sunset.
Overnight stay in Bagan.
Balloons over Bagan operates one of the world’s most spectacular hot air balloon flights.
Experience the unrivalled majesty of thousands of ancient temples drifting below you in style,
comfort and safety. The greatest way to start a day!
Following breakfast, saunter through the picturesque markets of Nyaung U.
Pay a visit to the Shwezigon pagoda and its awe-inspiring golden stupa; the elegance of form found within the stupa’s bell has become the model for all stupas subsequently built within Myanmar.
The afternoon will be devoted to Old Bagan’s foremost monuments: The ruins of the Royal Palace; and the Tharabar Gate; the Ananda Temple, a jewel of Burmese architecture with its 4 immense statues of the Buddha; as well as Ananda Okkyaung, one of Myanmar’s last remaining brick monasteries.
Your journey continues at the foot of the Thatbyinnyu Temple, the tallest within Bagan, boasting a height of 61 meters.
At day’s end, take in the city’s sunset from aboard a private boat (aperitif included) along the Irrawaddy.
Overnight stay in Bagan.
Following breakfast, transfer to the Bagan airport and take off towards Heho. From there, set off by car to Nyaung Shwe (approx. 45 min).
Enjoy a stroll on foot through the village.
In the afternoon, make your way to the pier and board a local canoe for your exploration of the Lake.
Settle back to your hotel.
Overnight stay on the Inle Lake.
Optional – Balloon Flight Over Inle Lake
An extraordinary way to experience one of Myanmar’s most scenic and cultural attractions. Witness local Inthar fishermen looking for the first catch of the day and boats laden full of produce on their way to the market through a maze of green floating canals. Breakfast is held next to one of the beautiful Shan villages wherever we land.
Following breakfast, pay a visit to the nearby five-day-market*. There are many itinerant markets such as this all around the lake which cycle through rotation, returning every five days to the village from where they left.
Saunter through the lakeside villages and catch a glimpse of the life of the lake’s inhabitants, the “Inthas”, who have developed their own unique methods of fishing, navigating and farming.
(*Visits to the market will depend on its ongoing cycle along the lake, sometimes on it, other times further around it).
Take a stroll towards the pagoda of Phaung Daw Oo and the monastery of Ngaphe Chaung, a journey punctuated by stops within the neighbouring villages of local weavers as well as those housing their own floating gardens.
In the afternoon, continue along your journey to reach the village of Indein, located on the banks of Inle Lake. This archaeological site consists of over one hundred pagodas from the 15th century, many of which have long been consumed by begetation.
Overnight stay on the Lake.
Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Yangon.
Enjoy a free day entirely at your leisure. Make your way back to the airport in accordance with the hours of your departure flights.
Please note: In order to ensure a connection to your international flight, return flights must be scheduled for after 1:00pm.
