Welcome to Myanmar. Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide who will accompany your trip in Yangon.

Transfer to Belmond Governor’s Hotel for check-in, from 14h00.

Lunch at your own account.

Highlights:

• Visit one of the largest religious monuments in the world, the Shwedagon Pagoda. It offers picturesque views, colourful sights and a chance to explore a wide spectrum of history.
• Go up through a grand staircase where small shops are lining up all the way to the upper platform. Here, you will find Buddha images, monk robes, altars, offerings, incense and other unique Buddhist objects.
• At the platform, discover the world’s tallest pagoda standing at 100 metres high, literally enclosed in over 40 tonnes of gold leaves.
• The Shwedagon Pagoda is believed to be the most valuable treasure of Myanmar and is one of the most unforgettable trips for any visitor here.

Oil Lamp Offering at Shwedagon Pagoda

Join the ceremony of offering oil lamp alongside local worshippers. It is traditionally performed by believers to earn and share merits through good deeds. A ceremony begins with monks chanting “sutras”, a blessing that bestows a lifetime of good health and happiness. You will get a better understanding of Buddhism through this unique and long-standing ceremony.

Note: We will have to attain special permission to arrange this experience in Myanmar. Therefore, please book at least 4 weeks in advance. (This activity is subject to weather conditions especially during the raining season.)

Welcome dinner at SEEDS restaurant. Overnight stay at Belmond Governor’s Hotel*****

Highlights:

• In the morning, you will start your half-day walking tour to learn about the historical Secretariat Office Complex and its surroundings. The tour is led by a member of the Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT), a non-profit organisation working to preserve colonial-era buildings and other architecturally or historically significant landmarks.
• Stop at historic sites in the former commercial and administrative hub. You will arrive at the Secretariat Office where General Aung San and his cabinet members were assassinated in 1947, a year before gaining Make a stop at a historic teashop and enjoy some local tea.

Walking time: 2 hours

From 09h00 to 11h00

Lunch at the Strand Hotel. Free time at your hotel.

Overnight stay at Belmond Governor’s Hotel*****

Highlights:

• Morning flight to Bagan. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to Bagan Lodge. Start your journey by visiting the great Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta and finished by King Kyansittha in the 11th century.
• Visit a few villages to see the traditional works of murals, carvings and Buddha statues. Learn more about the local arts with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products – lacquerware and woodcrafts. Watch how skilled craftsmen create beautiful items using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Lunch at the Monastery Garden

Visit a nearby village to enjoy a special lunch in the very relaxing compound of a charming monastery. Pass through the sesame and peanut farms until you reach a serene and relaxing space. If you arrive on time for the last meal of the monks, around 10:30, you may have the chance to assist them in this important moment and chat with some of them.

Note: After the monk’s last meal at 10:30, they will retreat to their rooms for some rest. Therefore, interaction with the monks may be limited.

In the afternoon, visit the great Ananda Temple built by King Kyansittha, the successor of King Anawrahta, in the 11th century. From here, keep exploring your journey on a horse cart, passing through some of the tallest or largest temples of the area like Dhammayangyi Temple, known for its mass, precise brickwork and extensive history. At the end of the day, conclude your trip by relaxing an enjoying sunset over Bagan.

Dinner on your own arrangement. Overnight stay at Bagan Lodge*****

Highlights:

• Visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market where locals from the outskirt villages enjoy their trading of produce and goods. You will then visit a Myanmar family’s home to learn traditional cooking. Your host will briefly introduce you to a few garden vegetables and herbs, or those freshly brought back from the morning market. After some brief mingling and on-job-training, enjoy the unique and delicious taste of Burmese cuisine together.

In the late afternoon, drive to Irrawaddy River and board a private wooden boat to see the river scenes and feel the fresh breeze. Discover the different views of Bagan, both on the river and the river banks and explore the interesting local sights including fishermen, ferry boats and riverside villages. Enjoy a traditional Rum Sour and some local snacks on board as the sun sets, then disembark and travel back to your hotel.

Candlelight dinner with the view of pagodas (subject to climate conditions). Overnight stay at Bagan Lodge*****

Morning flight to Heho. Enjoy a scenic one-hour drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake and embark on a long-tail boat ride to the Lake.

Exquisite Lunch On A Rice Carrier Boat

Enjoy a delicious signature Shan lunch on a rice carrier boat in the middle of the stunning surroundings of the lake. The boat has been transformed into a fully equipped floating restaurant in an experience not to be missed. While enjoying the exclusive lunch, discover the unique life on the famous lake surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges.

In the afternoon, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s holy place where famous five sacred images of Buddha reside. There are also many traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake. If you wish, you can stop and explore the making of interesting items like lotus silk and cigars.

Dinner at your own account and overnight stay at Villa Inle Resort *****

Before sunrise, take a boat ride from your hotel to experience a hot-air balloon flight over Inle Lake.

Highlights:

• Coffee is served during flight preparation.
• A detailed safety briefing will be conducted by the pilot.
• Breathtaking aerial views of Inle lake, the sunrise, stilted villages, floating gardens and markets.
• Depending on wind conditions, the flight usually takes an hour.
• Upon landing, a glass of wine will be served, and you will be presented with a certificate of flight.

You will be taken back to your hotel for a sumptuous breakfast.

Tour around the local 5-day market which changes locations every day. Locals from the surrounding mountain villages trade their commodities there.

Take a scenic one-hour boat ride along a small canal to visit the famous Pa-Oh ethnic village of Indein, located on the western shores of the lake.

Highlights:

• Explore the village near the Indein pagoda complex.
• View ancient Buddha images and hundreds of stupa ruins.

Before sunset, ride on a small wooden canoe used by the lake farmers for their floating gardens.

Highlights:

• Float across thousands of tomato patches and narrow waterways.
• Witness farmers at work on their unique floating gardens.
• Enjoy a cocktail in the middle of lake, with an unobstructed view of the sunset.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight stay at Villa Inle Resort *****

Once you arrive at Thandwe Airport, you will be greeted by a representative of your hotel and escorted to Ngapali Beach Hotel. After check-in, you are free for the day to enjoy the most famous beach in Myanmar or take advantage of the hotel facilities.

Ngapali is the most picturesque white sand beach of Myanmar, where you can overlook the northern part of the Indian Ocean. This beach is 12km long and 7km away from the ancient ethnic town Thandwe. It offers swimming, diving, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking in its crystalline waters.

Overnight in Ngapali.

Leisure time at Ngapali Beach.

Accommodation with breakfast.

Overnight in Ngapali.

Leisure time at Ngapali Beach.

Accommodation with breakfast.

Overnight in Ngapali.

After having your breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Yangon and your international flight in the evening.