Mingalabar and welcome to Myanmar! The former capital Yangon, Myanmar largest city, continues to be the country’s the most important commercial hub and gateway for most of its international visitors. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide who will take you to your hotel for check-in.

(Note: Check-in time is 14.00. Early check-in is subject to availability).

Highlights:

• Visit Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the largest religious monuments in the world.
• Dinner at La Planeteur, Yangon’s landmark restaurant.

No Myanmar trip can be considered complete without a visit to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. Start at the eastern staircase where small shops are lining up, all the way to the base of the temple, selling various religious items. Witness the colours transform on the 100-meter chedi, enclosed in over 40 tonnes of gold leaves.

In the evening you will be taken to Le Planteur, Yangon’s landmark restaurant, for an outstanding dinner. Located in a lush tropical garden close to Inya Lake, the gourmet restaurant, bistro and wine bar has gained accolades for its delicious cuisine, served in a warm, welcoming environment.

Overnight stay at AWEI METTA HOTEL*****

Having seen the spiritual highlight of Yangon, it is now time to transfer that energy to the body in our first yoga session.

The hotel’s leafy, tropical garden faces Pun Hlaing Golf Course creating an ideal setting for yoga practice. Allow the day’s spiritual experience and tranquil setting to rejuvenate your mind and body through yoga (venue included only).

Highlights:

• Morning yoga practice at Pun Hlaing compound
• Lunch at Awei Metta hotel
• Option to experience meditation at the monastery or enjoy a spa treatment

Activity: Please choose one option below.

OPTION 01: LEISURE

At your leisure, enjoy the day relaxing at Oasis Spa to enjoy a body massage for one hour. Take a dip in the pool or plan a solo yoga session in your own private space.

OPTION 02: MEDITATION AT MONASTERY

Yangon offers the most fitting places to begin a voyage of discovery into the mysteries of the Buddhist faith. The monasteries and meditation training centres in Yangon lure hundreds of pilgrims each year to study and practice the ancient art of meditation.

The session starts with an overview of the significance of meditation for Myanmar Buddhists and is then followed by an instruction in the ancient techniques. After an hour or so you will have the opportunity to put your new learning into practice as you move to the meditation hall. You will be taught to discover the ability to bring yourself to a state of tranquillity and peace whenever you desire.

Dinner on own account and overnight stay at Awei Metta Hotel in Yangon.

• Silk weaving workshop
• Welcome at hotel by a traditional dance with detox juice

After your breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and fly to Heho. You will meet with your driver and experience a lovely scenic one-hour drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake.

Highlights:

• Traditional Shan lunch on a rice carrier boat
• Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda in the middle of Inle Lake
• Welcome detox juice drink at the hotel and a traditional dance performance
• Evening yoga session

Reach the jetty where your traditional long-tail boat is awaiting you. You will cruise on the canal that leads to the open lake. The quiet waters of Inle Lake are dotted with floating gardens, leg-rowing fishermen and stilt houses.

Then, indulge in an exceptional lunch on the lake. Probably the most surprising culinary experience, enjoy a mouth-watering typical Shan lunch on a rice carrier boat, that has been transformed into a fully equipped floating restaurant, in the middle of Inle Lake.

After that, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, famous for being the “centre” of the lake. It contains five sacred images of the Buddha plastered with gold leaf. There are also many traditional crafts originating from Inle Lake and, should you wish, you may stop for a visit to a shop making incredible woven items from lotus silk.

The tour will come to a close with a return trip by boat back to your hotel for check-in. You will be welcomed with a detox juice and a traditional dance performance.

After a full day of the visit to the lake, calm your mind and seek tranquillity with an evening yoga session at the hotel.

Dinner on own account and overnight stay at Inle Princess Resort.

Highlights:

• Optional: Experience a hot air balloon flight over Inle Lake
• Early morning yoga session on a house over the water
• Trip to the famous 5-day Market
• Visit Pa-oh village of Indein

OPTION: BALLOON FLIGHT OVER INLE LAKE

Travel to the balloon launch site by boat in the pre-dawn hours. While the crew is preparing for flight, you will be treated to coffee. Your pilot will provide a safety briefing and assist you climbing in to the basket.

Soaring over the water you will see the famed stilted villages and floating gardens from a bird’s-eye view. The pilot may dip the balloon down at times for up-close views of the lake, boats and even markets. The flight lasts around one hour, depending on wind conditions. Sparkling wine will be served and you will be presented with a certificate of flight before heading back to your hotel for breakfast.

Another unique yoga venue awaits as you set off early by boat (about a 30-minute ride). Head to a house on stilts on Inle Lake. With an open terrace with 360-degree views, practice yoga surrounded by the quiet waters.

Take time to walk around the 5-day market. The location of the market changes each day to another village and is visited by the locals of the lake, as well as ethnic minorities from the villages and mountain regions.

A one-hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein. Take a stroll around before ascending the staircase leading to the pagoda. At the summit, be greeted by an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. The Indein Pagoda complex is one of the most amazing sites around the lake’s shores.

Cruise back to your hotel for some well-deserved relaxation (Yoga session in the garden or at poolside.)

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

• Dinner candlelight at Wine Cellar

Highlights:

• Cooking class at organic garden at Inthar Heritage
• 1-hour body massage and retreat at hotel
• Yoga/Meditation session
• Candlelight dinner at Wine Cellar

Begin with a cooking class at an organic garden at Inthar Heritage. Source Inle ingredients at a local market; you will also pick vegetables and herbs from the garden. Learn to prepare traditional dishes exclusive to the region in our cooking classrooms or as a guest in the local community. Once the meal is ready, enjoy it together.

Then, take a body flow massage, dedicated to helping you attain a renewed sense of vitality. The massage helps to achieve a sense of wellbeing and aids you in harmoniously adapting to the ongoing fluctuations of the environments.

In the evening, continue to a private Island for a yoga session. The views on Inle Lake will help you focus your mind and bring you to a state of well-being and consciousness. Enjoy the lights shining on the quiet water and the fresh air of the Shan hills.

Tonight’s dinner will be a surprising, unforgettable experience. Dine inside a handmade wine cellar, a cave-like structure resembling a potter’s oven that contains more than 2,000 bottles of wine. The table, made out of the long-tail boats of Inle, and the subtle lighting will create a welcoming atmosphere. After enjoying canapés and a welcome drink, sit down to a scrumptious dinner.

Overnight stay at Inle Princess Resort.

After your breakfast at the hotel, drive by car to Heho Airport (45 minutes) for your flight to Yangon.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will have time to visit Bogyoke Market, better known as the “Scott Market”, to stroll around the stalls filled with handicrafts and do your last minute shopping. Head to Yangon International Airport and proceed to check-in for your flight back.

Notes: The market is closed on Mondays, full moon and black moon days as well as during public holidays.

Meals on your own account.