A Myanmar Meander

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. Yangon formerly known as Rangoon, is the capital of Myanmar. This city is also called “Garden City of the East” because of its many parks and beautiful lakes. You will be taken on a short sightseeing trip around the city, to include the Kandawgyi Lake, Botataung Pagoda, which is hollow and through which you can walk and see many ancient relics and artefacts and Yangon downtown area and from there you will walk along the Pansodan street which has many large colonial buildings which are still in use. Finish your tour with a visit to the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda which towers over all of Yangon. It is perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia and is one sight that no visitor to Myanmar should miss. Overnight at The Governor’s Residence Hotel .

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Bagan. Arrive Nyaung U airport and start your tour of Bagan, to include the colourful Nyaung U Local Market, Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa and Wetkyi-in Gubyaukkyi, a cave temple with exquisite murals. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will observe the process of traditional lacquerware, one of the best-known Myanmar handicrafts and a speciality of Bagan. Next, visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temples. The next temple to be visited, Thatbyinnyu, is the highest in Bagan, rising to 61 metres. You will take a horse-drawn carriage ride to Gawdawpalin Temple which has a fine view over the entire Bagan plain. Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel .

After breakfast at your hotel, you will visit the countryside village of Minnanthu, the least-visited temple area in Bagan, where you will visit interesting temples such as Sulamuni, and Minnanthu. Towards the end of the day, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight again at the Aureum Palace Hotel .

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Mandalay. After checking into your hotel, you will be taken on a tour to include the ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Here you will visit Mahagandayon monastery, which is a school for young monks, and the nearby U Bein bridge by boat at sunset. It is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km is the longest teakwood span in the world. End your tour with a visit to Mandalay Hill for a view over the city and the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight at the Hotel by the Red Canal. .

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the jetty in time to board a private chartered boat to Mingun. The 45-minute boat trip is interesting because you see all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. The location is famous for its huge unfinished pagoda, the Mingun Bell, considered to be the world’s largest (uncracked) ringing bell. Also visit the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda. Overnight again at Hotel by the Red Canal. .

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport in time for the flight to Heho. After checking into your hotel, you will drive to the magical Inle Lake. Located at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level, the lake is 22 km long and 11 km wide. Highlights include the fisherman rowing in the one-legged style that is characteristic of Inle Lake boatmen and gardens of grass and earth floating on the surface of this shallow lake – floating strips of ‘land’ for growing vegetables. Another attraction besides the enjoyment of the scenery is a visit to the Nge Phae Chaung monastery, the Phaungdaw U pagoda and perhaps a visit to a silk weaving factory. Overnight at Inle Princess Resort .

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Heho airport in time for your flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival at Thandwe airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel on Ngapali Beach where you will overnight. Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel and Resort .

You will have the two days at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the local area. Overnight on both nights at Aureum Palace Hotel and Resort .

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport in time to take a flight back to Yangon. Arrive at Yangon airport and connect with your international flight home.