Classic Myanmar

Myanmar, 10 Nights

Day 1 - London/Yangon
Board your overnight Thai Airways flight from Heathrow to Yangon, via Bangkok.

Day 2 - Yangon
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to the Governor's Residence Hotel for two nights.

Day 3 - Yangon
This morning, visit Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha and the National Museum. After lunch at The Governor's Residence, you will have the opportunity to explore Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market, the largest in Yangon. Finish the day at Shwedagon Pagoda, shimmering above the city, for an unforgettable sunset.

Day 4 - Yangon/Heho/Inle Lake
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho. On arrival, drive to Nyaung Shwe and check-in to the Inle Princess Resort for two nights. Enjoy lunch at the hotel before visiting Phaungdaw U Pagoda, one of the three principal shrines of Burma, and the Jumping Cat Monastery. Return to the hotel via the floating garden, where you can see traditional cottage-industries.

Day 5 - Inle Lake
Set off for the bustling local market, where along with your guide and a host family you will stock up with fresh fruits and vegetables. Head back to the family's house by private longtail boat for a cooking lesson in typical Shan-style food. After cooking the food, you can sit down with the family and enjoy the fruits of your labour. In the afternoon, cruise to the lakeside village of Indein. Walk up a beautiful stairway, lined with wooden columns, to old Shwe Inn Dein, an impressive collection of ancient Shan-style stupas, with stunning views of the lake.

Day 6 - Inle Lake/Heho/Mandalay
This morning, return to Heho airport for your flight to Mandalay. Check-in to the Sedona Hotel for one night. After lunch, visit Shwenandaw Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is often described as 'the world's biggest book'. Finish the day at Mandalay Hill, rising 236 metres above the surrounding countryside.

Day 7 - Mandalay/Mingun
Today, visit U Bein Bridge, a long and rickety teak bridge crossing Taungthaman Lake. You will also observe around a thousand monks having their main meal of the day at Mahagandayon Monastery. Continue to Maha Muni Paya, home to the image of the Maha Muni Buddha, an object of devotion for pilgrims around the world. Transfer to the jetty and board RV Paukan to cruise upstream to Mingun. As you float along, gain a wonderful glimpse into river-life on the Ayeyarwady. After lunch on-board, tour Mingun by ox-cart. Visit Mingun Bell (the world's largest ringing bell), the Unfinished Pagoda and Myatheindan Pagoda. Enjoy dinner on-board.

Day 8 - Mingun/Sagaing/River Village
Wake early for sunrise over Sagaing Hill. After breakfast, go ashore to visit Sagaing. Once the capital of the Shan kingdom, it is now a religious centre that supports dozens of Buddhist monasteries, nunneries and a monastic hospital. The silversmiths in the village of Ywataung are renowned for their engraving skills and you will have the opportunity to visit a workshop. Enjoy lunch on-board, before stopping at Yandabo, a village specialising in pot-making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed in1826.

Day 9 - River Village/Bagan
The ship continues to Bagan for sunrise near the city. After disembarking in Bagan, explore Nyaung U Market and Shwezigon Pagoda. Continue to the Wetkyi-in Gubyaukgi, a 13th century 'cave temple', and Htilominlo Temple. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before visiting Ananda Temple, constructed in 1091 and a masterpiece of Mon architecture. In the late afternoon, you will visit a nunnery to observe the nuns' daily life. You will also be given a brief instruction into the Buddhist art of meditation. Return to the Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel for two nights.

Day 10 - Bagan
This morning, enjoy a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the ancient capital and surrounding areas from a hot air balloon. After breakfast at the hotel, visit Mt. Popa (an extinct volcano), stopping en route at a toddy-palm climber's hut. At Mt. Popa, climb the covered stairway up 'Taungkalat', a steep-sided rocky volcanic plug. Enjoy the panoramic views of Bagan Plain, dotted with stupas and temples. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Bagan and visit Manuha and Nanpaya Temples. Finish the day at Shwesandaw Pagoda, in time for a memorable sunset across the plains of Bagan.

Day 11- Bagan/London
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight, via Yangon and Bangkok. Alternatively extend your stay to Ngapali Beach or fly onto Thailand.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 11 day suggested journey in Myanmar will cost from £2,995 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.

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