Classic Myanmar Explorer

Immortalised by Rudyard Kipling’s romantic poem, Burma’s second-largest city Mandalay is filled with exotic temples and pretty pagodas, and is regarded as the traditional and religious heart of the country. The vast number of monasteries make this former royal city a haven for Buddhism, with Mandalay’s Kuthodaw Pagoda harbouring the complete Buddhist scriptures, the largest book in the world.

This evening you will head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River.

Your expert guide will collect you from your hotel in the morning to begin a full day's private excursion to discover the beguiling history, culture, religion and local life of Mandalay's royal capitals.

The famous U Bein bridge was constructed in around 1850 out of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace. Its 1.2 kilometers (1300 yards) length make it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a sunset stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Just as magnificent as the world’s most famous archaeological sites, but with distinctly less visitors, Bagan is an astonishing ancient city and one of Myanmar’s top highlights. Its green plains are strewn with thousands of temples and pagodas, the spires of which rise majestically above the tree tops.

Built by kings during the 11th and 12th centuries, these age-old wonders which sit by the Irrawaddy River, are unforgettable when experienced from a hot air balloon as the sun rises over the temple spires and the rural villages come into view below.

Start your tour of Bagan with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Continue to a number of famous temples. Then travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

Start the day with visit to the colourful Nyaung Oo Market where villagers gather every day to buy and sell their produce and other goods. Continue to Myinkaba village and take a short walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya.

Later this afternoon, after a rest back at your hotel, continue to the rural village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least visited areas. Here you will explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya before heading to the riverside pier. Board a local boat for a slow cruise down the Irrawaddy River. As you cruise the waters, observe the lifestyle of the fishermen and riverside villagers as well as enjoying the unique perspective of Bagan’s temples.

Start your morning one of the most iconic travel experiences in Myanmar, a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the endless stupas and Irrawaddy River.

Transfer from Heho Airport to Inle Lake, visiting Pindaya en route, an impressive cave that is home to over 8000 golden buddha statues.

This scenic highland lake naturally attracts many who seek to spend a couple of nights relaxing by the tranquil waters and mountainous surroundings, while discovering the unique, local traditions.

Known for their unusual leg-rowing technique, the regional Intha people use traditional boats for transport and live in wooden stilt-house villages. Moving along the water, you can visit some of the lake’s floating markets to buy locally woven blankets and other keepsakes.

This morning you’ll be transferred to Nyaung Shwe to visit temples and nunneries in town around the town. Explore the local market, temples and nunneries before heading out of the town centre towards the lake’s rural eastern shores. There are many fields in this area and, depending on the time of year, you will be able to see farmers planting or harvesting their crops.

Your guide will collect and transfer you to Red Mountain Estate, one of Myanmar’s finest vineyards. Along the drive look out for farmers who may be planting or harvesting depending on the time of year. At the vineyard you will enjoy a wine tasting, lunch and wonderful panoramic lake and mountain views.

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. Continue past villages inhabited by the Intha people who build their houses on stilts and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. You will also see the leg rowing fishermen of the lake who steer their boats with incredible balance. The trip will also include some sightseeing at some of the lake’s most renowned sites. Stop at the Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery famous for its dozens of Shan Buddha statues as well as the resident cats which have been trained to jump through hoops. Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains 5 sacred Buddha images, and proceed to the village of Inpawkhone to observe the traditional silk weaving techniques of Innthar people. Inpawkhone is also known for its weaving from the stems of lotus flowers, a time consuming process that results in high quality materials famous throughout the country. We will also visit a cheroot factory where the local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand.

A beach retreat might not be what you first think of when considering a holiday in Myanmar, but arriving in Ngapali, you'll find a wonderful stretch of palm trees and fine, white sand lining the clear, azure-blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. The main draw of Ngapali is the serene, unspoiled beach, which is blissfully devoid of piles of resorts and noisy bars, making this a real hidden gem of Southeast Asia.

The gateway to Myanmar, Yangon is the country’s main hub for business, transport and culture, dotted with lush parks and pretty lakes. Though this is a vibrant and busy city, Yangon has not yet been infiltrated with global brands or corporations, and instead boasts friendly locals and lively street markets, amid the grand old buildings of the colonial era with the golden Shwedagon Pagoda its centrepiece

Named ‘The Garden City of the East’, Yangon blends a wealth of activity and tradition with verdant pockets of tropical trees and evergreen scenery. As night falls, the scents and flavours of Chinatown seem to intensify, making this a fantastic place to wander and explore, while daytime visits to the shaded parks and museums offer a welcome respite from the heat.

Explore Yangon on this half-day walking tour around the central districts of downtown. Highlights include City Hall, the old railway station and the former Minister’s office where General Aung San was assassinated. Interspersed in the guided walk are various religious sites such as the St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and Botataung Pagoda.

By walking through the streets you’ll also have a chance to witness the lifestyles of the locals - from the busy bus and boat stations to the tea shops and hidden street markets. There are plenty of chances to interact with Yangon residents and learn more about the Burmese culture. Finally, stop for a cup of tea or coffee at a popular local tea shop.

This evening you will be taken to the Shwedagon Pagoda to see it glitter in the light of oil lamps. This special lighting ceremony takes place with the locals as night falls and incense and seemingly endless rows of golden light fills the air.

Step back in time and discover the rich culture and past of Myanmar with this guided day trip through Yangon's art and antiques scene. Visit shops filled with remnants of Myanmar's past and seek out hidden gems, enjoy lunch at a 100 year old colonial mansion and explore the city's art galleries.

The Chinatown neighborhood is extremely lively in the evening and we’ll take a short walking tour along 19th Street, famous for its barbeque restaurants. Dozens of vendors set up satay stalls and other snack stalls here in the evening and it is a popular spot for locals to gather, have a drink and chat with friends. Enjoy a dinner of delicious grilled meats, seafood and vegetable dishes with traditional dipping sauces and side dishes