Yangon — Lashio — Hsipaw

Rise early to explore Yangon as the city begins to stir. Discover the mark left by the British in the colonial buildings visible throughout the city, visit bustling fish and vegetable markets, and sample a local breakfast dish of fish soup with noodles and crackers, before stopping to donate alms to Buddhist monks. Later, travel to Hsipaw by plane and vehicle, entering the northern Shan state with its unique ethnic group and abundant corn crops.

Overnight Tai House, Hsipaw

Hsipaw

Explore a part of the world still relatively untouched and inaccessible to most, where electricity and running water has yet to arrive. Walk to a Palaung village — home to a Buddhist ethnic group whose ancestors are central to their faith. Morning glory, root vegetables and corn are among dishes served in a village home during a simple lunch. Afterwards, visit Shan Palace and meet Mrs Fern, a relative of the last prince of this region. A full day of activities and walking.

Overnight Tai House, Hsipaw

Hsipaw — Pyin Oo Lwin

Enjoy a scenic rail journey through the Shan mountains and across the Gokteik Viaduct. Once the world’s secondhighest railway-bridge, travelling over the viaduct is a highlight for most. Observe small villages, beautiful farming land and mountain scenery from the open train windows and hold your breath as the train crosses Gokteik Viaduct, with an incredible drop below.

Overnight Hotel Pyin Oo Lwin, Pyin Oo Lwin

Pyin Oo Lwin — Mandalay — Ayerarwady River Cruise

Drive to the storied city of Mandalay, a place whose name alone conjures the exotic. Board our private river vessel upon arrival and for the next two nights cruise the Ayerarwady River, the lifeblood of this country. Our boutique riverboat features private cabins with ensuites, dining room and spacious sundeck, shared only with the boat’s staff and our group. Discover Myanmar at a slower pace, observing daily life along this crucial waterway and enjoy the chance to relax on board.

Overnight Amara Cruise vessel

Ayerarwady River Cruise

Cruise downstream toward Bagan today. Along the way, stop to visit the small rural village of Yandabo, where the British and Burmese signed a peace treaty in 1826 and terracotta pots are still made by hand using traditional methods. Continue on to Mt. Tantgyi and visit the pagoda atop the mountain, with views over Bagan. Return to the vessel for dinner.

Overnight Amara Cruise vessel

Bagan

Disembark after breakfast at Bagan. Known for the thousands of pagodas dotted around this ancient city, for the next two days we will explore a select number of them. Visit the most impressive of Bagan’s well-known pagodas and venture further afeld to discover its lesser-known ones.

Overnight Bagan Lodge, Bagan

Bagan

Visit the ancient temple ruins of Minnanthu, a beautiful temple area that attracts fewer visitors. In the afternoon, enjoy sundowners at one of Bagan’s picturesque locations and watch as the light fades over the temples in the distance.

Overnight Bagan Lodge, Bagan

Bagan — He Hoe — Inle Lake

Travel by plane and vehicle to reach Inle Lake and our accommodation here, Sanctum Inle Resort. For the next three nights stay at this elegant and contemporary resort featuring wide arches and cloistered spaces, broad wooden decks and lake views. You’ll be drawn by the hotel’s pool, quiet atmosphere and surrounding natural beauty. Visit the crumbling ancient pagoda ruins on the south of the lake this afternoon.

Overnight Sanctum Inle Resort, Inle Lake

Inle Lake

Discover Inle Lake by boat. See the traditional stilted houses of the Intha people, the one-legged fisherman and floating gardens that live or depend on the lake. Later, discover the ingredients and flavours of traditional Shan recipes with a cooking class in a family home on the lake.

Overnight Sanctum Inle Resort, Inle Lake

Inle Lake

Visit Aythaya market this morning and try your hand at bartering for local snacks, before stopping to enjoy tea at a Pa O village, another of Myanmar’s tribal groups. A short walk will take us to a local winery where we stop for lunch and the opportunity to try several of the local wines that come from the winery. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the resort.

Overnight Sanctum Inle Resort, Inle Lake

Inle Lake — Yangon — Kyaiktiyo

Leaving Inle Lake, journey south today. Fly to Yangon and continue by vehicle to Kyaiktiyo, one of the country’s most important sites for Buddhist pilgrims. A full day of travel.

Overnight at Golden Sunrise Hotel, Kyaiktiyo

Kyaiktiyo — Hpa An

Visit Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, or Golden Rock, and join Buddhist pilgrims on their journey to this revered site where a giant rock seemingly defes gravity. Later, drive to Hpa An — a down-to-earth area blessed with stunning scenery and a wonderful lodge from which to enjoy it. Stay in individual villas with light-flled wooden interiors set against a mountain backdrop. Expect surprisingly good European options for dinner tonight, thanks to the lodge’s French owners.

Overnight at Hpa An Lodge, Hpa An

Hpa An

Discover the villages and people of Myanmar’s Kayin ethnic group — walk through forest and travel on small local kayaks through shallow waters and paddy felds, and visit several Kayin villages. Enjoy lunch in a local home and continue by vehicle to visit Saddar cave — an impressive series of huge cavities dotted with images of the Buddha.

Overnight at Hpa An Lodge, Hpa An

Hpa An — Mae Sot (Thailand) — Departure

Having revealed some of the remarkable people and places of Myanmar, our tour concludes today. Transfer to the Thai border and connect to our departing flight to Bangkok and onward international destination.