Journey through Burma

Day 1 Depart the UK/ Doha to Yangon

Today depart the UK on the Qatar Airways flight to Doha. On your arrival in Doha connect directly onto Yangon. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Yangon

Arrive into Yangon where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. In the afternoon travel into the city with your guide for a brief walk through the colonial centre and welcome cup of tea from one of the many street cafes. (N)

Accommodation in Yangon: Savoy Hotel (or similar)

Alternative option: Sule Shangri-La Hotel

Day 3 Yangon

Today tour this colourful city. Places of interest include the Chaukhtatgyi, a colossal reclining Buddha, the National Museum, beautiful Kandawgyi Lake and the magical Shwedagon Pagoda. This 2,500 year old Buddhist temple is resplendent in over 60 tonnes of gold leaf, is the most sacred of all Buddhist sites in Myanmar and was described by Kipling as 'a golden mystery'. Stay for sunset and admire the view. (B)

Accommodation in Yangon: Savoy Hotel (or similar)

Alternative option: Sule Shangri-La Hotel

Day 4 Yangon to Bagan – by air

This morning leave Yangon and fly to the ancient city of Bagan. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel for a two night stay. Bagan is one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia and a highlight of any visit to the country. Thousands of temples and pagodas dot the vast flood plain of the Irrawaddy River and, at sunset, end the day with a marvellous panoramic view of these ancient houses of religion. (B)

Accommodation in Bagan: Hotel at Tharabar Gate (or similar)

Upgrade option: Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Hotel

Day 5 Bagan

After breakfast leave your hotel for a full day of sightseeing in and around Bagan with your guide. Magnificent pagodas include Ananda Pahto, one of the finest, largest, best-preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples, Thatbyinnyu Pahto which rises 61m and was built in the mid-12th century, Shwezigon Pagoda and Nathlaung Kyaung, the last remaining Hindu temple. (B)

Accommodation in Bagan: Hotel at Tharabar Gate (or similar)

Upgrade option: Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Hotel

Day 6 Bagan to Pakokku – by boat/ Pakokku to Monywa – 120kms

Today leave your hotel and cross the Irrawaddy by boat to the small riverside town and bustling tobacco trading centre of Pakokku. Leaving Pakokku visit the historic walled town of Pakhangyi which is the location of one of the country's oldest wooden monasteries. Afterwards continue by road to Monywa where you will stay overnight. (B)

Accommodation in Monywa: Win Unity Resort (or similar)

Day 7 Monywa to Mandalay – 130kms

Cross the Chindwin River and visit the sandstone caves at Po Win Daung before continuing to the small village of Kyaukka which is famous for its lacquerware. Later drive to Mandalay stopping en-route at the colourful Thanbuddhay Pagoda and the Hlaungdawmu Buddha – the second largest reclining Buddha in Burma. On your arrival in Mandalay continue to your hotel where you will stay for the next two nights. (B)

Accommodation in Mandalay: Sedona Mandalay Hotel

Upgrade option: Hotel by the Red Canal

Day 8 Mandalay – visit Amarapura and Inwa

After breakfast visit the 18th century capital of Amarapura located 11kms south of the city. Founded in 1783, Amarapura lost its status as capital city in 1857 to Mandalay, however, pagodas such as Pahtodawgyi Paya and Kyauktawgyi Paya still remain as do numerous palace ruins and U Bein's Bridge – a 1.2km long footbridge made entirely of 984 teak posts. Later continue to Inwa, an ancient city which, for a long time, was capital of Northern Myanmar and subsequently the Burmese Kingdom from the 14th century to the 18th century. Return to Mandalay in the late afternoon. (B)

Accommodation in Mandalay: Sedona Mandalay Hotel

Upgrade option: Hotel by the Red Canal

Day 9 Mandalay to Maymyo – 75kms

Today leave Mandalay and drive to Pyin Oo Lwin where you will stay overnight. A former British hill station, Pyin Oo Lwin which was originally named Maymyo after British Colonel May who established the town’s beautiful botanical gardens in 1914. With its colonial and historic buildings the town has a lovely ambience and the 237 acre botanical gardens remain in excellent condition. (B)

Accommodation in Maymyo: Kandawgyi Hill Resort

Day 10 Maymyo to Naung Pain – by train/ Naung Pain to Hsipaw

This morning transfer to Maymyo Railway Station for the journey to village of Naung Pain. The ride today crosses the impressive Goitek Viaduct and the views are spectacular throughout. From Naung Pain continue by road to Hsipaw where you will stay overnight. Later explore Hsipaw, visit Bawgyo Pagoda and end the day at Theintaung Hill for views over the town and surrounding countryside. (B)

Accommodation in Hsipaw: Mr Charles Hotel

Day 11 Hsipaw to Mandalay – 210kms

After breakfast travel by boat upstream from Hsipaw through some beautiful mountain scenery. Upon leaving the river continue on foot through pineapple, papaya and orange plantations to an old Shan monastery before returning to the boat for the hour journey back to Hsipaw stopping on the way in a few local Shan villages. Once in Hsipaw return by road to Mandalay where you will stay overnight. (B)

Accommodation in Mandalay: Sedona Mandalay Hotel

Upgrade option: Hotel by the Red Canal

Day 12 Mandalay to Heho – by air/ Heho to Inle Lake

This morning fly to Heho. On arrival drive towards Inle Lake and en-route stop and walk to two local villages which are inhabited by the Pa O and Danu hill tribe peoples. Afterwards continue to the shores of Inle Lake and board a local long-tail which will be your transport for the duration of your stay at the lake. Home to the local Intha people, Inle Lake is famous for its stilt villages, floating crops and local fisherman that row in a unique 'one-legged' style. (B)

Accommodation at Inle Lake: Inle Princess Resort

Alternative accommodation: Inle Lake View Resort

Day 13 Inle Lake

Today explore Inle Lake with your guide including a memorable visit to the small village of Indein which is home to some enchanting 17th century pagodas, including the Nyaung Ohak Monastery, and numerous local craftsmen. After lunch visit further villages to witness silk and lotus weaving and cheroot making before winding your way back to the hotel through unique gardens of grass and earth that float on the lake surface. (B)

Accommodation at Inle Lake: Inle Princess Resort

Alternative accommodation: Inle Lake View Resort

Day 14 Inle Lake – visit Sagha and Thakong

After breakfast take a 3 hour boat journey to the little-visited villages of Sagha and Thakong which are located at the southern reaches of Inle Lake. Few tourists travel this far and the traditional life and culture of the local population remains relatively untouched. A visit will also be made to the Shan village of Kyauktaing which is famous for its earthenware pottery works. (B)

Accommodation at Inle Lake: Inle Princess Resort

Alternative accommodation: Inle Lake View Resort

Day 15 Inle Lake to Shwe Nyaung/ Shwe Nyaung to Pindaya – by train & 45kms

This morning transfer to Shwe Nyaung Railway Station for the scenic train ride to Aungban. Once here continue to Pindaya where you will stay overnight. Pindaya is noted for its extensive limestone caves which house nearly 9,000 Buddha images which have been placed there over the centuries as a form of merit making. Made of various materials and of different sizes, the statues are situated in every nook and cranny throughout the many cave chambers. (B)

Accommodation in Pindaya: Pindaya Inle Inn (or similar)

Day 16 Pindaya to Heho – 65kms/ Heho to Yangon – by air

After breakfast return to Heho Airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Yangon. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Later you will have an opportunity to visit the famous, and historic, Scott Market for some last minute shopping. (B)

Accommodation in Yangon: Savoy Hotel (or similar)

Alternative option: Sule Shangri-La Hotel

Day 17 Yangon to Doha/ Doha to the UK

Today transfer back to Yangon Airport to catch the Qatar Airways flight to Doha. On your arrival connect onto the onwards Qatar Airways flight to the UK. (B)

17 days from £4340 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Journey Through Burma

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