The glories of this ancient land (now known as Myanmar) are revealed to travellers in this comprehensive landmark journey. Travelling by road, by air and on water, we discover why the country is often dubbed the Golden Land. We start in Rangoon, a city crowned by the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, then fly to Mandalay, before journeying on the Irrawaddy River down to the fabled 11th Century capital, Pagan. The Inle Lake region exudes tranquillity and enables us to sample the hospitality of the Shan people. Kyaiktiyo is home to the fabled Golden Rock, whilst Bago was once the centre of an ancient Mon kingdom and contains one of the largest Reclining Buddhas in the world. You end your journey by relaxing on a coastal resort on the Indian Ocean, enjoying the unspoilt and almost deserted beach or pure white sands and crystal-clear tropical waters.
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
(Sun) Arrive in Rangoon (Yangon) and transfer to hotel. |
| Day 2 |
City tour including golden Shwedagon Pagoda. Fly to Mandalay. |
| Day 3 |
Boat trip to Mingun. Tour of Amarapura. |
| Day 4 |
Visit hill station of Maymyo (Pyin U Lwin). Explore Mandalay’s pagodas and Mandalay Hill. |
| Days 5-6 |
Boat on Irrawaddy River to Pagan (Bagan). Nyaung U Market. Tour of ruins at Pagan. |
| Day 7 |
Mount Popa and visit local village. Free afternoon. |
| Day 8 |
Fly to Heho. Drive to Inle Lake. |
| Day 9 |
Day tour of Inle Lake. See Intha fishermen and floating gardens. |
| Day 10 |
Trek to ethnic minority villages on Shan Plateau. Return to Inle Lake resort. Traditional Shan dinner. |
| Day 11 |
Fly to Rangoon. Drive to Kimpun base camp, truck to Rathedaung and short trek to Kyaiktiyo. |
| Days 12-13 |
Golden Rock. Drive to Pegu (Bago). Shwemawdaw Pagoda and Shwethalyaung Buddha. Drive to Rangoon and on to Ngwesaung Beach. |
| Days 14-15 |
Free time at beach resort. Optional boat trip, snorkelling or visit to fishing villages. |
| Day 16 |
Elephant camp, drive to Rangoon. Free afternoon. |
| Day 17 |
Trip ends in Rangoon this morning (Tue). |