Explore Burma

Take an overnight flight to Yangon. 

On arrival transfer to the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local Burmese restaurant. (D)

Explore the city with its faded colonial charm. Amble through downtown Yangon to visit Sule Paya and pass by the Independence Monument. Visit Little India and Chinatown with their colourful cacophony of temples and markets and browse the stalls at Bogyoke market. Discover Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda with its giant reclining Buddha and end the day at the country’s most revered Buddhist temple, Shwedagon Pagoda. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Fly to Mandalay and visit Mahamuni Pagoda, home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images. Explore the ‘World’s Biggest Book’ at Kuthodaw Pagoda and continue to the grand teak building of Shwenandaw Monastery known for its detailed woodcarving. Watch the sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill. (B)

• Hotel Description

Cross the river to Sagaing this morning and explore the 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries. Visit the locally frequented Sagaing market before continuing onto Ava to explore the wooden Bagaya Monastery. Take a horse and cart ride through the countryside to get a glimpse of rural life. Stroll across the 200 year old U Bein Bridge and see the fishermen at work in the waters below. (B,L)

Fly to Nyaung Oo and transfer to the plains of Bagan for a panoramic view of the temples. Explore the most important temples including Shwezigon Pagoda with its golden stupa, Ananda Temple regarded as one of the most beautiful in the country and the highest temple in Bagan, Thatbyinnyu. Ascend an elevated temple to watch the sun set over the plains. (B)

• Hotel Description

Drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano and home to a shrine dedicated to the worship of ancient animist spirits. Climb over 700 steps to the summit and admire the magnificent view before returning to Bagan for lunch. (B,L)

This morning enjoy seeing the temples from an alternative vantage point - from a bicycle seat! Take your bicycles out to discover far-flung temples and the local farming communities around them, a great chance to stretch the legs.

Fly to HeHo and drive to Nyaung Shwe. En-route enjoy a brief stop at Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery with its collection of Buddha images. Continue to the Red Mountain winery offering spectacular views of the lake and enjoy a tour and tasting. Take a boat out onto the lake and head to the hotel. (B)

• Hotel Description

Board a local boat and head out to explore the lake. See the iconic leg-rowing fishermen with their conical nets and pass by the floating gardens which are anchored to the lake bed with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main sanctuary, with its five sacred Buddha images. Continue on to enjoy an interactive cookery demonstration of regional Danu, Shan and Pa-Oh dishes. Enjoy the fruits of your labours and follow this with a visit to some of the lake's cottage industries including a cheroot factory where the Burmese cigars are all made by hand, an impressive thing to watch. (B,L)

Visit the morning market, the perfect place to interact with local Inthar and Shan people. Head to Indein to explore Pa-Oh village and wander around the beautiful Alaung Sitthu area. (B)

Fly to Thandwe and drive the short distance to Ngapali beach, a quiet stretch of white sand beach with an active fishing community. (B)

• Hotel Description

Today is at leisure to relax or explore the long stretch of beach and maybe enjoy a spot of snorkelling. (B)

Final day at leisure on the beach, there are a host of small islands nearby to explore. (B)

Fly back to Yangon and transfer to the railway station for a short and leisurely journey on the city's 'circle train'. This trip takes you through the Yangon suburbs and past local communities so is a perfect chance to investigate Burmese life. Disembark and visit the township of Insein with its excellent fresh market which is popular with the locals. Transfer to the city centre and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

• Hotel Description

Return to the airport and take the flight back to the UK. (B)