Flight: TG303 Bangkok - Yangon 08.00 - 08.45

Meet & greet: On arrival at Yangon airport, you will be welcomed to Myanmar by your private English-speaking guide and then transferred to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is at leisure to recover from your flight or explore Yangon independently.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Savoy Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Yangon: This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Yangon’s Central Station for a train journey on the circular ‘commuter’ train line (about 40 minutes; please take note that the trains are very basic, often crowded and their schedule not reliable). You will get off at Hledan Station and immerse yourself in this lively local Myanmar neighbourhood, where today’s more modern lifestyle mixes with old traditions. Visit the colourful Hledan Market and join the locals in a tea shop, where they discuss important issues of the day. Continue on to Yangon University and drive through Thaton Road, from where you will see the University Tennis Court, the football ground, the swimming pool, the Institute of Medicine, Institute of Education, and other sites around this once world-renowned academy. Later, lunch will be taken in a local restaurant.

This afternoon, your journey continues with an afternoon tour through Yangon’s colonial style city centre. Start on Pansodan Street which is famous for some of Yangon's most impressive colonial buildings. Continue to Pansodan jetty to observe the frenetic daily life on the Yangon River, and on to Sule Pagoda which dates back some 2,000 years. You will then have a chance to visit the magnificent reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi, followed by a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall, a 'hamsa bird shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Make your own arrangements for dinner, either in the hotel or in Yangon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Savoy Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Full day guided tour to Bago & the Golden Rock: After breakfast, start the drive to Bago (around 1.5 hours). On arrival, you will visit the charming monastery of Thamanay, a renowned teaching centre for monks from neighbouring regions who wish to study Buddhism. The tour continues to the thousand year old Shwemawdaw Pagoda which has a spire taller than that of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Afterwards, head for the Kin Pun 'base camp' around 3.5 hours drive away. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant en route. This afternoon, you will visit one of Myanmar's landmarks, Kyaiktiyo, which is famous for its precarious position and religious importance. The 'Golden Rock' is a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. To reach the pagoda from Kin Pun, a steep 6 mile road leads to the upper staging point. The journey is made in open trucks, which can be crowded but once you reach the 'upper area', you can walk to your hotel (your luggage can be carried by a local porter - for a fee paid locally). On arrival at the hotel, check in and then you have time to watch the sun set over the Golden Rock.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mountain Top Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Sunrise at the Golden Rock: This morning, rise early and see the sunrise over the Golden Rock before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Road journey back to Yangon: After breakfast, you will return to Yangon which takes around 5 hours. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant in Bago.

Afternoon guided tour in and around Yangon: After lunch at a local restaurant, continue the sightseeing in Yangon with a visit to the 55m long reclining Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha which is among the country's most impressive images and then visit the four giant Buddha images at Kyaik Pun Pagoda. After visiting a 'Mon' weaving and handicraft village which produces woven bamboo wares, return to Yangon in the mid-afternoon. Visit an Allied War Graves cemetery near Htauk Kyan, as well as a "Nat" tree shrine on the way back. Later, you will be transferred to your hotel in Yangon to make your own arrangements for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Savoy Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the domestic flight to Mandalay.

Flight: YH909 Yangon - Mandalay 06.30 - 08.00

Road journey from Mandalay to Pwin Oo Lwin: On arrival in Mandalay, you will be met by your guide and you will take a scenic drive of around 2 hours to the colonial hill station formerly known as Maymyo.

Guided tour in and around Pyin Oo Lwin: On arrival, explore the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo), a delightful small town of colonial style buildings, markets and a famous botanical garden. After lunch, venture out to visit the Peik Khyin Myaung Caves which are almost as old as the land itself and proceed to Pwe Kyauk Falls, a favourite picnic spot for the locals. Later, retire to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aureum Resort at Governor's House (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Sightseeing in Pyin U Lwin: After breakfast, you will have a chance to look around the botanical gardens which are close to the hotel. Afterwards, you will take in some of the fine colonial architecture around Pyin U Lwin and then visit the local market by horse-drawn carriage (if available).

Road journey from Pwin U Lwin to Mandalay: After the sightseeing, you will be transferred by car to Mandalay to check in at your hotel.

Afternoon boat trip to Mingun: After checking into your hotel, you will take an hour's trip by boat up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun. Here, you will visit the magnificent Mingun Bell, which is the world's largest un-cracked bell and weighs in at an impressive 90 tons. Afterwards, visit with Hsinbyume Paya, as well as the unfinished Mingun Paya, which was intended to be one of the world's largest chedis and was built, at least in part, by King Bodaw Paya.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel by the Red Canal (Shan Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day tour of Mandalay area: After breakfast, leave Mandalay for Amarapura, 10 miles out of the city, to visit Mahagandayon Monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study. Time permitting, you will have the opportunity to observe the monks having their last meal of the day in total silence. Continue to the 200 year old U Bein teak bridge which was built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the capital. The next stop is a visit to see cotton and silk weavers, whose ancestors used to weave beautiful robes for the royalties. The weaving of silk longyi is so intricate that they can only finish an inch a day. Then return to Mandalay for lunch at "Too Too", one of the best local Bamar restaurants, where you will eat curry accompanied by a selection of seasonal vegetable dishes and rice. After lunch, experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay, including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda; the Shwe Inbin Monastery; the Golden Palace Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda - the world's largest ‘book', made of marble.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel by the Red Canal (Shan Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After breakfast, transfer to Sagaing Jetty and board your cruise boat for the river journey to Bagan.

Irrawaddy River Cruise: After checking in, you will be welcomed in the saloon and then the river journey to Bagan will begin. Set sail and observe the diverse river life and the magnificent scenery along the way. Lunch is served on board. This afternoon, you will visit Yandabo. On arrival, take a walk through this delightful village which is isolated and without proper road access. Yandabo is home to a thriving pottery making community, where the people lead a simple life making a variety of clay products which they barter trade for other commodities. Visit the village school and a monastery that has existed on the same site for more than 400 years. (Please note that dependent on river conditions, alternative river stops might take place today). Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the RV Paukan (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Irrawaddy River Cruise: After breakfast on board, set course for Bagan. On arrival, you will disembark and be met by your guide who will transfer you to check in at your hotel in Bagan.

Private transfer: On arrival in Bagan, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel, where you will check in.

Afternoon guided tour of Bagan: After lunch in a local restaurant, you will see one of Myanmar's most treasured handicrafts being made at a lacquerware craftsman's workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. From here, you will continue on to Manuha Temple, built in the Mon style in 1059, and follow on to Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Next, you will explore the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple, famous for its mural paintings, which fall under the protection of UNESCO. Afterwards, set off for Bupaya Pagoda or Mingala Zedi Stupa, where you can watch the sunset over the plain of Bagan.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aye Yar River View Hotel (Grand Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Optional Balloon Ride: Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon, for the first time ever. ‘Balloons over Bagan' offer visitors exclusive sunrise champagne flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to April. The price for the balloon ride is not included and is available on request.

Full day guided tour of Bagan: After breakfast, stroll through the colourful local market. Continue the day with visits to the some of the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan, including Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Ku Byanuk Gyi, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; Khay Min Ga Temple, noted for its panoramic view of the area's numerous monuments, and Ananda Temple, with its four standing Buddha images. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan Thu Village; Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temples both noted for their exquisite 13th century murals and Kyat Kan Cave monastery which is a famous meditation retreat in Bagan. You will also see some farming villages around Bagan, which will give you an insight into the lives of the local people. At the end of the afternoon, a colourfully decorated ox-cart (if available) will transport you to the river, where you will board a cruise boat to watch the sunset over the famous Irrawaddy River.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aye Yar River View Hotel (Grand Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Morning guided tour to Mount Popa: After breakfast, you will drive for around 2 hours to visit Mount Popa, which is an extinct volcano offering spectacular views over the surrounding countryside from its summit. Its shrine is dedicated to animist spirits known as "nats" and you will have time if you choose to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak. A delicious lunch today is served at the Mt. Popa Resort. After time to take in the view, you will be driven back to Bagan.

Afternoon at leisure: On your return to Bagan, you have time to relax by the pool or explore on your own.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aye Yar River View Hotel (Grand Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the domestic flight to Heho.

Flight: YH917 Bagan - Heho 08.05 - 09.20

Road journey from Heho to Kalaw: On arrival in Heho, you will drive to Kalaw. En route you pass through some interesting scenery on a narrow, winding road through the Shan Hills. After an hour and a half, you will reach Kalaw, a fresh and delightful hill station, on the rim of the Shan Plateau, which is a market centre for ethnic minorities from surrounding regions. On arrival, you will check into your hotel to have an early lunch.

Afternoon guided trek around Kalaw: After lunch, set out on an excursion by foot (about 4-5 hour round trip walk) to the Tar Yaw Village of the Palaung tribe. The animist Palaungs were amongst the earliest inhabitants in Myanmar and have kept to their traditions living with several families in tight communities, cultivating cash crops and tanapet for Burmese cheroot cigars. Take a walk through their plantations and a few villages, before returning to your hotel in Kalaw.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amara Mountain Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Morning guided tour to Pindaya Caves: After breakfast, proceed by road to Pindaya (around 1.5 hours) and visit the Pindaya Caves, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images which have been placed there by pilgrims over the centuries.

Private transfer to Inle Lake: After lunch in Pindaya, set off for Nyaung Shwe (around 2.5 hours) and on arrival there, you will transfer by boat to your hotel on the lake.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Inle Princess Resort (Lake Front View Chalet)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Inle Lake by boat: After breakfast, you will be taken on an enjoyable boat trip on the amazing Inle Lake to see the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the magnificent scenery. After lunch at a local restaurant on the lake itself, you will visit the Phaungdaw U Pagoda - one of the main shrines in Myanmar which dates back to the 18th century, the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and one of the local markets in the Inle Lake region (on market days only). After the sightseeing, return to your hotel for some time to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Inle Princess Resort (Lake Front View Chalet)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Exploring Inle Lake: Today is free to relax at your hotel, or explore more of Inle Lake. You have a boat and driver at your disposal, and your guide will provide some ideas and suggestions of more places to see and activities to do in the surrounding area.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Inle Princess Resort (Lake Front View Chalet)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be transferred by boat to Nyaung Shwe and then to Heho airport for the short domestic flight to Thandwe, the gateway to Ngapali Beach.

Flight: W9141 Heho - Thandwe 09.00 - 10.00

Private transfer: On arrival at Thandwe airport, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and then the rest of the day is at leisure to relax by the pool or the beach.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Sandoway Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

At leisure by the beach: Ngapali Beach in the Bay of Bengal is Myanmar's most prestigious seaside resort and is a true undiscovered paradise far away from tourist crowds. There are no noisy beach bars, no discos and no jet-skis. White sand, the natural scenic beauty of the blue sea, swaying palm trees and privacy are the order of the day. These days are just to relax or for the more active, there is the option to hire a boat locally to explore offshore islands, rent bicycles for a trip to nearby fishing villages or visit the local market in Thandwe.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at Sandoway Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Ngapali's airport (Thandwe) for the domestic flight to Yangon.

Flight: W9141 Thandwe - Yangon 10.30 - 11.20

Guide & driver: On arrival in Yangon, you will have a guide and driver at your disposal for the rest of the day. You will be free to explore Yangon or hunt for souvenirs. When it is time to check in for your flight, you will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to London Heathrow, via Bangkok, with Thai Airways.

Flight: TG306 Yangon - Bangkok 19.45 - 21.30

Meals: Breakfast