Flight: TG2309 Bangkok - Mandalay 09.50 - 11.15

Meet & greet: Upon arrival in Mandalay, you will be welcomed to Myanmar by your guide and driver, and taken to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon, you are free to relax and recover from the long flight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel (Villa Room)

Morning boat trip to Mingun: After breakfast, 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.

Afternoon tour of Mandalay City: After lunch (payable locally), set off to experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay. Stops include 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. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestry craftsman's shop before heading to Mandalay Hill to view the sunset.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel (Villa Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Mandalay to Monywa, via Amarapura & Sagaing: After breakfast, you will depart Mandalay heading south and west from the city towards Monywa. As you pass out through the south Mandalay suburbs you will make stops at two neighbouring ancient capitals. Amarapura, 10 miles out of the city, is home to the village-like Mahagandayon Monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study. Continue to the 200 year old U Bein teak bridge which was built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the capital of Myanmar. Crossing the Irrawaddy, you will come to Sagaing, whose Hills host an array of white and gold stupas. Sagaing, a peaceful and reverent city, is a retreat for Buddhist devotees, and its hilltop temples enjoy fantastic views back across to Mandalay. After lunch (payable locally) you will leave the Mandalay area behind, heading around 2 hours west to Monywa.

Sightseeing east of Monywa: Before drawing into the city, you will visit two of its most interesting surrounding sights. First, stop at Bodhi Tatuang, home to both the largest standing and reclining Buddhas in the country. The Buddhas are 424ft tall and 312st long respectively, and make for quite stupefying, if rather gaudy, viewing. Slightly further up the road you will make your second stop at Thanboddhay Paya, a spectacular pagoda complex which houses around 600,000 Buddha images. The complex is a riot of colour, and makes for cheerful exploration, usually with little or no other tourists in sight. Leaving Thanboddhay behind, you will finally arrive in central Monywa, transfer to your hotel, check-in, and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Win Unity Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Monywa to Bagan, via the Hpo Win Daung Grottoes: After breakfast, you will head out of the city to the village of Hpo Win Daung, around 25km west of Monywa. Here you will find a network of some 947 caves, filled with Buddha statues and murals. Some of the artwork has been dated back as far as the 14th century, and can be found in various states of preservation. The caves are spread across a fairly large site, many of which are fairly narrow and/or low-roofed. Your guide will help you to explore and engage in some of the history of the site, until you are ready to continue your journey down to Bagan. After visiting the Grottoes you will get back on the south-ward road, crossing the Irrawaddy at the busy transit town of Pakkokku (using the new and impressive Pakkokku bridge to do so), before winding up in Bagan in the mid-afternoon. Proceed straight to your hotel to check in and freshen up.

Evening Sunset Cruise: Finish your day with an excursion by private boat on the Irrawaddy River, to watch the sun set over the waters of this mighty river. Drinks and snacks will be served whilst onboard.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day guided tour of Bagan's temples: After breakfast at your hotel, set out to explore 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 views and Ananda Temple, with its four standing Buddha images. This afternoon see one of Myanmar's most treasured handicrafts being made at a lacquerware craftsman's workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. You will continue 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. As the afternoon draws to a close, your guide will advise on the pagodas offering the best viewpoints to watch the sunset over the plains of Bagan and famous Irrawaddy River.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning trip to Mount Popa, followed by lunch with a local family: 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. After descending Mount Popa, you will be driven back to Bagan in time for lunch. Your lunch today will be in a small village outside of Bagan, and hosted by a local family. Following lunch, you will be taken back to your hotel to spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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

Flight: K7242 Bagan - Heho 08.20 - 09.00

Road journey from Heho to Pindaya: On arrival in Heho, you will be met by your new guide and driver, who will welcome you into Shan State and then take you up to Pindaya. The journey will take around two hours, the scenery becoming progressively more dramatic as you near your destination. On arrival you will check into your hotel.

Afternoon tour of Pindaya:  This afternoon, you will be taken on a tour around Pindaya by your guide. Start with a visit to the Pindaya Caves, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims over the centuries before taking a walk through the town and depending on the time available and your preference, visiting some nearby villages, either on foot or by car.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pindaya Inle Inn (Bamboo Hut)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Pindaya to Kalaw: After breakfast, set off on the road to Kalaw (30 miles), a delightful hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau and market centre for ethnic minorities. On arrival check into your hotel.

Half day minority villages trek: Set out with your guide on a gentle trek to explore the hill villages around Kalaw. Head to Myinka village which is a home to Danu and Taung Yoe people to meet the friendly villagers and discover the fascinating agriculture of the area. Then begin your walk (about two hours) through the beautiful Shan countryside & seasonal plantations until Painnebin village. In Painnebin, say hello to the Palaung villagers who still live with very traditional lives in this scenic outpost. Then, you will stop for lunch at a local house where there will be lots of opportunities for interaction. Then keep walking for another hour and a half to reach Yay Yar village where your car and driver await to transfer you back to Kalaw.

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

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey from Kalaw to Loikaw: After breakfast this morning, depart Kalaw and head south towards Loikaw, a journey of around 6-7 hours through some spectacular and ever-changing scenery. About an hour outside of Kalaw, stop in the small town of Myinmathi to visit its' ancient cave network. The caves themselves are nearly 20 million years old, as dated by geologists studying the structure and development of its stalagmites and stalactites. Around 20 years ago the site was taken over by a local private company, who opened up the pathways and installed electric lighting throughout. In the years since, the caves have been filled with - at a low estimate - some 1,500 Buddha statues and the site remains a popular pilgrimage spot for Burmese across the country. Get back on the road and continue south, passing through rich countryside and numerous Pa-O villages. The Pa-O tribe are known to be smart and business-like, and you will be able to witness the rapidly-changing style of their dress, homes, and working practices. Around lunchtime arrive in the busy market town of Pinlaung - at 4,900m the highest point in today's journey. Stop for lunch at the Green Tea Forest restaurant, and then begin your descent down towards the plains of Kayah state. Shortly after Pinlaung we will climb and then pass through Elephant Mountain; your departure from Pa-O territory is marked by an elephant statue at the foot of the mountain, and from here in you begin your journey in Padaung and Kayak territory. Pass through the picturesque lakeside town of Pekou, and then head through the Shan-Kayah border and on towards Loikaw. You will arrive in the mid-afternoon and be taken to your hotel to check in.

Sunset from Taungye Zedi: After checking in, you will have a brief tour of Loikaw before heading to the imposing Taungye Zedi - a craggy rockface found somewhat unusually in the very heart of the city. There are two rocky outcrops, each with a picturesque stupa atop, connected by a newly-built walkway. The summit can be reached either by foot or via a brand new elevator. Enjoy the sunset from atop the Taungye Zedi, before returning to your hotel. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Kayah Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day exploring Padaung villages and Loikaw: After breakfast this morning, drive outside of Loikaw, leaving the plains behind and heading out into the richly green hills of Kayah state. After an hour, turn off the main road and onto smaller, rougher tracks leading further into Padaung territory. The final section up into Banphet village is through stunning green hills and fertile red earth, and makes for an extremely pleasant short trek if wished. On arrival in the first village you should encounter several ladies wearing the famous Padaung lock-necks. Note that most younger Padaung ladies have either given up the practice, or have moved (often forcibly) into northern Thailand to make a living from their appearance, so those that you meet will often be in their elderly years. You will have the chance to stroll in a couple of Padaung villages, and will likely be invited in their homes to meet the families and learn about their lifestyle. Later, begin your journey back into Loikaw, stopping en route at a smaller Padaung village much closer to the city. Here you will be able to meet several more long-necked ladies, but will note that the villages much closer to the city are more modern - expect many houses to be concrete, tin-roofed, and with electricity and running water. On arrival back in Loikaw, you can visit the Kayah Cultural Museum which has a range of exhibits depicting the culture and lifestyles of those local to Loikaw, the broader Kayah state, and of further afield Shan and Kayin minorities. The museum is split into several rooms, covering musical instruments, traditional dress, landscape, and history. Afterwards visit the Kandrawadi Horgyi - or Shan palace. This beautiful old colonial house was originally a home to the Shan Royal Family. In 1994 however, it was passed from the family into the care of local Buddhists who have used it ever since as a monastery. Take a short tour of the building, now home to a number of trainee monks and a schooling centre for excitable local children, before returning to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Kayah Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day boat journey through the three lakes: After breakfast this morning, head back along the Pinluang-Loikaw road, arriving around 90 minutes' later at Pekou (at the southern-edge of namesake Pekou Lake). At the jetty you will be transferred onto a longtail boat to begin your journey up through the wide lake, making your way steadily towards Inle. Make a brief stop at a lakeside orphanage for a quick tour and introduction to the head monk, before heading into the narrower Sagar Lake (the middle of the three). Here, the reeds and paddies close in creating narrow winding channels through which you will navigate. From both sides of the boat you will be greeted by charming countryside scenery, picturesque villages, and innumerable cheerful faces, all of which gives way to a background of truly dramatic green hills - as enchanting a journey as you are likely to encounter. As you move towards the northern end of Sagar you will make a second stop to explore the Tharkong Pagoda complex - a small square of well-maintained Pagodas on the outskirts of small lakeside village. After exploring the site take a short stroll through the village, stopping for a break at a local teahouse should you wish, before going on for lunch at a stilted restaurant on the lake. After lunch, you will head through to Inle Lake and on to your hotel, where you will check in and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Inle Lake View Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Inle Lake: After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and depart by boat for the western shore of the lake, where you will find the beginning of a long stair path leading to the well hidden Inn Thein Pagoda complex. Here you will see one of the most amazing historical sights on the shore of the lake consisting of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and vegetation. Continue on foot to a village nearby where several crops are grown in traditional ways. Walk in an easy pace along one of the many creeks, passing through rice fields to the village of Sae Ma. In the afternoon meet the people in the villages on the lake and travel to one of the monasteries to observe the monastic activities. There may also be the opportunity to visit the weaving village of Inpawkhon. Later return to the hotel by boat.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Inle Lake View Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

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

Flight: YH910 Heho - Yangon 09.35 - 10.35

Private transfer: On arrival in Yangon, you will be met by your guide  and driver who will transfer you to your hotel to check in.

Guided visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda: Late afternoon, enjoy an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments - the Shwedagon Pagoda. This famous pagoda is 99m high, covered in gold leaf and shimmers in the sunlight. Lying as it does to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, the Shwedagon has until now dominated the skyline of Yangon. A visit late in the day is a perfect time to see this impressive temple as the temperature drops and locals gather to worship, pay their respects and create a wonderfully spiritual atmosphere.

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

Meals: Breakfast