Flight: TG303 Bangkok - Yangon 08.00 - 08.45

Private transfer: On arrival at Yangon airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel to check in, unpack and relax for the rest of the morning.

Afternoon guided tour of Yangon: This afternoon, your journey begins with a tour through Yangon's colonial style city centre. Visit Sule Pagoda, which dates back some 2,000 years; the magnificent reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi and, after a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall - a 'hamsa bird shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, you will stroll around Bogyoke (Scotts) Market which has hundred of stalls selling food, clothes, handicrafts and gems. After this you will have an extended visit to one of the world's most impressive monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Arrive at sunset in time to watch the dusk draw in across the Burmese capital from this most spectacular of viewpoints.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel G (Greatest Room)

Full day birdwatching in Moeyungyi Wetlands and Hlawga National Park: After breakfast, drive around 2 hours to Moeyungyi Wetlands, around 70 miles north of Yangon. The wetlands in and around Bago district are important resting and feeding grounds for both migratory and residential birds. As a protected reserve directly on the East Asian-Australian flyway, Moeyungyi is a vital shelter for waterfowl of many different varieties. A recent census revealed 125 species of water birds, 70 of which were migratory. These include a variety of herons, cranes, ducks, swamphens, cormorants and pelicans. Spend a few hours here with a specialist guide, before turning back towards Yangon. You will make a second stop at Hlawga National Park, an environmental education centre and popular day trip for Yangon residents. The park was established in the early eighties, and covers a total area of 623 hectares encompassing the catchment area of Zokanabe Lake. The park is home to over 70 species of herbivorous animals and 90 species of birds. There is also a small zoo onsite with some larger mammals - a regular destination for families and schools from the Burmese capital. Afterwards return to Yangon arriving back in the capital late afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel G (Greatest Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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

Flight: K7262 Yangon - Bagan 07.15-08.35

Private transfer: On arrival in Bagan, you will be met and transferred to Mount Victoria National Park. The drive will take around 5 hours depending on local traffic. Head south from Bagan towards the town of Chauk, where you will cross the Irrawaddy River and begin the journey into Chin State. A stop for lunch will be made in the town of Saw, before continuing on to the small town of Kanpetlet where you will check into your hotel for the next two nights.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Floral Breeze Hotel (Superior Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day in Mount Victoria National Park: After an early breakfast, drive to 10 Miles Camp at the foot of Mount Victoria and the entrance to Natma Tauang National Park. On the way you will keep an eye out for the reserve's numerous bird species and rare wild mammals. 10 Miles Camp is located about halfway from the summit of the mountain, around an hour's drive from your hotel. At this point you will leave the vehicle behind, join up with your local guide, and then begin the trek to the summit of Mount Victoria. At an average pace, it should take around 3 hours to reach the summit walking a distance of roughly 4 miles. When you reach the summit, enjoy a picnic lunch whilst drinking in the vista which extends across the mountains all the way to Bangladesh on a clear day. The scenery is dotted with tall pines and beautiful Rhododendron trees. After lunch, you will return to 10 Miles Camp to meet up with your driver. The walk back will take around 2 hours and you will then return to Kanpetlet where you will have time to look around the town and potentially meet some of the famous tattooed ladies.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Floral Breeze Hotel (Superior Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day exploring Mindat and its environs: After breakfast, set off towards Mindat, a drive of around 3 hours, exploring the local area further as you go. The road to Mindat is steep in places but the scenery en route is truly spectacular. Once again the flora and fauna is abundant and spending a second day in and around Natma Tauang National Park will give you that extra chance to spot the rarer birds and wildlife. Today you will also pay a visit to several local villages where you will you will come into contact with numerous minority tribes that exist in rather basic conditions. Western faces are still relatively uncommon in these parts, so you may be as curious a sight for the locals as they are for you. You will arrive in Mindat, a beautiful picturesque Chin town, in the late afternoon and you will have a chance to look around and see some of the local tribal people.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mindat Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Road journey from Mindat to Bagan with sightseeing en route: After breakfast, visit one or two more villages before driving back to Bagan (approx 6 hours to cover the 100 miles or so). Along the way you will travel across the Phon Taung & Phon Nya mountain ranges. Following down the mountain slopes and rural roads you will reach Kyak Tu, Pauk and Kanma villages and towns. A lunch stop will be made at a simple local restaurant en-route (payable locally). The final lap is to cross the mighty Irrawaddy River by bridge, arriving back in Bagan mid to late afternoon. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Shwe Yee Pwint Hotel (Bagan Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Balloon flight over Bagan's temples: This morning, 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. Flights are subject to availability and the price is on request but likely to be in the region of £250 per person.

Guided tour of Bagan: After breakfast, start the day with visits to the local market and 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, 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. At the end of the afternoon, you will proceed to a temple top to watch the sunset over the plain of Bagan.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shwe Yee Pwint Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Driver and guide at disposal: Today, your time is your own to unwind at your hotel, or explore more of Bagan independently. You will have a car, guide, and driver at your disposal, should you wish to undertake further sightseeing. Your guide will have plenty of ideas for extra excursions, such as further temple spotting or a day trip to nearby Mount Popa.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shwe Yee Pwint Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast 

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

Flight: K7262 Bagan - Mandalay 08.50-10.10

Private transfer: On arrival, you will be transferred to Mingun jetty where you will board a boat for the journey up the Irrawaddy River.

Private river cruise: After boarding your private chartered boat, you will set sail on the river journey to Kyauk Myaung. The journey will take around 8 hours and along the way you will observe the diverse river life and the magnificent scenery on the famous Irrawaddy River. Lunch will be served on board. If you are lucky this afternoon you will have a chance to see the elusive Irrawaddy dolphins. Late afternoon you will arrive at the fishing village of Singu where you will moor and make preparations for the evening. Watch the sunset and then dinner will be served on board.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on a Chartered boat* 

*You will travel by a local, wooden river boat. There are no cabins on board. On the lower deck, which is semi open, there is a ‘kitchen' at the back as well as a toilet with cold water (no shower facilities on board). In the big open space a dining area will be set up as well as beds with cotton mattresses, pillows and mosquito nets. You will receive a comfort pack containing a cotton sheet sleeping bag and a towel. On the upper deck an open sundeck, partly covered by sunshade, with comfortable rattan chairs invites you to relax and enjoy the passing scenery. All meals will be served on board as you cruise along the mighty Irrawaddy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private river cruise: After a simple breakfast on board, the boat will take you Sein Pankhone, a typical Myanmar fishing village. There you will have the opportunity to observe a remarkable fishing technique, near the river bank, used by locals in co-operation with the Irrawaddy dolphins (you will have a chance to more see closely from a small rowing boat). You will see how fishermen call the dolphins, how the dolphins then chase the fish and help the fishermen to catch them by giving signals with their tails. After lunch you will visit Kyauk Myaung, and nearby Nwe Nyein pottery village. This area of upper Myanmar is well known for the traditional production of earthen pots and jars. You will observe one of the impressive ovens, in which the pots are hardened by burning wood - as they have been for centuries. Later, return to the riverbank where you will enjoy a BBQ dinner on the beach. Retire to your boat for a second night on board.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on a Chartered boat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private river cruise: After breakfast on board, you will witness the unique fishing technique in another fishing village. Then you will start the journey downstream to Mandalay. Lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon, you will see a range of pagodas on the western river shore which means you will shortly arrive at Mingun, one the highlights of the Mandalay region. Here you will visit the Mingun Bell, the world's largest un-cracked bell weighing in at 90 tons. Afterwards, continue to the Hsinbyume Pagoda and the unfinished Mingun Padoga intended to be built as one of the world's largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya but lies unfinished. Later board the ship for your final leg to Mandalay, which you will reach within an hour.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mandalay City Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Mandalay and the surrouding 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 a local restaurant (payable locally). After lunch, set out again to experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar such as 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. End the day overlooking the city from Mandalay Hill.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mandalay City Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

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

Flight: YH910 Mandalay - Heho 08.40 - 09.10

Private transfer to Kalaw: On arrival in Heho, you will be met and transferred to Kalaw in the Shan Hills.

Half day trekking in the Shan Hills: Set out with your guide on a gentle trek to explore the hill villages around Kalaw. The Shan Hills around Kalaw are also home to numerous migratory and residential birds, ready to be spotted all around as you undertake the light trekking. 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

Full day trip to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp: After breakfast, you will be driven away from Kalaw to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. The camp is located around 15 miles from Kalaw, a journey of approximately 45 minutes. You will spend all day in the camp, caring for and playing with the elephants, before returning to your hotel late in the afternoon. As well as bathing the elephants, you will get to meet and talk with their mahouts to learn about their methods of care. Treks of varying difficulty can be taken in the countryside around the camp, providing an opportunity to encounter the multiple birds, butterflies, and orchids in and around the conservation area. The camp is also heavily involved in the re-planting and recovery of indigenous tree species from their onsite nursery, something you may also enjoy getting involved in. A lunch will be provided at the camp, and you will return to your hotel in Kalaw in the late afternoon.

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

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After a leisurely morning, you will be transferred to the train station in time for your onward journey to Shwe Nyaung.

Train journey from Kalaw to Shwe Nyaung: Board train no. 143 from Kalaw to Shwe Nyaung. The train will depart at 13.00 and arrive at 17.00. Please note that while your guide will endeavour to find you the best seats, standards of comfort will not be what you are used to on Western trains. 

Private transfer with sightseeing: On arrival at Shwe Nyaung, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel on Inle Lake by boat. On the way, you will have a chance to see typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pristine Lotus Resort (Floating Duplex)

Meals: Breakfast

Bird watching tour: After an early breakfast, you will be transferred by boat to Khaung Taing village where you will have a chance to see the prolific local bird life. Your guide will help you to see as many species as possible. Species you may come across are egrets, kingfishers, coucals, bee-eaters, herons, bitterns, buzzards and kites. After the morning's birding, you will have the rest of the day to further explore Inle lake and its floating villages. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant and you will return to the hotel late afternoon to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pristine Lotus Resort (Floating Duplex)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day at leisure: You have time to relax today and reflect on your adventures. However a boat and driver will be at your disposal should you wish to arrange any independent exploration. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pristine Lotus Resort (Floating Duplex)

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 Yangon.

Flight: K7267 Heho - Yangon 11.05 - 12.15

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: TG304 Yangon - Bangkok 19.40 - 21.35

Meals: Breakfast