Flight: TG2309 Bangkok - Mandalay 09.50 - 11.15

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

Afternoon guided tour of Mandalay: This afternoon, set off from your hotel to experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar - the Mahamuni Pagoda. Afterwards, visit the Shwe Inbin Monastery and the Golden Palace Monastery, the latter being a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Later you will stop off at Kuthodaw Pagoda which is made of marble and sometimes described as the world’s largest ‘book’. You will also visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop, as well as a Kalaga tapestry craftsman’s shop, before heading to Mandalay Hill to view the sun setting over the city.

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

Full day guided tour to Amanpura, Ava & Sagaing: 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 Bagaya Monastery will fascinate you with its intriguing collection of Buddha statues. This afternoon, a short drive brings you to Myitnge River for the short boat trip across the river to the former Royal Capital of Inwa (Ava), where a horse-drawn carriage is waiting. You will visit Nanmyint Watch Tower, the remains of a palace building nicknamed "the leaning tower of Ava"; the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco and Bargayar Monastery, famous for its ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Today's excursion ends with a visit to the Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees, in time for sunset.

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

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: This morning, you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to Mandalay Airport for your flight to Bagan.

Flight: YH910 Mandalay - Bagan 07.55 - 08.25

Private transfer: On arrival in Bagan, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort for a two-night stay.

Guided tour of Bagan: After checking in to 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 Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort (Deluxe Riverview Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day guided tour of Bagan: After breakfast, visit Bagan's colourful local market to see a huge variety of exotic produce. Continue with visits to 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. This afternoon, a colourfully decorated ox-cart (if available) is waiting to show you more of Bagan's ancient temples in the traditional way of transportation used by people in Myanmar's countryside.

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 Bagan Thiripytisaya Sanctuary Resort (Deluxe Riverview Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: You will be collected from the Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort and transferred to Bagan Nyuang U Airport for your flight to Heho.

Flight: K7242 Bagan - Heho 08.20 - 09.00

Road journey from Heho to Kalaw: On arrival in Heho, set off along a narrow, winding and bumpy road through the Shan Hills by road for Kalaw, a drive of around 20 miles. On arrival, check-in to your hotel.

Half day minority villages trek: After checking in, 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

Road and boat journey from Kalaw to Inle Lake: Set off by road for Nyaung Shwe, a drive of around 40 miles. From here, you will board a local boat for the journey to your lakeside hotel.

Guided tour of Inle Lake: After checking into your hotel, 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 date back to the 18th century, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery and the weaving village of Inpawkhon. In the late afternoon, return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Inle Resort & Spa (Lakefront Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day 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. Later, return to the hotel by boat.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Inle Resort & Spa (Lakefront Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Boat and road journey from Inle Lake to Heho: Your guide will meet you at your hotel for the boat ride to Nyaung Shwe, followed by the road journey to Heho Airport which is a drive of around 45-60 minutes.

Flight: YH506 Heho - Thandwe 11.55 - 12.55

Hotel transfer: Upon arrival at Thandwe Airport, you will be met by hotel staff and transferred to your beach resort in Ngapali.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the 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. You will have three days 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 the Sandoway Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

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

Flight: YH506 Thandwe - Yangon 13.10 - 14.40

Private transfer: On arrival in Yangon, you will be met by your local guide and taken to the Savoy Hotel for a two-night stay. 

Afternoon visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda: This afternoon, depart from your hotel for an extended visit to one of the world's most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Here, you will see the gleaming spires that were eulogized by Rudyard Kipling, which are best viewed as the sun is setting. Return to your hotel early this evening.

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

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax at your hotel, or explore more of the local area independently.

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

Meals: Breakfast