A Private Luxury Tour of Myanmar – Yangon, Bagan, Inle, Mandalay

Day 1 – Arrive Yangon
Upon arrival in Yangon, be met and transferred to BELMOND GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2 – Yangon
Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. A city filled with tree-shaded boulevards, shimmering stupas and colonial buildings. Start the day at the Sule Pagoda, a gleaming octagonal pagoda that stands squarely at the centre point of the city. Enjoy a break at Bogyoke (Scott) Market, a pleasant covered market containing crafts from all corners of Myanmar, gems, fabrics and more. (The market is closed on Mondays and public holidays). Enjoy lunch at Le Planteur (fine-dining French/Modern Asian cuisine) where guests have the opportunity to drive by the gate of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi`s house. In the afternoon, visit some of the more well-known pagodas, including Botataung Pagoda, named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha from India over 2000 years ago. Visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, a reclining Buddha that is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. Finally, Shwedagon Pagoda. Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colours of twilight. (B,L)

Day 3 – Yangon 
This morning, take an off-the-beaten tourist path and hop onto Yangon’s circular train to discover some of the city’s best kept secrets. From the colonial-style Yangon Railway Station, board the circular train to Hledan Station. As the train rumbles along the bumpy track look out onto the passing landscape and enjoy the commotion at each station as the food hawkers hop on and off. On arrival in Hledan, walk to the bustling local market to see the array of fresh vegetables, flowers and other produce on sale. From here travel by vehicle to the surreal ruins of the Nagar Glass Factory, torn to shreds by the Nargis Cyclone in 2008. Scattered all over the ground are piles of glittering clear and coloured bottles, bowls, glasses and statues – some broken, some still intact. More can be found on the shelves and in the old cupboards in the remnants of the factory. Pick up what you like and hand it to the old Burmese lady who will recondition the glassware for you, before you buy it to take home, a one-of-a-kind souvenir found nowhere else in the world. Next visit Sein Lann So Pyay Garden, hidden between Inya Lake and Inya Road. Quiet, calm and serene, this garden restaurant has wide patches of green fields. Gaze upon the beauty of the lake and garden as you enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Return to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. Later this afternoon, enjoy High Tea at the acclaimed Hotel Strand with a chance to visits the hotel’s famous River Gallery. (B,L)

Day 4 – Yangon / Bagan
Transfer for your early morning flight for Bagan, a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. Upon arrival, visit the city’s most revered temples, monuments and palaces that include Shwezigon Paya (1090 A.D.), Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn (1468 A.D.), AnanDa Pahto (1105 A.D.), Gubyaukgyi Temple at Myinkaba (1113 A.D), Manuha Temple (1059 A.D), and Shwesandaw Paya (1057 A.D). Lunch is served at the Teak House Restaurant. Accommodations at AUREUM PALACE HOTEL. (B,L)

Day 5 – Bagan
Start the day with an breathtaking flight in a hot air balloon** over Bagan. This once-in-a-lifetime experience boasts an unforgettable bird’s-eye-view over the spectacular plain of Bagan. During the 45-minute flight, enjoy the far reaching views as you drift over the thousands of ruined temples. Sip a celebratory glass of champagne before landing. Afterwards, return to the hotel for breakfast followed by a culturally-inspiring excursion to the unspoiled Burmese town of Salay. Visit the Yoke Son Kyaung, the oldest surviving wooden monastery, wander around the town, visiting a local market and an orphanage. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Bagan to visit additional ruins OR continue by road to Mount Popa, an extinct sheer-sided volcano that rises out of the plain and a famous pilgrimage site for locals. En-route stop in the small village of Shwe Hlaing for a Burmese-style tea party hosted by a local family in their home. Overnight in Bagan. (B,L)

****NOTE: Hot Air Balloon Ride does NOT operate between April – September. ***

Day 6 – Bagan / Inle Lake
Transfer for your morning flight to Heho. Upon arrival, transfer to your resort by road and by private boat. Highlight today features an inspiring boat ride on Inle Lake. Discover its calm serenity, still waters and colourful brush strokes of floating vegetation and slow moving fishing canoes. With rolling high hills hug the lake on all sides, Inle’s shore and islands host 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy spectacular scenery and observe the the local fishermen’s unique rowing technique. Visit the enchanting floating gardens, a teeming rotational market and an Intha village, as well as Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Dinner and accommodations at AUREUM INLE RESORT. (B,D)

Day 7 – Inle Lake (Indein) 
This morning, enjoy a boat trip to the western shore of Inle for a visit of the Indein Temple Complex. Located on the shore of the lake, this site consists of hundreds of crumbling and atmospheric groups of ancient pagodas hidden by overgrown trees and shrubs. Enjoy lunch at the exquisite Thahara Inle Heritage House before returning to your resort. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure to relax and soak up Inle’s stunning natural beauty. (B,L)

Day 8 – Inle / Mandalay 
Transfer for your morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, travel upriver by boat to Mingun offering views of river life, fishing villages and market boats. Explore the ruins of the vast Mingun Paya. Hsinbyume Paya and Mingun Bell. Constructed in 1808 and weighing 90 tons, it is claimed to be the largest bell in the world. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Return to Mandalay by river board and check-in at RUPAR MANDALAR RESORT. Dinner is served at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 9 – Mandalay
Today’s tour features the last capital of royal Burma. Considered the cultural and spiritual centre of Myanmar, Mandalay and  neighboring Sagaing is home to over 60% of the country’s monks, while artisans of Mandalay continue to turn out the finest crafts in Myanmar. In the morning, head to Amarapura, also a former royal capital, and visit Mahagandayon Monastery to observe monks line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Take a stroll on U Bein Bridge, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake before returning to Mandalay City. This afternoon, visit Mahamuni Paya, Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Teak Monastery), Kuthodaw Paya, known also as “the world’s biggest book”; and Shwe Kyin Old Monastery. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 10 – Depart Mandalay 
Transfer to Mandalay Airport for your departure flight onward. (B)

****END OF PROGRAM****

• Price is per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes all entrance fees, domestic airport taxes & fuel surcharges
• Price excludes Trans-pacific airfares. Discount Economy and Business Class Fares available upon request.
• Price excludes personal expenses, beverages, gratuities to guides and drivers
• Black out dates and holiday surcharges apply between December 20- January 05. Contact us for details.
• A visa is required for Myanmar. NOT included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation