Myanmar
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Day One: Arrive in Yangon
Welcome to Myanmar’s most cosmopolitan city, Yangon – seething with life and busy with newly-opened bars, boutiques and restaurants. You’ll get straight in on the action, heading from the airport to the heart of downtown with your private guide, to see its exotic mix of temples, skyscrapers and old colonial landmarks. Visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70 metre long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi provides a great overview of Buddhism, with murals depicting the life of Buddha. The feet of the statue are carved with traditional symbols, and locals can often be seen gathering here to pay homage and pray. Then you’ll do as the locals do and take a cuppa and snack in one of the city’s popular tea shops. Enjoy some free time for lunch, then check in to your hotel. Then transfer to the 21st-floor Yangon Yangon bar to watch the sunset from on high, cocktail in hand. Afterwards, you’ll cruise past some of Yangon’s biggest landmarks by trishaw, bound for a three-course meal by relay: first stop, light, bright Pansuriya, where meals are served amid antiques and pictures that are all for sale. Have your starter, then it’s time to move on to the famous Monsoon for your main course. Finish off with pudding at Rangoon Tea House, a chic, updated version of the classic corner caff. Then it’s back to the hotel for the night.
Overnight in Yangon
We only offer Deluxe accommodation on this luxury trip. Click hotel name below for more details.
Deluxe - The Strand Yangon
Meals included: Dinner
Day Two: Temples, Markets and Ceremonies
Take another day to get acquainted with this intriguing city, starting with a ride aboard the Yangon Circle Train, which chugs through city centre neighbourhoods bound for the suburbs. You’re heading for Insein Township, home to one of Yangon’s best food markets which comes packed with rickety stalls vending fruit, veg and meat – and friendly locals who love to stop for a chat. Return to the city centre at lunchtime, ready to visit Shwedagon Temple this afternoon. This gilded pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the country, soaring to 99 metres and swathed in gold leaf. You’ll be taking part in a oil lamp lighting ceremony just as the sun dims: help to illuminate thousands of lamps in the cool of the evening, and savour the atmosphere of a temple shining in the flickering light. Tonight, you’ll have dinner at Seeds, a fine dining restaurant set by a lilypad-laden lake.
Overnight in Yangon
Deluxe - The Strand Yangon
Meals included: Breakfast; dinner
Day Three: On to Bagan
A quick breakfast and you’re off to the airport for your onward flight to the temples of Bagan. The thousands of stupas and pagodas here were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar. You’ll explore them by electric bike, ticking off some of the main attractions including Dhammayangyi, the largest temple built by King Narathu in the 12th century, and Ananda, famous for its four standing buddhas. Your e-bike also allows you to explore some lesser-known temples that are inaccessible by car, and really understand the huge scale of Bagan. Leave your bike at lunchtime, to dine on home-cooked food in a village house. There’s time for a visit to a lacquerware workshop, then you’ll travel by horse and cart on a short ride past some of Bagan’s temples. As the sun goes down, you’ll board a private traditional boat and cast off along the Irrawaddy River to cruise the entire length of the Bagan temple complex, enjoying cocktails and snacks as the sun dips below the ruins. You’ll disembark and return to the hotel in time for dinner (not included).
Overnight in Bagan
Deluxe - Bagan Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Four: Up and Away
Soar high above Bagan by hot air balloon, just as the sun rises over its pagodas on this optional extra activity*. You’ll have a starlit picnic of pastries as you watch the balloons being filled before taking off in the golden light of dawn. Afterwards, you’ll skirt the Irrawaddy River on the drive to Salay, one of the country’s most significant Buddhist centres. More than 50 monasteries are scattered about this tiny town, and you’ll get the chance to explore them as well as Salay House, a beautifully preserved colonial building. After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Irrawaddy, you’ll continue onwards to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano that soars to 1500m. Here, you’ll visit the incredible monastery of Taung Kalat, marooned atop a volcanic plug that’s believed to be home to 37 spirit guardians (nats). Climb to the top of the shrine alongside its pilgrims (and some very naughty monkeys), for incredible views over the surrounding countryside. You’ll return to Bagan in time for dinner.
*Please note, due to the monsoon season, the optional extra hot air balloon flight over Bagan is only available from October to March and all flights are weather permitting.
Overnight in Bagan
Deluxe - Bagan Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Five: Life on Inle Lake
Transfer to the airport after breakfast, bound for Heho, the gateway to huge Inle Lake. From here, it’s a one-hour drive to the water, with a stop-off at the fascinating teak monastery of Shwe Yan Pyay, home to novice monks from across the region. Arrive at the lake, and board a private motorboat to travel past villages built on stilts over the water and floating gardens where farmers tend their crops, en route to the sacred pagoda of Phaung Daw Oo. Then lunch in luxury on the boat – your food will be prepared and served from a nearby vessel. Afterwards, you’ll cruise Inle’s serene waters again, taking in local life at a village of weavers and a cheroot factory, before visiting the stunning Inthar Heritage House, a rebuilt traditional home that’s also a refuge for Burmese cats. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in time for dinner (not included).
Overnight on Inle Lake
Deluxe - Villa Inle Boutique Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Six: Exploring Villages
It’s an early start this morning, as you prepare to kayak along the lake before the heat of the day sets in. This is the best way to really get under the skin of Inle, and see local life (the locals may also be surprised to see you, as tourists are still few and far between here). Starting in the little village of Nampan, you’ll weave through the canals that serve as roads, passing villagers on their way to schools and shops, then you’ll head towards Mine Pyo village, passing fisherman who still use traditional techniques to catch fish in nets with their feet. At Mine Pyo, you’ll be welcomed into a family home for tea and snacks, then you’ll head off on the final leg of your kayak trip, to Se Sone village. Here, there’s another opportunity for drinks at a local home before lunching at a restaurant on the lake. After your meal, you’ll board another motorboat, to travel along a narrow canal to the village of In Dein, home to the Pa-oh people and strewn with ancient pagodas. Stroll through the village to see a unique, simple way of life and wander amongst the pagodas towards beautiful views over the lake. You’ll return to your hotel in time for dinner (not included).
Overnight on Inle Lake
Deluxe - Villa Inle Boutique Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Seven: Onwards to Ngapali
After a final breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to the airport for your onward flight to Ngapali. Upon arrival at Thandwe Airport you’ll transfer to your hotel on the beach to settle in and relax.
Overnight in Ngapali
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day Eight & Nine: Time to relax
Your next two days are at leisure to enjoy the paradise around you, spend time on the beach and explore the local life of Ngapali. There are plenty of options for great food and activities, and an abundance of beautiful beaches on which to lie and unwind.
There’s also the option to embark on a beach safari at Maung Shwe Lay. Head to this traditional village to explore life in rural Myanmar. After meeting some locals, visit the town’s Buddhist monastery and EXO Foundation-funded local library. Enjoy a traditional meal inside a local’s home, followed by a visit to the nearby beautiful beach (See Optional Extras Tab).
Overnight in Ngapali
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day Ten: Homeward bound
After a final breakfast it’s time to leave Myanmar behind. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 9 Breakfasts; 4 lunches; 2 dinners
What's included:
- Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers and internal flights, unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
- Entrance tickets and permits unless stated otherwise
- Tethered helium balloon ride in Kandawgyi Park for views over glittering Shwedagon Temple
- Kayak and motorboat equipment as stated
What's not included:
- International flights to/from experience: call 0208 432 0885 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
- Optional extras listed
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the holiday
- We cannot guarantee the included hotel breakfast for early departures
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 432 0885
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London cost around £600 per person and take approximately 15 hours depending on exact flight configurations and layover times.
Experience start point: Yangon [RGN]. Suggested arrival by 9am.
End point: Yangon [RGN]. Suggested departure after 2pm.
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