5 days taste of Myanmar

Arrive in Yangon and transfer to hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South East Asia. After checking in hotel, a city tour includes the National Museum, Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda's 70m long reclining Buddha. Visits continue to Myanmar’s holiest monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf. Overnight in Yangon

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). Thousands of ancient stupas and temples in this area make Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. From the 11th till 13th century, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers of constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

On arrival, morning sightseeing features the colourful Nyaung Oo Market, the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-Inn, Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of the best-known Myanmar handicraft and a specialty of Bagan. Visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with two original standing Buddha images show facial expression change depending on the distance the statue is viewed from. The Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period and the next temple to be visited, Thatbyinnyu, is the highest in Bagan, rising to 61 meters. End the day with a horse and carriage tour among the temples passing by the traditional village of Taungbi, Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy the sunset over the site from the upper terrace of Myauk Guni Temple. Overnight in Bagan

In the morning transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for the flight to Heho. From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Board a private motorboat to visit Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s best-known sights. The boat passes several villages built on stilts over the lake, which are mostly inhabited by Intha people, the famous leg-rowing fishermen of the lake. The tour also includes a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and a cheroot factory where the typical Burmese Cigars are made by hand. Overnight at Inle Lake.

After breakfast, a morning sightseeing tour of Inle Lake by boat includes a chance to see the floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Every 5 days a colourful market that is visited by different hill tribes is held around the Inle area and it is normally possible to visit one of these depending on location. In the afternoon visit the renowned jumping cat monastery where in addition to the acrobatic cats there is a beautiful collection of antique Buddha statues. On leaving the lake transfer to Heho Airport for the flight back to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Yangon. 

After breakfast finish the tour with a visit to downtown Yangon with its faded colonial atmosphere, Sule Pagoda, Mahabandoola Park, India town and bustling Chinatown.

In the afternoon there is free time for shopping at Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott’s Market before transferring to Mingaladon Airport for onward flight.