9 Day Tour Inside the Golden Land of Myanmar with Abercrombie & Kent

Day 1: Arrive Yangon

Afternoon visit to the Reclining Buddha Pagoda, housing a 230 foot statue. This evening visit the dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda, a remarkable structure with a dazzling gold stupa that rises 98m above the city. See it at dusk, when it is at its most lively. 

Accommodation: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake (Deluxe Room)

Day 2: Yangon – Bagan

Fly north to Bagan. Touring today includes the colourful local market of Nyaung Oo and the famous Shwezigon Pagoda. Continue to Kubyaukgyi Temple in the little village of Wetkyi-In. The Kubyaukgyi dates from the early 13th century, and has a pyramidal spire with some of Bagan’s finest frescoes inside. See the last “Burman-style” temple built in Bagan – the Htilominlo. An afternoon horse cart ride to the Ananda Temple before visiting a lacquerware workshop.

Accommodation: Bagan Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 3: Bagan

Rising 1,518 meters the extinct volcano Mount Popa with its shrine dedicated to ancient Burmese animist spirits offers unparalleled views over the plains below. Your guide will take you to visit the small but beautiful shrine dedicated to the nat spirits. For the more energetic you may choose to climb the 777 steps to the top (shoes must be removed). After lunch continue to the Mahuha & Nanpaya Temple. Your day concludes with a sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwady River where you can observe daily river life.

Accommodation: Bagan Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 4: Bagan – Mandalay

Fly Bagan to Mandalay. On the way to the hotel stop at the famous U Bein teak bridge. This afternoon visit a tapestry workshop and the Shwenandaw Monastery, a fine example of traditional Burmese carpentry, but also a fragile reminder of the old Mandalay fort. The building is covered inside and out with carved panels. Continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda and Mandalay Hill which rises 236m above the surrounding countryside.

Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 5: Mandalay

This morning visit Maha Muni Paya temple, followed by silk weavers and a gold leaf beating workshop. This afternoon cruise the Ayeyarwady upstream to Mingun and see the 90 tonne bell, the Unfinished Pagoda and Myatheindan Pagoda

Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 6: Mandalay – Inle Lake

Fly to Heho for access to Inle Lake. The shallow waters of the lake are circled by rolling hills and dotted with small fishing villages. An afternoon lake trip takes you to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which enshrines five golden Buddha images dating back to the 12th century. See the unique methods of farming and fishing here and the traditional leg-rowing fishermen. A visit to the ikat-style silk weaving industry at Inn Paw Khone Village ends the day.

Accommodation: Pristine Lotus Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 7: Inle Lake

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, cruise through a densely forested river to visit Indein which is situated on a hill side in the southwestern corner of Inle Lake. Wander through this typical lakeside village observing the lives of the local people and on to Shwe Inn Dein, a collection of ancient Shan style stupas. At the top there is a stunning view out across the lake and beyond, to the hills in the east and of the rolling country side to the west.

Accommodation: Pristine Lotus Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 8: Inle Lake – Yangon

Transfer airport for return flight to Yangon. Later today choose one of the following options: a visit to Scott Market for handicrafts, antiques and jewellery; a temple meditation by a leading practitioner or meet a local artist at his studio.

Accommodation: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakast

Day 9: Depart Yangon

Transfer airport for onward flight.

Meals: Breakast