Myanmar Highlights Exploration

After checking in the hotel, take a private walking tour of downtown with an expert from the Yangon Heritage Trust.

Top off the afternoon exploration of colonial heritage with high tea at The Strand, one of Myanmar’s most iconic colonial-era hotels.

A welcome dinner awaits by the hotel’s poolside restaurant with a bottle of champagne to toast the first night in Myanmar.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan.

Begin the day with a visit to the Nyaung Oo Market where dozens of vendors come to sell fresh produce and other goods.  The market is at its busiest early in the morning as the locals come to do their shopping. This is a great opportunity to observe the daily lifestyle of friendly locals. Then continue to Shwezigon Pagoda, a picturesque gilded stupa that’s the perfect backdrop for photos.

Next, visit Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas mural paintings.  Continue to the elegant Htilominlo Temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

Lunch awaits at a local village where authentic local cuisine is served in a traditional home. 

In the afternoon, visit the New Bagan area and one of its many lacquerware workshops. Observe the traditional technique used in making these handcrafted products from start to finish. The process takes incredible skill and patience, and Bagan’s craftsmen are well-renowned for their fantastic lacquer products.

As the day comes to a close, travel to the boat jetty and embark on a memorable private sunset cocktail cruise. Enjoy cocktails while taking in stunning views of Bagan on a cruise along the Irrawaddy River.

Dinner at Sanon Vocational Training Restaurant.

Today is free day at your leisure and explore the facilities at the beautiful suite and hotel.

Candlelit dinner at the hotel with a bottle of wine.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Balloon Experience Over Bagan - Start the morning with an unforgettable hot-air balloon flight over Bagan’s temple-studded plains -widely considered to be one of the most iconic experiences in Asia. Pastries, croissants, coffee and tea are provided while the balloon is inflated.

Climb aboard before gently rising above thousands of gilded stupas and earthen temples all back-dropped by the impressive Irrawaddy River.  Be sure to bring a camera, as this will surely prove to be one of the best photo opportunities of the entire trip.  

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Heho. 

Upon arrival, enjoy a one-hour scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake.

After arriving in Nyaung Shwe, head to ViewPoint Ecolodge for lunch and enjoy an introduction to Shan food, often considered to be the best in Myanmar.

After lunch, take a private luxury motorboat to the hotel for check-in. Experience Inle Lake in style with a new fleet of sleek sightseeing boats.  The customized boats are powered by special engines that reduce noise by 60 percent and are outfitted with ergonomic chairs, high-quality umbrellas, and fleece blankets. Along with standard safety and nautical equipment, the boats employ a two-man crew for improved service. 

While cruising around the lake, pass by fascinating stilted villages, the iconic leg-rowing Intha fishermen, and floating gardens anchored to the lake’s bottom with bamboo poles.

Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main sanctuary, before returning to the resort just in time to catch a stunning sunset over the lake.

Dinner is enjoyed by the lake at the hotel along with a bottle of wine.

Wake up early for a visit to the lake’s morning market at 08:00 on the way to Indein. The market rotates locations on a 5-day basis and is a colorful spectacle with vendors and locals from tribal villages throughout the area gathering to buy and sell their wares.

Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing boat trip along a small canal to the Pa-oh Village of Indein.  Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wandering through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area.

Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.

Return to Inle Lake and enjoy a late lunch at the Inthar Heritage House. Not only does the house offer stunning views, but it also has a superb display of information about traditional Inthar culture and history.

Afternoon and evening at leisure.

After breakfast at 08:30, head to the western shore of the lake to visit a community forest where there is an opportunity to plant a tree to contribute to the conservation of the local environment. Then enjoy a delicious local lunch prepared by members of the local community.

After lunch, enjoy more time exploring the community forest before getting on a boat to go to the lakeside hotel.

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Yangon.

Upon arriving in Yangon, enjoy lunch at Le Planteur. Le Planteur is Yangon’s finest restaurant beautifully situated in a colonial home on Inya Lake.

After lunch, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. A car and a guide is at disposal to provide transport and insight if needed. Feel free to visit some local art galleries, do some shopping (Bogyoke Market is great for last minute gifts), or just relax at the hotel.

In the late afternoon, head to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, locals believe that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times before taking on its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99-meters-tall, gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Follow the guide’s lead while touring this massive complex and learn the story behind why this temple is so revered by locals.

Have a private farewell dinner at the chef’s table or in the kitchen (dependent on group size) at SEEDS restaurant, situated in a very scenic location by Inya Lake.

This morning is free at your leisure before transferring to airport for your departure flight