Meal: N/A | Accommodation: hotel in Yangon

Warm Welcome to Myanmar!

Meet your guide with welcome signboard with your name on it by the arrivals exit.

Formerly known as Rangoon, or the garden city of the east, Yangon is the thriving economic heart of the nation and an epicentre of transformation in Myanmar. Yangon’s city centre is blessed with many fine colonial-era buildings and is an exotic mix of spiritual heritage and colourful street life that makes it one of the most fascinating and vibrant cities in Asia.

Starting from Mahabandoola Park and Sule pagoda we explore the quaint old quarter of Yangon and its colonial buildings and heritage. Your guide will share interesting insights into key events and architecture of the city’s landmarks. In the local fashion, we make a tea stop in a popular tearoom to try typical Burmese tea and snacks. We stroll by the iconic Strand Hotel, old time classic and sister property of the Raffles in Singapore, a great spot to try their signature cocktail Strand Sour or one of the more recent creations (drinks not included in tour). By the Yangon pier, we hop on trishaws (bicycle taxis) for a short ride along the lively riverfront and small street market. Walk through the sprawling Chinatown and Indian quarter market streets to Bogyoke Market Bazaar, area and maze of hundreds of shops selling all kinds of things from longyis to gemstones.

We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold-covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Bagan

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon domestic airport for 1hr flight to Bagan (Nyaung U).

Over the five centuries of Bagan empire more than 4000 brick temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed on dry plateau by the Irrawaddy River. Despite wars and earthquakes much of this wonder and world heritage has survived to modern day and is now open for visits.

Get ready for awe inspiring experience with this Bagan full day tour. Explore the best of Bagan’s history, culture and landscapes with experienced local guide. We start with panoramic view of Bagan’s archaeological wonders from an elevated vantage point and continue with exploring some of the most iconic and amazing temples of Bagan; Ananda, Swezigon, Thatbinnyu, Dhammayangyi and Shwesandaw to name a few. You guide will be happy to share his/her favourites and bring you to more off the beaten trails temples with less visitors.

We cap the day with a horse or ox carriage ride to witness a magical sunset by a pagoda or view point.

Expert tips

Remark: It's all flexible. Our tours are tailored to your individual preferences. It is common that some people want more temples and in depth insights while others like emphasis more on the contemporary local life and some exploring Bagan on foot, bicycles or by e-bikes.

Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Bagan

Another exciting day exploring Bagan. Today we venture off the beaten trails on backroads to explore the lesser known and hidden temples and villages of Bagan, tucked away from the crowds and tour busses. Experience typical village life of central Myanmar and meet the locals. Bagan’s temple groups and villages are connected by a network of small unpaved trails and paths perfect for cycling and e-biking explorations. On a school day we can stop by a monastic school where underprivileged children get free education and are always keen to practice English skills with visitors. Enjoy a home cooked lunch as honored guest of a local family and continue ride to a monastery where we can meet Buddhist monk(s) and learn about their daily routine and monastic life. This is also a great place to have a short meditation practice if you wish.

After a little rest break at hotel we take a closer look at traditional arts and crafts of Bagan laquerware making a tradition that has survived over 1000 years. The remarkable skill of the artisans is sure to impress.

Then we are off to Ayeryarwaddy River for a private sunset cruise where views of the temple silhouettes and bustling shore can be accompanied by cocktails on board.

Optional activities and services

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight over Bagan

Meals: breakfast, dinner | Accommodation: hotel in Mindat

Pickup from your hotel in Bagan at 7am and relaxed 5-hour private transfer to Mindat. We can make as many stops as you like en-route to photograph or spot Magwe region birds. Our destination Mindat is the largest town in South western Chin State. Essentially Mindat is a slow paced village more than a town and has small market, couple simple restaurants and a few shops and places to stay. The town is built on mountain range spine and slopes offering some great views over the valleys below.

Check in to your hotel/ guest house and meet your local guide. Spend rest of the day exploring Mindat with your guide and enjoying the spectacular views. Dinner will be at Myoma restaurant, the best in town.

Expert tips

If you would like to try the local brew "Khao Ye" rice wine the restaurant team can usually find some as its common drink in Chin but not in menu.

Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: homestay in Loute Pe village

Breakfast at hotel/ guest house and morning coffee or tea at the Mindat market, a great place for people watching. See people and good being loaded to busses and trucks and tattoo faced ladies shopping and trading their farmed produce.

Heading out of town we drive down the mountain south of Mindat to the Chit Chaung river bridge, from where we will start our trek. Crossing a bamboo bridge, the trail leads us up for around 2-hours to a hilltop village of Pu Kone, where we enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Take a rest and wonder around the village and meet the locals. Next we continue with an easy 1-hour trek mostly downhill and flat to Loute Pe village. We should be reaching here around end of school day. If so you will be greeted by dozens of excited primary-school students. After leaving our luggage at the house where we will stay for the night, there's enough time to explore the village. Dinner at the village house, prepared by your guide.
The accommodation will be dormitory style like in real Chin homes. Simple mattress, blanket, pillow and bedsheets will be provided.

Distance/Duration: around 10km / 3-4 hrs

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Kanpetlet

Bid farewells to your Chin hosts and hike 2km/30 min to the main road to meet our driver for transfer back to Mindat. Last chance for shopping in Mindat before we depart for a scenic ride to Kanpetlet. On the way we pass through many ethnic Chin villages perched on mountain slopes by the road. Just let your guide and driver know when you want to stop for photos and village visits. The mountain road contours Mt Victoria range and weaves through jungle and lush Mt Victoria National Park. You may stop en-route for bird watching or spotting rare orchids that grow in the region and hike hike up the 3km trail (each way) leading to the summit of Mt Victoria (3070masl).

Arrive to your lodge in Kanpetlet late afternoon in time for sunset.

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Bagan

Visit Kanpetlet town and highlights. Last chance for Chin souvenirs and memoraphilia before driving down to Saw and across flat and dry Magway division to Bagan. We will pass through Chauk, the "Texas of Myanmar" where the British started drilling oil more than a century ago. Chauk still has small scale oil extraction scene with many prospectors that operate own little wells that provide just enough to feed families. Arrival to Bagan will be late afternoon or early evening. The drive from Kanpetlet to Bagan takes approx 5hrs.

Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Kalaw

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaung U airport and fly to Heho and a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. Visit the bustling main Heho market, the meeting point for different ethnic minority groups of the surrounding areas to trade handmade goods and locally grown produce (on market days only). Learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using the fibres of the mulberry tree. We continue our 1-hour drive to Kalaw, a former British colonial hill station where ambassadors would spend the summers enjoying the crisp mountain air and sipping on gin tonics. After we check into the hotel and enjoy our lunch, we can spend afternoon either luxuriating in fresh mountain air for those who prefer sedentary pleasures, or hiking around Kalaw’s beautiful forest vistas for those yearning more active pursuits. Local guides can adjust the duration and difficulty of the more active activities according to our wishes.

Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Inle Lake

Myanmar has large number of retired forestry elephants which used to be employed by the government timber enterprise. Today you will visit Green Hill Valley elephant nursery and forest where you have the opportunity to participate in feeding and washing the elephants and help planting trees. The focus of the camp is in conservation and there are no elephant rides. You can walk around the conservation area and spot butterflies, birds and orchids. Lunch with panoramic views at the camp headquarter will be served before we continue drive to Inle Lake (2hrs).

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Inle Lake

Today Inle Lake exploration will be with a private motorboat (fitted with cushioned wooden chairs, life jackets, umbrellas and blankets). Start the day with a visit to Inle's lively morning market to pick up some fresh ingredients with your guide. Enjoy the ride along canals between floating farms and villages built on stilts over water and views of the lush mountains that surround the broad lake valley.

Admire the graceful rowing and fishing technique of the Inntha fishermen who skilfully balance on one foot at the end of small boat and use second leg for paddling and steering the boat while working nets or fish traps with hands.

Learn how floating farm islands are built and moved around and where most Myanmar's tomatoes, and eggplants come from. Next continue to a local village and join Inntha family for food preparation and learn a few regional favourites like tomato, egg plant and tofu salads and Shan noodles and get a feel of local life in a typical Inntha minority village. Bid farewells to your hosts and continue with some lake highlights if you wish before heading back to your hotel.

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Samkar

Morning pick-up from your hotel and embark on a scenic 3 hour boat journey through lake and river scenery to the southern part of Inle Lake where the waterway gets narrower and canal like. It almost feels as if time has stood still here and the ethnic population of Pa-O, Innthar and Shan continue living simple and traditional way. Visit local lake side villages, mingle with the locals and observe how pottery, bamboo ware, weaving and fishing nets are made by hand. Visit the ancient pagodas of Sagar / Samkar and near by Tha Kong built in the 17th century in typical Shan style. Try the local firewater distilled from rice wine if you dare.

Spend the night in Samkar or Phayartaung in a small and charming lodge.

Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Loikaw

After breakfast, boat transfer to Phekon and car transfer to Loikaw. We begin the day with a tour of Loikaw highlights with stops at the Haw Kyaung, a former Shan chieftain’s palace, which has been converted into a monastery and the Kayah State Museum, to learn about the fascinating history and culture of the state. After a lunch stop, we drive 30 minutes out of town into the serene countryside to explore the recently opened Kyat Gu cave system, a sprawling limestone cavern full of mesmerizing geological structures. In the late afternoon we return to town to enjoy a beautiful sunset atop Loikaw iconic Taung Kwe Pagoda. The pagoda is perched on top of a limestone outcrop overlooking the city and offers excellent views of the surrounding landscape.

Meals: breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Loikaw

Today you will have the opportunity to visit Kayan minority villages of Pan Pet (1hr drive from Loikaw). The Kayan ‘long neck’ ladies are famous for their traditional brass ring necklaces that appear to elongate their necks. By visiting Panpet CBT (community based tourism) project you will benefit local villagers in a sustainable and self managed way and help the locals to preserve their culture, heritage and environment. The Panpet tourism project was initiated with European governments funding. With a local community guide from Pan Pet we take a leisurely morning walk along scenic nature trail connecting villages to nearby hills making stops at important cultural sites on the way. These include a monument dedicated to the village clan, animist bird totem, and a guardian spirit cave. The two hour hike concludes with a climb up to a small hill offering panoramic view over the surrounding mountains, rice fields and the five hamlets of Pan Pet - a perfect place for a Kayah style picnic lunch.

After lunch break continue to Salong Kana village to meet members of the community and learn more about the unique culture and society of the Kayan. You will have a chance to visit traditional Kayan homes, observe artisans at work, spend time with grandmothers who usually stay home looking after smallest children. Don't be shy to ask questions. You guide will be more than happy to translate. After a full day spent with these fun loving and artistic people, we bid farewells and drive back to Loikaw for the night. If you haven't tried yet, look out for the local specialty Kayah sausages which are best accompanied with cold beer.

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: not included

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Loikaw airport for flight to Yangon. Connect to your international flight OR spend the night in Yangon and try one of our optional tours.

• Pampering in Yangon - massages and rejuvenation
• Evening foodie and bar tour - join in group to explore Yangon
• Cooking class - learn a few dishes to bring home
• Independence heroes and revolutionaries
• Art galleries & antiques - visit artists and curators
• Shwedagon sunset painting class with local artist
• Street photography tour with local photographer