Classic Myanmar Tour

Arrive in Mandalay where this afternoon you will explore the last royal capital of Myanmar. The center piece of the city is the reconstructed palace which is surrounded by a large moat. In the early evening watch the sun go down over the city from Mandalay Hill.

Today after breakfast, meet our guide and driver at your hotel and drive up into the hills from Mandalay (80 Km, about 2 hours) for a full day visit of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a former British hill station. Proceed to Peik Chin Myaung Caves, since ancient times a Buddhist shrine. Visit the local market and drive through the charming town in a horse-drawn ‘stage coach’, giving you the chance to admire the red brick and half-timbered houses, complete with English-style gables, turrets and chimneys.

After lunch, visit the National Botanical Kandawgyi Gardens which was built on Lake Kandawgyi by Alex Rodgers with the aid of Lady Cuffle in 1915, using the manpower of 4,000 Turkish prisoners of war, and renovated just a few years ago, covering an area of 436 hectares, the park contains a wide variety of botanical attractions, including a large number of magnificent orchids and bamboo forests, and lots of European beautiful flowers. Return back to Mandalay.

Get amongst the hustle and bustle of the morning market before boarding a river cruiser to Bagan. Spend the next three days relaxing with the rhythm of the river and watching the scenery slip by. All the creature comforts you could want are onboard and there will be opportunities to hop off at designated points to explore the sights.

Today the river cruise wends its way to Sagaing, a former Shan capital in the 14th century with many impressive stupas scattered on its hill. In the afternoon stop at Yandabo, a small village that specializes in pottery and where the peace treaty of the first Anglo-Burmese war was signed on 24 February 1826

Arrive into Bagan where your river cruise will end. Then excursion to the enchanting Mt. Popa, a great extinct volcano situated about 67 km , it takes one hour drive from southeast of Bagan via Kyaukpadaung. Mt. Popa, standing out as a green-clad landmark in the Dry Zone, is a situated on 15,00 meter-high and an extinct volcano.. Tour highlights: toddy palm groves and jaggery cottage industry; and the famous Popa Taungkalat, a tower-like volcanic plug lying on the south-western slope of Mt. Popa. Then enjoy the scenic view of its surrounding from Popa Mountain Resort.

After that, return back to Bagan at late afternoon and overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

By far the best way to view Bagan is from the sky. It’s an early morning start as you climb into the basket of the hot air balloon for a sunrise, birds-eye view of the ancient city. Watch the landscapes drift by and enjoy the serene atmosphere. Keep with tradition and enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne upon landing! Take a nap back at the hotel and later in the afternoon head out to see some of the most spectacular ruins by horse cart.

Fly from Bagan on the morning flight to Heho, the gateway to Inle Lake. Take a short drive to the renowned Red Mountain Vinery.

Cruise by small boat to Indein nestled on the banks of the lake. The village is famous for its overgrown and mystifying 16th century stupas and its handicrafts. Watch craftsman at work building wooden boats and creating Buddha images made from the powder of dried flowers. Then head over to the cigar factory where hundreds of cigarillos are rolled by hand!

In the morning fly from Heho to Ngapali and take a short drive to arrive at Ngapali Beach where the next three days are spent completely at leisure.

Pack a picnic lunch and hire a boat to travel out to one of the islands dotted off the coast for great snorkeling and diving, or venture out into the countryside and meet the locals.

Relax on the beach or rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding villages where time old traditions continue

A swift morning flight will take you to Yangon where the morning is free to relax. Visit the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda before enjoying an afternoon in style with high tea at the famous Strand Hotel. This evening hop aboard a river cruise for dinner.