Myanmar In Style

On arrival at the Yangon airport, you will be welcomed your tour guide, who will assist you through all the immigration procedures. Transfer to your hotel for check in and a chance to freshen up and relax.

Depending on your arrival time, we recommend having lunch at Monsoon restaurant for delicious, freshly prepared Myanmar cuisine. This afternoon, embark on an introduction to the city travelling in style aboard an authentic colonial coach. Known as the Elephant Coach, this six-seater van is a restored 1945 vintage Chevrolet bus and a stylish way to sightsee. You will visit the colonial city centre, with its many cultural delights. Travel past faded colonial buildings, busy street markets, and glittering temples. End your tour at the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at The Strand.

Overnight in Yangon

This morning, transfer to Yangon Airport for your flight to Heho. Here you will enjoy a one-hour scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to the lovely Inle Lake. A private local motorboat will escort you to your luxurious hotel for check in. Along the way, pass stilted villages, the leg-rowing Intha fishermen, and floating gardens anchored to the lake’s bottom with bamboo poles. Check in to your hotel, a resort nestled near the lake’s shores. Your stilted bungalow offers spectacular views from the balconies. After freshening up, a private boat will take you out on the lake to visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main sanctuary, before returning to the resort. If there is time, we will stop for a coffee break (client’s account) at Inthar Heritage House. Not only are the cakes and coffees delicious, but the house also has a superb display of information about traditional Inthar culture and history. Return to your hotel in time for sunset. This evening enjoy a traditional Shan Style dinner at hotel, served on lacquer plates. Overnight on Inle Lake

Option:

should you wish to wake up early, we will visit the lake’s morning market on our way to Indein. The market rotates location on a 5-day basis and is a colourful spectacle with vendors gathering from the villages around the lake to buy and sell their wares. This morning, 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, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. Lunch today is a highlight of many people's visit to Inle Lake. We'll stop at a village for a private lunch at an Intha house. Enjoy traditional Inthar dishes as you sit on cushions around a low table, a unique chance to learn about and experience Inthar culture firsthand. Then we visit the lakes villages to learn about the cottage industries. Visit the weaving village of Inpawkhone where beautiful textiles are produced from silk and lotus roots. Continue to a cheroot factory where typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. Return by boat to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon at your hotel. For further indulgence, get a massage or beauty treatment at the resorts spa- one of Myanmar's top spas. As the sun sets, enjoy a wine tasting experience at the Inle Princess' Wine Cave followed by dinner.

Overnight on Inle Lake

After a leisurely breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer by boat to the town of Nyaung Shwe. We’ll visit the local monasteries and nunneries as well as the colourful morning market where dozens of stalls are set up selling flowers, produce and other goods. Enjoy lunch at Viewpoint Restaurant, widely regarded as the best Shan food in Myanmar. Then transfer to Heho Airport for the flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Bagan

OPTION: Start your morning with a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience! (Note: available only from October to March) Begin today with a visit to the Nyaung Oo Market where dozens of vendors come to sell their fresh produce and products. 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 the friendly locals. Then continue to the glittering Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas. 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. Take a break midday to escape the heat and enjoy lunch at your leisure. This afternoon visit the New Bagan area and one of its many lacquer-ware workshops. Here you can observe the traditional technique of 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 today comes to a close, travel to the boat jetty and embark on a sunset cruise. Enjoy a cocktail and a stunning view of Bagan as you cruise along the Irrawaddy River. The remainder of this evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Bagan

This morning, continue your Bagan sightseeing at Ananda temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple. Nearby, Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period. Travel by horse carriage among the temples starting at Ananda and passing dozens of monuments. Stop as you wish to take photos or explore hidden temples. The slower pace of the horse and cart is a relaxing way to see the wonders of Bagan from a different perspective. After lunch at your leisure, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. This evening enjoy a special farewell dinner. The elegant Le Planteur Restaurant serves a variety of French and Asian cuisines, freshly prepared by top chefs. Overnight in Yangon.

This morning head to Bogyoke Market, also referred to as Scott Market, for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets. Browse the aisles of handmade goods, looking for the perfect souvenir of your Myanmar holiday. (note: Closed on Mondays and public holidays). The remainder of today is at your leisure for additional sight seeing or shopping before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. For those with more time we recommend joining one of our exclusive day trips to further explore the wonders of Yangon. Below are just a few ideas you may enjoy- ask your travel consultant for more details or additional ideas. Art and Antiques Tour: This full day tour reveals the city’s rich history through its art and antiques. Visit several antiques shops tucked away in a residential neighbourhood where the goods echo the years past. Dine at a 100-year old colonial house filled with furniture and remnants of General Aung San’s revolutionary period and spend the afternoon exploring the city’s art galleries. Yangon for Foodies: Get a taste for Burmese food and culture with our half day guided ‘Yangon for Foodies’ tour. Visit some of the city’s best fresh markets, sample tasty treats, sip a cuppa with the locals in a tea shop and enjoy a traditional curry lunch. From the sweet (fried donuts) to the strange (fermented tea leaf salad), you’ll get to try it all! (Lunch included).

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