Burma in Depth

Begin by visiting the Allied War Cemetery  and the city, once known as Pegu. Explore the pagodas and local markets before driving through the countryside to Hpa-An Lodge. The following day, take a traditional boat out on the Than Lwin River for 2-3 hours seeing the dramatic limestone mountains around you, and stopping at traditional Karen villages enroute. Explore Kadoe Kawnat village where there is a traditional monastery.  Finally head to Kyout Ka-Lat, a short walk from Hpa-An Lodge and pleasantly positioned on the side of the a lake.

Drive to Golden Rock, via Ein Du village, famous for its weavers. You’ll see the sunset at Golden Rock.

Drive back to Yangon and stay for two nights at the Strand, right in the heart of the city. This evening head to Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset with your guide.

Explore the hidden side to the city, exploring Scott Market before heading off on a walking tour of colonial Rangoon. Spend the afternoon exploring further or spend it at leisure.

Fly to Bagan, and in the afternoon head out to see the temples and pagodas with your guide. For the more active, you can do this on bikes. End the day on top of a pagoda looking at the sunset over Bagan.

Have the option of taking a balloon over Bagan at sunrise before visiting the lively market in Nyauang U market. Continue to Myinkaba, a village just south of Old Bagan, which again features a thriving market and where  you can also stop at the local Monastery and have a cup of tea and snacks away from the tourists. Work your way back to Bagan, where we suggest visiting the Shwe Gu Monastic School, seeing the young monks sit down for their lunch. Continue onto another village where you will see the process of creating ‘poneyay’, a pea-powder paste, the making of plum jam and the construction of traditional bullock-carts. You can then explore more of the temples at your own leisure, or return to the hotel.

Today you will board the ferry and sail upstream on the Irrawaddy where it will stop at Yandabo. This village is completely off-the-beaten track, yet has a small boutique hotel from where you will stop for the night. Explore the local village on foot, seeing the potters at work, or head across the river to see other villages and immersing yourself in the local way of life.

The ferry will stop and pick you up and you cruise upstream to Mandalay. In the evening, head to Mandalay Hills for sunset.

Rise early and see Buddhist monks collecting their alms before stopping at a traditional local tea shop. Spend the morning exploring the city before visiting Ava and U Bein Bridge for sunset.

Drive into the hills to the old British hill station of Maymyo, now called Pyin Oo Lwin. Explore the town, and take a traditional horse-cart to the superb Botanical Gardens.

Board the train and work your way through the hills and over the impressive Golkeik Viaduct.  You will drive the last part of the journey, passing through rural villages as you make your way to Hsipaw. The following day, take out your trekking boots, and take a day walk through traditional tribal villages, set against breathtaking scenery. The length of the walk will depend on how active you want to be.

Drive back to Mandalay and spend the night.

Fly to Heho and transfer to another British hill station, Kalaw. Continue to the Green Valley Elephant Camp who look after retired logging elephants.

Visit the local market before driving to Inle, with an option of going via the caves of Pindaya. Transfer by private boat to your hotel and then explore the local communities who live and work around the lake.

Drive into the Shan Hills to visit Kakku and wander through tribal villages.

Take a private boat and head to Sagar, to the south of Inle Lake, an superb off-the-beaten track experience.

Fly to Ngapali and finish for a few days of well deserved rest on the beach.

Return to Yangon for the night before flying home the following day.