DAY 1 / YANGON

Upon arrival in the former capital of Myanmar, you’ll be greeted by our guide. Take a Seat-In-Coach transfer to the hotel and check-in to your room, where the rest of the day is yours to relax after a long journey. Or, venture out into this exciting commercial and cultural hub, where colourful outdoor markets, temples, mosques, and churches await around every corner.

Accommodation: Sule Shangri-La Hotel or similar (2 nights)

DAY 2 / YANGON (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy some free time in the morning before setting off on a half-day guided exploration of Yangon.

Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in 1885, when the British completed their conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay’s brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended.

Start the tour at the National Museum (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) to gain an insight into Myanmar. See the eight meter high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by the last Burmese king, and other fascinating artefacts from Burmese history and culture. Finally, continue to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the highlight of any visit to Yangon. Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colours of twilight.

DAY 3 / YANGON / PAGAN / EMBARKATION (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Catch a Seat-In-Coach transfer to the airport for your flight from Yangon to Pagan.

Transportation: local flight

Upon arrival, transfer by the cruise company from airport to ship for lunch followed by exploration of a selection of the 3000 plus Pagan monuments by bicycle or coach.

Accommodation: onboard RV Kalaw Pandaw or similar (7 nights)

DAY 4 / PAGAN (B/L/D)

Further explorations of Pagan and visits to a lacquer workshop.

Pagan is one of the richest archeological sites in the world and the highlight of every tour through Myanmar. In between 11th and 13th century the kings of Pagan dynasty ruled the country and ordered thousands of pagodas and temples to be built. There are about 20 temples and pagodas to be seen here with some beautiful ornamentic design.

DAY 5 / PAKOKKU (B/L/D)

Early morning sail to Salay. Once a bustling trading port, now a sleepy village filled with colonial architectural treasures and timeless teak monasteries and home to the best-known teak carved monastery in Burma.

We continue sailing to arrive mid-afternoon at the foot of the Tan-Chi-Taung mountains which we ascend by WWII jeep to visit a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments at this World Heritage Site.

Late afternoon we make a rewarding visit to Min-Nan-Thu, one of eight clinics in the Pagan area which is supported by the Pandaw Charity.

DAY 6 / YANDABO (B/L/D)

We visit the local market and town centre by favoured mode of transport – the tuk tuk. We moor overnight near the Chindwin confluence at Aung Pan Chaung.

DAY 7 / AVA (B/L/D)

Explore Yandabo village, famous for its production of terracotta pottery from the river bank clay. Afternoon sailing to moor near Ava at Pau Taw Pauk Myaing.

DAY 8 / MINGUN (B/L/D)

Sail to Sagaing. The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and religious art.

In the afternoon, we drive to Amarapura, the former capital of Myanmar where we enjoy a boat trip on the Taungthaman lake and watch the sunset behind the world’s longest teak bridge – U Bein Bridge. We will also see silk weavers at work in their shop.

DAY 9 / MANDALAY (B/L/D)

Morning sail to Mingun to explore on-foot the world’s largest working bell and unfinished pagoda.

Spend the afternoon sight-seeing in central Mandalay with visits to the palace and surrounding hills, crafts workshops and shopping.

DAY 10 / MANDALAY / DISEMBARKATION / HEHO / INLE LAKE (B)

Disembarkation  at 9am in Mandalay, then transfer by the cruise company to the airport for your local flight to Heho.

Transportation: local flight

DAY 11 / INLE LAKE (B)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Excursion by boat on Inle Lake.

Enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake and discover its calm serenity, still waters and colourful brush strokes of floating vegetation and slow moving fishing canoes. Rolling high hills hug the lake on all sides, as the lake’s shore and islands host 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the awe inspiring scenery and meditate on the one of a kind skill of the local fishermen who make use of their legs in a unique rowing technique to glide themselves gracefully around the lake. Visit the enchanting floating gardens, a teeming market and an Intha village around the lake. The day also includes a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village (Lotus and silk weaving villages) and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.

DAY 12 / INLE LAKE (B)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Excursion by boat on Inle Lake to Indein and Sae Ma Village.

Travel by boat to the western shore of the lake to a stairway and walk to the hidden Indein temple complex. Located on the shore of the lake, this site consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and greens. Continue on foot past rice fields to the village of Sae Ma, stopping to explore the village and the local school. In the afternoon meet the village locals on the lake and travel to one of the monasteries to observe the monastic activities.

DAY 13 / INLE LAKE / HEHO / YANGON (B/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Heho for your flight to Yangon.

Transportation: local flight

Arrive in Yangon. Enjoy for sightseeing in Yangon, including visit to Botataung Pagoda at sunse, Sule Pagoda, and Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda.

Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay’s brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended.

Visit Botataung Pagoda, named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha from India over 2000 years ago. This ancient monument was completely destroyed during World War Ii. It was later rebuilt in a very similar style to its predecessor, but with a hollow zedi that can be entered. Enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over Botataung Pagoda.

Sule Pagoda is a 48 meter high golden dome used by the British as the nucleus of their grid development plan for the city when it was rebuilt in the 1880s. The pagoda’s peculiarity is its octagonal-shaped stupa, which retains its shape as it tapers to the spire.

The reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda in Yangon which is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. It’s housed in a large metal-roofed shed on Shwegondaing Lan, only a short distance north-east beyond the Shwedagon Paya. Surprisingly, this huge figure is little known and hardly publicised at all- if the chance to go to Bago to see the Shwethalyaung was missed, then don’t pass on this opportunity to witness this colossal image.

Dinner at a local restaurant before catching a Seat-In-Coach transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

DAY 14 / HONG KONG

Early this morning, arrive in Hong Kong, join Seat-In-Coach transfer to your hotel accommodation. Balance of day at leisure.

Accommodation: Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel or similar (3 nights)

DAY 15 / HONG KONG (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a half day Seat-In-Coach city tour this morning. The perfect way to discover Hong Kong’s delights. Victoria Peak by Peak Tram, Aberdeen (with an optional sampan ride), enroute historic Repulse Bay, Stanley Market for bargains and a visit to a prestigious jewellery workshop. Return to hotel after tour.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 60-minute sightseeing tram tour. During the TramOramic tour, travel around Hong Kong aboard a 1920-style open-top tramcar to see historical and contemporary landmarks and hear commentary about life in the city. Then use the included 2-day ticket for the public tram system to see more at your leisure. It’s a great way to get a little insider perspective with the ability to explore the city on your own, as well.

NOTE: you will need to make your own way to/from the tram tour meeting point. 

DAY 16 / HONG KONG(B/L or D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we will enjoy a half day walking foodie tour. Hong Kong is a Foodie Paradise. It takes hungry souls from around the world on Hong Kong food tours to explore and taste different areas of this dynamic city.  Accompanied by one of our local Foodie Guides, you will learn about Hong Kong’s culinary culture while savoring classic dishes and drinks at locals’ favorite neighborhood eateries. During our Foodie Tours, you will also experience Hong Kong’s local way of living, our history and culture.  You have the option to choose among one of the three famous areas of Hong Kong: Central & Sheung Wan; Sham Shui Po; or Tai Po. Option depending on tour schedule and your personal interest.

DAY 17 / HONG KONG (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Join Seat-In-Coach transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Yangon (Sule Shangri-La Hotel or similar) including daily breakfast
• 7 nights river cruise onboard Pandaw Cruise in lower deck cabin
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Inle Lake (Inle Lake View Resort Hotel or similar) including daily breakfast
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Hong Kong (Grand Harbour Kowloon Hotel or similar) including daily breakfast
• 3 domestic flights in Myanmar in economy class: Yangon to Pagan, Mandalay to Heho, and Heho to Yangon
• Meals included as mentioned in itinerary
• Transfers and tours in either Seat-In-Coach basis or private, as per mentioned in itinerary

Notes:

• Blackout dates for Hong Kong: Dec 30, 2017 – Jan 1, 2018
• Cruise port charges are included
• Airport Seat-In-Coach transfer in Hong Kong only operates for flights arriving/departing between 11am – 5pm, surcharges for private transfer will apply for flight outside of time range
• Hong Kong half day Seat-In-Coach city tour does not operate on Chinese New Year
• Hong Kong half day walking foodie tour does not operate on Sundays

Please stay tuned for travel tips tailored for this itinerary!

For any immediate questions, please contact us as 905.258.7778.