Luxury on the Irrawaddy River

Min-ga-la-ba and welcome to the former capital city of Myanmar, Yangon. Formerly known as Rangoon due to the influence of British colonialism, this former capital of Burma is still the most influential city in the country. Upon arrival to the Airport, you will be transferred to the Belmond Governor’s Residence, a romantic, colonial-style mansion dating back from the 1920s, this hotel is one of the most timeless and luxurious accommodations in Yangon.

Enjoy the day at leisure to experience your hotel’s facilities, but do make some time to pop by the stylish colonial Strand Hotel for an English or Burmese afternoon-tea set for a truly retro colonial experience.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Belmond Governor's Residence

Enjoy a morning free at leisure to relax and appreciate the 5-star services and amenities in your hotel until an afternoon tour of Yangon’s famed cultural and historical attractions on a private tour. Visit Chaukhtatgyi Paya, home to a 70-meter-long reclining Buddha, as well as the beautiful Sule Pagoda, Kandawgyi Park, and the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda as the sun begins to set.

Enjoy an evening dinner at Karaweik Palace, a glittering replica of the Pyi Gyi Mon Royal Barge which was used by Burmese kings of old to travel around the kingdom. Feast on an international buffet as you watch a glamourous cultural show featuring traditional dances and elaborate costumes.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Belmond Governor's Residence

A morning flight jets you one-hour north to the past in Myanmar’s stunning town Bagan. Built between the 11th and 12th centuries, this ancient city is a bucket-list destination, often compared to the impressive ruins of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The flat green plains are usually covered with a romantic fog in the morning that slowly dissipates as the sun rises higher and higher in the sky. In every direction, an uncountable number of temples and stupas poke through the mist in a dusty earth-colored red.

Enjoy an afternoon tour of many important sites in Bagan by the charming horse-drawn carriage, starting with Ananda and Dhamayangi Temple. Stop at the ancient Buddhist Shwezigone Pagoda and Gu Byauk Gi Pagoda with its beautiful mural paintings. As the sun begins to set and the heat fades, marvel at the gorgeous pinks, purples, reds, and oranges appearing in the sky above the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda in one of your very first Burmese sunsets.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Bagan

Rise before the sun to partake in a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscape, lush jungle, and thousands of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and stupas rising out of the mist of Bagan. The morning calm gives way to brilliant colours and a beaming sun as you glide through the air in your hot air balloon. Land on firm ground as day breaks and an alfresco breakfast with champagne is prepared for you.

Return to the hotel in the mid-morning and relax at leisure until your afternoon visit to a local monastery open to outsiders to learn about the daily lives of Buddhist monks in Myanmar. Your guide will be your translator to facilitate conversation between you and the monks, helping you to gain a deep-insight into the lives of the Myanmar faithful, many who have chosen this path from a young age. When the time is right, you will be invited to have a tea or coffee under the shade of a nearby tree to end the experience.

Balloon Rides are only available from the beginning of October until the beginning of March

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Bagan

Start the journey to Mandalay today aboard the luxury Belmond Cruise Ship on the Irrawaddy River. Relax by the sundeck’s swimming pool as riverside scenes pass you by on either side. Sample Burmese delicacies and try local teas in the onboard Tea Shop or attend interesting local art exhibitions.

Five-star Western and Asian cuisine will be prepared for lunch and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Road to Mandalay

Wake-up to a sunrise yoga and meditation session on the sundeck or have a lazy morning in your comfortable cabin. There are also cooking demonstrations and lectures on community projects by a local doctor to attend before arriving in Mingun in the early afternoon. In Mingun, you can choose to either visit a local village or tour historical sites before returning to the ship to wear a traditional longyi and attend the sunset sarong cocktail party on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Road to Mandalay

Attend an early morning alms giving ceremony in Mandalay before disembarkation. The tradition of giving alms stems back to ancient times, with the idea to give without expecting anything in return. Typical alms givings are usually of simple food such as rice or fruit so that the monks can have their one meal per day.

Once the cruise finishes, enjoy a half-day tour of the cultural and traditional heart of the country.  Discover the most famous sites within the city, such as the Royal Palace of Shwenandaw, the Shwenendaw Monastery, and the many pagodas found within Mandalay Hill. Once your visit finishes, check-in to Rupar Mandalar Resort. The rest of the day is free at leisure to discover Mandalay and relax independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Rupar Mandalar Resort

This morning take a 30-minute flight from Mandalay Airport to Heho in the Shan State. Upon arrival to Heho, our driver will transport you to the gorgeous boutique Villa Inle Spa Resort. Take a swim in the swimming pool overlooking the luscious scenery and Inle Lake and relax while trying the many amenities and services available at you resort.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Villa Inle Resort & Spa

Take a private trip to the gorgeous Inle Lake today where it’s still possible to view the powerful image of fisherman gliding along the water with their unusual rowing techniques, casting glittering nets to find food. Pass by villages inhabited by local people with the houses built on stilts and floating gardens before reaching Indein Village, home to the Pa O minority tribe and also one of five villages who host the weekly morning market. This market is visited by all lake inhabitants and the surrounding hill tribes and gives us a first-hand look into daily life and work in the region.

Take a gentle walk through the village, following an old path that leads to a 13^th century monastery and ancient set of ruins peeking out throughout the jungle. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon and enjoy the rest of your day free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Villa Inle Resort & Spa

Say good-bye to Inle Lake as you return to Heho Airport for a flight to where it all began—Yangon.  Our driver will pick you up from Yangon Airport, driving you to the the incredible Belmond Governor’s Residence.

Enjoy your day free at leisure to make use of the hotel’s swimming pool, spa, lotus garden, and colonial library.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Belmond Governor's Residence

Your day is free until your transfer to Yangon Airport for your onward booked travel arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast