Depart Heathrow on Thai Airways International flight via Bangkok to Yangon.

On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Shangri- La Traders Hotel. In the late afternoon we visit the amazing Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

This morning visit the Sule Pagoda and the surrounding markets in the old colonial centre of Yangon (Rangoon) followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

After a morning flight from Yangon to Mandalay board the Road to Mandalay. After lunch on board enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay, regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to the ship, stopping en route to admire sunset over the river.

After breakfast visit Sagaing, the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar and famous for its silversmiths, who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. We set sail late this morning and the afternoon is spent relaxing on board, observing the fascinating local river life from the top deck.

The ship arrives in Bagan in the morning. Enjoy a guided orientation tour, introducing you to the most important of the 2,000-plus temples and pagodas. After lunch there will be a further visit to the temples. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. The day’s sightseeing ends with the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the temples.

A full day excursion to Mount Popa, believed to be the sacred home of the Nats (spirits) and now a national park. On top of a rocky crag is a picturesque complex of ancient monasteries, pagodas and shrines, to which you can climb via a winding covered walkway. Lunch is served at the Mount Popa Resort.

The morning is free for last-minute exploration until the ship departs Bagan. We drop anchor mid-river for the evening which provides a marvellous opportunity to observe the stars and galaxies usually obscured in more populated areas.

Arriving at the village of Shwe Kyet Yet in the early afternoon, lunch is followed by a visit to Ava, the capital of a Burmese Kingdom for nearly 500 years.

Visit Maymyo, a colonial hill station set high in the Shan Mountains. Soak up the atmosphere with its cool climate, English style houses, colourful market and beautiful botanical gardens. A typical Shan lunch is taken at a colonial house.

Disembarking this morning in Mandalay, fly to Yangon and transfer to the Shangri-La Traders Hotel for an overnight stay.

Depart this morning by Thai Airways International flight via Bangkok to London Heathrow, arriving later this evening.