Evening departure from London Heathrow on Thai Airways overnight flight to Bangkok.

Arrive in Bangkok and connect with the onward Thai Airways flight to Yangon arriving in the late afternoon. On arrival you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the Traders Hotel for two nights.

Morning visit to Sule Pagoda and the markets of Rangoon’s old colonial quarter. Stop to see the bustling waterfront and life on the Yangon River before visiting Chaukhtatky Reclining Buddha. After lunch visit the sacred site of the dominating gilded Shwe Dagon Pagoda, reputed to contain more gold than is held in the vaults of the Bank of England. The atmosphere of this ancient site at sunset never fails to enchant.

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Mandalay (exact flight details to be advised), capital of Upper Burma. Transfer to the Sedona Hotel for three nights. In the afternoon visit Mahamyatmuni Pagoda to see the most revered Buddha image in Mandalay. The laborious process of gold-leaf beating where gold is painstakingly hammered out into tissue-thin squares will be watched. Later visit the Shwenandaw Kyuang or Golden Teak Monastery known for its exquisite wood carvings before finishing the day watching the sunset from Mandalay Hill.

Full day visit to the ancient cities of Ava and Amarapura, former capitals of the Burmese Kingdom, very different but equally fascinating sites. At Ava you will take a tour by pony cart for part of the journey. In Amarapura you will cross the U Bein wooden bridge across the Taungthaman Lake.

Today is free with the option to visit the beautiful landscapes and famous gardens around Maymyo, an old colonial hill station in the Shan Hills.

Start the day early and transfer to Sagaing, located on the Irawaddy riverbank. Home to over 5,000 stupas there will be some time for some sightseeing. Mid-morning embark on the Pandaw 1947 moored at the Sagaing jetty. Cruising commences soon after embarkation and in the afternoon you will visit a the village of Yandabo to see how the community live and support themselves. It was in this village that the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on the 24th February 1826. Moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.

Cruising continues in the early morning, proceeding downriver to Bagan where you will disembark after breakfast. Arrive into Bagan and transfer to the Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort for three nights. Bagan is one of the most impressive archaeological sites of Asia. More than 2,000 temples and pagodas dot the dry plain beside the Irrawaddy, some dating from the 11th century. Spend the day visiting a few of the major temples and watch a memorable sunset over the Irawaddy River from one of the tallest temples

Early morning visit to Nyaung Oo market prior to returning to the pagodas and temples of Bagan to include Shwezigon, Htilominlo (one of the largest temples in Bagan and noted for its fine plaster carvings) the Khay Min Ga, Gawdawpalin, Seinnyet Nyima Ahma and Wetkyi.

Today is free, perhaps taking an optional visit to Mount Popa.

Transfer to Bagan airport for the flight to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe Jetty and on by boat to the Inle Princess Resort for a stay of two nights. An afternoon tour of the lake will take in Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, one of the most famous shrines in Myanmar. Once a year, in the month of October, a pagoda festival sees Buddha images rowed around the lake in a colourful barge. You will also visit the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.

Full day sightseeing on the lake to include a visit to a local market to see the variety of produce from the lake and is where you can see the ethnic minority tribes in their local dress.

Transfer back to Heho airport for the flight to Yangon. Overnight at the Traders Hotel. You may wish to visit the Scott Market for a walking tour which is located just a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Morning departure on Thai Airways via Bangkok to London Heathrow, arriving early this evening