Holiday Search
Create your perfect holiday...
65 years travel experience
Worldwide Travel Experts
Your safety is our priority
100% ATOL protected
24 hour overseas support
Expert Travel Team
“One of my favourite experiences in Kyoto was when I spent an evening at a really unique vegetarian restaurant with a Geisha and a Maiko (an apprentice Geisha). It was so interesting to hear about the girls’ lives, their training and to see how respected they are. After dinner we were treated to a show where they both performed a dance for us”
one of our Far East Specialists
Cruising the Irawaddy
On and off the beaten track on a 7 night cruise from Bagan to Mandalay which takes in the highlights of Mingun, Amaarapura, Sagain and Yandabo as well as an exploration of the famous temples of Bagan. Gain a unique insight into the daily life of local villages and visit Inle Lake to see the local fishermen with their one-legged rowing technique, the 150 year old the Jumping Cat Monastery and the famous Paungdaw Oo Pagoda.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1/2 - Fly to Yangon Day 3 - Heho, Lake Pindaya and Pindaya Cave Day 4/5 - Inle Lake Day 6 - Mt. Popa Day 7 - Bagan Day 8 - Yandabo Day 9 - Sagain Hill, Ava and Amarapura Day 10 - Mandalay Day 11 - Mingun Day 12 - Yangon Day 13 - Fly to the UK
Price Includes
• Scheduled flights • Accommodation and meals • Transportation • Sightseeing
Extras
- Thai Airways - Business Class from £1795
Cruise
Read more
Pindaya
Read more
Inle Lake
Read more
Mingun
Read more
Mount Popa
Read more
Bagan
Read more
Golden Teak Monastery
Read more
Sagaing
Read more
Cruise
The waters of the fertile Irrawaddy basin flow through some of Myanmar’s most picturesque scenery, with a number of cruise options available to make the most of this glorious setting. Be entranced by a landscape of wooded hills and ancient temples, where life continues amongst the lush rice paddies and traditional fishing villages much as it has for many generations.
Pindaya
Situated at 1164-m above sea level and is 40-km from Kalaw, Pindaya is noted for its extensive limestone caves and Shwe U Min Paya which is resplendent with Buddha images and the picturesque Boutaloke Lake. According to legend, seven princesses bathing in the lake took refuge in the cave during a storm where they were imprisoned by a giant spider, resulting in the the town's symbol being a spider. In the caves, it is highly likely that you will come across people meditating.
Inle Lake
Inle Lake is home to the extraordinary 'leg-rowing' fishermen who have developed an original, eccentric way of rowing with one leg, leaving their hands free to drop their tall conical nets over passing fish. The lake is extremely beautiful, surrounded by mountains inhabited by colourful hill tribes and after a fascinating few days visiting temples and towns, Inle Lake can offer time for relaxation and reflection.
Mingun
Mingun is reached by a river cruise. Once ashore, the grounds of whitewashed Set Taw Yar pagoda, built in 1790 by the king Bodawpaya await, together with a footprint of Buddha made of marble. A walk through the village leads to the grand Pathodawgyi pagoda, known otherwise as the unfinished pagoda and the Mingun Bell (the heaviest functioning bell in the world) whilst the Sin Phyu Me Stupa resembles a mythical Hindu Mt. Meru.
Mount Popa
About 50 kilometres from Bagan lays Mount Popa, an extinct and sacred volcano. Although at first glance it would appear to be one single peak it is in fact three separate peaks. Mount Popa is regarded as the home of Myanmar's most powerful nats, who are local spirits and commonly worshipped throughout Myanmar.
Bagan
The ancient capital of several kingdoms, the ruins at Bagan (Pagan) lie along the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River, scattered across some 25 square kilometres of Myanmar's central plains. Many of the temples and stupas date back to the time of the First Burmese Empire, when the arrival of Theravada Buddhism in the reign of the 11th century King Anawratha saw Bagan begin its transformation into a major centre for Buddhist studies.
Golden Teak Monastery
Myanmar's second largest city, Mandalay was the last capital of an independent Burmese kingdom, prior to annexation by the British in 1885. Founded in 1857 by King Mindon, the city's exact location at the foot of Mandalay Hill, was chosen to fulfil a Buddhist prophecy. Whilst its once grand palace was sadly destroyed in World War II, much of the city's cultural heritage can still be seen amongst its walls, pagodas and pavilions.
Sagaing
Known as a religious centre, Sagaing is filled with dozens of Buddha statues and nunneries as well as an important monastic hospital. In the months of October and November Buddhists from all over the country come to pay their respects and robes to Sagaing's monks, during the full moon of Tazaungmon. Sagaing is also home to many fascinating attractions such as Twin-daung lake, Inwa Bridge and the Mingun Bell.
What's included:
International flights in economy class, including all UK and overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges. Accommodations with breakfast (Twin/Double sharing basis). Transfer & sightseeing (with private A/C coach). Flight ticket for Yangon-Heho-Bagan/Mandalay-Yangon (Economy class). Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner). Entrance fees for the excursions stated. English speaking local guide (min. 6 pax). Experienced European cruise director Boat fees for visit to Inle Lake. 2 bottles mineral water provided throughout trip in car.
Day 1- Fly to Yangon via Bangkok
Thai airways flight to Yangon via Bangkok.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 2- Your afternoon is at leisure, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda in the evening
Welcome upon arrival at Yangon airport and transfer to the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Evening visit to the 2,500 year old magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda sheathed in 11 tons of pure gold and 4,350 diamonds weighing 1800 carats. At sunset, the Schwedagon offers visitors a spectacular show of lights and shadows.
Meals: D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 3- Transfer to Heho and wander around Lake Pindaya & Pindaya Lake. Visit Inle Lake in the afternoon
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho (approx. 1 hour). Enjoy the stunning beauty and picturesque landscapes of the countryside as you drive to the small, quiet town of Pindaya, 48 km north of Kalaw, where you will visit Lake Pindaya and Pindaya Cave, well-known for its countless Buddha images. Lunch at an outside local restaurant before the afternoon drive to Nyaung Shwe, where one of Myanmar’s magical lakes, Inle, is located 900 meters above sea level. Surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Shan Plateau, Inle Lake is the home of the Inthar tribe. Check-in to your First Class hotel. Dinner and overnight at Treasure Resort Hotel (Deluxe Lake View room) at Inle Lake (or similar).
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 4- Witness traditional life on Lake Inle, the Jumping Cat Monastery and see Silversmiths at work
On your morning excursion on Inle Lake, enjoy its scenic beauty as you witness unique fishing canoes whose Inthar fishermen operate the rudder with their legs and adopt unique techniques to fish and to collect seaweed and lakebed mud to make floating gardens used as vegetable plantations. Then visit NgaPeChaung (Jumping Cat) Monastery built over 150 years ago and featuring a number of old Buddha images before travelling onwards to a Silversmith factory. Lunch at an outside local restaurant in Inle Lake. Visit to see local craftsmen such as silk weavers and silversmiths at work. Later, visit the famous Paungdaw Oo Pagoda. On the way back to Nyaung Shwe you will pass through villages catching a glimpse of rural lakeside life. Dinner and overnight at Treasure Resort Hotel (Deluxe Lake View room) at Inle Lake (or similar).
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 5- Continue exploring Inle Lake, travel small creeks to find the Pao tribes people and their traditions
After breakfast, we explore the southern part of the lake by boat sailing through small creeks to reach Indein Village, where we will discover the hidden treasures of Pao Tribes people. This small village located on the lake’s south west bank is famous for its ruined clusters of pagodas dating back to the 16th century. The tranquillity and ambience will transport you back to those times. Visit the Indein Pagoda and local workshops to see local craftsmen at work producing cheroots, cotton, silver and gold jewellery. Lunch at an outside local restaurant before the short coach transfer to Heho to catch the flight to Bagan (15:50 – 17:00 via Mandalay). Arrive Bagan and transfer to your boutique ship, RV Paukan 2012. Dinner and overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 6- Travel by coach to Mt. Popa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites. Return to Bagan in the afternoon
In the morning, travel by coach to Mt. Popa, one of the holiest Buddhist worship places, littered with a multitude of pagodas and enjoying breathtaking vistas over the surrounding areas. Return to the ship for lunch. In the late afternoon, return to Bagan and visit some of the 2,000 listed pagodas and temples. Dinner and overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 7- Continue your travels around Bagan. Cruise upstream after Lunch and see a puppet show in the evening
Enjoy the tranquillity of sunrise over Bagan before your morning excursion to learn more about Buddhism and the famous temples of Bagan. Return to the ship around noon for lunch and relax onboard for the rest of the day as we cruise upstream. Dinner followed by a Puppet Show either in the village or on the sundeck. Overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 8- See the pot making village of Yandabo, visit the local school and monastery
Cruising for a short time this morning, we arrive at Yandabo, a picturesque village that specializes in pot-making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. We go ashore for a walking tour visiting pot-making workshops, the local school and the monastery. Returning to RV Paukan for lunch, we cruise upstream for the rest of the day, mooring overnight at Myin Mu jetty near Ava. Dinner and overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 9- Meet the Nuns at Sagain Hill monastery and see their day to day life
A very short trip by coach for this morning’s excursion to Sagain Hill where we go “behind closed doors” to meet the nuns and witness monastery life first-hand. Returning to the ship for lunch, we then set-off for this afternoon’s excursion: a short drive to the historic town of Ava where we use horse-drawn carts to show us the beautiful 200 year old teak Bagaya Kyaung Monastery, Nanmyin watchtower (27 metres high) and the Me Nu Ok Kyaung Monastery. Later in the afternoon, our ½ hour journey by sampan and coach takes us to Amarapura, the former Burmese Royal Capital (1783) to visit U-Bein Bridge at sunset. Moor overnight at Sagain. Dance and theatre show on the Sundeck. Dinner and overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 10- See Mandalay from the top of Mandalay Hill, the world's biggest book and a host of workshops
After breakfast visit central Mandalay: Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay Hill where spiralling staircases lead to sweeping views of the city and its temples and the nearby Cathode Paya, which contains the world's biggest book, the gold-leaf, tapestry, woodcarving, marble and bronze workshops. Overnight near Kyauk Myaung. Dinner and overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 11- In the morning visit riverside villages, in the afternoon see the unfinished pagoda of Mingun
In the morning we visit one of the most authentic villages along the river and enjoy the opportunity to observe the daily life of the locals. Return to the ship for lunch, This afternoon’s excursion is to see the unfinished pagoda of Mingun, the largest working bell in the world and the “home for the aged”. Rejoin the ship. Cruise upstream to Mandalay. Dinner and overnight on board RV Paukan 2012.
Meals: B,L,D
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 12- Disembark in Mandalay, fly back to Yangon. Sightseeing in Yangon before journeying back to the UK
In the morning, disembark in Mandalay. Transfer to the airport for flight back to Yangon (approx. 2 hours). In Yangon visit the Botataung Pagoda, a famous landmark on Yangon’s waterfront and Nanthida Jetty to observe the locals travelling to and from work from either side of Yangon River. In the heart of the city, visit Sule Pagoda, Maha Bandoola Park with Independence Monument. Then visit Chaukhtatgyi, a reclining Buddha image and Bogyoke market - a shopping market with more than 2000 shops selling all kinds of products, with special attention to those trading the famous, beautiful and exotic “Shan Bag” velvet slippers, lacquer ware, gems and a multitude of handicraft. In the late afternoon depart to the airport for the Thai Airways flight to Bangkok (1 hour 25 minutes) and connect to the Thai Airways flight to London Heathrow (13 hours 5 minutes)
Meals: B
Hotel: No Hotel
Day 13- Arrive in the morning at London Heathrow.
Arrival at London Heathrow this morning.
Meals:
Hotel: No Hotel
Travelling to Myanmar (Burma)
This suggested Tailor Made itinerary is priced from £5595, depending on seasonality and any additional options/excursions you may wish to include in your itinerary. Click on ' Enquire Online' to submit your interest, and one of our specialists will be in touch with further information.
Your international flight details:
Flight upgrades can be selected during the booking process. This holiday has the following flight upgrades:
Thai Airways - Business Class
Cost: from £ 1795
Thai Airways currently has two types of business class seats available on long haul flights: a cradle style 'old' seat, and a new lie flat style which reclines to 170 degrees for sleeping, with each seat having telephone and laptop power point. The new seating is available on the A340-600, B747-400 (Selected aircraft), B777-300 (Selected aircraft),B777-200 and B777-200ER.
