Highlights of Myanmar

Fly into Mandalay, from where you’ll be transferred to Rupar Mandalar Resort. Once settled in, the city’s beautiful pagodas await to be explored. Visit the gold leaf Buddha at Mahamuni Pagoda before heading to Kuthodaw Pagoda to see ‘the world’s largest book’ where Buddhist scriptures are carved into the marble walls. Discover local workshops to witness the production of kalaga tapestries, gold leaf, stone carving, and bronze casting. Round off your stay atop Mandalay Hill with views of a glowing sunset.

Continue to Sagaing jetty, where you’ll board the RV Paukan 2007 for a river cruise down the Irrawaddy. As a floating boutique hotel, you’re guaranteed a comfortable night’s sleep with all of life’s luxuries on the water. With an expansive sun deck, relax on a lounger and take in the action as you pass riverside villages. Stop off at the famous clay pot-making village of Yandabo, and stand in the spot in which the signatories of the Anglo-Burmese peace treaty stood nearly 200 years ago. In the early morning, catch the sunrise as you make your way downriver to Bagan before disembarking at Bagan Aye Yar jetty.

Disembark in Bagan, where you’ll spend three nights at The Hotel at Tharabar Gate. Wander around Nyaung Oo market where you’ll be able to find every authentic Burmese product, from longyi to rattan baskets. To explore more of Buddhist culture, hop around some of Myanmar’s most important pagodas and temples, including the Gubyaukgyi cave temple covered in frescoes. Following this, take a day trip to the palm plantations outside the city to try toddy palm wine and see the production of jaggery. One morning, enjoy the thrill of rising early to soar above Bagan’s iconic skyline on a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

Take a flight to Heho, where’ll be transferred to your lakeside hotel, Villa Inle. By boat, tour the calm waters of the lake and spot the unique Intha fishermen who row with one leg wrapped around an oar, with their hands controlling the fishing nets. Visit the lake’s tomato plantations to see how local farms have built their own water crops. Dedicate a full day discovering Kakku and its local markets, ancient pagoda and monastery, and a nearby vineyard for wine-tasting. For the ultimate atmospheric experience, you will enjoy a secluded dinner where you’ll canoe out to a floating village and dine by candlelight as the sun sets over the water.

Fly from Heho to Thandwe to continue your trip at the Sandoway Resort, perfectly situated on Ngapali Beach. Whilst relaxing on the golden sand under palm trees might be the flavour of the day, those wishing to explore the surrounding area have a wealth of land and water-based activities at their fingertips. Head out on a bike to the nearby fishing village of Jaketaw to watch villagers sun dry their fish, prawns and coconut, or go snorkelling off the reefs. Back at Sandoway, indulge in a traditional Burmese massage in the spa pavilion before sipping sundowners on the open veranda overlooking the beach.

Fly to Yangon, where you’ll spend your final two nights at Belmond Governor’s Residence, a 1920s teak mansion surrounded by lotus gardens. For your final touch of culture, learn about Myanmar’s culture of astrology with a sunrise visit to Shwedagon Pagoda. At sunset, we can arrange for you to experience an auspicious Buddhist light ceremony where you’ll set light to 500 oil lamps. Enjoy looking at local handicrafts and souvenirs at Scott Market, followed by a cooking class where you’ll learn to make local dishes such as tea leaf salad. The following day, explore the delights of Strand Road, the Indian Quarter and Chinatown on a guided tour, and round off your stay with delicious food and cosy cocktails under the stars at your hotel.