Essential of Myanmar – 12 Days

Walk past the city’s grand colonial buildings, among them the former parliament, City Hall and the old immigration offices, to Mahabandoola Park and the golden Sule Pagoda at the heart of downtown. Pause for tea or coffee at a Let Yway Sin tea shop, a local favourite, then browse the handicrafts, textiles and jewellery of Bogyoke Market, the old Scott Market, before returning to your hotel to escape the midday heat.

Visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, home to a huge reclining Buddha around 70 metres long, then stroll in Kandawgyi Park, one of the city’s green spaces.

End at Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar, its great golden stupa glowing in the late light as pilgrims walk barefoot around its base.

Enjoy the morning at leisure until your transfer to the airport for the short flight to Heho.

A scenic drive of about an hour brings you to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake, where a private motorboat carries you across the water to your hotel. Along the way, pass stilted villages, Intha fishermen who row standing on one leg with the other wrapped around the oar, and floating gardens anchored to the lake bed with bamboo poles.

If you wish, set off early to visit the floating market. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s most important shrine, then continue to Inpawkhone village to watch the Intha weavers at their silk looms. Stop at a cheroot workshop, where the local Burmese cigars are still rolled by hand.

Step into a stilted house on the lake and cook lunch with an Intha family. Help in the kitchen as you prepare traditional dishes such as stuffed Inle fish and tomato salad, then sit on the floor, local style, to enjoy what you have made.

Cruise back across the lake to your hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your boat returns to Nyaung Shwe around midday.

Stop for lunch at a restaurant known for some of the best Shan food in Myanmar.

Drive to Heho Airport for your flight to Bagan, then transfer to your hotel. The evening is yours at leisure.

Begin at Thagyar Pone Temple for wide views over the plain, then visit Ananda Temple, one of the most revered in Bagan. In Myinkaba village, step inside Gubyaukgyi Temple, famous for its delicate murals and finely preserved plasterwork, then visit the nearby Manuha and Nan Paya temples, smaller shrines with beautiful Buddha images and stone carving. Return to your hotel to rest through the midday heat.

At a local monastery, receive a blessing from the monks in a serene ceremony, a lovely chance to learn about Buddhist life in Myanmar. Then visit a lacquerware workshop, where craftsmen still make bowls and boxes using techniques handed down for generations.

If you wish, rise before dawn for a hot air balloon flight over the temples as the sun comes up over the plain.

Visit the golden Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction to Bagan’s history, then the nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple painted with exquisite murals of the Jataka tales, the stories of the Buddha’s past lives. Continue to Kyansittha Cave Temple and walk its tunnel-like corridors beneath faded paintings.

The rest of the day is yours to explore or relax.

Enjoy the morning at leisure until your transfer to Nyaung U Airport.

Fly to Thandwe, where you are met for the short drive to Ngapali Beach, a quiet, three-kilometre stretch of white sand lined with coconut palms. The warm, clear water is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and small islands offshore can be reached by boat.

Spend the day as you like: swim, snorkel, stroll along the sand to watch the fishermen bring in their catch, or simply relax under the palms.

Let the day unfold at its own pace, perhaps with a walk to a fishing village, then watch the sun set over the sea.

Enjoy a final swim and some time on the sand.

Transfer to Thandwe Airport for your flight to Yangon, then check in to your hotel, with the evening at leisure.

Enjoy some time at leisure for last-minute shopping or a final visit.

At the agreed time, your driver takes you to the airport for your flight home.