Myanmar | Essence of Myanmar
 Cruising the Ayeyarwady River |
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8 days / 7 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Inle Lake | 2 |
| Mandalay | 1 |
| Bagan | 2 |
| Yangon | 2 |
Day 01 Yangon – Inle Lake
Arrive to a private A&K welcome and lunch before a flight north to Heho. Arrival at the resort is by boat. The shallow waters of Inle Lake stretch for 35 kms, circled by rolling hills and dotted with small fishing villages. The lake itself is home to the Intha people and this afternoon tour the area observing the man-made floating gardens and traditional leg-rowers, the wooden Ngapechaung Monastery famous for its jumping cats and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda (L,D).
Inle Lake (Choice of category)
Day 02 Design Your Day Inle Lake
Plan your day to suit. Choose one of the following activities: an early morning start to meet a local family. Accompany them on a market visit sourcing fresh produce for the day’s culinary adventure. Return to their lakeside dwelling where the secrets of Shan style cuisine are revealed. Help prepare and enjoy a family meal in these unique surrounds; or a day of touring including a visit to the Five Day Market and opportunity to see silk weavers and boat builders at work (B,L,D).
Inle Lake (Choice of category)
Day 03 Inle Lake – Mandalay
A flight north-west to Mandalay, Burmese capital before the colonial era. Considered the cultural centre of the country there is much to see. Afternoon sightseeing to include the Shwenandaw Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda and a tapestry workshop. Mandalay is well known for its handicrafts and is the ideal place to purchase marble, wood carvings, weavings or traditional puppets. Finish the day with a climb up Mandalay Hill for superb views (B).
Mandalay (Choice of category)
Day 04 Mandalay – Bagan
Board a private boat for your cruise on the Ayeyarwady River to Mingun. Observe riverside activities along the way and visit the pretty Hsinbyume Pagoda and the world’s largest uncracked bell. An afternoon flight south-west to Bagan, one of south-east Asia’s finest sites with close to 3000 ancient temples and shrines dotted across the plain straddling the Ayeyarwady. Transfer to hotel (B,L).
Bagan (Choice of category)
Day 05 Bagan
A day in this magnificent setting with sightseeing to include the main temples and Shwezigon Pagoda plus the chance to see Myanmar’s famous lacquerware being made. A sunset boat cruise this evening on the Ayeyarwady (B,L).
Bagan (Choice of category)
Day 06 Bagan – Yangon
Head out of town for an hour’s drive to visit Mount Popa, a nearby volcanic outcrop covered in thick forest whose shrine is a major stop for pilgrims worshipping the ancient animist spirits. On the return visit some local villages and temples ending at the airport for a return flight to the capital and your hotel (B,L).
Yangon (Choice of category)
Day 07 Design Your Day Yangon
This colonial city formerly known as Rangoon is yours to explore from the gracious buildings downtown to old mansions in the diplomatic quarter. Choose two of the following half day activities: visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda and Scott Market, a must for handicrafts, jewellery and antiques as well as the A&K-supported Grace Home Orphanage; devote an hour of the day to a brief instruction into the art of meditation by one of the leading practitioners in Myanmar; join a professional photographer on an early morning photographic tour to capture the vibrant, bustling and colourful city when the light is at its best; or meet a local artist at work in their studio (B).
Yangon (Choice of category)
Day 08 Depart Yangon
Farewell to Myanmar on departure (B).
Optional Extensions
For great mountain vies and rugged scenery, A&K recommends three nights at the exquisite Malikha Lodge in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. Check out our private Eco-Adventure Mountain Extension for details.
Grace Home Orphanages – Make a difference
Founded in 1997, the Grace Home Orphanages provide food, accommodation, education and above all love for abandoned and destitute children, some of whom are no more than two weeks old when dumped in suitcases on the doorstep. A&K guests are really making a difference in Myanmar and we give you the opportunity to see how.
Choice of Accommodation
| City | Platinum | Gold |
| Inle Lake | Inle Princess Resort (Lake Front View) | Inle Princess Resort (Mountain View) |
| Mandalay | Sedona Mandalay Hotel (Premiers Terrace) | Sedona Mandalay Hotel (Deluxe) |
| Bagan | Thiripyitsaya Sakura (Riverview Suite) | Thiripyitsaya Sakura (Deluxe Riverview) |
| Yangon | The Strand (Superior Suite) | Savoy Hotel (Deluxe) |
