Inside the Golden Land

A warm A&K welcome to Myanmar. Settle into your hotel before an evening visit to the gleaming Shwedagon Pagoda with its gold stupa that rises 98 metres above the city. See it at dusk, when it is at its most lively. 
Belmond Governor’s Residence (Deluxe Garden View Room)

Transfer to Yangon airport for your flight to Bagan, the 11th century capital of Myanmar. Step back in time in this wondrous city, and fully understand the enigmatic qualities that have been inspiring travellers with awe for centuries. Venture out with your guide to visit a vibrant market in Nyaung Oo, the economic heart of Bagan. From rich textures to smells of traditional incense, this market promises a feast for the senses. Take in Bagan’s most important pagodas and temples including Shwezigon, one of the most significant religious buildings in Myanmar, the 13^th century Kubyaukgyi Temple and its frescoes, and the soaring Htilominlo Temple. Finally, ride a horse and cart to the 11^th century Ananda Temple. Next, step inside a lacquerware workshop for your hands-on masterclass in one of Myanmar’s ancient handicrafts. Complete your day’s adventures watching the dramatic sunset over the temple-dotted plains.
Aureum Palace Hotel (Lotus Villa) | Meals: BL

Journey to the village of Min Nan Thu. Along the way, you’ll pass many temples including Tayokepay, Phayar Thonezu, Kyauk Kan U Min, and Lay Myaynar Phayar. Make a stop at Nandamanya Temple to discover its vivid murals before continuing to a weaving workshop and a brick-making factory, which has been producing bricks by hand using the same traditional method for centuries. Arrive at the village of Min Nan Thu, where you hop on a bicycle to explore. Visit a local farmer’s house to see how peanut oil is produced and watch local women spinning thread nearby. Continue to the captivating village of Myinkaba and admire the local handicrafts. Then, take a private transfer back to Bagan where you visit Manuha and Nanpaya Temples. This evening, embark on a scenic sunset cruise on the majestic Irrawaddy River. Recline in wicker chairs and sample Burmese snacks as you drift along, soaking up the serenity and watching the changing colours across the plateau.
Aureum Palace Hotel (Lotus Villa) | Meals: BL

Transfer to Bagan airport for your flight to Mandalay. Along the way, pause at the charming town of Amarapura to see U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world, and a silk weaving workshop. Next, visit one of the country’s most revered Buddhist places of worship, Mahamuni Paya. See the large Pali Buddha statue, which is believed to have been cast in the presence of the Buddha. Settle into your hotel, before exploring the highlights of Mandalay with your guide. Start at Shwenandaw Monastery, the last remaining building of the ancient Mandalay Palace, where there’s time to roam. Continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda and Mandalay Hill for rewarding views of Mandalay, the Shan mountains and the Royal Palace. Later, experience a magical evening at Shwekyin Kyaung Monastery and observe the meticulous chanting routine performed by the young monks after sunset – a hypnotic experience. Then, join the young novices to be blessed for prosperity and spiritual security.
Rupar Mandalar Resort (Premier Suite) | Meals: BL

Discover some of the fascinating traditions of Mandalay today. Begin at a gold leaf workshop to observe the painstaking process of producing the thin sheets of gold used to cover Buddha statues. Next, step inside a bronze casting workshop which produces some of the impressively large statues seen across Myanmar. This afternoon, cruise upstream to Mingun, enjoying a wonderful glimpse into daily life along the Irrawaddy River, still a crucial resource for the people of Myanmar. Ride an ox-cart to visit the Mingun Bell, said to be the world’s largest, and onwards to Myatheindan Pagoda, built by King Bagyidaw in memory of his wife, Queen Hsinbyumei. Then, learn the intriguing story behind Mingun Pahtodawgyi, a massive unfinished pagoda guarded by two gigantic lions.
Rupar Mandalar Resort (Premier Suite) | Meals: BL

Fly to Heho and lose yourself in the magic of Inle Lake, surrounded by stilt villages where traditional fishermen practice a unique method of rowing with their legs. Cruise through a densely-forested river to visit Indein perched on a hillside in the southwestern corner of the lake. Slow down to wander through this typical lakeside village and watch daily life unfold before walking through a bamboo grove and up a beautiful stairway lined with wooden columns to old Shwe Inn Dein, an impressive collection of ancient Shan style stupas. Bask in the stunning view across the lake and beyond, to the hills in the east and of the rolling countryside to the west.
Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle (Lake Villa) | Meals: BL

Enjoy a morning exploring at your own pace. After lunch, visit the stilted village of Inn Paw Khon and witness unique ikat-style silk weaving in a local workshop. Continue to Nampan Village to experience a way of life that’s remained unchanged for generations. Visit a blacksmith in a stilted shop above the lake, where skilled experts shape metals with hammer and anvil. Take a tour of a ‘cheroot’ factory and try your hand at making a Burmese cigar, before stopping at a boat builder's workshop to see how the essential local transportation is produced by hand.
Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle (Lake Villa) | Meals: B

Transfer to Heho airport for your return flight to Yangon and explore your way. Choose your half-day experience: a visit to Scott Market to immerse yourself in a world of handicrafts, jewellery and antiques; or learn the art of meditation with one of the country’s leading practitioners; or spark your creativity inside a local artist’s studio.
Belmond Governor’s Residence (Deluxe Garden View Room) | Meals: B

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. 
Meals: B