Myanmar Highlights with In-Depth River Journey

DAY 1 – DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK.

DAY 2 – YANGON   relaxing after your flight

On arrival, your private guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, perhaps take a swim and recover from any jet-lag.

DAY 3 – YANGON  Getting to know the city

Today you’ll begin discovering Myanmar with a specially devised tour of Yangon, timed to dodge the crowds and get beneath the skin of the town. You’ll explore the bustling harbour area, marvel at the elegant colonial architecture, perhaps take a rickshaw to a vibrant market, and ride the circle train to get a taste of local life.

DAY 4 – 7 PANDAW cruising  relaxed atmosphere and river life

Today you’ll board the Pandaw II vessel at the jetty in Yangon and settle into your cabin. The boat is furnished in a colonial style with 24 comfortable cabins a dining room, a saloon bar and sun deck. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and soak up the stunning views as you leave Yangon and head out into the Irrawaddy Delta.

Spend four days sailing upstream at an unhurried pace; river travel is a fantastic way to enjoy the scenery and take in Myanmar's unique ambience. The boat moors en route to give you the chance to explore small towns like Danupyu, with its busy local market, and the British colonial buildings of Manaung.

DAY 8 – 17 PANDAW CRUISing  upstream to Bagan and Mandalay

On Day eight the cruise will reach the town of Prome with a visit to a nearby archaeological site, home to many early Buddhist artefacts and sculptures.

The next days will be spent enjoying the atmosphere aboard RV Pandaw II as you further explore the Irrawaddy. Highlights along the way include:

• Visiting Thayetmo, a former colonial town where you can take a horse and cart ride through the botanical garden
• Yout-saun-kyaung monastery with its spectacular wood carvings
• Riding tri-shaws to the golden pagoda of Magwe
• Ascending Tan-Chi-Taung Mountain by WWII Jeep
• Exploring the incredible monuments of Bagan
• Getting immersed in local life at typical riverside communities
• Discovering Mandalay, the ancient capital of Amarapura and U Bein Bridge

DAY 18 – MANDALAY  Disembark and explore Mandalay

Today you’ll disembark the cruise, and your river journey ends. Your private guide will meet you, and you’ll check in to your Mandalay hotel. The day will finish with a walk-up Mandalay Hill to see spectacular views as the sun sets over the city, the Irrawaddy River and the surrounding countryside.

DAY 19 – 20 Lake Inle   fisherman, floating gardens and wine

After breakfast, your guide will meet you for the transfer to the airport, and you’ll fly to Heho, the hub for Lake Inle.  En route to the lake, you will drive past paddy fields and winding streams and stop to explore caves. When you reach Inle Lake, you will board a private boat for the last section of your journey.

You’ll spend a full day exploring Inle Lake with an Experience Travel Group signature tour. Take a private boat to explore the floating gardens and farms that move around on the surface of the lake, see the local fisherman rowing in their unique one-leg style and perhaps taste some local wine. As a final treat, you may wish to take a Hot Air Balloon Ride over the lake.

 DAY 21 – YANGON   Sunset at the Shwedagon Pagoda

This morning you will take the short flight back to Yangon for your final night in Myanmar. Exploring one of the country’s most famous sites has been saved for last, and tonight, as the sun sets, you’ll visit the Shwedagon Pagoda whose recognisable golden stupa dominates the city's skyline.

 DAY 22 – FLY HOME

Transfer to Yangon airport for your flight back to the UK.