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Myanmar is one of Southeast Asia's most extraordinary destinations — a country of golden pagodas, ancient kingdoms and extraordinary warmth. This 9-day journey takes in the spiritual heart of Yangon, the royal city of Mandalay, the temples of Bagan at sunrise and the leg-rowing fishermen of Inle Lake.
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Yangon's extraordinary colonial architecture — the city has one of the largest concentrations of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia. At dusk, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda — the holiest Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, plated in gold and crowned with 76 carats of diamonds.
Morning at Bogyoke Market — the best place to find Myanmar rubies, jade, lacquerware and textiles. Visit the Sule Pagoda at the heart of the colonial grid and the atmospheric Scott Market. Afternoon flight to Mandalay — the cultural and spiritual heartland of upper Myanmar.
A full day exploring Mandalay's royal past. Morning at Mandalay Palace — the last royal palace of the Burmese kings, rebuilt on its original 1859 footprint. Afternoon at Amarapura's U Bein Bridge — the world's longest teak footbridge, stretching 1.2km across Taungthaman Lake. Arrive at the bridge before sunset for a classic Myanmar moment.
Morning at Sagaing — a hilltop covered in hundreds of white Buddhist pagodas, monasteries and nunneries. One of the most atmospheric religious sites in Southeast Asia, home to over 3,000 monks and 100 monasteries. Afternoon flight to Bagan — the ancient capital of the Pagan Kingdom and the most dramatic archaeological site in Southeast Asia.
Pre-dawn start to reach a viewpoint as the sun rises over the plains of Bagan — 2,000 temples emerging from morning mist is an unforgettable sight. Spend the day exploring the temples by e-bike (the best way to travel between them) with our guide on hand to explain the history and significance of the most important sites.
More time at leisure in Bagan to explore at your own pace — the plain rewards hours of wandering. Visit the Ananda Temple — the finest example of Mon architecture in Myanmar — and the Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan's largest and most imposing. Late afternoon flight to Heho for Inle Lake.
A full day on Inle Lake by longtail boat. The lake sits at 900m altitude in the Shan hills — its surface is alive with floating gardens, stilt villages and the extraordinary leg-rowing fishermen who balance on one foot to paddle and cast their nets. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and watch silk being woven at a traditional lakeside workshop.
Morning at leisure on the lake before transferring back to Heho and flying to Yangon. Final evening in Myanmar's capital — the group gathers for a farewell dinner. Take one last walk along the waterfront or visit a teahouse for the ultimate Myanmar experience.
Your adventure ends after breakfast. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight home. If you'd like to extend with extra nights in Yangon, let us know when you enquire.
Our team has led small-group adventures across Asia, East Africa, the Caucasus and South America since 2006. We know the routes we run inside out — and we run them personally.
Never more than 10 people on this tour. Small groups move differently — you get into places larger groups can't, spend more time in the moment and actually get to know the people you're travelling with.
You book your own flights, so you have full flexibility over your dates, airline and route. We're always happy to advise on the best connections — just ask when you enquire.
No booking engine. Enquire and our team will be in touch within 24 hours to discuss everything personally — and to tailor the trip around your schedule and what matters most to you.
