The Experience

Shop at a Burmese market before catching sunset over the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, ascend Mount Popa then spend time in a laquerware workshop, and marvel at the floating villages of magical Inle Lake. Day 1: ARRIVE IN YANGON, MYANMAR Arrive in Yangon and transfer to your hotel. Traders Hotel, Yangon Day 2: YANGON / Shwedagon Pagoda This morning, explore Botataung Pagoda with its uniquely hollowed stupa and Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses the 230- foot reclining Buddha. After lunch, shop for Burmese handicrafts at Scott Market. Before sunset, explore the most revered of Myanmar’s temples, the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden stupas, serene Buddhas and mythical beasts. Tonight, gather for a Burmese welcome dinner. Traders Hotel, Yangon | Meals: B L D Day 3: MANDALAY / Ancient Capitals Fly to Mandalay, the former royal Burmese capital, where you journey to the long teak U Bein Bridge over Taungthaman Lake. Experience charming Mandalay City, stop in a workshop where artisans craft gold leaf offerings and visit Maha Muni Paya. Later, explore the ancient capital city of Inwa, visiting the beautiful brick Maha Aung Myay Bon Zan Monastery and the ancient 90-foot Watch Tower (Nan Myint). Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel | Meals: B L D Day 4: MANDALAY / Life on the Ayeyarwady River After breakfast, tour Sagaing, a religious hub for dozens of Buddhist monasteries and nunneries. Discover Ayeyarwady river life when you embark on a private cruise to Mingun with views of the pretty Hsinbyume Pagoda. Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel | Meals: B L Day 5: BAGAN / Land of Temples Fly to Bagan, where over 2,000 pagodas, temples and stupas dot a landscape once ruled by Kublai Khan. Explore the Nyaung Oo local market before visiting the Shwezigon Pagoda, the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi cave temple and the elegant Htilominlo Temple. Meet with the monks at Taungbi Monastery for a private lunch. Later, visit the city’s beautiful Mon-style Ananda Temple with its two unique Buddhas whose expressions are said to change depending on where they are viewed. Ride in a horse cart past Bagan’s highest temple, Thatbyinnyu, and the remarkable Dhammayangyi Temple. Aureum Palace Hotel | Meals: B L D Day 6: BAGAN / Legendary Mount Popa Travel east to Mount Popa, a 4,981-foot dormant volcano and a site of great cultural and spiritual significance. Spy the stunning Popa Taungkalat monastery atop an outcropping and visit a shrine dedicated to the 37 Mahagiri Nats, the ancient animist spirits said to inhabit the volcano. Take an optional climb to the Popa-Taung Kalat volcanic peak. Aureum Palace Hotel | Meals: B L Day 7: BAGAN / Breathtaking Ancient Lands Rise early for an optional balloon flight (at an additional cost) over Bagan, marvelling the views of stupas and the Ayeyarwady River. Later, set out for Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery and the Monastic Primary School, where you are greeted by the warm smiles of local children. Spend time in a lacquerware workshop to make an Artisan Connection. Aureum Palace Hotel | Meals: B L Day 8: INLE LAKE / Heaven on Earth Fly to Heho and travel to Inle Lake, Myanmar’s world of floating gardens, stilted villages and leg-rowing fisherman. See it all from a private motorboat that delivers you to your hotel. Later, visit a local weaving village and a cheroot factory where Burmese cigars are made by hand. Aureum Resort & Spa Inle | Meals: B L D Day 9: INLE LAKE / Inthar Culture Discover the Pa-oh village of In Dein, visiting a local school for a Neighborhood Connection, wandering a bamboo grove and exploring the Shan stupas of the old Shwe Inn Dein. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner. Aureum Resort & Spa Inle | Meals: B L D Day 10: DEPART YANGON Fly to Yangon and tour Chinatown. Relax at your hotel before departing for home. The Governor’s Residence (dayroom) | Meals: B L