Wonders of Myanmar including 4 Day Cruise

We head into Yangon’s city center after our arrival and visit the Sule Pagoda before we take a stroll along Yangon’s lively riverside and visit Botataung Pagoda which houses relics of Buddha from India. We skip over to the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70 meter long reclining Buddha statue before we take ‘Afternoon Tea’ at the “The Governor's Residence,” an imposing teak mansion dating from the 1920s. Finally we visit the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. Witness the colors transform on the 100-meter chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf. Shwedagon is considered to be the most important religious site for the Burmese.

After breakfast we take a domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival we transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet. All meals including lunch and dinner will be on board. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. 

After an early breakfast visit Sagaing, with Sagaing Hill known as the spiritual hub of Myanmar and which claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. The ship begins its journey south mid-morning. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board observing the local river life from the top deck. An onboard guide lectures on local places and customs. 

All meals are on board.

We arrive at Bagan where over 4,000 temples and pagodas remain on this awe-inspiring plain. A guided orientation tour introduces you to the most important temples such as Ananda Temple. After lunch you have the opportunity to rejoin the guide and visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon we take in the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the plain. All meals are on board.

After breakfast we leave the cruise boat and continue our exploration of Bagan. You might consider the option of a hot-air balloon ride over the temples.

After lunch we begin with a walk through Myinkaba village where you’ll have the chance to see local craftsmen at their lacquer workshop. We carry on to Manuha Temple (constructed in 1059) and investigate the Nanbaya Temple, a distinctive sandstone shrine, which according to myth, was the bastion of King Manuha. Then we take in the delights of Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with beautiful wall paintings and the stylish Htilominlo Temple. Investigate Nanbaya Temple, one of the oldest temples in the region, the Myazedi (Jade) Stupa and Sulamani Temple. We watch the extraordinary sunset over the plains from the higher verandas of one these temples.

After breakfast we take a domestic flight to Heho. We drive two hours to Pindaya and visit the renowned Pindaya caves, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images. Then we carry onto Nyaung Shwe, gateway village to Inle Lake. En route, we’ll stop at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to witness the intricate wood carving artwork. We take a boat to our hotel on arrival.

After breakfast we visit the lake’s morning market, the location of which changes every day. We’ll visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses many early Shan Buddha Images. It’s also famous for its unique ‘jumping cats.’ We continue onto Phaung Daw U Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. A stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where traditional Burmese cigars are handmade, will close the day.

After breakfast and some relaxation time, we take the short domestic flight to Yangon. The rest of the day is at leisure. Your options include finding out what the future holds from one of the local fortune-tellers. Or a farewell dinner at Le Planteur, one of Yangon’s best restaurants. 

The remainder of the day is at your leisure - you may wish to visit Bogyoke Market for your last minute shopping - until your departure flight.