Day 1: Yangon

On arriving in Yangon, you will be transferred to your hotel and have lunch downtown, at the colonial-like Monsoon Restaurant. We will then embark on our programme of visits, starting with Karaweik Hall, a surprising palace built on the east shore of Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon. We will then continue to see the Chauktatgyi Reclining Buddha, reputedly the most beautiful one in the country. An in-depth visit of the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda is also on the agenda. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Yangon – Bagan

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Bagan, the “city of 1,000 pagodas”. Scattered over a 41- square kilometre area, the temples date back to different times spreading from the 11th to the 13th century and display a very mature and accomplished form of art blending harmoniously various influences. Ananda Temple is a masterpiece of Mon architecture for example. Although we cannot pay to each temple the tribute they all deserve, we will try to discover as many as possible, be they famous or neglected. We will then let ourselves be dazzled by the sunset on Bagan… it is so arresting no-one can ever grow tired of it! Tonight, dinner will be accompanied by a puppet-show.

Day 3: Bagan – Nuayng-U –Popa Mount – Bagan

In the morning, we will visit the Nyaung Oo market and the Shwezigon Pagoda consisting of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. We then drive up to Popa Mount, a low-lying volcano offering a tranquil view on the plain. It welcomes numerous festivals where magicians and other religious characters meet, attracted as they are by the Nat (spirit) “in residence”. Back to Bagan, we enjoy lunch by the river. The afternoon is busy and takes us to a traditional lacquer factory. This form of arts and crafts existed prior to the birth of Bagan, yet it grew most refined along with the city’s blooming wealth.

Day 4: Bagan – Mandalay – Mingun – Ava – Sagaing

Today, we take a flight to Mandalay and upon arrival, head for the pier to embark on a cruise taking us to Mingun. This former capital is well-known for its Pahtodawgyi monumental, yet incomplete stupa and gigantic brass bell. Sheltered by tall trees, the place enjoys an atmosphere of serenity and peacefulness. We then go back to Mandalay and drive on to Ava, the Burmese capital city from 1364 to 1841, built on an artificial island. We will hop on a calash and visit the fabulous Bagaya Monastery made of teak wood. After this, we will go to Sagaing where a pleasant hill offers a panoramic view on the river. Sagaing is famous for its temples and pagodas but also for its meditation centres. Lunch and dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Day 5: Mandalay – Amarapura – Monywa

We leave Mandalay to go to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon Monastery, home of young monks-to-be. The city is also known for its weaving tradition. We then drive to Monywa for lunch. Once refreshed, we will head for Thanbodday Temple and its stunning ceilings embedded with hundreds of tiny niches sheltering Buddha images. Nearby, a garden hosts Buddha reproductions, each placed under a ficus tree. An impressive reclining Buddha is gazing dreamily at this peaceful arrangement. We will drive back to Monywa for dinner.

Day 6: Monywa – Phowintaung – Sagaing – Mandalay

Today we will go back in time at the sacred “Mountain of Isolated Solitary Meditation”, Phowintaung. This Buddhist cave contains 947 caves sheltering numerous carved Buddha statues and mural paintings dating back to the 14th and 18th centuries. Sagaing is our next stopping place. We will have lunch there and visit Kaungmudaw Pagoda. On the road to Mandalay, we will have a look at the 1,25 kilometre-long U Bein Bridge, entirely made of teak wood reclaimed from Ava’s Royal Palace. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

Day 7: Mandalay

In the morning, we will visit the most revered Pagoda in Mandalay: the Mahamuni Pagoda. The Shwenandaw Monastery is also an arresting example of teak wood construction. We will then see how the gold leaves put on sacred images are made. Before having lunch by the river, we will visit Mandalay’s royal palace. We will go on to Kuthodaw Pagoda considered to be the world’s largest open-air library with hundreds of marble slabs inscribed on both sides with a page of text from the Tipitaka (the Pali Canon of Buddhism). To round up the day, we will ascend Mandalay’s hill. The stunning panoramic view at sunset is well-worth the trip. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

Day 8: Heho – Pindaya – Kalaw

Today, we will fly to Heho, within the Shan territory. From there, we will continue to Pindaya to visit caves containing hundreds of Buddha images. Pindaya is a charming village where we will take our lunch and meet with Paho people. This tribe is specialised in colourful paper-sunshades making. Shortly after, we will reach Kalaw, a village that used to be a summer retreat for British colonists owing to its cool climate. Dinner and overnight in Kalaw.

Day 9: Kalaw – Inle

First thing in the morning, we will go and have a look at a peculiar holy image made of lacquer and then, drive on to Inle Lake where we will embark on a boat ride. The peaceful atmosphere of the Lake descends on us. Inthas fishermen glide by, rowing with one leg. Our boat will take us to Indein where a host of tiny pagodas in 16th century Kaku style display their splendour. Later on, we reach our hotel. Dinner and overnight at Inle.

Day 10: Inle

We will devote the whole day to exploring the lake and its many points of interest such as Ngaphaechaung Monastery, the central pagoda, Hae Yar Ywama and Thalay floating gardens and villages. Dinner and overnight at Inle.

Day 11: Inle – Yangon – Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock)

Today, we take a flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, we drive to a camp located at the foot of the hill supporting the Golden Rock and have lunch. Ascending the hill will take us another half hour by foot. We will visit the pagoda and linger around the rock until nightfall to enjoy the dazzling view. We will climb down to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon

Between Kyaiktiyo and Yangon lays the city of Bago, a not-to-be missed city. It boasts indeed one of the largest reclining Buddhas in Myanmar as well as some famous pagodas such as Shwemawdaw and Kyeikpun pagodas and a delightful hill called Hintagone. We will drive on to Yangon and settle at our hotel before having a farewell dinner at the Karaweik, quietly located on the royal lake. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 13: Yangon

On our last day, we can do some late shopping but first of all, we will visit the Sule Pagoda and Boggyoke Market, delineating the city’s heart. We will have lunch before leaving for the airport… and leaving Myanmar, our heart full of wonderful memories.