Burma Discovery

Prices 15 days from £3,190pp

DAYS 1-2 FLY TO RANGOON

Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Rangoon. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 3 DISCOVER RANGOON

Start the day exploring the atmospheric Shwedagon Pagoda. Burma's most scared Buddhist site, it is said to have four relics of Buddha enshrined within. Continue to browse the exhibits of the National Museum before taking a ride on the Yangon Circle Train, the authentic, local way to see the city. Learn about national hero, Aung San, at a museum housed in his former home before heading into downtown Rangoon to stroll through the street markets and crumbling colonial architecture. End the day with a cocktail at the Strand Hotel - built in 1901 it is still one of the city's grandest hotels.

DAY 4 TEMPLES OF BAGAN

This morning, board a plane for the short hop to Bagan. Your first experience of the area's glorious temples will be Ananda. Built in 1091, this temple has been in constant use ever since and exudes a wonderful atmosphere. Take to the waters of the Irrawaddy and cruise to Kyun Thiri village, where you'll visit the monastery for tea and snacks. Returning to Bagan, visit a lacquer ware shop before taking a horse and cart ride among the temples Dinner tonight includes a cultural show.

DAY 5 MT POPA

Travel to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano rising out of the Myingyan Plain, where you'll ascend a volcanic plug to visit the temple on its summit. The views from the top are incredible! Returning to Bagan, stop at a toddy palm plantation to learn about this family enterprise. Later, cycle to the secluded Kauk Gyu cave temple to examine the exquisite stone carvings.

DAY 6 MAHAMUNI BUDDHA

Fly to Mandalay. Get to grips with the traditional industry of goldbeating on a visit to a goldleaf hammering shop, before visiting the Mahamuni Buddha, one of the most revered Buddha images in the country. It's also the perfect place to see where what happens to all that hammered gold! Continue to magnificent teakwood Shwenandaw monastery and Kuthodaw pagoda, home to the world's largest book. Take a relaxed cruise down the Irrawaddy to the monumental Mingun Pagoda, which dominates the river bank.

DAY 7 SAGAING AND INWA

Today begins at a nunnery nestled in the Sagaing Hills, before a short boat trip over to Inwa, the ancient imperial capital set on an island. A horse and cart will take you around the sights. Next, walk with the locals over U Bein Bridge, the world's longest teak bridge - the setting is beautiful. Finally, sit back and enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Tautaman, with cocktails on hand.

DAY 8 PINDAYA CAVES

Fly to Heho, in the Shan highlands, and transfer to Pindaya to discover the Shwe U Min limestone caves, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site. Later, visit the skilled artisans who make Burma's iconic paper umbrellas in their workshop. The umbrellas are made solely by hand in many beautiful shades.

DAY 9 TREKKING IN PINDAYA

Set out on foot to explore the landscapes of the Shan Highlands. Wander through a tea plantation and pass through villages where you'll be able to see local communities going about their daily lives. This afternoon, transfer to Inle Lake. The lake is best known for the extraordinary Intha people, who live on and around the water, and are renowned for their unique rowing technique.

DAY 10 EXPLORE INLE LAKE

Discover the overgrown forest of stupas and pagodas at Indein, before taking to the waters of Inle Lake to explore. You'll float through stilt villages, stopping at the workshops of local industry - silk weaving, silver smithing and cheroot making. Stop to look at the resourceful floating gardens and keep an eye out for fishermen going about their business in Inle's unique style.

DAY 11 VISIT AN INTHA HOUSE

Enjoy a morning walk through a local market before visiting an Intha house for a cooking class with a local chef. You'll get to enjoy the dishes you create for lunch. This afternoon see Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the temple at the heart of the lake community, then head onto dry land to take a tuk tuk to the Red Mountain winery. Here, you'll have a tour of this wine making facility including a tasting.

DAY 12 VISIT LOCAL PEOPLE

ake a boat to reach the city of Loikaw, a place that offers a glimpse of wonderfully authentic Burma, due to the fact it was off limits to travellers for many years. Make stops en route at local villages to see pottery makers and rice wine producers as well as the picturesque partially submerged pagodas at Sagar. Leave the boat at Pe Khone, in an area where Shan, Pa O and Intha ethnic groups make their homes, and transfer to Loikaw by road.

DAY 13 EXPLORE LOIKAW

Visit more of Burma's ethnic minority groups in Pan Pat village, home to the Kayah Padaung people. The women of this group are famous for elongating their necks by wearing bronze rings - they are one of Burma's most iconic images. Back in Loikaw, visit the Kayah State Cultural Museum and a colonial house from 1912 which was used by the Shan royal family, and Taung Kwe pagoda.

DAY 14 RETURN TO RANGOON

Transfer to the airport and fly back to Rangoon. There will be time to visit Bogyoke market to pick up a few more souvenirs and, time permitting, Botataung pagoda and Nanthida jetty. A farewell meal this evening will be at The House of Memories. In the building where General Aung San once had his office, the restaurant is filled with fascinating old mementos.

DAY 15 FLY RANGOON TO UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

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From £3,190 per person

Please contact us for alternative dates, durations and departure airports. Prices shown are for guidance only and are subject to availability.

Call our specialists on 01202 544876