Meet on arrival at Yangon International Airport and transfer to hotel. Today's sightseeing tour includes the old colonial-style city center with the gilded SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years, BOGYOKE (SCOTT’S) MARKET with hundreds of stores and a visit of a gems shop. The tour continues to CHAUK HTAT GYI, a huge reclining Buddha image followed by a photo stop made at KARAWEIK HALL, a royal floating barge. An extended visit to SHWEDAGON PAGODA, one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments, will conclude the tour of this picturesque Garden City. The golden dome of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises 98 meters above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold.

Transfer to Yangon Airport for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing starting with the busy local market and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, KU BYAUK GYI, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes, KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its spectacular panoramic view of the area’s many monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior. Afternoon a visit of a lacquer craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village and sightseeing to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in mon style in 1059, NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument, said to have been the palace of King Manuha and MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, noted for its ancient mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. Observe sunset in the vicinity of Bagan’s ancient monuments.

Optional morning program: We offering a unique opportunity to see the ancient city of Bagan as it has never been seen before. With 'BALLOONS OVER BAGAN' you get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River . The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon's basket.

Proceed on a scenic overland journey to Mount Popa , an extinct volcano with its shrine dedicated to animist spirits, known as "Nats". For the energetic, there is time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the volcanic plug. Continue by road and head to the Mandalay , the former capital of Myanmar .

A sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar's cultural capital, Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to the 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital. Visit of BAGAYA MONASTERY, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. En route stop at a traditional hand-weaving silk workshop. Afternoon sightseeing tour including MAHAMUNI PAGODA with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves, visit to Gold Leaf Making Workshop and Tapestry orkshop. SHWE INBIN, one of the most outstanding monasteries in the country, SHWE NAN DAW KYAUNG or GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and KUTHODAW PAGODA, known as the world's largest book, consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Sunset on the Mandalay Hill

Overnight in Mandalay

After breakfast, transfer to the jetty and board a private chartered boat for a cruise over the Irrawaddy River towards the former capital of Mingun. After a 45-minute cruise, arrive in Mingun, famous for its huge unfinished pagoda also home to the Mingun Bell, considered as the world's largest uncracked ringing bell. Also visit the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda. Excursion to the former royal capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER , the remains of the palace building nicknamed "leaning tower of Ava ", MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco and BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees, for sunset.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho in Shan State . Continue by car and enjoy a scenic drive to Pindaya through the picturesque countryside of Shan State . Visit Pindaya's limestone cave with its maze of chambers displaying more than 8,000 Buddha statues and local handicraft workshops producing Shan paper made from mulberry bark and traditional umbrellas made from the same paper that are used by monks all around the country. Continue the trip to Inle Lake , one of Myanmar 's best-known sights. The Intha people, a tribe of Mon descent, mostly inhabit the lakeshores and floating villages. On arrival at Nyaung Shwe village, check in at hotel (for hotel with lake location, transfer by boat).

Overnight on Inle Lake

Thailand
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Kanchanaburi
Phuket
Samui
Krabi
Lanta Island

Cambodia
Phnom Penh
Siem Reap

Laos
Luang Prabang
Vientiane

Myanmar
Yangon
Bagan
Mandalay
Inle Lake
Pinyada

Vietnam
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Halong Bay
Hoi An
Hue