The Best Tour of Myanmar 12 days 11 nights:

After breakfast at your hotel, venture out for an exploration of historic downtown on foot and by car. Pass faded colonial buildings such as the former parliament, City Hall and immigration offices as well as Mahabandoola Park and Sule Pagoda. Take a break for a cup of tea or coffee at a Let Ywae Sin Tea Shop, a local favorite in downtown. Continuing a bit further to Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market. Spend time browsing through the wide selection of local handicrafts and other goods (Note: closed on Mondays and public holidays) before returning to the hotel.

You then have a chance to meet with a local astrologer who will use Burmese star charts and other tools to tell your future( fortune teller ). A special written fortune is presented to you as a gift at the end.

At mid-day take a break for lunch or return to your hotel for a short rest.

This afternoon we then set off for more sightseeing in style aboard the ‘Elephant Coach’, an elegantly restored 1945 vintage Chevrolet bus. The coach is built using hardwood and decorated with traditional Burmese handicrafts and provides ample space to move and relax while cruising Yangon’s roads.

Drive first to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi provides a great overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha, the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Continue to Kandawgyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, and the vast lake with views of Shwedagon in the background.

Finally we arrive at Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. A special ceremony will be arranged at dusk, with the illumination of hundreds of small oil lamps around the base of the golden temple. Join with the locals to light the candles in this special- and auspicious- event.

Overnight in Yangon.

Start your day with a visit to some of the art galleries and antique shops around Yangon and then onwards to one of the city’s best spas for a relaxing massage. The traditional massage will rejuvenate you before continuing your holiday up country.

This afternoon, transfer to Yangon Airport for your flight to Heho.  Here you will enjoy a one-hour scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to the lovely Inle Lake. A private local motorboat will escort you to your luxurious hotel for check in.  Along the way, pass stilted villages, the leg-rowing Intha fishermen, and floating gardens anchored to the lake’s bottom with bamboo poles. Check in to your hotel, a resort nestled near the lake’s shores. Your stilted bungalow chalet offers spectacular views from the balcony.. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Spend a day on the lake exploring the sites and villages by private boat. Should you wish, an early start can be arranged to visit the floating market. Visiting Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains 5 sacred Buddha images, and continue to the village of Inpawkhone to observe the traditional silk weaving techniques of Innthar people. Inpawkhone is also known for its weaving from the stems of lotus flowers, a time consuming process that results in high quality materials famous throughout the country. We will also visit a cheroot factory where the local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand.

For lunch, enjoy a unique opportunity to cook with a local Inthar family in their stilted house on the lake. Assist in the kitchen as you cook an array of delicious, traditional dishes such as stuffed Inle fish and tomato salad. Then sit on the floor, local-style, in the dining room of the house and enjoy your freshly prepared lunch. Afterwards reboard your longtail boat and begin the ride back to the hotel, arriving in the late afternoon. A romantic sunset canoe ride near the lake shores this evening is the perfect way to end the day. You’ll be served drinks as your boat, steered by an Inthar leg-rower, winds its way around a quiet section of the lake. Overnight in Inle Lake.

A leisurely breakfast starts the day before returning by boat toward Nyaung Shwe, arriving at midday. Break for lunch at Viewpoint Restaurant, widely regarded as the best Shan food in Myanmar. Continue by road to Heho Airport for the flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Bagan

The journey begins with a visit to Thagyar Pone Temple, a temple with spectacular views over the surrounding plains. This is the perfect introduction to the grandeur and scope of Bagan’s architecture. Next continue to Ananda Temple, one of the most revered temples in Bagan and which is quiet in the morning, before all the tour buses arrive. Afterwards we will go to Myinkaba Village and visit Gubyaukgyi Temple which is noted for its beautiful mural paintings on its inner walls and well-preserved plaster carvings on its exterior. Nearby is Manuha Temple and Nan Paya Temple, two smaller temples with nice Buddha statues and stone work. Take a break for lunch (own account) and return to your hotel for a short rest, escaping the extreme heat of the midday sun. This afternoon we take a break from temple touring to delve into the local culture. Stop at a monastery to receive a special blessing by the local monks. This serene ceremony is a great experience and chance to learn about local Buddhism practices.

You’ll also visit a lacquerware shop making beautiful house ware items using techniques passed down by generations of local craftsmen.

Overnight in Bagan

Wake up early this morning for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the temples.  Transfer to the take-off site and while sipping coffee/tea and having a croissant, observe how the crew inflate the balloons. A thorough safety briefing follows before you take off for a 45 minutes to 1-hour flight. The flight pattern varies but generally the course stays over the temple plains and small villages. Occasionally, the balloon will drift closer to the Irrawaddy River. Upon landing, enjoy sparkling wine and refreshments in the fields between the temples. Then visit the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings. Each of these sites reflects a different style and interesting history.

Then, using flashlights, you’ll explore Kyan Sitthar Cave temple- walking through the tunnel-like corridors and viewing the fading paintings on the ceiling. The remainder of today your guide and car are at your disposal for further sightseeing. A customized program, based on your interests, will be developed by your guide. An exclusive dinner this evening is sure to be a highlight of your holiday in Myanmar. Transfer to the riverbank and continue by boat to a sandbank in the middle of the Irrwaddy River where a table with traditional Burmese decor and romantic lighting is set up. Relax with a cocktail and then feast on freshly prepared, delicious cuisine on your private sandbank. Overnight in Bagan

This morning is at your leisure until transferring to the Nyaung U Airport for your flight to Thandwe Airport.

Upon arriving at Thandwe Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to Ngapali Beach, a 20 minute drive. Ngapali Beach is a quiet 3-kilometer stretch of white sands coast by coconut palms.  The warm, clear waters are perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and there are several small islands around which can be reached by boat. Overnight at Ngapali.

Enjoy two full days at leisure in Ngapali. Daily breakfast is served and there are options for snorkeling, boat trips or bike rides. We can also arrange, with advance notice, a visit to Maung Shwe Lay where you can enjoy a ‘private beach’ for the day. This beautiful spot is a typical fishing village in the Rakhine State and, due to its remote location, rarely visited by tourists. Overnight at Ngapali.

Enjoy two full days at leisure in Ngapali. Daily breakfast is served and there are options for snorkeling, boat trips or bike rides. We can also arrange, with advance notice, a visit to Maung Shwe Lay where you can enjoy a ‘private beach’ for the day. This beautiful spot is a typical fishing village in the Rakhine State and, due to its remote location, rarely visited by tourists. Overnight at Ngapali.

Spend the morning on the beach before departing to Thandwe airport for your afternoon flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to check in your hotel and the rest of the evening is at your leisure. Your guide and car will be at your disposal for any additional sightseeing or for dinner transfer should you wish to dine out. Overnight in Yangon.

Today is free at leisure until drive to the airport for your departure flight.