Laos & Cambodia Unveiled

Prices 17 days from £2,990pp

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

Head downtown to the Central PostOffice from where we will begin our tour.Encompassing the colonial highlights andmore traditional architecture, stroll StrandRoad and Pansodan Street. Visit the NationalMuseum after exploring the magnificentShwedagon Pagoda whose huge golden stupadominates the city's skyline. The apex of thestupa is studded with hundreds of pricelessgems that glint in the sunshine. This is Burma's most sacred Buddhist site and is alleged to have four relics of former Buddhas enshrined within.

DAY 4 SHWEZIGON PAGODA

Fly to Bagan. Burma's central plains haveplayed host to many old kingdoms, eachcontributing temples and pagodas to thethousands that still dot the area today. Uponarrival, visit Nyaung U Market and ShwezigonPagoda, where a replica of Buddha's toothis enshrined. Later visit Htilominlo Pagoda,Ananda Temple and see craftsmen at work ata lacquerware workshop. Enjoy a spectacularsunset from the summit of the 12-storeyAureum Watch Tower, which gives incredibleviews over the temples and plain.

DAY 5 MT POPA

Travel to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano, andvisit Taung Kalat, the breathtaking BuddhistMonastery perched on its summit. Stop at atoddy palm plantation before taking a boattrip on the Irrawaddy River to view the sunset.Mt Popa is the spiritual home of 37 nats, oranimist spirits and you'll see many locals whohave come here to worship them. Return toBagan.

DAY 6 MINGUN AND AVA

Fly to Mandalay and start exploring. Transfer to Mahamuni Pagoda, the Golden Palace Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda. Next set sail up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun to visit one of the world's largest bells; Hsinbyume Paya; and the imposing Mingun Pagoda, a red brick structure that would have been the world's largest pagoda if it had been completed. Visit a silk workshop and a Kalaga tapestries workshop before finishing the day on Mandalay Hill.

DAY 7 AMARAPURA AND MANDALAY

Drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon Monastery, a place of monastic study and home to several thousand young monks. Later, travel to the Sagaing Hills, where you'll find its forested slopes crowded with temples and pagodas. Continue to the Tha Kya Di Kya nunnery before proceeding to the U Bein Bridge for a sunset boat ride, the best way to really appreciate the world's longest teak bridge!

DAY 8 INLE LAKE

Fly to Heho and drive to Inle Lake via Shwe Yan Pyay monastery. 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. Out on the lake, see the floating gardens before visiting Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Monastery and Inpawkhon weaving village on the lake's banks.

DAY 9 INDEIN PAGODAS

Transfer by boat to the western shore of the lake to explore the crumbling Indein Pagoda complex. Walk to a nearby village to see the locals farming with traditional techniques. Pass through the rice fields to Saema to meet the friendly villagers, and to visit the local primary school.

DAY 10 RANGOON NIGHT MARKETS

Return to Heho and fly to Rangoon. On arrival, browse the famous Bogyoke market to pick up any last minute souvenirs. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a late afternoon visit to Botataung Pagoda. This evening, stroll around Chinatown, visiting a temple as you go.

DAY 11 FLY RANGOON TO UK

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

From £2,990 per person

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

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