Hidden Treasures of Burma

Prices 17 days from £3,390pp

DAYS 1-2 FLY TO RANGOON

Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Rangoon (Yangon). 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 Post Office from where we will begin our tour. Encompassing the colonial highlights and more traditional architecture, stroll Strand Road and Pansodan Street. Visit the National Museum before exploring the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda whose huge golden stupa dominates the city's skyline. The apex of the stupa is studded with hundreds of priceless gems 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 EXPLORE PROME

Drive to the lively port town of Prome. Travelling by ox cart, explore the spectacular ruins of the Pyu Kingdom's former capital. Later visit Hmawzar village to get a glimpse of local life.

DAY 5 PROME MARKET

Visit Prome's colourful central market where you'll be able to see members of several of Burma's ethnic minorities. Continue to the dazzling Shwe San Taw Pagoda and admire the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Drive back to Rangoon.

DAY 6 U BEIN BRIDGE

Fly to Mandalay and transfer to Amarapura to visit Mahagandayon Temple, a place of monastic study and home to several thousand young monks. Continue to the U Bein Bridge, the world's longest teak wood bridge, and make your way across it, walking with the locals. Head to Sagaing, and explore the hills around the town which are dotted with temples and pagodas, before travelling to Inwa to explore the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery.

DAY 7 EXPLORE MANDALAY

Mandalay is considered the epicentre of Burmese culture and so there is much to explore. Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, Shwe Inbin Monastery, the Golden Palace Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world's largest book; each page inscribed in marble. Visit a traditional handloom silk workshop and a kalaga tapestries craftman's shop before finishing the day on Mandalay Hill.

DAY 8 MINGUN

Set sail up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun to visit one of the world's largest bells, the Mingun Bell; and the Mingun Pagoda - had it been completed it would have been Burma's largest. Though incomplete, it is still a monumental structure - 50 metres tall, 72 metres wide and constructed entirely of brick. Return to Mandalay and spend the afternoon at leisure.

DAY 9 BODHI TAUNG BUDDHA

Leave Mandalay for the Thanboddhay Pagoda, said to contain over half a million colourful images of Buddha. Continue to the Bodhi Taung where a thousand Buddha images rest at the feet of beautiful Banyan trees. In the afternoon see the Aung Setkya Pagoda and enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside. Arrive in Monywa.

DAY 10 CRUISE THE IRRAWADDY

This morning take a boat trip across the Chindwin River to Hpo Win Taung, a network of sandstone caves full of statues, carvings and murals of Buddha. Drive on to the port city of Pakokku. Visit the lively local market by traditional trishaw and observe the production process of typical Burma cotton blankets. Continue by boat down the Irrawaddy to Bagan, arriving in time to catch the sunset.

DAY 11 EXPLORE BAGAN

Visit Nyaung U Market, Ananda Temple and Shwezigon Pagoda, which is the most important pagoda in Bagan. You'll also visit Htilominlo Pagoda. This afternoon, head to a lacquer workshop in the village of Myinkaba before enjoying a spectacular sunset over Bagan's temple-strewn plains.

DAY 12 MT POPA

Travel to Mt Popa and visit the temple that sits on top of a unique 'plug'. Return to Bagan and discover more of its wonderful temples and pagodas. In the evening, travel to temples that are further afield on-board a colourful ox cart - a local method of transport.

DAY 13 SHWE U MIN CAVES

Fly to Heho and transfer to Pindaya to visit the Shwe U Min limestone caves. The caves are a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site. Continue to a local workshop that manufactures umbrellas from mulberry paper. Arrive in Kalaw.

DAY 14 INLE LAKE

Drive to Nyaung Shwe and take a boat trip 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. Visit a local market and see the floating gardens, village life and magnificent scenery. See Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Chaung Monastery and the weaving village of Inpawkhon.

DAY 15 INDEIN PAGODAS

Cruise on Inle Lake to the crumbling Indein Pagoda complex. Built in the 17th century, it is home to nearly one thousand stupas and pagodas. Walk through the rice paddies to Sae Ma village, where you can visit a local primary school.

DAY 16 RANGOON

Fly to Rangoon. Upon arrival browse the famous Bogyoke market, perfect for 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 17 FLY RANGOON TO UK

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

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From £3,390 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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