Myanmar Encompassed

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Yangon.

Day 2 & 3 Yangon   Explore the contrasts of the city

On arrival in Yangon, you’ll be met by your private guide for the transfer to your hotel. The first afternoon/evening is free for you to relax.

Spend your first full day in Myanmar exploring Yangon on an Experience Travel Group signature tour, designed to get you under the skin of the city. You’ll visit landmarks, explore markets, and see the contrasts of the local village and urban life. You’ll enjoy a street food dinner with a refreshing local beer before heading back to your hotel in the evening.

Day 4 & 5 Mawlamyine and Bilu Island   the sleepy south

Join your guide and driver for the road journey to Mawlamyine. En route, you’ll stop to explore the Nwa La Bo Taung Pagoda, a less-visited alternative to the more famous Golden Rock Pagoda. The pagoda is built on a rock on a hilltop and the whole structure seems to defy gravity.

You’ll arrive in Mawlamyine for sunset and check into the hotel that will be your base for two nights.

On Day five, you’ll travel by boat to Bilu (Ogre Island), where life is lived away from modern civilization. Discover the island in an open-top truck, passing paddy fields and fruit plantations and stopping to explore quaint handicraft villages. In the afternoon, if you wish, there is time to explore the landmarks of Mawlamyine itself.

Day 6  Hpa An   Remarkable caves and mountain trekking

Travel from Mawlamyine to Hpa An, a relatively short drive. After checking in to your Hpa-An hotel, you’ll visit the “water garden pagoda” with a remarkable elevated view of the surrounding lake. You could then choose to take a two-hour hike up Zwekabin Mountain, which will reward you with fantastic views. If time permits (or if you’d prefer not to hike up the mountain), you’ll explore some of the region's spectacular caves.  

Day 7 The Golden Rock   Explore the gravity-defying pagoda

Leaving Hpa An, your journey will continue into Mon State and on to the famous “Golden Rock.” The climb to the top takes about an hour, and en route, you’ll no doubt encounter local people making the important pilgrimage to the summit. Weather permitting, the view from the top is amazing. You’ll stay overnight near the rock itself.

Day 8 Bago to Yangon    discover the relics

Before breakfast, you may choose to visit the Golden Rock for sunrise. Later in the morning, you’ll travel to Bago, where there is a chance to explore the town, which includes a visit to a famous Buddhist shrine inlaid with diamonds. In the afternoon, you’ll continue the journey back to Yangon, stopping at a poignant British War Cemetery en route. Overnight accommodation is back in Yangon. asf s

Days 9-12 Bagan & Mount Popa   magical atmosphere

After a short flight from Yangon to Bagan, you’ll transfer to nearby Mount Popa. Here you’ll check into a relaxing resort in the forest, your base for a trek to the extinct volcanic peak. One of Myanmar’s most revered pilgrimage sites, Mount Popa has incredible views including one towards the famous (and much-photographed) shrine of Popa Taung Kalat.

After your time at Mount Popa, you’ll transfer back to extraordinary Bagan where you’ll stay for three nights. With your guide, and by car, cycle, horse and cart as well as on foot, soak up the magical atmosphere and the sheer scale of this unique location. Highlights include meeting the inhabitants of rural Kyun Thiri Island and visiting one of the most famous temples at sunset after most of the other tourists have left.

Day 13 & 14 Mandalay  Ancient capitals and bustling markets

It’s a 30-minute flight from Bagan to Mandalay where there's time to explore the ancient capital's impressive pagodas, and bustling markets. You’ll also have the chance to discover famous sites like Ava and U Bein Bridge by boat, with a few twists on the usual tourist route to dodge the busiest times of the day.   

Days 15-17 Pyin Oo Lwin & Hsipaw  into the remote hills

Leaving Mandalay, your drive and guide will transport you into the hills towards Pyin Oo Lwin. The magnificent town, formerly known as Maymyo, is located 1000 meters above sea level and was the former summer capital of the British Raj. Here you’ll explore the bamboo, flowers, fountains, and lakes of the botanical gardens and take a traditional horse-drawn cart through the town to admire the colonial buildings.

After a night in Pyin Oo Lwin, you’ll board the train for the journey to Hsipaw. Take in the breathtaking views as you traverse the countryside and cross the unusual Gokteik Viaduct. You’ll then have a full day based in Hsipaw, exploring the surrounding villages and waterfalls of this remarkable rural area.

Day 18 Hsipaw-Kalaw    Travel towards sleepy Kalaw

If you like a very early start you could visit the Hsipaw Morning Market, which runs from 3 am-6 am! Otherwise, after breakfast, your driver and guide will take you to Lashio Airport for the one hour flight to Heho, the base for Kalaw and Lake Inle.  On arrival, onto your peaceful hotel and the evening is yours to enjoy.  

Day 19 Elephants and bicycles

Today you’ll visit the Green Hill Elephant Camp, a venture aimed at providing work and shelter for retired elephants. After lunch, you’ll return to Kalaw with your guide where you’ll enjoy an afternoon discovering this sleepy colonial hill station by bicycle.

Day 20 Kalaw to Lake Inle  Through the villages to Lake Inle

Today you’ll take a trek through the countryside to a handweaving village and enjoy some spectacular views from a nearby hilltop pagoda. After a picnic lunch, you’ll continue the journey to Lake Inle by road, and on arrival, you’ll board a boat to your hotel where you’ll check-in for a three-night stay.

Days 20-22 Lake Inle   Lake-life and vineyards

Lake Inle offers a stunning scenic backdrop and an abundance of interesting sites to explore. Here you’ll spend two days exploring the lake itself and the surrounding countryside by boat. You’ll visit the markets that rotate atop the lake surface and watch the sunset while taking in the lake views. In the surrounding countryside, you’ll visit vineyards and a local town where a private chef will teach you a little about Burmese cuisine.

Days 23-26 Ngapali Beach  Well-earned relaxation

From Heho, you’ll fly to Ngapali for four days well-earned relaxation by the beach. Spend lazy days exploring the 3km stretch of sand, swimming in the pool, and enjoying all that the area has to offer.

Day 27 Yangon   Sunset at The Shwedagon Pagoda

Before you fly home, you’ll spend one last night in Yangon, toasting your epic tour of Myanmar with an afternoon tour and a sunset at one of the country’s most famous landmarks, the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Day 28 Fly Home

Depart Yangon for your flight back to the UK.

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK