Insider Highlights and Luxury River Journey

DAY 1   DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Mandalay.

DAY 2   MANDALAY    Immersive culture and local life

Upon arrival in Mandalay, your private guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, enjoy the hotel facilities and settle into Myanmar.

Day 3   BOARD THE SANCTUARY ANANDA

Today you’ll board the Sanctuary Ananda boat in Mandalay to begin your once-in-a-lifetime river cruise. After settling into your deluxe suite (one of just 21 rooms onboard) the ship will set sail, and you’ll enjoy an excellent lunch while passing pagoda-speckled hills. In the afternoon visit an important centre for Buddhism and take in the breath-taking views from the top of the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda terrace. At dusk, you’ll visit the former capital Amarapura, before arriving at the famous U Bein Bridge a top spot for a glass of champagne at sunset.

Day 4-6  Sanctuary Ananda  Sailing from Mandalay to Bagan

Spend three days cruising down the Irrawaddy River. There will be many stops to explore the incredible river-side sights, the glittering pagodas, the ancient capitals and the fascinating local villages. The village of Sin Kyun is sponsored by a philanthropic organisation ran by the Sanctuary Ananda parent company, and there you can learn a little about the rural way of life in a location that is rarely visited by other tourists.  

By the third day of the cruise, you’ll arrive at Bagan where you’ll have time to explore the archaeological site and perhaps even take an early morning balloon ride over the iconic temples. You’ll also have the chance to visit spectacular Mount Popa where you may choose to climb the 777 steps to the summit.

As you sail, you could choose to participate in on-board activities like a Burmese cooking class, sunrise yoga or lectures on the traditions of Myanmar. Alternatively, you could enjoy a massage or take in the utterly glorious scenery from the ship's deck.

In the evenings the ship will often anchor in time for a sunset cocktail followed by dinner. There will be exceptional dinners on land too, such as one on a sandbank against the backdrop of the sparkling temples of Bagan.  

DAY 7 fly to lake inle (or stay on SANCTUARY ANANDA for three more days)

If you have opted for the five-day cruise from Mandalay to Bagan, you will disembark today and transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Heho – the gateway for Lake Inle.

Alternatively, you can stay aboard for a further three nights and experience the full cruise loop back to Mandalay. The extra three days will see an additional day exploring the Bagan temples and other local villages and gives you more time to absorb the magic of the Irrawaddy River in an unhurried way, enjoying the backdrop and the first-class hospitality as you travel. Call our Mynamar experts if you’d like to learn more about the longer cruise itinerary.

If you do take the more extended cruise, the rest of the itinerary will continue as follows and the holiday will extend to 18 days.

Day 7 & 8  Lake Inle  floating gardens and fishermen

After landing at Heho, your private guide will meet you, and you’ll transfer to Inle Lake via paddy fields and winding streams, stopping to explore caves en route if you wish. When you reach the lake, you will board a private boat for the journey to your hotel. Towards the end of the day, you have the option of a fascinating sunset canoe trip on the lake.

You’ll spend a full day exploring Inle Lake including a private boat tour of the floating gardens and farms that move around on the water surface. You’ll see the local fisherman rowing in their one-leg style and perhaps taste some local wine. If you didn’t get a chance to do so at Bagan, Inle is another location where you may like to treat yourself to a Hot Air Balloon Ride for aerial views of the lake.

Days 9 -12  Ngapali Beach  relax overlooking The Indian Ocean

You’ll depart Heho for the direct flight to Thandwe – the gateway for Ngapali Beach. Here your guide will meet you for the transfer to your tranquil beachfront retreat.

Spend a further three days here enjoy the peaceful beach setting, the lovely resort and the luxury spa facilities.

Day 13&14 Yangon   Explore the city on our Signature Tour

A quick flight takes you back to Yangon, the final stop on your Myanmar adventure.

Here, with your guide you’ll have time to enjoy the colonial architecture, take a rickshaw ride to a local market and visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, whose recognisable golden stupa dominates the city's skyline.

A morning trip on the circle train is an excellent opportunity to observe a little of day-to-day city life before your final evening in “Burma”.

Day 15 Fly Home (*This will be Day 18 if you choose the long cruise option)

Today you depart Myanmar for your flight back to the UK.