Welcome to Myanmar, where countless ancient monuments, exotic cuisine, diverse culture, unique encounters and incredibly friendly locals await. Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops.
The guide will meet us at the arrival hall for the transfer to the hotel.

Let’s enjoy a full day of photography!
The highlight is the Shwedagon Pagoda covered in 60 tonnes of gold leaf, which makes for stunning photographs. We will also visit the famous Botataung Pagoda located at the waterfront and even venture into the hollow zedi.
Depending on your interest, we can explore the neighbourhood of the Strand Hotel which still features a lot of colonial style buildings. China Town is not far away with its many authentic outdoor street markets. And of course, we will find time to visit the famous Scott Market.

After breakfast we will take the flight to Heho and then transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. On the way we will stop at the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, famous for its oval windows.
The rest of the day can be spent exploring Nyaung Shwe and its surroundings. This small town has numerous shops, several restaurants, a local market, and a few stupas including an impressive mirror-tiled stupa.

By boat, we will make our way to Inle Lake where beautiful floating gardens and entire villages are built on stilts above the water. Intha fishermen row their boats using the unique ‘one leg’ method.
We can visit some of the markets to see the different tribal groups such as the Intha and the Pa-O people buying and selling local products. At Paung Daw Oo Pagoda we can capture the five gold-leaf-covered statues.
Mine Thauk is an unusual village with half set on dry land, the other half on stilts over the water, linked by a 450-yard wooden bridge. From the peaceful forest monastery at the top of the hill we can photograph the views over the lake.

By boat we will make our way to the south west of the lake and pass through a long narrow canal that twists and turns through scenic rice fields. At the end of the creek is the intriguing pagoda complex of Indein dating back to the 12th century. While some of the stupas have been restored to golden splendour, others are still in ruins with plants and bushes growing out of the cracks in the stone. Up a covered stairway is a collection of over 1,000 densely packed Shan-style stupas in varying states of decay. From the top of the hill gaze out across the lake and the surrounding hills.
In the afternoon we can photograph scenes in the market in Aye Thar Yar, located in the foothills.

This morning we will fly to Mandalay and transfer to the hotel.
Mandalay was the last capital of Myanmar before the British took over. The city’s Buddhist monasteries are among the most important in the country with about 60% of all the monks in Myanmar residing in the Mandalay area. The city takes its name from Mandalay Hill, the 236m-high bluff that rises just to the northeast of Mandalay Fort and its royal palace. After the British occupied the city in 1885, the fort became the colony’s government house and British Club. Mandalay Museum and Library contain fine examples of art and historic palm-leaf manuscripts.

Set your alarms as it’s worth getting up early for this morning’s photo opportunities. We can see the monk’s receiving alms at the Mahagandayon Monastery in Amarapura and then watch the sunrise over the beautiful U Bein Bridge. What’s more, we can do all this before the crowds arrive!
In the afternoon we will visit Kuthodaw Paya that has been dubbed ‘the world’s biggest book’, due to its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the entire Tripitaka.
Early evening we will take an easy climb up Mandalay Hill to enjoy the panoramic views over the palace and the paya-studded countryside. We will also capture the sight of the setting sun over the city.

There’s something magical about sunrises in Mandalay. One of the best places to observe it is Mahahamuni Paya, in the centre of which is the highly venerated Mahamuni image. In a district famous for its craftsmen and stone carvers, we can photograpth the skilled artisans at work. Just a boat ride away along the Ayeyarwaddy River is the little town of Mingun, which boasts some of the most impressive pagodas in Myanmar. In particular, the ruins of the enormous but unfinished Mingun Paya – had it been completed, its size would have dwarfed all contemporary pagodas.
Equally as grand is the Mingun Bell, a 13-foot tall bronze bell weighing 90 tonnes; and the ancient Hsinbyme Pagoda.

This morning, we will set off on a road trip to Bagan with lots of photo stops.
Bagan is a vast, empty plain, nestled in the curve of the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of stupas and temple ruins as far as the eye can see. On arrival, there’s free time to explore some of the temples and pagodas of this vast area.

Together with the guide we will discover some of the most impressive temples and pagodas in Bagan such as Ananda temple, Dhammayangyi temple and Shwezigon pagoda. Sunset will be enjoyed at Lawkananda Pagoda along with local activities on the riverbank.

Optional tour: There is the option to experience the beauty and diversity of the temples of Bagan in a hot air balloon. This 45 to 60 minute flight offers a unique perspective, far-reaching views, and great photographic opportunities of the incredible scenery.

Today’s adventure takes us into the villages of Myanmar to experience authentic local life.
The market at Chauk is full of interesting produce and hardly visited by any tourists. At Salay, we can see the old wooden monastery and impressive colonial buildings.
Lunch will be at the Popa Mountain Resort, which overlooks the plains of Central Myanmar and the famous Mount Popa, considered to be the home of Myanmar’s most important nats (spirits). We will not actually climb up the mountain as from here we have the most spectacular views of Mount Popa and its hilltop temple shrines.
On the way back to Bagan, we will stop at remote villages specialising in agriculture and harvesting toddy juice from the palm trees.

It’s time to leave Bagan and take the flight back to Yangon. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Sadly it’s our last day, time to say goodbye to Myanmar and transfer to the airport for the departure flight.