Arrive Yangon, Yangon to Heho (Inle)

Arrive the rustic capital Yangon (formerly Rangoon). After clearing immigration and customs, meet escort in terminal and transfer to domestic flight to Heho Airport, arriving in the Shan State. After arrival, driving to Inle Lake through the scenic hills into the sublime Inle basin. After orientation lunch, sunset on the lake before dinner on the deck of our hotel overlooking the lake. (B,L)

Inle Lake, located nearly 1,000 meters above sea level is nearly 60 miles long and surrounded by over 200 villages noted for their unique, floating gardens and stilt houses over the water. Highlights in this tranquil setting include fisherman rowing in the one-legged style and the rich tapestry of hilltribes in the region.

Inle Lake

Full-day exploration of sublime Inle Lake, featuring the most stunning landscapes in all of Myanmar; rising at dawn to photograph fisherman rowing in the eccentric one-legged style, passing villages built over the water on stilts with their unique, vertical floating gardens. Also exploring the Nan Pan "5-day market," if it is in the area this day and Indein, a village popular for it's collection of 17th century pagodas, pausing for introductions and photos with a local family. Afterwards, visit the unique 'jumping cats' monastery, Phaungdaw U Pagoda, and cottage industries in the area. Time permitting, exploring Inle Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary, an area established in 1985 for the safety of migratory birds and their habitat. To date, 254 bird species have been recorded, including the rare Jerdon's Bushchat and Sarus Crane. After exploring the sanctuary, return to resort for sunset dinner overlooking the lake. After dinner, orientation and planning for the next day's journey.

Kalaw

After photographing the lake at dawn, transfer to the remote Kalaw Highlands on a road flanked by beautifully manicured fields (where much of Myanmar's produce comes from). Kalaw, a former British hillstation in the Shan State lies at about 5,000 feet altitude on the western edge of the Shan hills and features well-preserved colonial architecture, picturesque mountain scenery with expansive views of the area. The area is largely inhabited by a diversity of hilltribes, such as the colorful Palaaung and Pa'O. There are also Indian Muslims, Bamars and Nepalis (the latter descended from Gurkhas who had retired from the British military) who also live in the area. Sightseeing around the small town before visiting a hilltribe village and nearby temple. Accommodation and dinner in Kalaw.

Heho to Mandalay

Another picturesque morning on Inle Lake, photographing along the shore. Afterwards, we return to airport for a short flight to Mandalay, the historic old capital that remains the spiritual capital of Myanmar. It is also where traditional arts and crafts are centered, rich with historical sites, cultural memorials and Buddhist monuments which we will begin to explore after arrival. At dusk, we'll trek up Mandalay hill with panoramic views over the palace and river, an ideal location for stunning landscape shots. In the evening, sightseeing in central Mandalay and dinner overlooking the famed Ayeyarwaddy River.

Mandalay & Amarapura

In the morning, sightseeing by car and boat outside Mandalay, visiting the former royal capital of Amarapura, including an interesting stop at the Mahagandayon Monastery, a school for novice monks. Also visit to U Bein Bridge, a 200 year-old bridge and the longest teak one in the world.

Midday, return for lunch and sightseeing in central Mandalay, including unique temples and crafts: Mahamuni Pagoda, gold-leaf hammering, Shwe Inbin Monastery; Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned for its stone slabs of the Buddhist scriptures, and then hiking up Mandalay Hill for a second round of panoramic photos of the area. Dinner and accommodation in Mandalay.

Although Mandalay is well known for its literary fame from a colonial-era past, the city itself has been remade only recently. In the 1980s, the city was hit by two major fires that destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Much of the central area are buildings erected since that time. But the inhabitants are also new, an estimated 300,000 ethnic Chinese have recently made the city their home.

Mandalay to Monywa

After breakfast, travel overland from Mandalay through Ondaw, west into the agricultural landscapes of central Myanmar where lumbering bullock carts outnumber cars and where very few tourists venture and an ideal place to encounter local people.

Situated on the Chindwin River, this region is a major center of trade for agricultural produce and is known for it's quality weaving industry. There are several interesting sites to explore on the way to the provincial capital of Monywa including Thanboddhay Temple (left), a pagoda with hundreds of thousands of Buddha images and relics, Monywa's most famous sight. After arrival, strolling around town and visiting the busy local market, one of the largest in the area, featuring hand crafted goods from the area as well as local artisans.

Monywa to Bagan

This morning, traveling overland south along the beautiful river valley, stopping to visit to the Pho Win Taung and Shweba shilltribe villages, and notable sites located along the lush Chindwin River valley until the early afternoon, continuing onto Pakkoku to rendezvous with a private boat for a cruise to Bagan.

Henri Yule, one of the first Westerners to see Bagan in 1855 wrote in his reflections: "The whole, as seen from the river, might pass for a scene in another planet, so fantastic and unearthly was the architecture." You will savor this same view coming onto the ruins. After arrival, transfer to hotel and as the day wanes exploration of Bupaya, a Pyu-style stupa which is located on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River. At dusk, enjoy refreshments at resort while the sun sets over the temple plain.

Bagan

At dawn, a spectacular untethered balloon ride offering stunning views over over Bagan, floating high above the temples plain. After landing, begin formal sightseeing tour of one of Asia's most renowned archeological sites, visiting several of Bagan’s distinctive pagodas including Ananda Pagoda, one of the finest, largest and best preserved in Old Bagan, and next to it, Ananda Ok Kyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery buildings from the Early Bagan period. Also Thatbyinnyu, Sulamani, 11th-century Shwezigon Pagoda , and Wetkyi-in- Gubyaukgyi , a 13th century ‘cave temple with interesting fine frescoes.

Balance of day visiting primary or secondary temples by preference, including the distinctive Dhammayangyi Pahto, a massive, later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan. As the sun goes down, At sunset, we'll commence a scenic boat ride on the Irrawaddy upstream, enjoying dinner and views onboard.

Bagan was the capital of Burma for two and a half centuries (1044-1286 A.D.) under which a dynasty of temple-builders, the kingdom of Bagan became strong and powerful. During this period an estimate 4.500 temples were built of which just over 2,000 survive, spread over 40 square kilometers. Several of these monuments are still highly venerated by the population, and attract numerous pilgrims and devotees from all over the country, particularly at festival times. Obviously worthy of designation, as far back as 1996 UNESCO has attempted to designate Bagan a World Heritage site but has not succeeded in garnering cooperation from the government.

Mount Popa

After sunrise photography, mid-morning travel through the picturesque countryside to Mount Popa ("Home of the Gods") located in a national park. On arrival to the foothill, hiking up the 777 hundreds of steps to reach the summit of extinct volcano, now known as the the abode of Nats (spirit gods) and the mountain is a holy site. After reaching the top, resting on the top and taking photos of the wide panoramas of the area. Overnight at a nearby resort.

Note: wild monkeys are aggressive and may try trying snatch things in your hand away.

Bagan to Yangon

Sunrise shooting from the summit of Mount Popa before breakfast. Afterwards, exploring the scenic national park before returning back to Bagan.

After last-minute sightseeing, board our flight back to Yangon, arriving in time for dinner in town and then strolling the downtown area at night.

Yangon

Our last full day of exploring and photographing will be spent in the aged Yangon, where shanty towns front gleaming new office towers. Locations include rising at dawn to visit the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, well before the tour buses arrive. Also Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda, a colossal reclining Buddha; and the National Museum, rich with an abundance of artifacts and cultural exhibits of Myanmar, , followed by exploration of Botataung Pagoda which retains many ancient relics. Afterwards, lunch in Chinatown before exploring the historic Scott Market, a sprawling 80 year-old complex noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items from throughout the country. In the evening, we'll enjoy our farewell dinner with live, traditional music performance.

Yangon (Rangoon) is the largest city in Myanmar, with over four million inhabitants. Located in the Irrawaddy delta, it is surrounded by water on three sides. A legacy of the British presence in remains in structures that were built between the mid-19th century and the outbreak of World War II in 1940. Some Yangon hotels are located in old renovated buildings, including the Strand Hotel and Governors. The well-known Strand Hotel built in 1901 was at one time along with the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, was one of the top Hotels in Southeast Asia. Restored and furbished with some modern-day amenities, the Strand still retains some original fittings such as teak wainscoting, ceiling fans, marble bathrooms, canopied beds and Burmese works of art.

Depart Yangon

After farewell breakfast with escort staff, return to airport for international flight home.