Myanmar (Burma) is a magical, deeply spiritual country with a complex history. This tour combines the highlights of Myanmar with several days on the Ayeyarwady River aboard the legendary Road to Mandalay, an Orient Express cruise.
Begin in the capital city of Yangon (Rangoon). Stay at the two best hotels in Yangoon: The Governor’s Residence and at the famed Strand, a British colonial period hotel with teak windows, marble floors, rattan chairs and lacquer ceiling fans.
With your private guide, tour the Shwedagon Pagoda, a 300-foot tall golden Buddhist reliquary and the city’s most spectacular landmark, the sprawling Bogyoke (Scott) Market and the National Museum.
Visit neighborhoods that reflect Yangon’s Burmese, British, Indian, Bangladeshi and indigenous influences.
This “Mysteries and Luxuries of Myanmar” tour introduces Myanmar from an insider’s perspective—this itinerary includes an expert Burmese guide accompanying you throughout your tour, providing an unrivaled level of service and insight, and the opportunity to meet local families, tour villages, and visit lesser-known temples and attractions. Cruise in style on the Ayeyarwady River aboard the legendary Road to Mandalay, an Orient Express cruise.
Arrive with a private Luxury Travel’s welcome and settle into your hotel. Luxury Travel escorts you this afternoon for a visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda and Scott Market, a must for handicrafts, jewelry and antiques.
This colonial city formerly known as Rangoon is yours to explore from the gracious buildings downtown to old mansions in the diplomatic quarter. An hour of your day is devoted to a brief instruction into the art of meditation by one of the leading practitioners in Myanmar. Otherwise choose between an early morning photographic tour with a professional photographer capturing the vibrant, bustling and colorful city when the light is best or sightseeing to the Gem Museum and Glass Blowing Factory (B).
A short flight north to Bagan to board Road To Mandalay, the luxury boat for your journey up the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River. Settle into your cabin before lunch. This afternoon disembark on exploring Bagan whose 2500 ancient temples and shrines cover a vast plain straddling the Ayeyarwady. (B, L, D).
This morning explore some of Bagan’s local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, lungis and rattan goods and see Myanmar’s famous lacquerware being made. Sail northwards towards to Myanmar’s cultural capital, Mandalay and take in the sights of this mighty river: local boatmen; riverside villages; ox-carts; ruined monuments and ancient temples (B, L, D).
Arrive at the quaint village of Shwe Kyet Yet and in the afternoon visit, Sagaing considered to be the living center of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did (B, L, D).
After breakfast, cruise to Mingun to visit the pretty Hsinbyume Pagoda and the world’s largest uncracked bell. Return by ferry for a late lunch and, in the afternoon, a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay, the center of Burmese culture and learning (B, L, D).
Disembark in Mandalay and fly to Heho where your private transfer awaits. Arrival at the resort is by boat. The shallow waters of Inle Lake stretch for 35 km, circled by rolling hills and dotted with small fishing villages. The lake itself is home to the Intha people and this afternoon you visit a local market, boat builders and see blacksmiths and silversmiths at work (B, L, D).
Early this morning meet a local family who, with your guide, accompanies you on a market visit to source fresh produce for the day’s culinary adventure. Return to the family’s lakeside dwelling where the secrets of Shan style cuisine are revealed. Help prepare and then enjoy a family meal in these unique surrounds. Other options for the day include exploring the lake by boat with your guide observing the man-made floating gardens and traditional leg-rowers, visiting the old village of Inde in with its hill of stupas and pagodas and the wooden Ngapechaung Monastery famous for its jumping cats. Home to many cottage industries you can also visit a cheroot rolling operation (B, L, D).
Transfer and flight to Yangon for overnight at The Governor's Residence. Afternoon private city touring. Time for last minute shopping before onward flight arrangements (B).
Airport transfer.
