Yangon arrival- transfer from Airport to Hotel. Then after a welcome drink we walk along Pansodan street which has many large colonial buildings which are still in use. It is also interesting to see the sidewalk markets including those selling old books and magazines dated from the 1960’s to the present. Enjoy the amazing sunset over the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

Overnight Hotel (Snack)

Fly to Mandalay on morning flight and we will drive to Amarapura and see the amazing 1.2km long U Bein’s teak bridge. After that, we continue to Pyin Oo Lwin which is 42 miles away from Mandalay (about one and a half hours drive) and was a former British Hill Station. The town was originally renamed Maymyo after British Colonel May who established the towns beautiful botanical gardens built by Turkish prisoners of war during WWI. Visit Pyin Oo Lwin.

Overnight Hotel

Morning departure by local train to Naung Pain village (~ 4 hrs) passing over the famous Gok Hteik viaduct which was the second highest railway bridge in the world (before the building of the railway in the mountains of Lhasa in Tibet) and was built over the deep gorge (300m) by Pennsylvania Steel Company on behalf of the British over 100 years ago. The scenic view along the viaduct is breathtaking and you can also experience the way of life along the railroad. Arrive at Naung Pain station, and continue by car to Hsibaw, the former royal capital of Northern Shan State. The afternoon we visit to Bawgyo Pagoda before check-in at hotel. Then walk around some typical Shan villages surrounded by paddy fields.

Overnight – Mr. Charles Guest House

Drive back to Mandalay (129 miles , about 6 hrs driving). If time permits, we will go by horsecart on tree lined paths of the former royal capital of Inwa with its ancient wooden monastery and ruins of old palaces and walls.

Overnight in hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast we drive to Mt. Popa and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Overnight in Popa Mountain Resort

Mt. Popa options 1 and 2.

Option 1 : Trekking to the Summit of Mt.Popa The summit of Mt. Popa is four and half hours round trip by trekking and only four miles far from Resort to the summit. It is 4981 ft (1518 m) above sea level. We can see pine forests, evergreen forests, birds and butterflies on the way to the summit and once there we have a packed lunch.

Option 2 : Trekking and Horse Riding to the Ye Nge Natural Spring Water Resource An alternative option to climbing the sumit of Mt. Popa is to trek to the Ye Nge Natural Spring Water camp, two miles from Resort. It is 2650 ft (810 m) above sea level. This is the best place for trekking, horse riding and seeing birds and butterflies on the way. Packed lunch will be taken. There is a small additional cost of US$ 15 per hour for the horse riding.

Overnight in Popa Mountain Resort.

Drive back to Bagan and check into hotel. Half day cycling tour of the ancient ruins of the Bagan plain. Enjoy the amazing sunset over Bagan’s 2,000+ temples.

Overnight in Bagan at hotel

Fly to Heho. After our arrive we will do unchallenging bicycling to Red Mountain Winery through local villages and paddy fields. If we are lucky, we will be welcomed by Mr. Francois Raynal (the Wine maker). He will accompany us around the vineyard and explain the process of wine making like harvesting, crushing, pounding, fermentation and finally how they store the finished products in wine cellar. We also have a chance to taste their genuine western style Myanmar Wines. Transfer to Inle.

Overnight on Inle Lake at a floating resort hotel

Today we take a long boat ride (about 3 hours) down the lake to seldom visited ZaGar. We will see many villages and scenic lake sights along the way and at the ZaGar area the villages will welcome us to visit in their houses. The small temple ruins are interesting too.

Overnight on the lake at resort hotel

After breakfast, transfer to airport for our onward flight to Ngapali. Stay overnight. Free time and leisure in Ngapali, a delightfully quiet and laid back resort, that can be used as a base for further adventures or to just to chill out on the white sandy beaches. There is a possibility to eat at the spectacular restaurants beneath the palm trees, where the fish and seafood dishes are to die for.

Overnight hotel

Ngapali free day

Overnight Hotel

Fly back to Yangon on the morning flight.

Overnight Hotel

Continue our exploration of this amazing City. If time allows before departure transfer, take a last walk about of the downtown area, with its Hindu temples, synagogues, churches and mosques, markets and tea shops and we can also visit a fortune teller! Our Myanmar Adventure ends here although there are a number of extensions to the trip that can be arranged.