Burma - Golden Earth

• Bagan, a vast plain of pagodas to rival Angkor
• Irrawaddy River cruise from Bagan to Mandalay
• Crisscross Inle Lake by boat, marveling at the famous Inle leg rowers

Home to golden pagodas, remote hill tribes and the friendliest people in the world, Burma has long appealed to the traveller. Shrouded in an enchanting time warp, it is a fascinating land of great charm. As the country seeks to shrug off decades of self-imposed isolation and re-join the world stage, there has never been a better time to visit. Discover ancient Bagan, experience colourful rural life and sail on the historic Irrawaddy River, while considering Burma’s rich history and potential future.

Day 1  London/ Yangon – Overnight flight to Yangon.

Day 2  Yangon – Arrive in Yangon (Rangoon), Burma’s former capital.

Day 3  Yangon – Morning at leisure. Afternoon visit to the National Museum and old colonial centre, concluding at the 2,500 year old Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset.

Day 3  Yangon/ Bagan – Early flight to Bagan, Burma’s ancient capital of 13,000 temples, one of the great sites of Southeast Asia. Afternoon exploring Bagan.

Day 4  Bagan – Full day’s sightseeing at Bagan visiting the great Shwezigon Paya, Ananda Temple, Abeyadana Temple and other temples. Evening marionette performance.

Day 5  Mount Popa – Optional earlymorning balloon ride over Bagan’s thousand year old pagodas (not included in tour price). Drive to Mount Popa, home to the nats (spirits) and a pilgrimage site for centuries.

Day 6  Bagan, Irrawaddy River – Morning visit to a lacquer making workshop, a local speciality. Afternoon embark the specially chartered RV Amara boat for your 4 day river journey up the Irrawaddy to Mandalay.

Day 7 & 8  Irrawaddy River – Sail upriver observing the unfolding drama of daily river life. Excursions to Yandabo, a small rural village famous for traditional terracotta pots, and the former capital of Ava.

Day 9  Irrawaddy, Mandalay – Morning’s sightseeing to Sagaing, the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silversmiths, before disembarking in Mandalay. Afternoon visit to Amarapura for the impressive almost mile long U Bein's Bridge which spans Taungthaman lake.

Day 10  Mingun, Mandalay – Morning’s excursion by local ferry to Mingun, home to the world’s largest uncracked bell. Return to Mandalay with chance to visit the excellent market or spend at leisure.

Day 11  Mandalay/ Inle Lake – Short flight to Heho visiting Taunggyi en route to Inle Lake. Home of the Intha fishermen, the unusual ‘one-legged’ rowers, with its stilt villages and beautiful pagodas it’s an enchanting place.

Day 12  Inle Lake – Explore the lake by boat visiting the ruined Indein Pagoda and Nga Phe Kyaung monastery.

Day 13  Inle Lake – Today enjoy the annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, one of the largest Buddhist festivals in Burma, a wonderfully visual spectacle.

Day 14  Inle Lake/ Yangon/ London – Early flight back to Yangon with time to visit Bogyoke market and the Sule Pagoda. Overnight flight back to London.

Day 15  London – Arrive in London.

Rory Maclean

An acclaimed writer and broadcaster, Rory Maclean is author of eight travel books, including Under the Dragon about his journeys in Burma. Rory’s books have won awards and were shortlisted twice for the Thomas Cook Travel Book Prize. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. A seasoned Burma observer for many years, he’s an ideal companion to help unlock this beguiling country.