Day 01 - Yangon

Upon arrival to YANGON airport, you will be welcomed by your Asian Trails guide and transferred to your hotel.

Your journey begins with an afternoon tour through Yangon's city. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years and the magnificent reclining Buddha at CHAUK HTAT GYI. After a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET (closed on Mondays and on public holidays) with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world's most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA. Both lunch and dinner are to your own account.

Overnight stay at Chatrium Hotel (****, Superior room) or similar in Yangon.

Day 02 - Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura - Mandalay

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to MANDALAY.

Upon arrival, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay to visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 during the era when Amarapura was the Royal capital. Already from the early days the city was known for its silk- and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop before proceeding to BAGAYA MONASTERY, a compound with a superb collection of Buddha statues.

After lunch at local restaurant, you will experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay. The SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and the KUTHODAW PAGODA the world's largest book made of marble. Visit also one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA. Mandalay is also a major arts and crafts center. Visit to Kalaga tapestry craftsmen's shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset viewing.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort (****, Superior room) or similar in Mandalay.

Day 03 - Mandalay - Mount Popa - Bagan

After early breakfast, a 255 km drive (6.5 hours) by road through varied agricultural landscapes will take you to MOUNT POPA.

After lunch at a local restaurant en-route, the journey continues to MT. POPA, an extinct volcano with spectacular views. Mt. Popa is a popular pilgrimage destination and local people travel here from far away to worship various animist spirits known as "nats". 777 steps lead up to the shrine placed on top of the steep Popa peak. After a scenic drive (around 50 km, 1.5 hours) and a stop at one of the local villages arrive to BAGAN in time to watch the sunset from a temple top over the famous AYEYARWADDY RIVER and the magnificent plain of pagodas and temples.

Dinner and overnight stay at Myanmar Treasure Resort (***, Superior room) or similar in Bagan.

Day 04 - Bagan

Your day will begin early with a nostalgic horse cart ride (if available) to the YWA HAUNG GYI TEMPLE to witness the rise of dawn. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, stroll through a colorful local market and continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; BU LEI THEE PAGODA, noted for its panoramic view of the area's numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images.

In the afternoon learn of the manufacturing Myanmar's most treasured handicrafts and visit a lacquer ware craftsmen's workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. Later continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059 and explore the NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument which according to legends used to be palace site of the King Manuha. Visit the ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM housing countless beautiful Buddha images made of bronze, stone and lacquer. Complete the day by watching sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from a temple top.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

Dinner at a riverside restaurant and overnight stay at Myanmar Treasure Resort (***, Superior room) or similar in Bagan.

*OPTIONAL: Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon. 'Balloons over Bagan' offer visitors exclusive sunrise flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to March. (For details see 'Balloons over Bagan' progamme or contact Asian Trails.)

Day 05 - Bagan - Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free at your leisure for relaxing, shopping or sightseeing in Yangon until departure transfer to the airport for your next flight. The guide and car remain at your entire disposal until your departure flight.