11 DAYS MYANMAR LUXURY TOUR WITH MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO

Arrival to Yangon international airport. You will be welcomed by Discovery team with flowers and transferred to your hotel (approx. 1hr). Enjoy a welcome drink on the way. After freshening up we drive to 2000 year old Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city where we start our Rangoon walking tour through the colonial administrative quarter containing the most beautiful heritage buildings. Along our route you will see book merchants, food stalls and various kinds of shops and entrepreneurs. We make a stop at Yangon landmark hotel, THE STRAND, for an afternoon tea (an assortment of savories desserts and tea or coffee).  Developed to a luxury hotel by Armenian Sarkies brothers like the sister property Raffles in Singapore, the Strand has been one of the finest heritage hotels in Asia for over 100 years already. Visit RIVER ART GALLERY next to Strand hotel show casing some of Myanmar’s most famous jobs.  We continue our Rangoon exploration with a visit to SCOTT’S (AUNG SAN) MARKET housing hundreds of colorful shops selling merchandise from sandals to sapphires and rubies. From Aung San market we make a photo stop and a short visit at the PEGU CLUB, once premier leisure and entertainment club in the country. We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SWEDAGON PAGODA, a gleaming bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed. 

In the evening, enjoy welcome dinner at hotel. 

This morning participate with locals to daily almsgiving to monks and novices. Try local breakfast Rangoon Tea House and explore the old town on a private heritage walk lead by colonial history and architecture expert. Rest of the day is free leisure at hotel to enjoy the facilities.  

In the evening dine in Le Planteur Myanmar’s premier restaurant serving French Indochinese fusion cuisine in beautiful setting. 

Enjoy breakfast and morning swim at the hotel before transfer to Yangon airport for your (approx. 1hr) flight to Bagan. Today we journey to the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan by Elephant Coach, a luxury replica of 1930’s colonial era Chevrolet coaches that were still used in Myanmar a few years ago. During the six centuries of reign Bagan became one of the greatest kingdoms in South-east Asia region with trade relations to China, India, Arabia and Europe. Over 3000 thousand pagodas and temples remains are scattered around the arid plains by the Irrawaddy River. Our Bagan visits are adjusted to individual preferences as most people have certain temples on the bucket list to see and visit. Our recommended sights include the gold gilded Swezigon Stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Not far from the stupa, the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka reincarnations.

Next, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village, and then visit Htilominlo Temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour ends with a visit to the beautifully symmetric and majestic Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the viewer with fixed serenity wherever the viewer stands and a pyramid shaped Dhammayangyi Temple built by cruel king, and famous for its fine brick work.

For sunset, a Bullock or Horse Cart Ride around the temples offers unparalleled photo opportunities of one of the richest archeological treasures in Southeast Asia as the sun dips behind the temple ruins (weather permitting). 

Private hot air balloon flight for your party –  Early pick up from your hotel by balloons crew approx. 5.30am and transfer to balloons launch site.  Imagine . . . floating over thousand-year-old pagodas and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, as the sun rises slowly from the distant horizon. The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for centuries. One of the most remarkable sights in Asia, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. After 45min to 1hr flight you will be served celebratory glass of champagne and light snack before transfer back to hotel for breakfast.

Option 1. Bagan off the beaten trails cycling or e-biking

Bagan has many off-the-beaten trails temples connected by small tracks and back roads. Fun way to explore the region and to see local village life is by mountain bike or on electric bike, your guide can adjust the distance and route to your skills and wishes. After lunch return to your hotel for rest, spa treatments and pool time. Continue around 4pm by car visiting some of the highlight temples and sites we did not have time to visit day earlier.

Option 2. Mt Popa half day excursion

Today’s excursion 1.5hrs 50km drive from Bagan will bring you to Mount Popa, the Burmese spiritual epicenter for those who worship the pantheon of nat spirits and martyrs. After paying respects to the Nat’s Shrine at the foot of Mount Popa, we climb nearly 800 steps to the pagoda on top of the gigantic volcanic plug for panoramic views over the surrounding plains and farm lands. On the way back to Bagan we stop en-route in local village and toddy collectors hut to observe the process of making the rich and caramel-like toddy candies from the sap of the toddy palms.

Option 3. Bagan Photographers Dream

Spend the day from sunrise to sunset with a professional photographer guide who knows Bagan’s best spots throughout. Capture those perfect frames that Bagan is known for and work on your photography skills and get personal hands on advice if you wish. This evening enjoy private candle lit dinner under the stars with traditional music and cultural performance.

Transfer to Bagan airport for the 30min flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. Next, we take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields. By Inle Lake Indewi boat, luxury version of typical Inle boats, will be waiting for you. We journey out to a surprise lunch location on the lake. We will arrange catering from the best restaurant on the lake and will have a selection of wines at hand (drinks will be to your own account).  This surprise lunch is on a rice barge boat converted to dining venue. One boat will have the dining table, another boat has the cooking team and third boat that will arrive bit later will have a toilet, just in time.
After lunch continue with afternoon explorations of Inle Lake, populated with floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake. This evening dinner will be at the wine cellar cave of Inle Princess Resort. Start with canapes and tasting Myanmar’s premier wines, followed by multi-course dinner.

Fun and active day at Inle Lake with some optional activities. Visit the morning market by boat. Cycle along the lake shores exploring local villages. Explore Pao tribe villages up mountain range with motorcycles. (if you wish to do this please inform us well in advance). Late afternoon, a sunset canoe ride propelled by Inn Thar minority villagers who are known for their leg rowing technique. We will arrange a surprise stop in the middle of floating farms for some champagne. Then transfer to a local village on shore where you will be welcomed by a local family to their house for a home cooked meal. Enjoy a cocktail and relax or join for the cooking. A delicious Inn Tha and Shan dinner will be served in the house. After the meal and dusk – we will join the local villagers for bonfire celebration accompanied by local shan music and dance performance. Transfer back to your hotel in the evening. We should ideally have at least 3-4 travelers to arrange this as it will be a festival for the whole village as well. We will sponsor them meal and beverage and some contributions. Depending on budget we have made furniture from Burmese cigars for the house and arranged some other specials to have totally unique concept and experience.

After breakfast at hotel, we continue our lake explorations with a visit to rotating market which is held 5 days a week. On each day in different location. This is where local hill tribes continue to come trade their produce and occasionally even their water buffaloes. Today lunch will be at the Ayethayar vineyard where German winemakers have been perfecting their harvest for well over a decade now. From Aye Thar Yar, we transfer to Heho airport for your return flight to Yangon. If time allows, on the way to Heho airport, we make a stop of local craftsman house to see how Shan parasols are handmade and Shan paper making from mulberry tree bark. 

Upon arrival to Yangon airport, you will be picked up and transfer to hotel for check in. Rest of the day is free leisure to explore Yangon with tour guide. Car and guide will be disposal for the whole day. If you wish, guide will take you  to Augustine and Madame Thair, two unique antique shops filled with curiosities and trinkets from various times during Myanmar’s history. If you’re lucky, the eponymous Madame Thair will be on hand to charm you with her exuberant ‘everything is for sale’ pitch.

In the evening, we will transfer to one of the famous local restaurant, Padonemar where you can try various kind of Myanmar traditional dishes.  

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Yangon Domestic airport for morning flight to Kawthaung. Arrival in Kawthaung and boat trip to Lampi Marine National Park. After arrival at Kawthaung, you will be met your local guide and transferred to the jetty for the two hour boat ride to Lampi island. Once you arrive at the island, you will be checked in and be ready to enjoy the splendors of the stunning setting. 

The day's program will be entirely up to you. From rest and relaxation on beach or active adventure everything will be tailor made to your needs.
Activities include: Exploring the fresh water rivers and their surrounding mangrove forests by canoe. Hikes through the lush jungle terrain and climb up to one of several hills to enjoy panoramic views of the island and surrounding sea, snorkeling and dividing on the rich coral reef systems and spotting sea turtles, rays and sharks, or take an island hopping trip by boat to the different islands in the park area and visit the local villages and Moken sea gypsies, learn about their fascinating way of life and observe the Moken fishing way they have for centuries.

Rest & relaxation at Wa Ale Resort another full day to soak up the beauty of the island and enjoy the splendor of the resort. 

Apart from the wide range of activities, you can also sample exquisite dining options at the onsite restaurant which serves a healthy blend of Asian & Mediterranean dishes made with fresh produce harvested from the island as well as local communities and serves only sustainably caught seafood from the archipelago. 

Return by boat to Kawthaung and transfer to the airport for your onward departure.