Jewels of Myanmar

No visit to Myanmar is complete without visiting the country’s Grand Four: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake. Experience these jewels on a one-of-a-kind, exclusive discovery of Myanmar’s mysterious past and fascinating present — an itinerary handcrafted by Ker & Downey for a uniquely unforgettable ‘luxury travel to Myanmar’ journey.

Suggested Itinerary-at-a-glance:

• Day 1:

  Arrive Yangon / Belmond Governor’s Residence (L,D)

• Day 2:

  Bagan / Aureum Palace Hotel (B,L,D)

• Day 3:

  Bagan / Aureum Palace Hotel (B,L,D)

• Day 4:

  Mandalay / Mandalay Hill Resort (B,L,D)

• Day 5:

  Mandalay / Mandalay Hill Resort (B,L,D)

• Day 6:

  Inle Lake / Inle Princess Resort (B,L,D)

• Day 7:

  Inle Lake / Inle Princess Resort (B,L,D)

• Day 8:

  Inle Lake / Inle Princess Resort (B,L,D)

• Day 9:

  Yangon / Belmond Governor’s Residence (B,L,D)

• Day 10:

  Depart Yangon (B,L)

Itinerary Description:

Upon arrival in Yangon, immediately embark on a journey through the city, visiting the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda and nearby monuments before stopping for a drink at Vista Bar. You will then travel to Bagan, whose panorama reveals verdant plains freckled by more than 2,200 temples and pagodas, all of which have played a significant contribution to Burmese temple design. Settle into the Aureum Palace Hotel before heading out with your guide to interact with the surrounding markets, temples, and pagodas. Experience Bagan's landmarks by horse-and-cart, Irrawaddy boat, and hot air balloon, unlocking unique and breathtaking visions of this ancient royal city.

You will have the opportunity to venture to the nearby villages of Myinkaba, Minnanthu, and Bu Paya before traveling onward to Mandalay, the economic hub of Upper Burma and the center of Burmese culture. While there, walk along the U-Bein Bridge and explore local artisan workshops specializing in silk and cotton weaving, bronze casting, and wood and stone carving. Mandalay also provides access to numerous monasteries and more than 700 pagodas, including Mahamuni Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, popularly known as “the World’s Biggest Book” for its stone scriptures. See these structure from the air by way of another hot air balloon experience, then travel by private boat to Mingun for a day interacting with locals in their native setting

Finally, retreat to the protected serenity of Inle Lake for the final leg of your itinerary. Your private boat will take you around the waters to see the region’s famous leg-rowing fishermen, floating gardens, and religious sites. Visit weaving villages, cheroot-making factories, and local goldsmiths and silversmiths to speak one-on-one with the locals. Conclude your stay in Inle Lake with delightful excursions to Sagar, known for its "sunken" stupas and local rice wine, the pottery village of Sae Khaung, and a local Intha house -- hidden gems where few tourists tread and local hospitality makes you feel at home.

A return back to Yangon provides the opportunity to finish exploring this incredible city, with its colonial buildings and stunning parks. Stop into a teashop to try Burmese tea and meander through the Bogyoke Aung San Market, dominated by antiques, handcrafts, jewellery, art, and clothing. Finish the day with a stroll in Kandawgyi Park admiring the sunset over The Royal Barge and the Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance.

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