Luxuries of Myanmar

(9 Days)
Yangon, Mandalay, Ayeyarwady River Cruise, Bagan, Inle Lake

This tour combines the cultural treasures of Myanmar with several days on a luxury cruise on the Ayeyarwady River. All touring (including on the river cruise) is with your own expert escort guide and private drivers.

Begin in Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar. See atmospheric British-colonial architecture, the spectacular golden stupa of Shwedagon Pagoda and the enormous reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Temple while touring with your private guide and driver. Browse sprawling Bogyoke (Scott) Market for traditional Burmese crafts such as lacquerware, baskets and longyis. Visit Little India, Chinatown and other dynamic neighborhoods that reflect Yangon's diverse cultural influences.

Next, fly to fabled Mandalay, the cultural heart of Myanmar, and board a three-night cruise on the luxurious Belmond Road to Mandalay. During your cruise, enjoy glimpses of typical rural life along the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, learn about local culture and customs during lectures, and perhaps book spa treatments or join a sunrise yoga session on the top deck. Artisans of Leisure will provide a private guide and driver for your shore excursions during the cruise. During private touring, visit local workshops around Mandalay to watch artisans create traditional crafts such as silk weavings, wood carvings, gold leaf, marble carvings and alms bowls. Visit the central market to learn about local ingredients and goods used in daily life, and perhaps enjoy a meal of Mandalay's famous noodles in a tea shop. Also see additional cultural and historical highlights in ancient former capitals surrounding the city such as Amarapura, Ava, Mingun and Sagaing.

Disembark in awe-inspiring Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where thousands of pagodas and temples cover arid plains along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River. During private touring, learn about Bagan's history as a major Buddhist center between the 11th and 13th centuries, and see the most interesting temple ruins and their Buddhist frescoes and sculptures. Also meet with local artisans who produce Bagan's revered traditional lacquerware. One evening, enjoy sundowner cocktails during a relaxing private sunset cruise on the river. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as a spectacular hot-air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan at sunrise; a visit to a local Buddhist monastery; and a private excursion to other local villages or Mount Popa, an important pilgrimage site.

Continue to beautiful Inle Lake and the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a private traditional boat ride on the lake and through canals to visit villages built on stilts over the water and floating gardens that the local Intha people use for growing crops. Also visit a local winery in the hills, the ancient pagodas of In Dein and active monasteries. Meet locals who produce lotus silk weavings, woodwork, cheroot cigars and other distinctive Inle Lake crafts. With a local fisherman, try the traditional fishing method using distinctive conical baskets. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a private cooking class, biking and other activities and excursions in this fascinating region.

Return to Yangon for a night and continue private touring. Depending on your interests, other touring options include visiting art galleries, the National Museum, Myanmar's only synagogue, or other architectural, cultural and culinary highlights.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world