Day 1 - Yangon/Heho/Lake Inle We arrive in Yangon in the morning and enjoy a brief orientation tour of the city. Later that afternoon, we fly to Heho, and from there, we drive to Lake Inle. Upon our arrival, we will be treated to some Burmese cuisine and a welcome lecture by the Burmese historian, Dr' Khin Maung. The majority of the afternoon will be spent getting settled in to our spacious Chalet Suites at the Inle Princess Resort. For dinner, we’ll enjoy an authentic Shan tribe meal while be entertained with a traditional Shan tribe dance.

Day 2 - Lake Inle After breakfast, we’ll visit a traditional 5-day market where we’ll see the arts and crafts of the Inle people. Later we’ll explore the floating village, where the houses are built on stilts. We will also be given the chance to see how the villagers use a floating garden to grow their vegetables. For lunch, we’ll be served a Shan/Chinese meal. After we eat, we’lll visit local handicraft cottages (silk and lotus weaving) and the ancient "jumping cats" monastery. We’ll enjoy a demonstration of the traditional one-leg paddling and then try it ourselves before partaking of high-tea and a snack. In the evening we head back to the Inle Princess Resort for our dinner and good night’s rest.

Day 3 - Heho/Mandalay In the morning, we’ll transfer to Heho for our flight to Mandalay. We’ll visit to the Mahamuni Temple and the old Mandalay Palace and enjoy some stories about the royal families. Then we’ll head to an embroidery and gold leaf workshop to learn some of the ancient techniques used in the textile trade. Following this, we’ll participate in a cooking class and demonstration of Burmese cuisine, creating some tantalizing dishes of our own. After lunch, we’ll visit the Golden Palace teakwood monastery to view typical wooden monastic architecture. From there, we proceed to the home of artist U Sein Myint for tea, a snack, and some conversation. Late in the afternoon, we’ll trek up Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset and get a panoramic view of the expanse below. For dinner, we’ll dine at the Green Elephant Restaurant and from there we head to our deluxe rooms at the Sedona Hotel.

Day 4 - Mandalay/Amarapura/Sagain/Inwa/Mingun Today, we visit the Mahagandayone Monastery to observe the way of life for the monks who live there. Next we’ll see the U Bein Bridge, the longest wooden bridge in the world constructed with teakwood pillars. For lunch we will be treated to Chinese cuisine at the appropriately named "Happy Restaurant." Then it’s off to Inwa to witness the beauty of the landscape and its culture, and then Sagain Hill to practice an hour of meditation while enjoying the panoramic view of the Irrawaddy River. Afterwards, we’ll visit the world's biggest ringing bell and the unfinished pagoda in Mingun. Towards evening, we’ll begin our journey back to Mandalay on a boat ride to from Mingun, drinking champagne and enjoying the sunset over the river. Dinner will be provided by Ko's Kitchen Restaurant with your choice of either Thai or Burmese cuisine. Accommodations at the Sedona Hotel.

Day 5 - Mandalay Today marks the beginning of our three-day Pandaw cruise along the Irrawady River to Bagan. After breakfast we transfer to the jetty and board the boat. Lunch will be served onboard, followed by a visit to the Mingun pagoda complex. In the evening, we’ll be treated to a dance and dramatic performance over dinner. After dessert, we’ll enjoy some compelling conversation about change and resolutions before bringing in the new year under a balmy Burmese sky.

Day 6 - Mandalay On New Year’s Day, we’ll go ashore to visit Sagain once again. Lunch will be served onboard as we drift along the water. In the afternoon we’ll visit a typical village on the river’s edge. In the eveningthe boat will moor overnight near a small village.

Day 7 - Bagan The Pandaw cruise wraps up today when we arrive in Bagan. We will disembark and transfer to the Thiripyitsaya Hotel. Today we’ll visit several ancient temples in Bagan; Ananda, Shwezigon, Manuha and Nanphaya. Here we will learn all about the architecture and the monastic modes of life. Then we’ll visit the U Banyein lacquer ware workshop. For lunch we’ll be served Burmese Cuisine at the Sunset Garden Restaurant. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a short ride on a horse-drawn carriage to some of the ancient temples. Following this, we’ll will walk through the village and visit a local family for tea and a snack. Later, we’ll climb to one of the higher temples in Bagan to watch the golden sun set on the horizon. Tonight, we dine at the Nanda Restaurant, and then return to the Thiripyitsaya Hotel.

Day 8 - Bagan/Popa After a restful sleep and a relaxing breakfast, we will visit an extinct volcano, the legendary home for animism (spirit worshiping). Here we’ll learn the differences between spirit worshipping and Buddhism. Following this, we’ll head to the hillock of Mt. Popa to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Lunch will be served at Popa Mountain Resort. Afterwards, we’ll go on a short horseback ride. Later, we return to Bagan for a private sunset boat ride (with cocktails) along the Irrawaddy. We’ll dine on delicious Burmese cuisine at the BBB Restaurant, before heading to the Thiripyitsaya Hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day 9 - Bagan/Yangon Today, we return to Yangon and explore the mysteries of the awe-inspiring golden Shwedagon Pagoda. The origins of the Shwedagon have been lost in antiquity and its age is still unknown to this day. This pagoda is a highly spiritual place filled with the majesty of the Buddha. Lunch will be served at the Sandy Myanmar Restaurant. At dusk, we’ll return to the Shwedagon for a private ceremony of 1000 oil-lamps followed by a brief religious chant. Then we’ll head to the Padoma Restaurant for a five star Burmese meal. Our overnight accommodations will be at the Pansea Hotel.

Day 10 - Depart Yangon We will start our final day with a trishaw ride through Yangon's downtown and waterfront followed by breakfast at a local teashop. Then we’ll visit Sule, the heart of Yangon. There we’ll get a up-close look at the day-to-day customs of the Burmese people. We’ll see the Chaukhtatkyi Reclining Buddha, the Scott Market and craft shops, and, in the evening, we’ll visit Chinatown and stroll around the fresh market. Afterwards, we head to the airport for our departure.