Today’s schedule includes airport transfer, and for those arriving mid- afternoon, we’ve scheduled an optional sunset visit to Yangon’s most famous landmark. Undoubtedly, the best time to see Shwedagon pagoda is at dusk, as the sun begins to fall over the city. One of the true wonders of the religious world, the pagoda is believed more than 2500 years old, towering some 98 meters/326 feet above the green cityscape of Yangon. Testament of the faith of the Burmese, it is covered with hundreds of pure gold plates, while the pinnacle is encrusted with 4531 diamonds, the largest 76 carats. Before returning to the hotel, walk down the streets of Yangon’s Chinatown by night, where you can sample street foods and local treats, then return to hotel. Dinner not included today, because of varying arrival times, but hotel restaurant and room service available.

Our accommodation is the city’s most prestigious hotel, The Strand, a gloriously renovated colonial treasure, in the heart of downtown.

After your sumptuous Strand breakfast (order anything from the a la carte menu, price is included) gather for our walking tour of old Rangoon. Wear comfortable slip-ons without socks today, as we explore the downtown area, where the ghosts of British colonial influence still prevail. (You will be required to remove both shoes and socks when entering all religious sites.) We’ll pass splendidly unkempt Victorian and Edwardian architecture meshed with ancient pagodas, and innumerable used booksellers lining the sidewalks. Stops after The Strand include the Australian High Commission and British Embassy, the colonial post office, and 2000-year-old Sule pagoda. We’ll also stop for an early lunch of mohinga, arguably the country’s national dishes. This is a fish chowder with noodles, and we source ours in a shopfront that cooks up one of the city’s best. Plus a stop for a cup of Myanmar’s famed tea prior to exploring the city’s largest market, the labyrinth Bogyoke Aung San (Scott Market). We’ll give you an introduction to local crafts and antiques, then either return to the hotel, or we’ll leave you there to explore further on your own. Taxi return to the hotel is short and easy (not included).

Shan state is Myanmar’s largest and agriculturally its wealthiest. It’s prime tourist attraction is Inle Lake, a vast, yet relatively shallow waterway, 22 km long and 10km wide. Like South America's Lake Titacaca, villagers here gather rushes to create floating islands. Upon arrival in Heho, lunch on simple, yet satisfying, bowls of ohn no khauk swear Shan wheat noodles in thick coconut soup-- the regional specialty. The restaurant is humble, but the attraction is really the throngs of locals giving you cheap hand, shoulder and leg massage while eating! But be sure to bargain and agree on a price first. (About $1) Then drive to Nyaungshwe, gateway to Inle lake, and its principal town. Enroute stop at Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, and the Museum of Shan Chiefs. Its teak and brick building is the country's finest remaining example of a Shan palace. After check in, re-group and drive to the balloon festival. Get ready for a fun evening of hot air balloons, fireworks and fire crackers. This takes place over two days. Snacks available at the festival. B/L

As Mandalay airport is located about an hour from the city centre, we’ll first stop at scenic Amarapura, one of the capitals of the third Myanmar Empire. Promenade U Bein bridge, 1.2km/3/4 mi. long and made of teak (pedestrian traffic only). Monks here will likely ask you for help with their English conversation. Then visit Pahtodawgyi Paya dating to 1820, and a rew remains of the old Amarapura palace, including the treasury building and watchtower. Drive to Mahamuni Pagoda, which is the country's second most sacred image, after Shwedagon in Yangon. Time permitting, visit Shwe In Bin Kyaung, a large and elegant wooden monastery built by a rich Chinese merchant family in 1895. En route back to the hotel, we’ll pass by the night market for a snack. As it has been a long day of travels, your will love the luxury of our hotel tonight, plus room service and dining options. Or join us for an optional night at cabaret theatre!

This morning cruise the mighty Irrawaddy river, up to Mingun, one of the country's most impressive monoliths. Built as the world's tallest stupa between 1790 to 1819, construction was never completed after an earthquake severely damaged it. You'll also see the famed Mingun bell plus the gorgeous Hsinbyume Paya. (It's wavy white terraces, with a novice monk running along the wall features on a recent cover of The Lonely Planet.)

We begin the morning exploring Mandalay's largest market, Zeigyo, plus snacking at some of the city's best eateries. Mandalay is renowned for its tea house culture, and this is your chance to try. Better yet: there are so many local crafts in Mandalay, and we'll definitely include gold leaf production, and time permitting sewing of the magnificent quilted tapestries known as kalaga, puppet making and cast bronze, plus achek weaving.

Today travel further a-field, to Salay and Chauk, well off the beaten track. Salay is home of some 50 monasteries in a town of only 7000 persons, and a unique chance to see the beautiful 19th century wooden temple Yoke Sone Kyaung. From there drive to Chauk, its bustling regional market, and a glimpse of authentic Burmese village life. Chauk is also home to a manufacturer of the country's tasty tamarind flakes. (Be sure to save lots of spare room in an empty bag; they are deliciously addictive!) Dinner tonight is at a local marionette theatre, for a Daung-Lann meal, served on large, but individual, lacquer ware platters. In keeping with the local style, no utensils will be served, and you will learn how to eat with your hands. ("It tastes so much better this way," locals contend. -- Now is your opportunity to find out!)

After breakfast, fly back to Yangon today, with free time for some last minute independent shopping or sight seeing. As this is our final night in Myanmar, we’ve pulled out the punches for a delicious gala dinner in The Strand’s fine dining venue The Grill. B/D

Tour ends, and time to say au revoir to this charming country, a land of infinite smiles. In Myanmar, it’s never goodbye, always “until again.” After breakfast, transfers to airport included.