Bagan is a truly astonishing landscape with over 4,000 ancient temples and stupas scattered across the jungly plains.

A visit to the vast Royal Palace whilst staying in Mandalay is highly recommended. Wander through these ornate moat walls to discover the ‘Forbidden City’, which contains teak palaces, throne halls and pavilions.

Inle Lake is a place of heart-stopping beauty… Stay at a hotel nearby like Sanctum Inle Resort to glide through the water on a long-tail boat and observe the unique method of rowing with one leg used by the Inle fisher-folk.

At the frontier of adventurous Asian travel, Bagan leaves other cultural destinations in the shade. Her temple-strewn landscapes are guaranteed to fill you with both awe and spiritual calm.

Welcome to Ngapali, Burma's best beach with a wide and inviting stretch of golden sand. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a hectic schedule of temple-tours and even better, you’ll still won't find too many tourists here.

Just one of the hundreds of impressive religious statues you'll discover in Burma.

There are often offerings and blessings ceremonies with special costumes happening around the stunning gold-leafed circular stupa at the Shwedagon Pagoda. 

Burma's most sacred Buddhist site, the Shwedagon Pagoda. A glittering gold 2,000-year-old pagoda, in the heart of Yangon.

Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon journey over the temples of Bagan with extraordinary views over hundreds of ancient ruins and pagodas which peek out from this remote jungle. It's a truly unforgettable experience and the best way to appreciate this archeological wonder.

The Mergui Archipelago, a group of 800 islands scatted in the Andaman Sea off the western shore of Burma’s remote south, is one of the last untouched and unspoilt tropical destinations left on earth.

Bagan has a truly astonishing landscape. It is a mesmerising moment when you first set eyes on so many ancient temples peeking out from this vast horizon stretching as far as the Irrawaddy River. Climb a viewpoint and take in over 4000 stupas scattered across the jungly plains. 

Inle Lake is a place of heart-stopping beauty… Slice through the water on a long-tail boat and observe the unique method of rowing with one leg used by the Inle fisher-folk.

The bullock cart is a common means of transportation in Burma, and they are still used today where modern vehicles are too expensive or the infrastructure does not favour them. 

Sail around the little-known Mergui Archipelago in style, on the sleek and sexy catamaran, Meltimi.

Meet some fantastic local people in Bagan, like this lady we met wearing extraordinary head gear!

If you head 10kms up the Irrawaddy River, you’ll be rewarded with the arresting sight of the breath-taking white Mingun pagoda, with its unusual wave-like terraces.

Shwedagon is a beautiful, glittering gold 2,000 year old temple in Yangon. It is Burma's most sacred Buddhist site and draws in local people from within the city and afar. Yangon's early history is tied very closely to its magnificent Pagoda, where eight of Buddha's hairs are said to be enshrined. 

A journey aboard the RV Paukan is a wonderful way to take in the Irrawaddy River. This spacious, boutique boat has over 30 crew members to take care of you. 

Discover the delights of Pyin Oo Lwin, a scencic hill town in the centre of rural Burma. Learn more of its colonial past from buildings that still exist from British colonial rule in Burma.

At dawn, watch the sun bring Bagan to life, picking out details on the intricate stupas and temples. Although there are around 5,000 monuments, no two are the same.

Feast on fresh seafood at this breezy beachside restaurant at the Sandoway Resort, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Ngapali Bay villa’s have an enviable location overlooking a perfect stretch of beach on  the Bay of Bengal. Villas are dotted around surrounding tropical gardens; the best are on the seafront with private deck and plunge pool.

The New Moon Festival is celebrated in Burma with traditional clothing, processions and offerings. If you’re lucky enough to witness a festival in Burma you’ll notice towns get very busy and the Burmese are in a playful mood!

Escape the heat of the coast in Kalaw, a cool, colonial hill station and admire the wide range of vegetables grown in this fertile climate.

Find peace in Burma’s capital Yangon when visiting this graceful reclining Buddha and marvel at its size – this Buddha is over 26 metres long.

Take a ride in a horse and cart, unique to Pyin Oo Lwin, and visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens, which thrive in this cool climate. 

We recommend a visit to atmospheric Mrauk U soon. Although smaller than Bagan, it has an undiscovered feel to it and apart from a few farmers you might have the place to yourself.

Hail a taxi, Burma style! Get to grips with this method of transport in Mingun, where a bullock and bamboo cart is waiting to take you to your destination. 

If you get a chance, watch a traditional Marionette show using hand-made puppets, customary age-old entertainment in Burma.

Admire the remains of what would have been the world's largest religious monument, Mingun Paya, if work on it hadn't been halted by an 1838 earthquake.

Idle away time on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, observe local families who use the river as means of transport and enjoy Burma's great birdlife .

Enjoy this serene view of Inle Lake from the Inle Princess Resort, framed by the magnificent backdrop of the Blue Mountains and edged by lush paddy fields. 

Not only does the Inle Princess Resort provide stunning views over Inle Lake, its chalets are more than comfortable too, with spacious bedrooms and private terraces.

Admire the reflections in the crystal clear waters of Inle Lake from the privacy of your balcony in a lake front view Chalet at the charming Inle Princess Resort.

Take part in this fascinating custom in a local home on the shores of Lake Inle and learn how to roll a cheroot style cigar, made from crushed tabacoo and wrapped in tree leaves. Here is Ampersand's MD, James, having a go!

Discover more about the little-known minority villages that bank on the shore of Inle Lake. These tribeswomen add rings to their necks to give the impression of ‘long- neck ladies’.

Daily life for the Burmese people carries on as usual within the archaeological site of Bagan. 

Here we visited a school for nuns in Amarapura, which is a fascinating experience. Burma is absolutely packed full of novice monks and nuns who are completely focused on what they’re doing. The discipline and faith of the Burmese people is really very touching.

Be welcomed by warm and friendly locals as you explore Burma's countryside.