Best of the Best in Burma... The Ultimate Luxury Tour
15 days from £9,240 for 2024 per person
It is no secret that Burma is a cultural treasure trove, but for those of you who love luxury too, we have designed the ultimate luxury tour of Burma using her finest luxury hotels and most exclusive experiences. Begin your journey in the height of colonial-era elegance at Burma’s most sought after hotel, the Governor’s Residence. Highlights of your time in Yangon range from a walking tour of crumbly colonial downtown, a sunset pilgrimage to the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, Afternoon Tea at The Strand – a true institution built by the Sarkie Brothers in 1901 – and dinner at Le Planteur, Burma’s premier fine dining establishment set in an ambient garden.
Next stop Kalaw, to experience one of our top recommended activities in Burma: lunch and bathing the adorable resident elephants at the Green Elephant Camp. Run by an inspiring Burmese couple, the camp was set up to protect the environment, elephants and traditions of local people. Well worth a visit, not least as you will stay at The Amara, a quaint hill station cottage complete with English-style country gardens and bounding Labrador dogs! Rested and refreshed, head on to Inle Lake. Surrounded by the Shan Hills, Inle Lake is a true natural and cultural beauty with floating vegetable gardens and Intha villages constructed on stilts upon the water. You will arrive at the charming Inle Princess Resort by way of a traditional boat rowed in the ubiquitous ‘one-legged rowing’ style. Explore local villages and cultural sites by private boat, and enjoy a traditional Shan cookery class at Intha House.
Next visit Mandalay, once home to the staggering Royal Moated Palace complex and the gateway to Burma's ancient capitals like Inwa and Mingun, before heading to Burma’s archaeological jewel, Bagan. The vast Bagan plains are straddled by the Irrawaddy River and scatted with some 5,000 ancient temples, which you will explore with a private guide according to your own pace and interests. If travelling between October and March, wake at the crack of dawn one morning for a thrilling balloon ride over the Bagan pagodas. Stay at the Aureum Palace, which has astonishing views directly over the temples of Bagan – best enjoyed with a sundowner by the swimming pool.
Take your final flight to end your journey with your feet in the sand at Sandoway Resort on Ngapali Beach, Burma’s finest beach resort lapped by the turquoise waters of the Bay of Bengal. This gorgeous coast – and this resort in particular – promise the perfect finale to your luxury Burma tour.
This tour is purely a suggested itinerary. It can be booked as it is, or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own ideal bespoke holiday. If you'd like to see similar tours, take a look at our Ultimate Luxury Villas, Beach Holidays, Spa & Wellness, Honeymoon and Epic Journey collections.
Itinerary details
15 days from £9,240 for 2024 per person
- Day 1 - Belmond Governor's Residence - Yangon (Rangoon)
Arrive in Yangon in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. - Day 2 - Belmond Governor's Residence - Yangon (Rangoon)
Full day tour in Yangon. Evening dinner at Le Planteur Restaurant - Day 3 - Amara Mountain Resort - Kalaw
Fly from Yangon to Heho and drive to Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. Drive on to Kalaw and overnight at the Amara Resort and enjoy a private dinner. - Day 4 - Inle Princess Resort - Inle Lake
Drive from Kalaw to the Red Mountain Winery for lunch and transfer to Inle Lake. - Day 5 - Inle Princess Resort - Inle Lake
Inle Lake and Indain sightseeing. - Day 6 - Inle Princess Resort - Inle Lake
Morning cookery class at a local home. Enjoy this evening at leisure with boat and guide at your disposal. - Day 7 - Mandalay Hill Resort - Mandalay
Transfer from Inle Lake to Heho and fly to Mandalay. Enjoy a Mandalay city tour. - Day 8 - Mandalay Hill Resort - Mandalay
Inwa and Mingun sightseeing. This evening enjoy a private dinner at Pavilion Restaurant. - Day 9 - Aureum Palace - Bagan
Fly from Mandalay to Bagan on a morning flight. This evening at leisure with optional shopping. - Day 10 - Aureum Palace - Bagan
Morning market visit, temple sightseeing and evening sunset boat ride along Ayeyarwaddy River. - Day 11 - Aureum Palace - Bagan
Early morning 'Balloons over Bagan' hot air balloon ride (seasonal operations between October and March). Afternoon visit to Mt Popa to climb up to the Mahagiri Nat Shrine. - Day 12 - Sandoway Resort - Ngapali Beach
Fly from Bagan to Thandwe and transfer to Ngapali Beach to check in at Sandoway Resort. - Day 13 - Sandoway Resort - Ngapali Beach
Free and leisure day at the beach. - Day 14 - Sandoway Resort - Ngapali Beach
Free day at leisure at the beach. - Day 15 - In transit.
Fly from Thandwe to Yangon, and catch your connecting flight home.
Travel is the only thing that you buy that makes you richer.
Proverb