Day1: YANGON ARRIVAL  (No Meal)

Arrival Yangon International Airport, you will meet your Diethelm Travel tour guide after clearing immigration and customs control and transfer to hotel. (Check in time 14:00 hours)

This introductory half-day tour takes visitors to the colonial-historical centre of Yangon, a photo stop to the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge; and the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years. Proceed to Bogyoke (Scott) Market (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) followed by an extended visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments. The golden dome of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises 98 meters above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. Return back to hotel.

**Overnight at Yangon

 
Day2: YANGON - MANDALAY - SAGAING & AVA (ANAWRAHTA CRUISE) JOIN-IN GROUP  (B/L/D)

Transfer to Yangon Airport for the domestic flight from Yangon to Mandalay. Drive to the Mandalay. 12:00 hours check in at Gawein jetty and board the luxurious Anawrahta, berthed at the quay of Mandalay's riverside. The ship sets sail towards Sagaing, one of the ancient capitals of Myanmar. After enjoying your free time at the open air Kipling's Bar or on the sun deck, disembark for a wonderful discovery of some very highlights of Sagaing and the former royal capital of Ava. Ava was the metropolis of the Burmese kingdoms between the 14th to 19th century. By horse-drawn carriage, explore this area, sprinkled with many kinds of distinguished ancient monasteries and fanes: Bagaya Monastery a jaw dropping teak monastery built in 1834, which nowadays continues to be a monastic school; Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or the Nanmyint watch tower come both in a different art and creation. Back on board, learn more about some of the long-lasting traditions (Longyi and Thanaka demonstration). A fascinating presentation about the history and culture of Myanmar follows afterwards. Before dinner, enjoy a cocktail gathering at Kipling's Bar. Lunch & Dinner on board.

**Overnight on board Anawrahta Cruise. (Deluxe Cabin)

Day3: YANDABO (ANAWRAHTA CRUISE) JOIN-IN GROUP  (B/L/D)

A yoga session will be available for early morning risers on the sun deck. On arrival at the village of Yandabo, learn how the villagers produce a type of water pot which is reputed to keep water cooler than pots from anywhere else in the country. Try yourself to work on one of these pots. Return to ship for the afternoon high tea. As you sail on to the next overnight spot Pakokku, pass the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and its greatest tributary, Chindwin River. In the evening, "A toast to the past" during a British club where you can have both cigars and tasty gins with tonic. If you feel like it, you can join the open air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing classic movies (depends on weather conditions). Lunch & Dinner on board.

**Overnight on board Anawrahta Cruise. (Deluxe Cabin)

Day4: PAKKOKU - BAGAN (ANAWRAHTA CRUISE) JOIN-IN GROUP (B/L/D)

Enjoy your breakfast as the ship sails southwards before arrival in Pakkoku, an old trading town on the western riverbank of the Ayeyarwady. Here you will see the longest bridge of Myanmar (Pakokku Bridge). You will be brought to small industries in this area, such as a cheroot-rolling factory and a producer of 'Burmese slippers' (flip-flops). Local handicraft vendors try to make their living with it. A visit of the thriving market will give you an insight of local goods and trading practices. Pakokku is also well known for the production of Tobacco where you can buy some Burmese cigars. Proceed to Shwegu Temple featuring incredible, intricate carvings made from rare Yamanei wood. Back on board, lunch is served and Anawrahta continues her journey southwards, eventually arriving at the utmost highlight of this journey - Bagan. There are over 2000 temples, stupas and pagodas in an area of just 30 square kilometers. Explore the most remarkable ones: The Ananda Temple. Back on board, after some refreshments, watch a traditional Bagan dance performance at the Mandalay Lounge. Lunch & Dinner on board.

**Overnight on board Anawrahta Cruise. (Deluxe Cabin)

Day5: BAGAN (ANAWRAHTA CRUISE) JOIN-IN GROUP (B/L/D)

After breakfast, the morning tour starts with a visit of the bustling Nyaung-U market. Explore around the market to enjoy best photo-moments of local life and people. After that, proceed to Shwezigon Pagoda. This prototype of Burmese stupas consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by many smaller temples and shrines. Stop at a lacquerware workshop. This is a must-see of a long standing, fascinating craftsmanship. Complete the morning tour with a look on the fine frescoes inside the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Pagoda before returning to the ship for lunch time.

You have two options to choose. The first is a visit to the sacred Mount Popa monastery which sits picturesquely on an extinct volcano (some mobility and fitness is required to reach the top). The place is believed by the Burmese to be home to their animist spirits 'Nats'. The second option includes an exploration of Myinkaba Village. Visit the Manuha Pagoda and a short distance is the beautiful architecture of the Gubyaukyi temple. Take some individual time to explore Minnanthu Village on your own pace afterwards. Back on board and after dinner, enjoy some farewell entertainment in the lounge. Lunch & Dinner on board.

**Overnight on board Anawrahta Cruise. (Deluxe Cabin)

Day 6BAGAN - HEHO - INLE LAKE (B/L)

After early breakfast, disembark at the Bagan at Aye Yar jetty. Transfer to the Nyaung U airport for domestic flight to Heho. Drive from Heho airport down into the valley to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake. En route stop at Shweyanpyay wooden monastery. Transfer by own your local boat to hotel on the lake. Lunch at View Point Lodge.

Continue from your hotel and travel by long-tailed boat across the lake to Indaing, at the western end of Inle, for one of the most scenic trips on the Lake. Passing through the busy village of Ywama, the largest on the Lake, with many channels and tall teak houses on stilts; enter a long, often tree-lined canal, either side of which farmers cultivate their land against the backdrop of the Shan Hills. Disembark at the jetty and walk for 15 minutes through Indaing village to reach the 14th - 18th century pagoda ruins of Nyaung Ohak. Many pagodas here remain charmingly unrenovated, with plants and even small trees growing out of them, making the area very atmospheric. A covered walkway popular with souvenir stallholders leads up to Shwe Inn Thein Paya, a complex of weather-beaten 17th - 18th century zedi; some newly reconstructed. Afterwards, continue by boat downstream past Yethar village, watching local life on the banks and birds in the trees until rejoining the Lake near Phaung Daw Oo Paya.

**Overnight at Inle Lake

Day7: INLE LAKE (B/L)

Explore a 5-day rotating market (if your visit coincides with the schedule) which offers an insight into the life of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha people who come to these markets to sell and buy goods. Enjoy a full day boat trip on Inle Lake - a photographer's dream. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake's unique 'leg rowers' - Intha fishermen who row standing up with one leg wrapped around a single oar, leaving their hands free to manipulate the conical fishing net. Stop at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Lunch at Green Chilli, Nampan Restaurant.

Visit Mya Set Kyar traditional silk-weaving workshop which uses wooden handlooms, and a blacksmith's forge. Pass endless floating gardens, where Intha lake dwellers grow fruit and vegetables. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest on the lake, where you can see exquisite Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old. Return to your hotel by boat as the sun lowers and the light softens over the lake.

**Overnight at Inle Lake


Day8: INLE LAKE - HEHO - YANGON (B/L/D)

Transfer by local boat back to Nyaung Shwe and then proceed to Heho Airport (25 km - 1 hour) for domestic flight to Yangon. Arrival Yangon and transfer to hotel. Lunch at House of Memories Restaurant.

Yangon retains one of the most complete ensembles of colonial architecture in the world. This walking tour in Yangon reveals some of the heritage buildings and the rich history of their functions and inhabitants up to the present day.

Transfer from your hotel to Yangon City Hall, located at the heart of the colonial-era city. Built in 1936 by Myanmar architect U Tin, it is a massive building with traditional tiered roofs, a combination of European design and engineering technology with traditional Myanmar flourishes. Nearby is the former Immigration Department. This building was designed in 1910 to be the country's most upmarket department store, Rowe & Company. With its corner tower and top-floor balconettes, the structure retains an air of its former opulence. Proceed to the High Court, a 1911 brick building designed by the architect John Ransome, and another outstanding example of the grand Imperial style.

Continue to Strand Road, home to the three-storey former New Law Courts, built in 1931 with an imposing colonnade of Ionic columns. Next stop is the 1916 Custom House, a large building with an elegant white tower and double-faced clock above the entrance. The Art Deco period Myanma Port Authority is noted for its imposing square corner tower, wave-inspired stuccowork, and bas-relief sculptures of sailing vessels. The former Irrawaddy Flotilla Company's graceful white building and colonnaded fa'e7ade is another landmark.

Walk past the red brick General Post Office to the luxurious Strand Hotel, built in 1901 by the Sarkies brothers, Armenian hoteliers. Here you'll enjoy well-earned refreshments (non-alcoholic) in the Bar, and later, transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at Le Planteur Restaurant.

**Overnight at Yangon

Day9: YANGON DEPARTURE (B)

Transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure flight for your onward destination.