A Family Adventure in Myanmar

DAY 1 International Flight

Head to the airport this afternoon for your overnight connecting flight to Yangon in Myanmar. There are various airlines and routes you can take but we will recommend the one that suits your family best. Whichever routing you choose the flight time will be around 16 hours, so make sure the iPads are charged!

DAY 2 Ancient Mandalay

Today your family will join a local guide for a tour of Mandalay's ancient capitals. Start with Sagaing, which is located on the other side of the Irrawaddy River. Here you'll visit Sagaing Hill, widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar thanks to its 1,000 meditation centres and 3,000 strong population of monks. After exploring the pagodas, move on to visit the nearby local market and a pottery village to get a taste of authentic local life.

The next stop is Ava, which was the capital between the 14th and 18th centuries. Travel by horse and carriage for a family-focused tour of the small villages and ruins of the Royal Palace and Fort. You can also stop for some lunch here.

The final stop in your ancient capital tour takes you to Amarapura, where you can visit a silk weaving workshop and walk across the iconic U Bein Bridge, a 200-year old and three-quarters of a mile long teak bridge. After your fill of exploring (and snapping one of the most photogenic places in a hugely photogenic country), head back to Mandalay in time for supper.

DAY 3 Voyage and Village Stay

Today you'll leave the luxuries of your hotel behind for a family adventure as you stay in remote Myit Kyan Gyi village with the local community, sleeping in authentic tents. But first, the day starts with a morning boat cruise. During the cruise you'll stop to learn about the local bamboo hat weaving, and then for lunch, all the while learning about the Irrawaddy dolphins who can often be spotted in this area. As you cruise towards Myit Kyan Gyi you should hopefully spot a dolphin or two for yourselves.

When you arrive, meet the locals and then you and the children can spend a few hours swimming, playing rattan ball games or simply enjoying the sunset. Dinner will then be hosted by the community and you'll have the opportunity to listen to stories told by the village elders.

DAY 4 To Bagan and Mount Popa

It's another early start today as you are transferred to the airport to make the very short (half-an-hour) flight to Bagan. When you land your guide will be waiting to take you to see Mount Popa, a 5,000ft tall, flat-topped, extinct volcano. Mount Popa is believed to be the home of the nats, 37 guardian spirits worshipped by the Myanmar people, and as such this is a very sacred place. Your guide will fill you in on more of the history and myths as the family make your way to the summit, from where there are fantastic views.

The Mount Popa visit should have helped work up an appetite, so head to the village of Shwe Hlaing for lunch and to learn more about the palm trees which the villagers famously use to produce all manner of things.

The tour will end as your guide drops you in Bagan at your new hotel. Head out for dinner from here and if you need any restaurant suggestions, ask our Concierge who will be happy to help.

DAY 5 Inle lake

Wake up to views of the beautiful Inle Lake today and get ready for a full day tour of the lake and its surrounding areas. Board a private longtail boat with the children and head first to the morning market, where you'll see the locals buying and trading goods from all over the shores. Next continue across the lake, past the stilted lake houses and floating gardens as you keep an eye out for the fisherman who use an iconic leg-rowing technique to propel their boats while they fish.

You'll then stop to visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, where you can get out of the boat to climb to the top of the pagoda and learn more about its significance from your guide. The next stop after this is at a weaving workshop in a nearby village where you can also stop for lunch.

Continue the cruising after lunch with stops at another village for a stroll and at Inthar Heritage House where you can learn more about the heritage of the lake-dwelling locals. Finally, make your way back to your hotel for the evening.

DAY 6 To Yangon

Your family holiday in Myanmar comes full circle today as you make your way back to Yangon for a final few days of fun before heading home. The journey involves a flight of just over an hour from Heho, and when you land a member of our team will be waiting to meet you. From the airport you'll head straight out to do some exploring with your guide, starting at a local restaurant for lunch. After refuelling you will then make your way to 'Amazing Grace' in Yankin Township, a social enterprise training people with hearing and physical disabilities to make handmade fashion accessories using recycled materials. Learn about the business' social mission before getting hands on to take part in an hour-long child friendly crafts workshop led by one of the trainers.

Following the workshop, say goodbye to your hosts and head off armed with your souvenirs. Your next stop is at Htwe Oo Myanmar for a traditional puppet show. Puppet theatres are an important tradition in Myanmar culture and this theatre helps preserve the tradition by creating job opportunities for young puppeteers from universities in Yangon and Mandalay, as well as offering financial and medical assistance to older puppeteers. After watching the show there will be some time for the children to learn how to pull the strings themselves.

After a busy day you can then all head out for dinner and to your hotel in Yangon city centre for a good night's sleep.