Inner Burma

For decades, Myanmar has been almost unreachable to travelers. But with a recent shift in politics opening up the country to visitors, Myanmar's gracious residents are welcoming us with open arms. This 12-day journey offers countless opportunities to interact with these lovely people while exploring their country’s incredible cultural and natural sights.

We begin in Yangon with an outing to stunning Shwedagon Temple, then fly north to the famed pagodas, monasteries, and markets of bustling Mandalay. After a thorough visit, we hop a stylish riverboat for a relaxing cruise on the Irrawaddy, stopping at waterside villages en route. Once in Bagan, we're off to the magnificent Plain of Temples and a couple days of exploring its more than 2,000 temples, perfectly described by Somerset Maugham as “huge, remote and mysterious.” Then onward to Pindaya in the eastern Shan State where we'll explore the town's limestone caves—home to more than 8,000 Buddha statues—and continue on to the former British hill station of Kalaw, where we visit an elephant camp to learn more about these intelligent, gentle beasts. We wrap up our journey at Inle Lake, meandering among its pagodas, floating gardens, and haunting ruins, marveling at its traditional leg rowers and sharing insightful exchanges with local tribespeople.