Border information: if joining in Kunming, you will most likely enter China at Kunming Changshui International Airport.
Today will be a free day to explore the city of Kunming until the evening. There will be a group meeting today at 6:00pm - your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place.
In Kunming we will stay in a comfortable hotel.

This morning we start out journey with a drive to the beautiful lakeside town of Dali. We will have a free afternoon to explore on arrival. Drive time - 5-6 hours (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).

On the following day we will have a free day in Dali to enjoy the many optional activities available in the area, including taking a boat ride out on Lake Er Hai or taking the cable car up Cangtang Mountain.In Dali we will stay in an excellent hostel in private or shared rooms.

In the morning, you’ll travel in the Erhai Lake by boat and visit Jinsuo Island. After landing, we will head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture. Visit Zhoucheng Town, and Bai people's Tie-Dyed Cloth Work Shop.

Drive about 4 hours to Tengchong. When we arrive in Tengchong, we will walk around Heshun Old Town; “Heshun” means peace and harmony. We could walk leisurely around the historical old town, built in earlier days by overseas Chinese as a location for their retirement. The remaining old town is a very beautiful place with many ornamental structures such as pavilions, memorial halls, archways, and balustrades, and also with lotus ponds and wetlands with many birds. The library in this town is worth mentioning-set up in 1924, it possesses over 60,000 volumes of books, many of which are rare editions of ancient works.

After breakfast drive 15 minutes to the south-west and visit Heshun, a traditional walled in historical town. Heshun looks like out of an ancient Chinese picture book and is one of the most beautiful towns remaining in today's China. Walk into town along the cobble stoned alleys up to the square where a small market is held everyday. Glance through some of the entrance gates into courtyards where residents trade their goods and wares.
 
Visit the Museum of Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese War one of the most remarkable places of interest explaining the geopolitical importance of the Burma Road. Lunch at the Household Restaurant overlooking the pond in Heshun. And then visit the Cemetery of World War II, Dieshuihe Waterfall Park and Rehai hotspring Park. Overnight at hotel in Tangchong.

After breakfast, transfer to Jiegao, the Chinese-Myanmar border point, where you be welcomed by the Myanmar guide. After clearance of customs formalities enter into Muse. Proceed your trip (187 km - 5 hours) to Lashio, located at 855 meters in a mountain basin, where rain and clouds are unpredictable during the entire year. 
For the energetic, possibility to visit a typical village of the Palaung ethnic minority. Drive to the outskirts of Lashio from where you will have to walk about 4 km slightly up-hill (1 hour walk per way) on an unpaved path to get to Nam Kyan village. Observe the traditional way of life of the Palaungs.

After breakfast, transfer to Jiegao, the Chinese-Myanmar border point, where you be welcomed by the Myanmar guide. After clearance of customs formalities enter into Muse. Proceed your trip (187 km - 5 hours) to Lashio, located at 855 meters in a mountain basin, where rain and clouds are unpredictable during the entire year. For the energetic, possibility to visit a typical village of the Palaung ethnic minority. Drive to the outskirts of Lashio from where you will have to walk about 4 km slightly up-hill (1 hour walk per way) on an unpaved path to get to Nam Kyan village. Observe the traditional way of life of the Palaungs.

After breakfast, stroll through the busy local market where modern amenities mix with local produce. Continue to Quan Yin San, one of the largest Chinese temples in Myanmar that bears testimony to Lashio's important Chinese community. A scenic drive (km - 8 hour) will take you to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a delightful small town of colonial-style buildings, markets, and a botanical garden. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant en route and upon arrival transfer directly to the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the local market by horse-drawn carriage (if available). Continue to Mandalay. After lunch at local restaurant you will experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda; the Shwe Inbin Monastery; the Golden Palace Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen's shop before proceeding to Mandalay Hill for sunset.

Today we will have a free morning to further explore Pyin U Lwin, before our short drive to the enchanting and evocative former royal capital of Mandalay.

Drive time -2 hours.

On our first full day here we will have a guided tour that includes a morning visit to Mandalay Hill, the world's largest book, the Golden Palace and the Mahamuni Pagoda, before finishing the day at the beautiful U Bin bridge in time for sunset.

On the following day we will have a second full day in Mandalay to freely explore the incredible city.

In Mandalay we will stay in a comfortable hotel.

This morning we will continue our journey to the town of Monywa, stopping en route to visit the Thanboddhay Pagoda and the Hpo Win Daung cave temples. 

In Monywa we will stay in a local hotel.

Drive time - 6-7 hours (depending on the length of our visit to the pagoda and temples).

oday we make our way to the ancient town of Pakhan Gyi and the attractive town of Pakokku , where we board a boat to take us on a journey down the Ayeyarwaddy River to Bagan.

In Bagan we will stay in a local hotel.

Drive time - 4 hours to Pakokku.

Bagan is situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River and is home to the largest cluster of pagodas, Buddhist temples, stupas and ruins in the world - a place that has to be seen to be believed. We will have 2 full days in Bagan, in which time we have a guided tour of the temple complexes and visit the 10th century old town of Bagan, including a visit to a local handicraft workshop. There will also be plenty of time for free exploration of the area.

Today we will drive to the hill station town of Kalaw, where we will hopefully catch the lively market and explore the town.

In Kalaw we will camp outside the village.

Drive time - 6-7 hours.

Today we have the opportunity for a day walk in the hills surrounding Kalaw, before returning in the afternoon for the short drive to the beautiful Inle Lake, a real highlight of a visit to Myanmar. The area is full of amazing floating gardens and can be explored by bike or on a long-tail boat.

Drive time - 2 hours.

On the following day we will have a full day tour around Inle Lake by long-tail boat to the floating farms and markets.

On the following day we will have a free day to explore the area by bike, hike in the surrounding hills, or visit the local wineries and hot springs. In Inle Lake we will stay in a local guesthouse.

Today we will drive to the unique, bizarre and half-empty Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw, a city constructed in secret during the early 2000s. Here we will have the opportunity to explore the city in the truck.

In Naypyidaw we aim to stay in a local hotel.

Drive time - 6 hours.

Border information: if joining in Yangon, you will most likely enter Myanmar at Yangon International Airport.

Today will be a free day to explore the city of Yangon and the Scott Market until the evening. There will be a group meeting today at 6:00pm - please do not be alarmed if there is no welcome note from your leader when you arrive as this is often a travel day for the crew, and they are likely to arrive during the afternoon.

In Yangon we will stay in a comfortable hotel.

Hotel for the night: Asia Plaza Hotel

Today we will have a guided tour of old Yangon, the Kandawgyi Lake, the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda and the famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

This morning our journey from Yangon begins with a drive to one of Myanmar’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage shrines at the spectacular Mt Kyaiktiyo.

We take a local pick-up truck up the first two-thirds of the mountain, and then continue the final part of the ascent on foot along a steep and winding path. We end up on the top, next to the Golden Rock.

In Mt Kyaiktiyo we will stay in a local hotel.

Drive time - 4 hours (please note that all drive times given here are approximate estimates only and are given with the best intentions - however please be aware that the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).

Today we will aim to visit the mushroom-shaped temple rock at Kyauk Kalap and the beautiful Kawt Ka Taung caves near Hpa-an, before moving on to the city of Mawlamyine for the night.

In Mawlamyine we will stay in a local hotel.

Drive time - 6-7 hours (depending on the length of our visits to the sites near Hpa-an).

Today we will head south following the beautiful Andaman coast, to the southern city of Dawei. If we have time we will visit the Thanbyuzayat Allied War Cemetery en route.

In Dawei we will stay at a small guesthouse (or possible camp in the grounds).

Drive time - 8-9 hours.

Today we will have a free day to visit the stunning Maungmagan beaches outside Dawei.

Border Information: exit Myanmar at Htee Kee, enter Thailand at Ban Nam Pu Ron.

Today we will cross into Thailand via the brand new border at Htee Kee, and drive to the town of Kanchanaburi.

In Kanchanaburi we will stay in a local guesthouse.

Drive time - 6-10 hours (please note that this is a very new border to open up and we are likely to be one of the first foreign vehicles to use it, so there may be delays here hence the wide range for the estimated drive time).

We spend this morning exploring the Thailand-Burma Railway centre and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. This afternoon we drive to Thailand's bustling capital of Bangkok, where we will have free time to explore and enjoy our final meal together!

In Bangkok we will stay in a comfortable, centrally-located hotel.

Drive time - 3-4 hours.

Border information: if leaving in Bangkok, you will most likey exit Thailand from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Today is the final day of the trip and a free day to explore the fascinating city of Bangkok. Please note that if you are leaving the trip in Bangkok there is no accommodation included tonight.

Departure from Bangkok