Arrival day, no activities planned.

We have the morning in Yangon to explore the city. Our train departs in the afternoon and we check into our sleeper cabins. The evening journey takes us through the heartland of Central Burma. Local tastes are available in the restaurant carriage. Maybe a nightcap and a game of cards?

We arrive in the morning into Mandalay and head up the plateau to the cool hill station of Maymyo. We have a chance to ride the “stagecoaches” and enjoy the colonial feel of this old British haunt.

We head north in our bus and jump off to board the train before it heads over the famous Goitek Viaduct. A tribute to British engineering and persistence. The views are breathtaking. Further on we arrive at our base in Hsipaw. Once the centre of a Shan Kingdom this sleepy backwater will mesmerize you. Amongst the air of colonial small town there is a feel that you have stepped back in time. Days can drift by here as they did for Inge Sargeant, the last of the Shan princesses of this region.

We will maximize our time in the area with walks, swims and afternoons whiled away in local tea shops. An unforgettable stay.

A travel day takes us through lush plateau farmlands back to the cultural capital of Burma. We share a wonderful BBQ meal on the sidewalks of town with locals and the night air.

Our train north is an adventure all of its own. We endeavour to snare some sleeper cabins however no matter from which vantage the journey will keep you captivated. The clunky old train rolls through timeless villages all the way to the Kachin hills.

The train arrives in Myitkina the capital of Kachin state. Historically significant as an outpost of various empires and a hub for the distinctive tribes of northern Burma. We take a short journey north to the confluence of the Mayhka and Malihka rivers. The great Irrawaddy begins here in this crystal clear merging of two streams.

Departing Myitkina we hope to catch a fastboat for the journey through the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy. We will arrive in Bhamo, an old river settlement important in river trade for many a long year. We will spend time here and make plans to depart downriver on our private and spacious river boat.

Drifting down river through the 'defiles' of the Irrawaddy is a journey few people experience. Steep rocky cliffs are common and the vegetation is thick with bamboo. Sleeping on board and pulling into towns and villages we observe, up close and personal, river life as it has existed for many years.

During the journey south we will stop into the town of Katha. Orwell was posted here in the 1920’s and based his portrayal of a river town on Katha for his novel “Burmese Days”. A few of the sights from the novel are still here. In the evening we will enjoy dinner on the river bank or on board followed by a campfire and a nightcap as required.

We arrive into Mandalay in the morning and have time to enjoy more of the sights and sounds on offer in the city of Mandalay. Perhaps a visit to the sprawling Zegyo market or sunset at the Mandalay Hill.

A morning flight to Yangon (not included approx U$90-110). We have time today to stroll around the ‘downtown’ district near Sule Pagoda or perhaps even a visit to the astonishing Shwedagon Pagoda. The spiritual heart of Burmese Buddhism. We enjoy a farewell dinner and toast our amazing journey on the backroads of Burma.

Departure day.