Day 1 Siem Reap: Welcome and Orientation /Angkor Temples

Our adventure begins upon arrival in Siem Reap, Cambodia where we will be welcomed Will Monroe Whittle who will be hosting our retreat, and taking us on a journey to uncover the hidden mysteries and exotic charm of stunning Cambodia and Myanmar. Our first exposure to Cambodia, and its gentle people starts at the 5 star luxury Belmond La Residence d’Angkor, an oasis of beauty and tranquility which will be our home base for the next four days.

We will have time to relax and enjoy our new surroundings as we muster our strength for the adventure that awaits us: An evening of communion with the powerful energy of the Angkor temples. We will explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom at the South gate before walking along the beautiful causeway though the forest to the Bayon temple center, characterized by its captivating giant stone faces. Here we will begin our exploration into the worldview of the ancient Khmer people who, deep in the heart of the jungle, built one of the most sophisticated and awe inspiring settlements the world has ever known.

Overnight: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap

Day 2 Siem Reap: Angkor: Banteay Srei / Kabal spean

After an insightful morning presentation and discussion as we acclimatize to our new surroundings, we’ll travel across ancient reservoirs, through villages and
rice paddies to the beautiful pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, often referred to as the crown jewel of Angkor temples. Here we'll admire its ornately detailed carvings and explore Hindu/Khmer mythology in situ before continuing our adventure onward to Kbal Spean, a tributary of the Siem Reap river. Then we’ll hike the steep, picturesque trek up along the river famous for its riverbed carvings of animals and Hindu deities which give it the name, Sahasralinga, or River of a Thousand Lingas.

Overnight: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap

Day 3 Remote Temples: Koh Ker /Beng Melea

After breakfast today we are off on an adventure even farther afield, to explore the temples of Koh Ker and Beng Melea. Located about 100km northeast of Angkor, Koh Ker is one of the ancient capitals of the Angkor civilization which today sees relatively few visitors. The complex is dominated by the impressive pyramid shaped Prasat Thom, which bears a striking similarity to Mayan temples and has panoramic views from its peak. Here we’ll visit the temple where the crumbling ruins are gripped by twisting tree roots, and climb to the top of the seven tiered pyramid to admire the view and experience the energy of our surroundings. After lunch, we’ll continue on to the mysterious jungle clad Beng Melea, often described as the blueprint for Angkor Wat. This 12th C temple is in a much collapsed state and exudes a mysterious, shaded, atmospheric feel all its own. Here we’ll venture into darkened doorways and scramble over tumbled stones as we enjoy this magical setting.

Overnight: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap

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Day 4 Angkor Wat

This morning we’re up early, before dawn, to witness the breathtaking sunrise at Angkor Wat. After sunrise we’ll take advantage of the relative cool and tranquility of the morning air to explore the central complex and bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat, while sharing new insights related to the worldview of ancient Khmers. Then it’s back the hotel for a late breakfast and some free time to enjoy our surroundings and to reflect on this remarkable experience. This afternoon we’re free to relax or to explore the Old Market in Siem Reap where unexpected sights and sounds abound. Here we’ll have an opportunity to experience market life and to pick up a variety of goods including uniquely wrapped spices, hand-woven silks and other handicrafts.

Overnight: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap

Day 5 Welcome to Myanmar

Today we take an international flight from Siem Reap to Yangon, Myanamar. We convene for an early evening orientation at the hotel, then head over to the most stunning pagoda on earth – Shwedagon. Some 2,500 years old, this golden stupa is the spiritual center of Burma. We’ll see families at prayer, monks in walking and sitting meditation, ornate art, architecture and statuary, and hear the fascinating story behind it all, as we begin our exploration into the heart of Burmese culture.

Overnight: Savoy Hotel, Yangon

Day 6 Inle Lake: Intha one-leg rowers, Floating Gardens

This morning it’s off to the airport and a short flight to Heho and the Shan Plateau, home of magical Lake Inle. Once landed, it’s a rural 45-minute drive to the teakwood monastery on stilts with its novice monks. If the timing is right, we may be able to witness them in study and/or chanting and meditation as well. From there it’s a short drive to the jetty, followed by a boat ride to our hotel on the lake. The rest of the day will be filled with leisure and discovery on the water. The lake is home to numerous hill tribe peoples, floating villages, floating markets, floating temples, cheroot rollers, leg rowing fisherman, silk weavers, fantastic silver artisans and monasteries. After our day out, the hotel is a welcome sanctuary. Great food, spa facilities, massage and lovely lakeside villas await.

Overnight: Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake

Day 7 Inle Lake: PhuangDaw Oo Pagoda festival

Today we’re in for a special treat with a unique opportunity to experience the climax to the biggest annual occasion on the lake, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival. This 18 day festival is held with great magnificence and pageantry as the holy images of the Buddha from Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda are placed on a decorated golden royal barge and towed by leg-rowers around the lake, stopping at each village overnight to let people pay homage. Today we’ll witness the barge’s final journey back to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and get a chance to mix it up with pilgrims from around the lake, as we enjoy local music, traditional dancing and spectacular one-leg rowing boat races.

Overnight: Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake

Day 8 Inle Lake: Local Market/nyaung ohak

This morning we continue our exploration of Inle lake culture with a visit to the 5 day market. Each day the market rotates, giving the people who live on the lake and those of the surrounding hills an opportunity to exchange their wares. Market life on the lake is a great way to learn about and experience local culture, and this morning promises to be a memorable one. After some free time to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, we’ll visit Inthein, a lakeshore village where the mysterious jungle ruins of Nyaung Ohak can be found nearby. Getting there is half the fun, through a long winding canal and pastoral scenery. The stone carvings on the pagodas at Nyaung Ohak are particularly impressive, as is the fascinating view into antiquity over the 1054 zedis nearby. Atop it all is Shwe Inn Paya, which offers panoramic views of the ruins and surrounding valley. On our journey back we’ll explore floating villages as the sun sets on the lake.

Overnight: Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake

Day 9 Bagan: Ancient heart of buddhism

This morning we’re off to the airport for another short flight to one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia, the vast temple-scape of Bagan. Lying on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, Bagan at her height boasted more than 13,000 temples and pagodas and was the world center of Theravada Buddhism for a thousand years. It all came to an end in 1287, when the city was sacked by Kublai Khan and abandoned. Many of the pagodas stand in partial ruin as his marauding hordes left them all those centuries ago. After checking into our hotel, the Aureum Palace, we’ll explore the most impressive and well preserved of the temples, including the magnificent Ananda. We end the afternoon atop one of the more remote pagodas, which provides an amazing sunset view over the stunning landscape. Here, when the others have descended, we’ll enjoy the peaceful twilight before returning to the Aureum Palace for dinner

Overnight: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Bagan

Day 10 Bagan

This morning we rise to join novice monks in maroon making their misty morning alms rounds after sunrise at Kyansittha U Min Monastery. This is a wonderfully beautiful and tranquil scene and one feels blessed to be a part of it. Later we will explore the village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least visited areas. This evening we get off the beaten path as we ride horse drawn carriages through the ruins at sunset.

Overnight: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Bagan

Day 11 Balloons over bagan

For those who have opted in, this dawn will be one that you will never forget — an exhilarating flight in a hot air balloon over one of the most exotic landscapes on the planet. Not to worry, the balloons are built to the highest standards of the British aerospace industry by Cameron Balloons Limited, UK, the world’s largest manufacturer, and the pilots are among the best in Asia. For those who opt out, seeing your friends soaring and taking in the temple-top views is still pretty fantastic. The rest of the day will be spent amongst the temples, local markets and Bagan’s other claim to fame, its exquisite Laquerware and artisan workshops. This evening we take a flight to Yangon, where we check into our hotel before convening for our last dinner in Myanmar together.

Overnight: Sule Shangri-la Hotel, Yangon

Day 12 Yangon to Siem Reap

This morning we are free to relax or to do some early last minute shopping at nearby Bogyoke Aung San market in downtown Yangon before we depart for the airport to catch our flight back to Siem Reap Cambodia. Tonight we enjoy a late dinner and final night of revelry in celebration of our unforgettable adventure together.

Overnight: Belmond La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap

Day 13 Siem Reap: Departure

This morning you’ll have an opportunity to experience one last sunrise, explore the village of Siem Reap or to commune on your own with the natural beauty and energy of the Angkor temples before our final breakfast together. After check out, we transfer to the airport where we catch our flight back home feeling alive and energized with newfound wisdom and a renewed understanding that our adventure is just the beginning…

Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor, Siem Reap

With a reputation for excellence among Siem Reap hotels, Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor beautifully captures the region’s rich history while offering every modern luxury. Traditional Khmer architecture is complemented by elegant teak and basalt accents, echoing the ancient temples nearby.

Located close to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Tonlé Sap Lake, it’s an ideal base to explore the wonders of the region. Siem Reap’s lively markets, galleries and thriving restaurant and nightlife scene are also just moments away.

Savoy Hotel, Yangon

The Savoy Hotel is one of Yangon’s most beautiful heritage boutique hotels. Just moments from the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda and the nearby People’s Park, the Savoy Hotel is located in a quiet and leafy residential area of Yangon, making it the perfect base for exploring the city or enjoying a relaxing stay

Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Inle

Located on the shores of a unique seascape in the Shan Mountains, the Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Inle offers unsurpassed luxurious accommodation of villas built over the waters and shores of one of Myanmar’s natural and cultural wonders. 

Discover the incomparable lifestyle of the Intha (Sons of the Lake), who live in a total of 17 pile-building villages on the 120-kilometer cultural miracle. Cruise in long tail boats through the villages, past pointed gilded pagodas, floating vegetable gardens and take photos of the world famous "foot paddlers".

Aureum Palace Hotel and Resort, Bagan

Set within the Bagan Archaeological Preservation Zone, in a unique location amongst the ancient temples, the Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Bagan is an expansive resort set amidst 27 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, offering the ultimate in relaxation for guests seeking a unique journey into the history of ancient Bagan. Antiques, artifacts and local arts uniquely adorn each villa, complementing the majestic ambiance of the resort and its surroundings.

Bedrooms are spacious and elegant with all modern facilities; bathrooms are large and lavishly equipped with luxurious amenities. Stroll through the resort and enjoy the view while a gentle breeze of the lake surrounds it.

Sule Shangri-LA, Yangon

Continuously rated a favourite among guests for hosting excellence and thoughtful service, the Sule Shangri-La Yangon, consistently delivers above and beyond to the discerning customer seeking a blend of luxury with the warmth of home. Strategically located in the heart of downtown (CBD), in walking distance to shops and tourist sights (Bogyoke market, Sule Pagoda) and the business district, the Sule Shangri-La Yangon creates experiences for everyone to enjoy.