Welcome to Yangon - the biggest and most bustling city in Myanmar, a unique city in Southeast Asia with all nostalgic colors of time and culture reserved over centuries.

If you are interested in colonial era architecture, a stroll down Yangon's colonial buildings will definitely blow you away by well-reserved images from the 20th century, with decaying facades filled with old paint and small trees squeezing through those little cracks.

Moreover, proud of rich cultural tradition, Yangon will amaze you with plenty of spiritual relics where you can experience the importance of Buddhism to the Burmese’s lives: tranquil Chaukhtatgyi Temple containing an over-200-feet-long reclining Buddha, the octagonal-shaped 2500 year old pagoda Sule Pagoda located in the heart of the city, and especially the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda - the massive 99 meter high gold plated pagoda with the diamond studded spire on top of a small hill in downtown Yangon.

And don’t miss chance to meditate in pagoda’s mystical atmosphere beautifully lit up after dark.

(Note: Selected schedules will be appropriately handpicked according to specific package)

Upward the western of Shan state is the pictureque Inle Lake –  the Venice of Myanmar.

Stepping off Nyaung Shwe marina, you will take a motorized boat to navigate through stilt villages, floating garderns and meet locals who spend their entire lives on the water. Passing Ywa Ma village and Kay Lar Village where Intha people built their unique houses with long straight wooden poles stretching into the lake bed, it is your tranquil time in relaxed atmostphere of thelocally significant Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and get to unfold the interesting story of the five Buddhas inside. As the dawn is coming and the warm light turns the still surface of the lake a golden colour, just pause for a while and cherish true value of unforgetable moment.

Indein is a small village West of Inle Lake which is renowned for the floating market and impressive ancient stupas with Banyan trees growing out of them. From Inle Lake, by just a scenic 8-kilometer boat ride through a long narrow canal, you soon reach the lively floating ‘5-day market’ rotated every five days around five different villages in Inle. This is a beautiful opportunity to experience the diversity of Inle ethnic, witness their day-to-day life and make their unique fair on the water trading all local products. A drop-in visit to local workshops will excite your curiosity about lotus weaving, cheroot cigarettes making in various size and flavours and diligent hand crafted silver work. Lastly, don’t forget to discover old ruined pagodas dated back to the 13th century and admire their incredible beauty even in bad condition. The impressive image of stupas after stupas decaying due to constant exposure to humidity still pose irresistible charm will leave you with nothing but thrills. 

Welcome to Mandalay – the city of culture located in the right heart of Myanmar. 

Unlike other lively tours in modern cities, your excursion in Mandalay will take you to the outlying areas with fantastic mixture of nature and culture: Riverside hills dotted by gold stupas and pagodas named Sagaing, incredible view over Manday across Ayeyarwaddy River from the hill top, brilliant U Min Thonze Cave Temple and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, amazing golden Buddha statue at Mahamuni Buddha Temple.

Moreover, a stop at Mahagandayon Monastery is truly worth your time in Mandalay, impressing you by the calm atmosphere when humble monks in red robes lining up silently for lunch ceremony. 

After all, a stunning sunset over the iconic U Bein Bridge will definitly blow you away after a long day tour. 

A 3-night journey with The Strand actually starts with a Western breakfast in a private scenic area beside the Royal Lake in Mandalay. When making sure you are ready, we head for a first leisurely day trip with a short visit to U Bein bridge which is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world; Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Burma with original figure of Buddha wearing a royal costume in surprisingly thick layer of gold; Shwe In Bin – a gorgeously carved teak monastery where ancient fine art meets sense of peaceful ambience. After hearty lunch and nice break in your comfortable cabin, on local tuk-tuk, we team up to uncover the famous unfinished pagoda & giant bell in Mingun which symbolized the King Bodawpaya’s never fullied wish. Our knowledgeable guide will tell out all about the epic story behind the massive remain.

Irrawaddy river – proud as one of symbolic feature shaping the serene beauty of Myanmar. A journey ups and downs the mighty river will offer you wonderful experience to capture all precious moving images of maybe white oxen herd resting under palm trees’ shade somewhere in an isolated sleepy village, local people finding their life meaning in pagodas,  or the big red sun falling down into the water while someone is catching fish under. The Strand cruise, which provides perfect combination between superb service quality and cultural highlights, is handpicked for you to make this all happen. Embark on the opulent ship, you will soon receive such a warm welcome from a soon-become-family crew and discover all the new amazing together.

Throughout the long history of formation and development with numerous successive dynasties, none is found by now but their ancient once capital cities hold many interesting stories inside. Ava or Inwa is one of the most fascinating ones which hides its charm under the laid-back cover of rural setting and imprinted remains dated back to hundreds years ago. A horse-cart ride will bring you a back-in-time trip to discover forgotten beauty of glorious past. After a knowledgeable trip, enjoy your balmy afternoon on board by attending enjoyable cultural activities or just relaxing out with your favorite cocktail in the custom made swimming pool or windy sundeck.

Being known as one of the successful empire over Myanmar history, Bagan is like a miniature representing ancient prosperity and power of Burma with over 2,000 well-preserved stupas, pagodas and temple. Entering the land and visiting main attractions, exquisite and graceful architecture offerred by aging monuments along with interesting stories behind will amaze any passionate travellers. Afternoon trip to Bagan lacquerware house is another worthwhile stop to see how finest lacquerware products are made all by hands and get to know why Bagan is the famous centre of thriving lacquerware industry in Burma.       

Minanthu village, to the east of Bagan, is the place which gives you an excellent insight into the traditional daily life of local people. Taking a walk in the village and you will see people in their daily work: collecting water from well, harvesting sesame seeds, weaving cloth, spinning cotton, making cheroot & silver jewelry, etc.  Don't hesitate to say "Mingalabar" (which means "Hello" in Burmese) and the friendly villagers will always be very happy to share you their ways of living through inside stories. It is also nice to visit the nearby temple Lay Myat Hnar monastic complex. The shining white exterior with old paintings coverring interior walls will surely leave you a great lasting impression.