Feb. 20

Monday

WASHINGTON D.C./DOHA 
Our journey begins as we board our Qatar Airways flight at Washington Dulles airport via Doha for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  (Meals en route.)

Feb. 21

Tuesday 

DOHA/KUALA LUMPUR
We arrive Doha, Qatar, this evening and make our connection for Kuala Lumpur.  (Meals en route.)

Feb. 22

Wednesday

KUALA LUMPUR
On arrival a representative of Innovations in Travel will meet us and take us to our hotel, the Shangri-La. The remainder of the day is at leisure, but this evening we'll meet for a welcome-to-Malaysia dinner in the hotel.   SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (D)

Feb. 23

Thursday 

KUALA LUMPUR
This morning we explore the charms of Kuala Lumpur with its blend of old and new. In our introduction we visit the King's Palace, drive through Chinatown, see Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the Moorish-styled Railway Station before lunch at a local restaurant and afternoon at leisure. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (B,L)

Feb. 24

Friday 

KUALA LUMPUR/SANDAKAN
Today we fly to Sandakan in the state of Sabah and on the island of Borneo.  On arrival we transfer to the jetty, where we take an hour boat cruise up the Lower Kinabatangan River to the Abai Jungle Lodge in time for lunch. The cruise takes us from the Sulu Sea of Sandakan Town through magnificent mangrove forests. This evening we experience some of the wildlife of Sandakan first-hand.  ABAI JUNGLE LODGE  (B,L,D)

Feb. 25

Saturday  

SANDAKAN
The Abai Jungle Lodge is surrounded by the Secondary Forest Reserve and safe from flooding year-round. Here, apart from morning and afternoon wildlife river cruises, guests can spend more time and are free to enjoy the lodge's surroundings. Monkeys such as the silvered langur, maroon langur, hose langur, wild orangutan are easily spotted here.  ABAI JUNGLE LODGE (B,L,D)

Feb. 26

Sunday 

SANDAKAN
Today we continue upriver to Sukau and the Kinabatangan River Lodge. The river is one of the most exciting and easily accessible places to explore the rich biodiversity of Sabah. Late this afternoon we take a cruise on Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan, in search of Borneo's endemic proboscis monkeys, orangutans, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, otters, bears, wild cats and countless and rare beautiful birds such as hornbills and the Oriental darter.  KINABATANGAN RIVER LODGE (B,L,D)

Feb. 27

Monday

SANDAKAN
After breakfast we depart for the Gomantong Caves, some of the largest in Borneo and home to more than a million swifts whose nests are collected and sold as a delicacy to Chinese restaurants all around the Far East.  We'll explore the upper and lower cave chambers before returning to our lodge. This afternoon we'll join our river cruise in search of more wildlife.  KINABATANGAN RIVER LODGE (B,L,D)

Feb. 28

Tuesday

SANDAKAN/KOTA KINABALU
After breakfast we proceed by land to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Here we have the opportunity to experience the wonders of the 5,680-acre nature reserve in the lowland tropical forest, where orphaned orangutans are re-introduced into the wild after they are taught the rudiments of survival. We drive up hill to the Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple with its panoramic view of the Sandakan Bay before lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we proceed to the airport for our flight to Kota Kinabalu and transfer to our hotel, the Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa. Dinner this evening will be at the hotel.

SHANGRI-LA'S TANJUNG ARU RESORT AND SPA is located on a peninsula that juts out into the South China Sea. Set on landscaped grounds and shaded by swaying palms, the hotel consists of wings connected by lounges, restaurants and recreational facilities such as landscaped pools, tennis courts, a putting green and a health club. Water sports include skiing, sailing, sail boarding, parasailing, fishing, diving and whitewater rafting. (B,L,D)

Feb. 29

Wednesday 

KOTA KINABALU
Our morning tour takes us to the Heritage and Village Museum for a closer look at Sabah's ethnic diversity highlighted by the unique architectural styles of homes in North Borneo and the colorful costume display. We pass some major landmarks such as the State and City Mosque and the Tun Mustapha Tower before stopping at the handicraft market. Before returning to our hotel we'll have lunch at a local restaurant.  TANJUNG ARU RESORT AND SPA (B,L)

March 1

Thursday 

KOTA KINABALU/YANGON (Myanmar)
Today's flight takes us to Yangon in Burma (also known as Myanmar). On arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel, the Governors Residence. Set within lotus gardens the hotel is an imposing teak mansion dating from the 1920s. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

"Quite unlike any land you know about" – Rudyard Kipling

Burma is a jewel that has remained hidden for decades but which is now opening up to the world, revealing astonishing natural beauty and an unparalleled cultural heritage. With a civilization more than 2,500 years old, Burma is a mysterious and magical land with magnificent temple architecture set in timeless and sublime landscapes. Everywhere a visitor travels in Burma there are hospitable, inquisitive and friendly people more than willing to share their culture.   THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE (B,D)

March 2

Friday

YANGON
We begin our visit with the key sights of Yangon's city center with its colonial buildings and the Sule Pagoda that dominates the downtown area and is said to enshrine a hair of Buddha.  We end the day by enjoying the sunset at Yangon's spectacular Buddhist centerpiece, the Shwedagon Pagoda.

NOTE:  Guests are advised to dress appropriately when visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda.  Gentlemen are requested not to wear shorts, and ladies should not wear shorts or short skirts.  All guests will be obliged to remove their shoes and socks for pagoda visits in Myanmar.   THE GOVERNORS RESIDENCE (B) 

March 3

Saturday

YANGON/BAGAN (Road to Mandalay)
Our morning flight takes us to Bagan, where on arrival we transfer to the vessel "Road to Mandalay" berthed on the Ayeyarwady River.  At Bagan more than 2,000 temples and pagodas are scattered over an awe-inspiring plain beside the river. After lunch we'll visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. In the late afternoon our guide takes us to watch the sun set over a field of glowing pagodas.  ROAD TO MANDALAY (B,L,D)

March 4

Sunday

BAGAN/CRUISE
After breakfast we'll explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longyis and rattan goods, and Myanmar's famous lacquer ware being made. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this enchanting area on your own. Mid-morning the Road to Mandalay begins its cruise north toward Mandalay. The guide lectures on local places and customs. A casual cocktail party is followed by dinner on board as the ship moors mid-river for the evening.

Option:  Imagine, watching the sun rise while floating over thousand-year-old pagodas and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. You have the opportunity to experience this adventure today. Signing up far in advance is advisable. This includes a light champagne breakfast.  Return to the ship.  ROAD TO MANDALAY (B,L,D)

March 5

Monday

MANDALAY
We arrive at the village of Shwe Kyet Yet after lunch and enjoy a guided tour of one of the country's key sights, regarded as the center of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to the ship, stopping en route to admire the sunset over the river. Dinner and local entertainment on board.  ROAD TO MANDALAY (B,L,D)

March 6

Tuesday

MINGUNG and SAGAING
After breakfast, we'll cruise to Minggun to visit important sights such as the Hsinbyume Pagoda and the world's largest uncracked bell. Return by ferry for a late lunch. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Sagaing Hills, considered to be the living center of the Buddhist faith in Burma. Sagaing is also famous for its silver and silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did.  Dinner and local entertainment on board. ROAD TO MANDALAY (B,L,D)

March 7

Wednesday

MANDALAY/YANGON/BANGKOK
After an early breakfast, we'll transfer to Mandalay airport for the flight to Yangon and a day room at the Traders Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. We'll be transferred back to the airport this evening for our flight to Bangkok, where we connect with our Qatar Airways flight.  TRADERS HOTEL (day room) (B,L)

March 8

Thursday

BANGKOK/WASHINGTON
Very early this morning we return on Qatar Airways via Doha to Washington, D.C., arriving the same day in the afternoon. (Meals aloft)