With bustling Yangon as our gateway city, you'll gain a sense of colonialism's impact on this place once called the "jewel of the orient," and begin to understand the developing nature of Myanmar's contemporary culture. Yangon also sets the stage for an alluring introduction to Burmese Buddhism as we stroll with a monk through the stunning 6th-century Shwedagon Pagoda. Take part in an evening candle-lighting tradition here, and soak up the powerful ambience of the country's most sacred Buddhist site, hailed by The New York Times as a "mirage-like mountain of gold."

After winging it north by aircraft, we bike or walk into ancient Bagan, a place that for many an awestruck visitor exceeds the wonderment of world-renowned sites like Angkor and Chichen Itza. Lose yourself amid some 2,000 temples and pagodas—built during the 11th to 13th centuries by Burma's first kings—dotting the plain alongside the Irrawaddy River. Travel by traditional boat up and down the Irrawaddy, witnessing farmers tilling fields with oxen right up to the base of the ruins. They've been doing this for centuries, but you may feel like the very first visitor to come across this site in hundreds of years! Sure to be a highlight: explore two striking temples with a local archaeologist, then travel by horse-drawn cart to a remote site for a marvelous sunset viewing.

We venture to the gold and glass spires of a monastery on holy Mount Popa (Myanmar's very own Mount Olympus) and into the realm of the 37 Burmese nats, powerful animistic spirits. Here on this extinct volcano, amid the tinkling of bells and the scampering of resident macaque monkeys, you can tackle the precipitous walk up the 777 steps, perhaps joining local Burmese on pilgrimage to the mountain's sacred summit, for an unforgettable view of the surrounding mountains and plain.

Shifting our focus east (and a distant world away from the 21st-century), we journey into the remote valleys and mountains of the Shan State. Travel well off the beaten path through farmland and sparsely populated countryside, visiting local markets, and fascinating spiritual enclaves. Investigate a cave containing more than 2,000 Buddha statues and shrines, witness traditional paper and umbrella making by Shan craftsmen and slurp some unbelievably tasty noodles during our picnic at a remote mountain monastery. Then pedal or stroll to heavenly Inle Lake and be captivated by the sight of entire villages built on stilts, floating gardens and ancient pagodas. And explore the lake by boat, visiting silversmiths, silk weavers and a private home—all set on fixed platforms in the middle of the lake.

The Strand Yangon*, a Leading Hotels of the World member, features Colonial Victorian style throughout (spa). Relax in your luxury villa or take in the stunning poolside view of the pagodas dotting the Bagan landscape below at Aureum Palace Hotel Bagan† (pool, spa). Perched on a volcanic peak, Popa Mountain Resort offers airy villas surrounded by gardens and lovely views of Taungkalat monastery below (pool, spa, golf). Conqueror Resort in Pindaya is situated on 20 acres at the foot of Shwe Oo Min Cave. At Aureum Resort & Spa Inle enjoy lake views from the comfort of your traditional wooden chalet, perched on stilts along the shore of Inle Lake.

*Or the Governor's Residence
†Or the Hotel at Tharabar Gate