7D ESSENTIAL MYANMAR

Mingalabar – Welcome to Myanmar!

On arrival to Yangon airport, your local guide will welcome you by the arrivals hall exit with your name signboard. Transfer to your hotel (approx. 1hr) for check-in and freshening up.

Formerly known as Rangoon, or the garden city of the east, Yangon is the thriving economic heart of the nation and an epicentre of transformation in Myanmar. Yangon’s city centre is blessed with many fine colonial-era buildings and is an exotic mix of spiritual heritage and colourful street life that makes it one of the most fascinating and vibrant cities in Asia.

Starting from Mahabandoola Park and Sule pagoda we explore the quaint old quarter of Yangon and its colonial buildings and heritage. Your guide will share interesting insights into key events and architecture of the city’s landmarks. In the local fashion, we make a tea stop in a popular tearoom to try typical Burmese tea and snacks. We stroll by the iconic Strand Hotel, old time classic and sister property of the Raffles in Singapore, a great spot to try their signature cocktail Strand Sour or one of the more recent creations (drinks not included in tour).

By the Yangon pier, we hop on trishaws (bicycle taxis) for a short ride along the lively riverfront and small street market. Walk through the sprawling Chinatown and Indian quarter market streets to Bogyoke Market Bazaar, area and maze of hundreds of shops selling all kinds of things from longyis to gemstones.

We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold-covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.

Another exciting day of exploring Bagan. Today we venture off the beaten trails on backroads to explore the lesser known and hidden temples and villages of Bagan, tucked away from the crowds and tour busses. Experience typical village life of central Myanmar and meet the locals. Bagan’s temple groups and villages are connected by a network of small unpaved trails and paths perfect for cycling and e-biking explorations. On a school day we can stop by a monastic school where underprivileged children get free education and are always keen to practice English skills with visitors. Enjoy a home cooked lunch as honoured guest of a local family and continue ride to a monastery where we can meet Buddhist monk(s) and learn about their daily routines and monastic life. This is also a great place to have a short meditation practice if you wish.

After a little rest break at hotel we take a closer look at traditional arts and crafts of Bagan lacquerware making a tradition that has survived over 1000 years. The remarkable skill of the artisans is sure to impress.

Then we are off to Ayeryarwaddy River for a private sunset cruise where views of the temple silhouettes and bustling shore can be accompanied by cocktails on board.

Enjoy breakfast and then transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. En-route to Inle Lake, we stop at artisan family’s house to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using the fibres of the mulberry tree. Next, we take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields. After checking into the hotel, we embark on afternoon explorations of Inle Lake, populated with floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake.

After breakfast we journey out by boat and visit local morning market. The colourful and bustling morning market is one of the highlights of Inle Lake. This morning we will take a ride propelled by Inn Thar leg rowers in their small boats and enjoy a home cooked lunch at a local house built on stilts by the lake. From Inle Lake we follow the currents of a small river to reach the Inn Thein Pagoda Complex, a site that makes us feel as if we’ve stepped through a forgotten portal in time. To access the complex, we walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago. Rest of the day is spent touring on the lake enjoying scenery, villages built on stilts making village stops to observe local arts and craftsmen at work.

We end the day with a scenic sunset canoe ride accompanied local villagers.

Note: The market rotates five days a week, each day making its base in a different village (though closed on national holidays). Market visits will be included in any tour program if the market location falls within proximity of our travel itinerary.

Morning transfer to Heho airport and flight to Yangon.

On the way to downtown we will pass by NLD party office and state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s house where she spent years under house arrest. We will stop by at the iconic Yangon university which has reopened after years of closure following student demonstrations. Your guide will share some interesting insights to key historical events, education, governance, reforms and future prospects. Today’s lunch will be at House of Memories Restaurant which was the former office the of national independence hero Aung San and father of ASSK.

Rest of the day is free for own explorations, shopping, pampering or optional tours.

Breakfast at your hotel and free time until transfer to Yangon airport for your onward flight.