13D CHARMING 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). Next 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.

Transfer to Yangon domestic airport for a flight (1hr) to Loikaw. At Loikaw airport meet your local Kayah guide and driver. Drop off your luggage at hotel and continue to Haw Kyaung, a former Shan chieftain’s palace, which has been converted into a monastery and modest Kayah State Museum show casing the fascinating history and culture of the region. After a lunch stop in town we drive out of city to explore the lush countryside and limestone karst mountains of Kayah. Marvel at the cave formations and ancient burial site remains.

We complete the day in Loikaw with a magical sunset from iconic Taung Kwe Zedi, a golden stupa built on limestone outcrop with breath taking views.

Today you will have the opportunity to visit Kayan minority villages of Pan Pet (1hr drive from Loikaw). The Kayan ‘long neck’ ladies are famous for their traditional brass ring necklaces that appear to elongate their necks. By visiting Panpet CBT (community based tourism) project you will benefit local villagers in a sustainable and self managed way and help the locals to preserve their culture, heritage and environment. The Panpet tourism project was initiated with European governments funding. With a local community guide from Pan Pet we take a leisurely morning walk along scenic nature trail connecting villages to nearby hills making stops at important cultural sites on the way. These include a monument dedicated to the village clan, animist bird totem, and a guardian spirit cave. The two hour hike concludes with a climb up to a small hill offering panoramic view over the surrounding mountains, rice fields and the five hamlets of Pan Pet – a perfect place for a Kayah style picnic lunch.

After lunch break continue to Salong Kana village to meet members of the community and learn more about the unique culture and society of the Kayan. You will have a chance to visit traditional Kayan homes, observe artisans at work, spend time with grandmothers who usually stay home looking after smallest children.  Don’t be shy to ask questions. You guide will be more than happy to translate. After a full day spent with these fun loving and artistic people, we bid farewells and drive back to Loikaw for the night.  If you haven’t tried yet, look out for the local specialty Kayah sausages which are best accompanied with cold beer.

Good morning Loikaw! Rise and shine and get ready for a great day on lakes.  This morning we will bring you to one of our favourite spots in Loikaw, the lively main market which is perfect place for stocking up a few snacks for our boat journey to Inle Lake. Your boat driver and private motorboat equipped with cushioned seats, umbrellas (to protect from wind and sun) and blankets (to  keep warm during cool winter mornings) will be ready at Pekon jetty. Embark on a scenic three lake voyage making stops at Samkar, site of one of the old Shan kingdoms, Tha Kong village with impressive 17th century pagodas and a popular moonshine distillery that cooks mean fire water.

The three lakes are connected to one another by rivers and creeks in a long valley formed by two mountain ranges. 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,  villages built on stilts over the lake, locals tending their floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds, spotting endemic birds that live by the lakes.

We will reach Inle Lake in the afternoon just in time for a beautiful sunset (weather permitting).

Explore local culture and cuisine with this Inle Lake cooking class at the Inthar Heritage House. Established by a local family, the Heritage House is involved in several activities aimed at preserving the culture of the Intha, the lake’s indigenous people. There is an organic garden, vocational training center, restaurant and breeding house for rare Burmese cats as well as informative displays about Intha traditions. Travel by private boat to the southern stretches of the lake where the centre is located. A host from the Heritage House will give a brief introduction to the day’s program and then it’s time to start cooking! Walk to the organic gardens and pick fresh vegetables and herbs. Learn about the traditional farming methods used by the Intha people and the damage caused by modern pesticides. See the variety of crops being grown, discovering unusual items not found in western supermarkets. Then don an apron, grab a recipe book and head to the kitchen. Under the guidance of the chef and with the assistance of the center’s students, prepare a selection of typical Intha dishes. Use recipes handed down from generation to generation and traditional cooking techniques. Interact with the students to discover the role that food plays in Intha culture and how the people rely upon the lake to provide sustenance. Once the dishes are prepared and the aprons dirtied, head to the adjoining dining room to taste the resulting dishes. (Coffee/tea and one free soft drink, juice or beer is included). With a full belly and better appreciation of Intha culture continue with boat ride to your hotel or continue sightseeing on the lake.

Easy paced morning tour including a walk, delicious lunch and tasting Myanmar’s premier wines.  From the main town of Inle Lake, Nyaung Shwe we drive to Ayethaya and visit a PaO minority village on the way to learn about this interesting tribe. Near Ayethayar we begin the walk to winery passing through farms and plantations around 1.5hr until we reach the wine estate lands and perfect rows of vine that German vintners have been nurturing for nearly 20 years. Delicious lunch accompanied with wine tasting will be served at the estates restaurant.

After lunch transfer to Kalaw 1.5hrs and check in, we can spend afternoon either luxuriating in fresh mountain air for those who prefer sedentary pleasures, or hiking around Kalaw’s beautiful forest vistas for those yearning more active pursuits.

Myanmar has large number of retired forestry elephants which used to be employed by the government timber enterprise. On the way to Mt Popa we spend the morning in Green Hill Valley elephant nursery and forest where you have the opportunity to participate in feeding and washing the elephants and help planting trees. The focus of the camp is in conservation and there are no elephant rides. You can walk around the conservation area and spot butterflies, birds and orchids. Lunch with panoramic views at the camp headquarter will be served before continue drive to Mt Popa where you will spend the night.

Morning visit to Mount Popa, the centre for worshippers of the pantheon of Burmese ‘Nat” spirits. We visit the Nat shrine at the foot the Popa mountain and climb 777 steps to a pagoda at the top of the mountain for great views over the surrounding farming land and plains. We continue with 1.5hr drive to the ancient kingdoms of Bagan and make a stop en-route to observe the process of making the toffee-like palm sugar.

Let the journey to ancient kingdoms of Bagan begin.  Over the five centuries of Bagan empire more than 4000 brick temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed on dry plateau by the Irrawaddy River. Despite wars and earthquakes much of this wonder and world heritage has survived to modern day and is now open for visits.

Start your Bagan exploration with a visit to the thousand years old Swezigon Stupa purported to contain a holy tooth relic of Buddha and a “Nat” spirit shrine.  In old Bagan we visit the most beautiful temple, Ananda with symmetric four standing Buddha images inside. We cap the days sightseeing with a horse or bullock carriage ride to witness magical sunset (weather permitting)  behind the temples stopping by one of the most impressive temples of Bagan, the Dhammayangyi known for its fine brick work and legend of cruel king and Indian princess.

This evening enjoy Bagan style dinner in local restaurant with cultural performance.

Another exciting day 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 routine 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 laquerware 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.

Early morning transfer to Bagan jetty and depart on  (4 hr) Irrawaddy River ferry journey to Yandabo. Yandabo is small and vibrant village known for its’ terracotta pottery and where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed that ended the first Anglo-Burmese war. Check in to your cozy lodge and take an afternoon walk with one of the resort staffs around the village and meet the friendly locals who gladly show how they work the clay, dry and burn pottery in kilns.

Morning excursion (15min boat ride away) to 1,000 buffaloes village and a local school funded by the lodge. Continue your journey to Mandalay overland. Car driver will pick you up from Yandabo Home and drive 3-4hrs to Mandalay.

In the afternoon visit some of the city highlights: the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda, housing one of the most significant Buddha images in the country, covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in long past wars between competing Myanmar kingdoms; the Golden Palace Monastery, the only surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone slabs and regarded as the world’s largest book in terms of surface area. We end our day with sunset panoramic views over city skyline on Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city.

Today we explore the Ancient Kingdoms of Myanmar near Mandalay. Start with transfer 15km to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of Shan and Burmese Kingdoms for over four centuries. Crossing the Myint Nge River by ferry, the small roads of Ava are explored by horse cart. We visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery over three hundred years old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a 300-year old architectural wonder with graceful archways. We continue to the Ancient Kingdom of Sagaing, located across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. From the Sagaing Hill, we enjoy views of the hillside dotted with countless pagodas and pay a special visit to a monastery to learn about the life of Buddhist devotees.

We continue to another beautiful ancient capital Amarapura  famous for its textile industries. There, we visit a cottage industry workshop to learn how Myanmar longyis and traditional fabrics are woven. Continuing to the Ubein bridge, a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1,2km over Taungtaman Lake, we have the option to be rowed onto the calm waters. Ubein Bridge, silhouetted by the setting sun, is a magical experience and a photographer’s dream.