AMAZING MYANMAR

Welcome to Myanmar!

Upon arrival to the Yangon international airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Our journey begins with an afternoon tour through the colonial-style city center of Yangon. We start with one the landmarks; Sule Paya stupa – built over 2,000 years ago and the focal point of numerous historical events in the city –Chauk That Gyi pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha, and Karaweik Hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Swedagon Pagoda, a gleaming bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.

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. Visit the bustling main Heho market, the meeting point for different ethnic minority groups of the surrounding areas to trade handmade goods and locally grown produce (on market days only). Enroute to Inle Lake, we stop at a local family work shop 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, following 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. We boat back to the lake and visit Phaungdaw Oo pagoda, the home of some of the country’s most sacred Buddha statues covered in gold leaf by devout followers. We also make a visit to the Inpawkhon weaving village to learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted. As an extra treat, we stop at a house for Burmese cats built over the lake, where we see the preservation efforts and reintroduction of this rare pure breed of felines to Myanmar. At Nampan village, local craftsmen show us how Burmese cigars, or “cheroots,” are traditionally packed and rolled. We end our day with magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row perched on one leg.

After breakfast we drive to Shwe Nyaung Train station and take a train to Kalaw, a former British colonial hill station where ambassadors would spend the summers enjoying the crisp mountain air and sipping on gin tonics. After we check into the hotel and enjoy our lunch, 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. Local guides can adjust the duration and difficulty of the more active activities according to our wishes

Today, we are driving out to Bagan. First, we drive to Mt. Popa the Burmese spiritual epicenter for those who worship the pantheon of nat spirits and martyrs. After paying respects to the nat shrine at the foot of Mount Popa, we climb nearly 800 steps to the pagoda perched at the top of the mountain to admire the views of the surrounding plains and farm lands.

In late the afternoon, we continue drive to Bagan.

After check-in, we will go to one of the local restaurants and enjoy your dinner with puppet show.

After breakfast, we begin our journey into the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan. First, we visit to the gold gilded Shwezigon stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Not far from the stupa, the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka reincarnations. Next, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba village, and then visit Htilominlo temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour ends with a visit to the beautifully symmetric and majestic Ananda temple with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the viewer with fixed serenity wherever the viewer stands. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the Ayeryarwaddy River for a private sunset cruise where views of the temple silhouettes and bustling shore can be accompanied by cocktails on board.

After breakfast, we drive 5 hours to Mandalay.

You will arrive to Mandalay by lunch time. After check in, we visit to the Artisan quarters, where some of the oldest craftsmanship are showcased dating back to last kingdom of Myanmar. We observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. We also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded. Next, we proceed to the major highlights of the city: the sacred Mahamuni pagoda, housing one of the most significant Buddha images covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in wars between competing kingdoms; the Golden palace monastery, the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly. If time permitting, we continue visit to the Kuthodaw pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone tablets and regarded 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.

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a journey to the Ancient Kingdoms of Myanmar near Mandalay. We 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 the 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 hills, 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.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive 5hrs to Thabeikkyin, a junction town and gateway to Bhamo and Mogok. After lunch break in Thabeikkyin we will visit local market and jetty by the Ayeyarwaddy River before driving 2 more hrs to Mogok. Arrive to Mogok in the late afternoon and take a stroll through the town and meet the locals.

After breakfast at the hotel, After breakfast, we visit a local Gem stone market and learn about different consistency and quality of stones that are extracted from the Mogok and its surroundings. If we can obtain permission we will visit some sites where mining activities are taking place and to observe the methods used for extracting precious stones. On this day, we can also visit some of the most popular pagodas of Mogok and take leisurely walks to explore the town and nearby villages.

After breakfast we drive back to Mandalay. Depending on the time of arrival we can do some sightseeing in the city and its surroundings.

After breakfast, we transfer to Mandalay Airport and take the flight back to Yangon.

Upon arrival to Yangon, your guide and car will pick you up from airport and transfer to hotel for check-in.

We start our journey on foot to the quaint Yangon old quarter, built during the British colonial era. Many charming historical buildings are still located here. During our stroll through bustling market streets full of merchants and food stalls, we visit a local pharmacy and learn about Myanmar traditional medicine, stop for a tea and snack in the fashion of locals, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Yangon. We continue to one of Asia’s architectural landmarks, the elegant Strand hotel built by the Sarkies brothers. Then, we continue visit the River art gallery, where the works of some of the most famous and skilled Burmese artists are on display fitting of the grand surroundings. We continue to bustling Bogyoke (Scotts) market, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of color. (Please note that the market is closed on Mondays and on public holidays)

After breakfast, we transfer to Yangon international airport for your onward departure.