MYANMAR FAMILY TOUR 13D

On arrival to YANGON airport, Discovery DMC guide will welcome you with name signboard and transfer to your hotel.
After freshening up we begin our Myanmar adventure with a short drive to Kandawgyi Park and lake to see golden goose “hamsa bird” shaped Karaweik hall. There is a play park nearby for small kids and lake side restaurants and cafes for snacks.

We continue with a short drive to a local quarter nearby and hop on tree wheeler bicycle taxi “trishaw” for a ride through local neighborhood teeming with life. From here we continue to the foot of the Singuttara Hill and one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, nearly 100m tall gleaming bell dome structure decorated with gold and gemstones rising above the city.

Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. Thus you will see many Buddhist devotees and pilgrims of all ages spending time at the pagoda. After finding our your zodiac animal and pouring a few cups on your corner Buddha we can stop by and feed the turtles and carp fish living in a nearby pond or walk through fascinating and lively market street full of flowers and shops selling offerings and souvenirs to the pilgrims.

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 Pindaya, we stop at a local family’s house to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using the fibres of the mulberry tree. We then transfer 1.5hrs to Pindaya for a visit to its limestone caves. According to local legends there is a blocked secret passage in the cave leading to the ancient kingdom of Bagan.

Another legend tells of seven princesses bathing in a lake and how they were captured by a giant spider and trapped in the cave to be rescued by Prince Kummabhaya of Yawnghwe. Sculptures of the spider and the prince aiming with his bow and arrow have been added in recent times at the entrance of the covered stairway to the caves. Unless you could find the secret passage we will continue with drive to Kalaw for overnight stop.

After breakfast at your hotel we transfer 25km/ 45min from Kalaw to the Magwe Elephant Camp on a winding road descending to forested valley. On arrival info briefing and refreshment before we walk to nearby river where you will have an opportunity to participate in feeding and washing the elephants.

Participate in tree planting in reforestation efforts and walk around the conservation area and spot butterflies, birds, orchids and take a ride on the elephant back. (Weather and elephants health condition providing) Enjoy lunch with panoramic views at the camp head quarter before transferring back to Kalaw in the afternoon. Rest of the day is free for exploring Kalaw town and surroundings.

Activities day in Kalaw. Hike to the viewpoint through forested track climbing to the summit ridge of mountain range near Kalaw and enjoy lunch at Nepalese family’s hut. You could alternatively take bicycles or tuk tuk and explore the countryside roads around Kalaw, ride to a manmade lake in the middle of nearby forest reserve, or simply relax and enjoy facilities and slow paced life of Kalaw hill station town where many colonial era mansions still remain until today.

After breakfast 1.5 hr drive to Inn Thein passing through fertile farming region. Cabbages, gourds, courgettes, cauliflower and garlic grow well here. As we get closer to Inle Lake small hills grow to mountains and we will pass over them and descend down to Inle Lake valley and visit Inn Thein, 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. From Inn Thein we continue by boat to the lake following a winding river shadowed by bamboo groves and will have home cooked lunch in a house built on stilts over the lake. This afternoon we will do sightseeing on the lake and marvel at the skilled Inn Thar fishermen balancing on one foot on their canoes and locals tending their floating farms where most of Myanmar’s tomatoes come from. As 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. The Burmese are very friendly and like to climb, so don’t be scared if a cat will climb up to your shoulder to cuddle. We end our day with magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row perched on one leg.

Wake up by the beautiful Inle Lake and get ready for the day’s activities. Enjoy hiking or cycling excursion by the lake there are several options depending how long and hard you want to go. We can organize catered picnics or special floating lunch on the lake or cooking classes in Nyaung Shwe where you will go with local chef to the Nyaung Shwe market and get back to the restaurant to prepare food. The two Myanmar’s premier wine estates are located near the lake and can be visited as part of days’ cycling excursion. Tasting and food is available at both Red Mountain and Ayethaya wine yards.

This day will be customized to meet your family needs and likes.

After breakfast, transfer to Heho airport for flight to Bagan. Bagan is the greatest of all Kingdoms in Myanmar. Thousands of brick constructed temples remain as a reminder of its by gone glory over thousand years ago. Our journey to Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan starts with a visit to the beautiful gold gilded Swezigon Stupa purported to contain a holy tooth relic of Buddha. The location of the stupa was chosen by royal white elephant. Next to the Shwezigon our guide will share the stories of Nat spirits who used to be real people that had faced sudden destiny and became saints.

We continue to Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple to see best preserved mural paintings in Bagan and then continue to Nyaung Oo Market, the largest market in Bagan. Enjoy refreshment or a cup of Myanmar tea with your guide in a tea shop and get a feel of local life in Bagan. Next we continue to the Thanaka House. Thanaka make-up of Myanmar, the yellow tree bark paste that you will often see applied on the cheeks of ladies and children. In old Bagan we climb up to the terrace of Shwe Sandar temple, the highest in Bagan, and delight with panoramic views over temple dotted plains of Bagan and the Ayeyarwaddy River.

From here we continue to one of the most impressive temples of Bagan the Dhammayangyi, known for its fine brick work and legends of cruel king who constructed it. In the afternoon we journey to Myingaba VillageE and learn how famous Bagan lacquer-ware crafts are produced and decorated with traditional methods.

Next we will visit the beautiful Htilominlo temple. If lucky you might be able to see local artists making sand paintings here. We conclude the day’s sightseeing with a visit to beautifully symmetric Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images inside and continue by decorated bullock cart to witness a magical sunset behind the temples (weather permitting).

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with traditional Myanmar puppet show.

This day has been reserved for own explorations. Relax by the swimming pool of your hotel or explore the back roads of Bagan by e-bike.

Optionals:
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon flight over Bagan
Sunset boat trip to sand bank island. Enjoy sundowner cocktails and snacks. Parasol and deck chairs and some games for kids will be provided.

After breakfast free at leisure until transfer to Bagan airport for 30 min flight to Ngapali Beach. Enjoy the pristine tropical beaches of Myanmar’s premier beach destination. Enjoy the authentic village that you find near the hotels and meet the friendly locals. Seafood is still bargain here and you can pre order lobsters or check with different restaurants what is the days catch and recommendation.

Relaxing by the beach, swimming, snorkeling, horse riding, cycling learn coconut tree climbing skills from the local boys…

Relaxing by the beach, swimming, snorkeling, horse riding, cycling learn coconut tree climbing skills from the local boys…

fter breakfast flight to YANGON. In Yangon, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free for own explorations and hopping. At Junction square you can drop kid(s) to movies and enjoy Spa treatment or foot reflexology nearby.

Transfer to Yangon airport for your onward flight.