MYANMAR KINGDOMS AND COLONIAL TRAILS

Mingalabar! Welcome to Myanmar. No matter what time you arrive, a Primera local representative will welcome you just outside of arrivals hall after you collect your luggage.
Proceed with 45min to 1hr drive to your hotel located near downtown. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. This evening gather to meet fellow travelers and your local tour leader 7pm in the hotel lobby, for a trip briefing and welcome drink. We will brief you on the Myanmar essentials.

Yangon, or Rangoon by its old name, was for long considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient. Charming buildings remain in its old quarter, nestled among more modern structures.
During a walk through downtown, your guide will share some fascinating stories of events that took place in the country’s most prominent city. At the Pansodan Jetty, board a local ferry boat to Dala Village, just across the Yangon River. Experience the real Myanmar on a trishaw cycle-taxi weaving through friendly neighborhoods. During the ride, stop at Dala Monastery supported by us, where 600 local children come daily for free education. The monk novices and students here are always keen to practice their English skills and gladly show us around the community.
Return back to Yangon for lunch and to savor local cuisine at the Rangoon Tea House restaurant established by a talented young local entrepreneur.
After lunch you have time for a rest break at the hotel. Those who wish to continue can walk to the bustling, vibrant Bogyoke Market with our tour leader.
Late afternoon, a short drive from the hotel brings us to a lively market street. Enjoy the sights of craftsmen at work, browse in shops selling vegetables to flowers and temple ornaments.
We complete the day with a visit to one of world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold covered 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.
This evening, gather for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers at Shan Yoe Yar Restaurant, known for its faithful renditions of the ethnic Shan cuisine.

Early morning airport transfer and flight (1hr) to Bagan. Kings of centuries past created a spectacular sight of thousands temples and stupas on the plains by the Irrawaddy River. Gain an insight into Bagan’s rich history during a sightseeing tour featuring the colorful Nyaung Oo local market and stops at pagodas and temples along the way. Then, discover the amazing Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Finish the day with a visit to one of the larger temples and pause to take in the unforgettable sunset, a truly magical experience.

This morning, dare to venture off the beaten trails. You have the choice to tour back roads of Bagan by mountain bike, electronic battery driven bike (e-bike), or by a horse carriage, a more traditional mode of transport in Bagan.
We ride mostly along small unpaved roads and trails connecting the temple areas where large tour coaches don’t have access. After we enjoy lunch in local restaurant, we return back to your hotel for a short break.
In the afternoon, we visit local craftsmen to see techniques used in traditional lacquer ware-making. We greet the sunset on a private cruise over the Ayeyarwaddy River. The day closes with a cultural performance over dinner at a local restaurant.

Optional: Sunrise hot air balloon flight. Imagine yourself floating over the ancient temples of Bagan as the sun gently rises in the horizon. Enjoy a glass of champagne and light breakfast upon landing. The tour starts 5 am with a pick up from your hotel. After a safety briefing and morning tea/coffee, the group will take off for 45-60 min flight. Arrive back to hotel before 8.30 am.

Bid farewell to our lovely hosts and continue overland northbound towards Mandalay. After approx. 3hrs drive, we will arrive to Paleik, a peculiar pilgrimage site for locals who come here to worship Burmese boa constrictors for good luck. A walk through Paleik unveils a cluster of hidden temples that were once part of Ava Kingdom. Although a small rural village, Paleik has a thriving garment cottage industry run by local families. We will stop at a couple homes to see how the national longyis are woven.
After lunch, we visit Sagaing Hills for great panoramic views over the Irrawaddy River. Formerly also a kingdom, Sagaing’s current denizens are monks and nuns as one of the major Buddhist centers in the country. Try vipassana meditation, widely practiced all over Myanmar by young and old alike.
Check-in to your hotel in Mandalay late afternoon.

We take in a morning stroll through the lively Zegyo Market to start the day. Taste local snack favorites and try on the traditional sandalwood-make up, Thanaka. We also visit a traditional medicine stall where roots and powders are administered for any complaint.
Next be astounded by the dedication it takes to pound gold into gold-leaf so thin you can see through it. The tradition has been kept alive and passed down generations since the Konbaung Dynasty.
Only pure 24-carat gold is good enough for the Mahamuni Buddha, housed at the Mahamuni Pagoda. We observe pilgrims lining up to apply leaf gold to the massive Buddha image. Following lunch in a local restaurant, we return to hotel for a rest, with options to dip into the plunge pool, have a leisurely massage (at own expense) or take a nap. In the late afternoon, we visit the beautifully carved teak wooden palace, Shwe Kyaung. It is the only royal structure that survived WWII bombing when British tried to oust Japanese troops from the compound. Dinner is enjoyed at a local restaurant accompanied by a local guest (artist, journalist, activist) to give deeper insight into Burmese lives.

Morning drive 1.5hrs to the hill station town of Pyin Oo Lwin. Board a train for a 3hr adventure on the rails. The highlight of the trip is the crossing of the Gokhteik Viaduct, built more than a century ago by the Pennsylvania Steel Company. The structure is considered a masterpiece of steel trestle construction. Take in spectacular scenery as you travel over a nearly 100-foot-deep gorge in the Shan mountains.
Return to Pyin Oo Lwin for a delicious lunch at Paw Taw Win restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Botanical Kandawgyi Gardens, home to a wide variety of colorful flora and fauna. We end the day with wonderful views over the Anisakan Waterfall from the terrace of the Viewpoint Restaurant, perfect spot for a sun downer.

Optional: Sunrise at Ubein Bridge. Capture the first sunrays and beauty of Ubein and Amarapura during this this 2hr excursion. Return to hotel on time to join rest of the for the days touring.

This morning we visit the Sitthar coffee farm in Pyin Oo Lwin located at 3,300 feet in altitude. The region is an ideal place for coffee growing with its temperate climate and rich soil. We take a leisurely hike approximately two hours through lush tree-shaded coffee fields to discover how coffee plants are grown and harvested by Myanmar locals. A farmer will guide us through the process of milling green coffee beans before we have the chance to strap on a picking basket and have a go at harvesting the dark ripe beans. Freshly roasted coffee will be prepared using a pour-over technique for a private tasting.
After lunch, we drive back to Mandalay. Spend rest of the day relaxing and enjoying facilities of our comfortable hotel or venture out to explore Mandalay. Some sights of interest are rustic antique store, fortune tellers and Mandalay marionettes which have shows’ every evening. You guide can help arranging some of these extra visits should you wish.

After breakfast at Hotel, transfer to Mandalay airport for flight to Heho. One hour drive from Heho airport to Nyaung Shwe passing beautiful shan mountains. Full day lake exploration by boat. Inle Lake is famous for its five-days rotating market where hill tribe folks gather to trade produce and cattle. If we are lucky and the market coincides with our visit, we will surely make a stop there.
A scenic ride along small and winding river tributaries brings us to Inn Dein, an ethnic minority village of the Pa-O people. Short walk through verdant bamboo groves brings us to Inn Dein pagoda complex built by kings and local devotees over centuries.
Today’s lunch will be a special one. You will be treated to a floating lunch experience on a rice barge converted to a rustic-chic dining vessel. In the afternoon, we visit Innphaw Kone, a weaving village to observe how the fibers of the lotus flower are spun into thread and woven into garments.
Return to your hotel to enjoy the sunset.

Morning visit to centuries old Nga Phe Kyaung monastery built over the lake. Observe how Inn Thar minority fishermen skillfully balance on one foot while fishing. Marvel at how floating farms are constructed and tended. Take a scenic canoe ride with Inn Thar villagers through a community built on stilts over the lake. Today we join local family in lunch preparation at their house and enjoy a tasty home cooked meal Inn Thar and Shan style. Return to your hotel in the afternoon to relax and enjoy the scenery and facilities. On the way back we may stop to see how “cheroots” Myanmar cigars are hand rolled. Dinner will be at your hotel.

Bid farewells to your Inle Lake hosts and transfer to Heho airport for a flight (1hr) to Yangon. Your tour ends at Yangon airport. Your guide will be coordinating with Primera local representative that you will be escorted to your flight on this day.

Day use of a room at the airport hotel is available at extra cost. Extra transfers in Yangon will incur additional cost.