Meeting Burmese

Highlights of tour:

Golden Land of Burma multifaceted, bathed in intense fervor … the discovery of a unique heritage and meeting friendly people, rich in culture with 135 different ethnic groups. Discovering that other Burma, bordering Thailand and Laos, which forms the heart of the famous Golden Triangle, at the crossroads of migration of Indochina mountain people.

Day 1: : Arrival in Yangon (D)

Upon arrival at airport, welcome by our guide who will be held on placard with your name on it. And then transfer to hotel for check-in. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South-East Asia.

Morning sightseeing starts : Swe Taw Myat Zedi (Buddha’s Replica Tooth Relic Pagoda, Kaba Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda) built for memorial of the 1954-56 sixth Buddhist Synod, is located on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangon Township. And then proceed to Mahapasana Guha: “Great Cave“, built close to the Kaba Aye Pagoda. After check in the hotel, take some relax for a while.

Afternoon sightseeing in Chaukhtatkyi Reclining Buddha Image: 230 ft (70 m) and Karaweik Hall Royal barge which is on the Royal Lake for photo shop. Late afternoon, visit of Shwedagon Pagoda: world famous glistening gold stupa towering over the city with spearing to height of 326 feet’s. Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Sittwe-Mrauk U flight (B,L,D)

After breakfast transfer to airport for flight Sitwe, state capital of Rakhine (Arakan), the territory on the border with Bangladesh, still only partially open to visitors. This area is inhabited by an ethnic group rakhine by definition controversial; with Indian blood are Burmese, Indians bamar characteristics or ethnic group by itself.

We will be going to the port for embarkation to Mrauk U (5 hours of navigation), last Rakhine proud capital, where time seems to stand still. We sail on the river Kaladan between islands inhabited by fishermen, channels and sandbanks. Overnight at Hotel in Mrauk U.

Day 3: Mrauk U – Chin Village- Sightseeing (B,L,D)

After breakfast, the first day morning, we will make a boat trip on the river to search for the last Lemro “tattooed faces” of older women Chin, visiting their villages. Have picnic lunch during the excursion. Return by boat to Mrauk U.

According to the time of arrival, we will start the visits of the archaeological site that contains more than 700 temples. It was the last great capital rakhine 1430 to 1784. In the heyday served as a free port for trade with the Middle East, Asia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Among the buildings that we admire in this day the stupa-Khong-Mong Shwedu, Paya and the ruins of the weights of the Koe Thaung Temple, the largest temple of Mrauk U. We visit the art collection of Buddhist dynasty Vesali (4 th to 9 th century) at the monastery Luck Kauk Zee. Here we are finally also in Shittaung Paya, the famous “sanctuary of 80,000 images,” in reference to the amount of sacred representations stored inside. Then continue with the Andaw Paya. So here we reach the Paya Dukkanthein that resembles a bunker (complete with stupas). Climb the hill Ratana Sanrie Yadanapon or to admire the sunset. Stay overnight at the Hotel in Mrauk U.

Day 4: : Mrauk U – Sightseeing (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Visit colorful vegetable market, visit Prun Zee & Kyauk-Reike village, where you can walk and see way of life. See how make thatch roof sheets from Nipa Palm leaves. Discover some traditional activities: collecting Nipa palm juice (a kind of toddy juice), when fresh it is sweet and keep in the sun, the juice ferments and intoxicated; Traditional way of alcohol distillery, and hats, mats, baskets and fans making with bamboo and vegetable materials. On the way back visit Pha Ra Paw temple and Law Kamanaung stupa. Overnight at the Hotel in Mrauk U.

Day 5: Mrauk U – Sittwe Sightseeing (By Boat) (B,L,D)

After breakfast, visit the village of Baung Dhut, inhabited by ethnic Sakma. Here are some older women weave still using the old method of fixing the frame to the sides. We will visit some artisans workshops (such as blacksmiths). After lunch, we return to the jetty, transfer by boat to Sittwe. Have dinner and stay overnight in Sittwe.

Day 6: Sittwe-Yangon (By Flight) (B,L,D)

Wake up early in the morning to attend the main attractiveness of Sittwe, the fish market that takes place at the central market from 6 am. Under the operative flight, transfer to airport for departure to Yangon. Depending on arrival time, we will go in downtown Yangon to sneak in his most interesting markets: Bogyoke Aung San Market, which has existed for 70 years and includes more than 2000 stores and the Indian market.

In the evening we will go on the pier Nan Thida for a panoramic view of Yangon River. Stay overnight in Yangon.

Day 7: Yangon-Kyaing Tong Sightseeing (By Flight) (B,L,D)

Breakfast at your hotel. Morning, you will be transferred to Yangon Domestic Airport, catch a flight to Kyaing Tong. When you will be arrived at Kyaing Tong, you can start sightseeing by walking to Kyaing Tong Market and see many minority people shopping in the morning. Then visit Maha Myat Muni Pagoda, housing Mandalay style Buddha image and near by a monastery where the monks learn “Khun” language, which is very similar to that used in the Northern Thailand. Proceed to the Shan lacquer ware making home industry to learn embossing method lacquer ware making. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Day 8: Kyaing Tong –Wan Nyet (B,L,D)

Have breakfast at your hotel then visit unspoiled Wan Nyet old monastery (mix architecture between Thai and Myanmar) and Wan Seng village, the Tai Loi’s places, Namp-Lwei stream unreachable to one time. Back to Kyaing Tong. Stay overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Day 9: Kyaing Tong – Heho –Inle Lake (B,L,D)

After breakfast at hotel, drive up to Kyaing Tong Airport, catch a flight to Heho. Upon arrival at Heho Airport, we drive to Nyaung Shwe Jetty then proceed to your staying hotel by boat. Afternoon, we cruise on this very famous lake, admire its unique leg-rowers and scenic beauty. We visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, wonderful floating gardens, floating markets, Nga Phe Chaung (Jumping cats’) Monastery, silversmith workshops, traditional weaving industry, blacksmith and cigar making factory. Stay overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 10: Inle Lake – Indein – Inle Lake (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning, we have boat excursion in direction of Indein, at the western end of the Lake. The boat takes you through a long channel where you watch the farmers cultivate their produce. This ride is one of the most scenic boat tours on Lake Inle. The beauty of sunset over Inle Lake enchants all visitors. Stay overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 11: Inle Lake-Heho-Mandalay-Amarapura (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Heho Airport for fly to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport: you can start your sightseeing: Amarapura, an ancient capital of Myanmar, where we can observe the life of over 1000 monks at Mahagandayon. Then the venerable Mahamuni Pagoda, and continue to Mahalawka Marazein Kuthodaw Pagoda, Sandamuni Pagoda, Eindawyar Pagoda, Shwekyeemyin Pagoda. Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, where there are interesting glass-studded temples. Overnight at Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 12: Mandalay – Thipaw (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel, we start drive to Thipaw (about 4:30 hrs drive) which is also known as Hsipaw, is a town in Shan State, Myanmar. It is 200 km or about 124 miles northeast of Mandalay. On the way to Thipaw, sightseeing to Goketaik Viaduct which is the highlight about this trip is to enjoy the most spectaculars scenic views of the Shan plateau traveling one way by winding road with elbow crossing hilly drive and the other way by train with twisting and turning hilly trek. Crossing over historic Gokehtaik Bridge, it’s a fascinating journey. In late afternoon arrive to Thipaw with a complete day and discover Bawgyou Pagoda and the town’s markets popular sites to visit. You can observe Shan paper making workshops. And then admire the sunset from Thein Taung Pagoda. Overnight stay at hotel in Thipaw.

Day 13: Hsipaw Trekking (B,L,D)

Breakfast at Hotel. And then take 1 hour boat ride upstream river for nice scenery with the mountain, valley, fruit plantations along the river. Stop boat riding to take short trekking up the hill through fruit plantation for 45 minutes to visit old Tai (Shan) monastery which is 150 years old, sitting along in the forest Pass through the plantations of pineapple, papaya, orange which are widely grown along the way to the monastery.

Learn interesting thing at the monastery and return to the jetty, again boat ride to the river confluence where you can enjoy swimming. On the way back to boat ride, go visit to a Shan village, which has typical houses with a small charming garden. Overnight at Hotel in Hsipaw.

Day 14: Hispaw-Mandalay (B,L,D)

Breakfast at Hotel. Drive back to Mandalay (4 hours driving approx). On the way, you can see many ways of life of Myanmar People, some farms and then feel of breeze. Arrive at Mandalay, free time and check in at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 15: Mandalay-Monywa (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Early morning drive to Monywa . Sightseeing includes: Thanboddhay Pagoda where you will see thousands of Buddha images (reportedly over 500,000) decorating every wall, archway and niche. The buildings in the compound have interesting jataka reliefs. Visit of the Caves of Po Win Daung, numbering more than one hundred, is full of Buddhist statues and murals. Most exhibit the Innwa style but some may date from the 14th century. Accommodation at Hotel, in Monywa.

Day 16: Monywa –Pakokku – Bagan (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Pick up from hotel. Leave Monywa in the morning and take a private local boat across the Ayeyarwaddy River to Pakkoku (approx. 3 hrs by boat), an un-spoiled small town famous as a tobacco trading centre and for its weaving shops. This river journey is interesting because you see all types of local boats along the river as well as the local river life. Lunch is taken at a simple local restaurant. Arrival Bagan and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure. Overnight at Hotel, in Bagan.

Day 17: Whole day sightseeing in Bagan (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning tour highlights: Nyaung Oo Market, Shwezigon Pagoda; the prototype of later Myanmar Stupas, Kyansittha Umin, a tunnel with an interesting feature of paintings; Gawdawpalin (Aka) Kandawplin Pagoda : on the road between Nyaung U and New Bagan, near the Archaeological Museum , it is two story temple and one of the largest and most imposing Bagan Temples.

Thatbyinnyu Pagoda was built in AD 1144 by Alaungsithu, Bagan highest temple (about 160yd east of Nathlaung Kyaung and 220yd south east of Shwegugyi) is built of 4 storied of 207ft hight, Shwegugyi Pagoda , Tharabar Gate : the best preserved remains of the 9th century wall and the only gate still standing, it is built by Pyinbya Min, the first king of Bagan, the traces of old stucco can still be seen on the gateway. Late afternoon, enjoy the sunset of Bagan by boat through Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 18: : Bagan-Mt. Popa-Salay- Bagan (B,L,D)

After morning breakfast, drive to Salay. Visit the famous monastery “Yoke-Sone-Kyaung” which is a cultural heritage site in Sale, situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is famous with its spectacular woodcarvings. On the way, we visit Mt. Popa (1520 meters).

Climbing to the summit, takes about 45 minutes and you can visit the Mahagiri Shrine dedicated to the “Nats” (spirits) at the top; enjoy a wonderful panoramic view. And then proceed to Bagan. En route, stop at Toddy Field to observe how to make Jaggery (palm sugar). Overnight at Hotel in Bagan.

Day 19: : Bagan-Mt. Popa-Salay- Bagan (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Airport flight to Yangon. Arrive at Yangon, check in at Hotel. We can still visit the Sule Pagoda, a golden temple 2000 years old. Evening visit to Botahtaung Pagoda (in which Hair relics are enshired), Mahabandoola Park and Colonial buildings, and sightseeing at Yangon jetty located in Yangon downtown area. Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.