Mandalay and the Faces of Myanmar
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Highlights:
This suggested program is ideal for the intellectually curious, international traveler with an interest in exploring Myanmar (or Burma, as it was previously called). Even today, some areas are not open to tourists, but both access and infrastructure have vastly improved since we first started offering this country in 2008.
You will start in the former royal capital of Mandalay, take a cruise on the Irrawaddy River, float over the temples of Bagan in a hot air balloon and discover the various friendly villagers around Inle Lake. Finish in the former colonial capital of Rangoon now renamed as Yangon but still with “Britishness” in its architecture and particularly its tea, unique in the entire world.
This suggested program is ideal for the intellectually curious, international traveler with an interest in exploring Myanmar (or Burma, as it was previously called). Even today, some areas are not open to tourists, but both access and infrastructure have vastly improved since we first started offering this country in 2008.
You will start in the former royal capital of Mandalay, take a cruise on the Irrawaddy River, float over the temples of Bagan in a hot air balloon and discover the various friendly villagers around Inle Lake. Finish in the former colonial capital of Rangoon now renamed as Yangon but still with “Britishness” in its architecture and particularly its tea, unique in the entire world.
SKU:
Explore: Myanmar
Customizable Itinerary - 15 Days (from $3,678 per person)
Days 1 & 2: USA- Myanmar
Today you would begin your journey to Myanmar which will take you across the International Date Line which takes a day away but returns it on your return flight. You will be flying into Mandalay so you will change elsewhere in the Far East.
Day 3: Welcome to Mandalay
Meet your guide and your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel which sits at the foot of the Mandalay Hill. After a chance to relax you will meet your guide in the late afternoon for an introductory tour of the city. Start with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s biggest book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th Century Royal Palace. The grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. As the sun begins to set head to the top of Mandalay Hill behind your hotel and enjoy the views of the city and the Irrawaddy River
Dinner
Day 4: Mandalay, Sagaing and a Buddha Face Wash
If you are adjusting to the time change, a 4AM wakeup call would give you the chance to visit Mahamuni Pagoda where each morning, before dawn, the monks wash the face of the ‘lumpy’ Buddha image with special fragrant water and brush its teeth. It will give you a unique insight into Buddhism. Return to the hotel for breakfast before departing on a tour of Mandalay which is well known for its skilled craftsmen. Tour the traditional workshops and learn about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the creation of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries and gold-leaf where the techniques remain unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. Cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Visit the local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here, find a range of items for sale including pottery, silver and other handicrafts. You then stop at a village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. In the evening you have dinner and then cruise out to see the comedic styling of local legends, the Mustache Brothers. A mixture of comedy and traditional Burmese dance, this show is quite bizarre and absolutely unique to Mandalay. Jailed for telling jokes against the government 20 years ago, the Mustache Brothers have been entertaining Westerners from their garage since their release.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: A Scenic Cruise to Bagan
In the morning you transfer to the jetty to board a day cruise to Bagan along the Irrawaddy River. The cruise is a great chance to see life along the rivers of Myanmar. Lunch is offered on board and the boat will dock at a small village to allow you to stroll through the town and learn about life along the Irrawaddy. You then continue to Bagan where you are met and transferred to your elegant hotel where dinner awaits
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Ballooning over Bagan
Early in the morning, enjoy a highly recommended option of the balloon ride as the sun comes up on the temples of Bagan. Climb aboard before gently rising above thousands of gilded stupas and earthen temples all back-dropped by the impressive Irrawaddy River This is a truly unforgettable and unique experience but due to air currents it is only offered from late-October through late March ( a peak time to visit Myanmar however). You will then embark on an extensive private tour of the most noted temples. For lunch, you will transfer to a typical Burmese village to have lunch at a local home. With your guide as an interpreter, you can chat with the locals while enjoying lunch which is catered by a restaurant from town. After lunch you visit a traditional lacquerware workshop to observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Travel by horse-drawn cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset from the temple terrace before returning to Bagan Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Toddy Palms and Nanda Puppets
After breakfast, drive across the plains to Mt. Popa, a place of great importance to the Burmese since they believe that it is the home of 37 Nats, ancient Burmese animalist spirits. Climb the stairs to the top and be rewarded with the view over the Myingen Plain. After return to the base head back to Bagan taking time to stop in Shwe Hlaing where the residents make their living from producing various items from the toddy palm trees including drinks and sugars. Enjoy lunch in the shade of the trees before returning to Bagan. In the evening, transfer to the Nanda puppet show. Enjoy dinner while watching beautiful puppets act out ten traditional scenes. Accompanied by a live orchestra, the show is one of the best puppet performances in Myanmar
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Heho and the Elephants of Green Hill Valley
In the morning you are transferred to the airport for the short flight to Heho located in the Shan State. You will be met and driven to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. Upon arrival a guide will show you the way to the main camp where you enjoy a welcome drink while receiving a briefing on the day’s activities, the background of the camp and the history of elephants in Myanmar. You then embark on a short walk to the river passing through a reforestation project set up by the camp and villagers. Be greeted by the elephants; the guide will explain their name, age and how they ended up retiring at the camp. Trays of bananas and sugarcane will be brought out and some time will be enjoyed feeding the elephants. Afterwards you get dressed in traditional Shan garments to prepare for bathing the elephants. Walk to a natural pool, located between two small waterfalls in the stream and join the elephants in a refreshing bath (there favorite time of the day). Return to the reforestation area to plant a tree before heading to the main camp for your lunch. In the afternoon there is time to explore on foot with a local trekking guide or interact with the elephants. In the late afternoon say goodbye to the elephants and mahouts. It should be noted that for the wellbeing of the animals, elephant riding is not allowed. You will then be transferred to your residence for the night which will be quite a shock as you go from elephants in the Jungle to what appears to be an English county village transported to Asia ( and you would not be far off in that assumption)
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Pindaya and the Scenic Journey to Inle Lake
After breakfast you embark on a scenic drive through Shan State stopping at Pindaya along the way. Your first visit will be Pindaya Market a typical rural market. Then, take a short drive east of Pindaya and continue on foot to a small village observing the daily activities of the local people. In the dry season it is possible to see the drying of cheroot leaves or the weaving of cotton. Continue to a local farm for an interactive cooking demonstration. Learn about the local ingredients used in some of the regional cuisine and the techniques used to cook the tasty dishes of the Shan State. After cooking, sit down and enjoy a delicious lunch of freshly prepared dishes. After lunch you will explore the incredible complex of the Pindaya Caves before transferring to Nyaung Shwe the gateway to Inle Lake. From the traditional rural life of the village near Pindaya you are delivered to the 21st Century elegance of your hotel where you enjoy dinner
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Daily Life around Inle Lake
Start your day with a visit to the morning market, which rotates locations on a 5 day basis. This daily market attracts people from all over the Lake’s shores who gather to buy and sell their wares. In one day it is possible to see Pa-Oh, Inthar and Shan people all in their traditional outfits. Wander among the stalls and listen to the guide’s explanation of local produce sold here. Then continue across the lake passing through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Along the way, see the famous leg-rowing fishermen who steer their boats with incredible balance. Proceed to the village of Inpawkhone to observe the traditional silk-weaving techniques of Inthar people. Inpawkhone is also known for weaving with the stems of lotus flowers, a time-consuming process that results in high quality materials famous throughout the country. Also visit a cheroot factory where local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand. Stop at Heritage House for a typical Shan lunch and learn about the lake’s indigenous people. After lunch the rest of the day is at leisure
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Sagar and the “Long Neck Ladies” of Loikaw
You set off by boat this morning to visit the far southern region of Inle Lake. Very few tourists make the trip to this region yet it is one of the most beautiful places in the Shan State with the mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water. The journey will take about three hours but is full of fabulous sights and glimpses of exotic species of birds. Arrive at the village of Thaya Gone known for its production of rice wine. Observe the distillation and then sample some of the local brew. Another stop is made in Sae Khaung Pottery Village to view the natural underground kilns used by the villagers. Enjoy a picnic lunch and arrive in Phe Khone in mid-afternoon. Transfer to a car for the final drive to Loikaw. This capital of Kayah State abounds with natural wonders, spellbinding tribes and unending wonders. Bisected by the Bilu River, Loikaw is blessed with rolling mountains, lakes, markets and hill tribes, the most famous being the Padaung or ‘long-neck’ ladies. This area was only opened to tourists in 2013 and is still very much off the beaten path.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Exploring Loikaw
Today is market day so join your guide in a visit to Demawso Market which attracts tribes from the surrounding area. Most interesting is the local khayung yai wine. The local women line up with homemade batches of homemade wine, each offering free samples to any interested customers. After deciding on a particular “vintage”, customers will make their purchase filling up containers they brought from home. Quite often it is just an old water bottle. Many are empty before making the journey home! Following the market, drive out to the village of Pan Phet whose inhabitants or of the Padaung tribe. Locally referred to as ‘long-neck ladies’ the Paduang women are famous for the many golden neck rings they wear. Though the tradition is dying out, most women over 40 can still be seen wearing these heavy accessories. Return to Loikaw for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Shortly before sunset head into downtown Loikaw to visit Taung Kwe Pagoda perched on a rock formation. With great views of the surrounding area, the pagoda is the perfect spot to end the day
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Dining Diversity in Rangoon
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Yangon which was formerly known as Rangoon and was the capital of British Burma. It is a relatively quiet and charming city with its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage making it one of the most fascinating and authentic cities of Southeast Asia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where you can check in and freshen up. In the afternoon, you will be picked up by your guide and driver to embark on a combined sightseeing and culinary tour. Walk around the heart of downtown where East meets West with a lix of pagodas, monuments and colonial buildings after seeing the sights, embark on a food safari starting with a visit to a local tea shop where guests enjoy Burmese tea. The tradition of drinking strong tea with condensed milk and sugar was brought to Myanmar by the British more than a century ago. However, people still drink green tea afterwards to wash away the sweet tea flavor. Along with tea you then sample a variety of Burmese snacks and noodles. Trishaws will be waiting outside to a small alley off the main road to one of the most famous noodle shops in Yangon, 999 Shan Noodle which you can sample. Continuing on foot you explore Little India. During British Rule there were more Indians than Burmese in the city and many of their descendants remain. Finish up the evening at a night market and a stop in Chinatown at 19th Street famous for its barbecues washed down with draught Myanmar Beer. Your guide will then take you back to the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14: Dhala and the Shwedagon Pagoda
After breakfast you transfer to the jetty to board a ferry to cross the Yangon River to Dhala. Upon reaching Dhala you travel by local trishaw through the town which is remarkably different from Yangon with its many trees, local neighborhoods and quite side streets. Visit the market and the monastery which also serves as a community centre. Return by boat to Yangon and transfer to the hotel where the afternoon is open for shopping or exploring. In the hour before sunset you will be picked up and taken to the Shwedagon Pagoda initially built 2,500 years ago and renovated several times through the 15th Century. The central stupa is 300 feet high and gilded with gold leaf and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Enjoy views of the pagoda as the sun sets. Finish off your visit to Myanmar with dinner at Le Planteur one on the country’s finest restaurants.
Breakfast and Dinner
Today you would begin your journey to Myanmar which will take you across the International Date Line which takes a day away but returns it on your return flight. You will be flying into Mandalay so you will change elsewhere in the Far East.
Day 3: Welcome to Mandalay
Meet your guide and your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel which sits at the foot of the Mandalay Hill. After a chance to relax you will meet your guide in the late afternoon for an introductory tour of the city. Start with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s biggest book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th Century Royal Palace. The grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. As the sun begins to set head to the top of Mandalay Hill behind your hotel and enjoy the views of the city and the Irrawaddy River
Dinner
Day 4: Mandalay, Sagaing and a Buddha Face Wash
If you are adjusting to the time change, a 4AM wakeup call would give you the chance to visit Mahamuni Pagoda where each morning, before dawn, the monks wash the face of the ‘lumpy’ Buddha image with special fragrant water and brush its teeth. It will give you a unique insight into Buddhism. Return to the hotel for breakfast before departing on a tour of Mandalay which is well known for its skilled craftsmen. Tour the traditional workshops and learn about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the creation of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries and gold-leaf where the techniques remain unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. Cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Visit the local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here, find a range of items for sale including pottery, silver and other handicrafts. You then stop at a village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. In the evening you have dinner and then cruise out to see the comedic styling of local legends, the Mustache Brothers. A mixture of comedy and traditional Burmese dance, this show is quite bizarre and absolutely unique to Mandalay. Jailed for telling jokes against the government 20 years ago, the Mustache Brothers have been entertaining Westerners from their garage since their release.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: A Scenic Cruise to Bagan
In the morning you transfer to the jetty to board a day cruise to Bagan along the Irrawaddy River. The cruise is a great chance to see life along the rivers of Myanmar. Lunch is offered on board and the boat will dock at a small village to allow you to stroll through the town and learn about life along the Irrawaddy. You then continue to Bagan where you are met and transferred to your elegant hotel where dinner awaits
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Ballooning over Bagan
Early in the morning, enjoy a highly recommended option of the balloon ride as the sun comes up on the temples of Bagan. Climb aboard before gently rising above thousands of gilded stupas and earthen temples all back-dropped by the impressive Irrawaddy River This is a truly unforgettable and unique experience but due to air currents it is only offered from late-October through late March ( a peak time to visit Myanmar however). You will then embark on an extensive private tour of the most noted temples. For lunch, you will transfer to a typical Burmese village to have lunch at a local home. With your guide as an interpreter, you can chat with the locals while enjoying lunch which is catered by a restaurant from town. After lunch you visit a traditional lacquerware workshop to observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Travel by horse-drawn cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset from the temple terrace before returning to Bagan Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Toddy Palms and Nanda Puppets
After breakfast, drive across the plains to Mt. Popa, a place of great importance to the Burmese since they believe that it is the home of 37 Nats, ancient Burmese animalist spirits. Climb the stairs to the top and be rewarded with the view over the Myingen Plain. After return to the base head back to Bagan taking time to stop in Shwe Hlaing where the residents make their living from producing various items from the toddy palm trees including drinks and sugars. Enjoy lunch in the shade of the trees before returning to Bagan. In the evening, transfer to the Nanda puppet show. Enjoy dinner while watching beautiful puppets act out ten traditional scenes. Accompanied by a live orchestra, the show is one of the best puppet performances in Myanmar
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Heho and the Elephants of Green Hill Valley
In the morning you are transferred to the airport for the short flight to Heho located in the Shan State. You will be met and driven to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. Upon arrival a guide will show you the way to the main camp where you enjoy a welcome drink while receiving a briefing on the day’s activities, the background of the camp and the history of elephants in Myanmar. You then embark on a short walk to the river passing through a reforestation project set up by the camp and villagers. Be greeted by the elephants; the guide will explain their name, age and how they ended up retiring at the camp. Trays of bananas and sugarcane will be brought out and some time will be enjoyed feeding the elephants. Afterwards you get dressed in traditional Shan garments to prepare for bathing the elephants. Walk to a natural pool, located between two small waterfalls in the stream and join the elephants in a refreshing bath (there favorite time of the day). Return to the reforestation area to plant a tree before heading to the main camp for your lunch. In the afternoon there is time to explore on foot with a local trekking guide or interact with the elephants. In the late afternoon say goodbye to the elephants and mahouts. It should be noted that for the wellbeing of the animals, elephant riding is not allowed. You will then be transferred to your residence for the night which will be quite a shock as you go from elephants in the Jungle to what appears to be an English county village transported to Asia ( and you would not be far off in that assumption)
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Pindaya and the Scenic Journey to Inle Lake
After breakfast you embark on a scenic drive through Shan State stopping at Pindaya along the way. Your first visit will be Pindaya Market a typical rural market. Then, take a short drive east of Pindaya and continue on foot to a small village observing the daily activities of the local people. In the dry season it is possible to see the drying of cheroot leaves or the weaving of cotton. Continue to a local farm for an interactive cooking demonstration. Learn about the local ingredients used in some of the regional cuisine and the techniques used to cook the tasty dishes of the Shan State. After cooking, sit down and enjoy a delicious lunch of freshly prepared dishes. After lunch you will explore the incredible complex of the Pindaya Caves before transferring to Nyaung Shwe the gateway to Inle Lake. From the traditional rural life of the village near Pindaya you are delivered to the 21st Century elegance of your hotel where you enjoy dinner
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Daily Life around Inle Lake
Start your day with a visit to the morning market, which rotates locations on a 5 day basis. This daily market attracts people from all over the Lake’s shores who gather to buy and sell their wares. In one day it is possible to see Pa-Oh, Inthar and Shan people all in their traditional outfits. Wander among the stalls and listen to the guide’s explanation of local produce sold here. Then continue across the lake passing through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Along the way, see the famous leg-rowing fishermen who steer their boats with incredible balance. Proceed to the village of Inpawkhone to observe the traditional silk-weaving techniques of Inthar people. Inpawkhone is also known for weaving with the stems of lotus flowers, a time-consuming process that results in high quality materials famous throughout the country. Also visit a cheroot factory where local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand. Stop at Heritage House for a typical Shan lunch and learn about the lake’s indigenous people. After lunch the rest of the day is at leisure
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Sagar and the “Long Neck Ladies” of Loikaw
You set off by boat this morning to visit the far southern region of Inle Lake. Very few tourists make the trip to this region yet it is one of the most beautiful places in the Shan State with the mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water. The journey will take about three hours but is full of fabulous sights and glimpses of exotic species of birds. Arrive at the village of Thaya Gone known for its production of rice wine. Observe the distillation and then sample some of the local brew. Another stop is made in Sae Khaung Pottery Village to view the natural underground kilns used by the villagers. Enjoy a picnic lunch and arrive in Phe Khone in mid-afternoon. Transfer to a car for the final drive to Loikaw. This capital of Kayah State abounds with natural wonders, spellbinding tribes and unending wonders. Bisected by the Bilu River, Loikaw is blessed with rolling mountains, lakes, markets and hill tribes, the most famous being the Padaung or ‘long-neck’ ladies. This area was only opened to tourists in 2013 and is still very much off the beaten path.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Exploring Loikaw
Today is market day so join your guide in a visit to Demawso Market which attracts tribes from the surrounding area. Most interesting is the local khayung yai wine. The local women line up with homemade batches of homemade wine, each offering free samples to any interested customers. After deciding on a particular “vintage”, customers will make their purchase filling up containers they brought from home. Quite often it is just an old water bottle. Many are empty before making the journey home! Following the market, drive out to the village of Pan Phet whose inhabitants or of the Padaung tribe. Locally referred to as ‘long-neck ladies’ the Paduang women are famous for the many golden neck rings they wear. Though the tradition is dying out, most women over 40 can still be seen wearing these heavy accessories. Return to Loikaw for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Shortly before sunset head into downtown Loikaw to visit Taung Kwe Pagoda perched on a rock formation. With great views of the surrounding area, the pagoda is the perfect spot to end the day
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Dining Diversity in Rangoon
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Yangon which was formerly known as Rangoon and was the capital of British Burma. It is a relatively quiet and charming city with its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage making it one of the most fascinating and authentic cities of Southeast Asia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where you can check in and freshen up. In the afternoon, you will be picked up by your guide and driver to embark on a combined sightseeing and culinary tour. Walk around the heart of downtown where East meets West with a lix of pagodas, monuments and colonial buildings after seeing the sights, embark on a food safari starting with a visit to a local tea shop where guests enjoy Burmese tea. The tradition of drinking strong tea with condensed milk and sugar was brought to Myanmar by the British more than a century ago. However, people still drink green tea afterwards to wash away the sweet tea flavor. Along with tea you then sample a variety of Burmese snacks and noodles. Trishaws will be waiting outside to a small alley off the main road to one of the most famous noodle shops in Yangon, 999 Shan Noodle which you can sample. Continuing on foot you explore Little India. During British Rule there were more Indians than Burmese in the city and many of their descendants remain. Finish up the evening at a night market and a stop in Chinatown at 19th Street famous for its barbecues washed down with draught Myanmar Beer. Your guide will then take you back to the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14: Dhala and the Shwedagon Pagoda
After breakfast you transfer to the jetty to board a ferry to cross the Yangon River to Dhala. Upon reaching Dhala you travel by local trishaw through the town which is remarkably different from Yangon with its many trees, local neighborhoods and quite side streets. Visit the market and the monastery which also serves as a community centre. Return by boat to Yangon and transfer to the hotel where the afternoon is open for shopping or exploring. In the hour before sunset you will be picked up and taken to the Shwedagon Pagoda initially built 2,500 years ago and renovated several times through the 15th Century. The central stupa is 300 feet high and gilded with gold leaf and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Enjoy views of the pagoda as the sun sets. Finish off your visit to Myanmar with dinner at Le Planteur one on the country’s finest restaurants.
Breakfast and Dinner