Myanmar Discovery
21 days - price for 2 people
You will follow the classical route to explore Myanmar, but you will add some side trips, which will make a difference and which will make you totally amazed.
Tour Details
ASIA'S NEW DESTINATION
Meet The Real Myanmar representative on arrival at airport and transfer to down town.
FEEL THE LOCAL SIDE OF A "FORMER" CAPITAL
Your first leg of Yangon will begin by walking through the city center, taking in colonial buildings, the bustling markets offer an insight into local life ,contemporary art galleries and over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue to hear the brief history of Burmese Jewish Community and some interesting stories.
Later visit to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to an enormous reclining Buddha whose crown is encrusted with diamonds and precious gems followed by Shwedagon pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site in all of Burma. Also known as the Golden Pagoda, the 2,000-year-old hilltop temple complex covers more than twelve acres and dominates the Rangoon skyline.
GOLDEN MOMENTS NEAR THE SKY
Drive to Bago (84 km - 1½ hours). En route, visit several points of interest, including the Allied War cemetery near Htauk Kyan, a tree shrine dedicated to legendary animist spirits known as “Nats”, a handicraft village producing woven bamboo wares and Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four giant Buddha figures.
In Bago, sightseeing and further photo opportunities include the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old, the massive 55-meter-long reclining "Shwe Tha Lyaung" Buddha statue (one of the country’s most revered religious objects), a family-owned Burmese cigar (cheroot) factory and local pottery workshops.
After lunch, drive to Kin Pun “Base Camp” (110 km - 3½ hours) and onward to Kyaiktiyo, the “Golden Rock” by open truck. This huge, visually stunning boulder is delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, and completely covered with tens of thousands of postage - stamp size sheets of real gold leaf, each ritually hand-applied by religious pilgrims.
Adjacent to the main pagoda is a large and bustling marketplace of food stalls, religious offering vendors, and picnic spots. The entire area is alive with a continually moving current of human activity – worship, play, socializing and people watching! The atmosphere at Golden Rock is always magical, and the photographic opportunities endless.
A NEW CAPITAL IN FOCUS
Sunrise photography of the Golden Rock area and return to the Kimpun based camp where the main vehicle is awaiting. The drive head to Phayargyi junction and continue to Naypyitaw by express road.
Nay Pyi Taw, only a vast shrubland a decade back, has become Myanmar’s seat of power and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Built from dust, more than 25 construction companies were hired to build the city in a few short years.
FROM THE CAPITAL TO MOUNTAINS
After breakfast, an orientation tour in brief. Your first visit will be Parliement house (Pyi Thu Hlut Taw), the building for the National Pyi Htaung Su Hlut taw which is composed of 31 buildings, blending modern and ancient Myanmar architectural style. After wards, a visit to Uppatasanti Pagoda on the top of the mountain to enjoy overlooking view to the town and nearby hills
Head towards Shan Hills to Kalaw by passing beautiful scenery with mountains and colorful plantations of seasame, pepper, sunflowes through November to February.
Arrive Kalaw, a former British hill station tucked amid the Shan Hills. Enjoy the cool, refreshing air and relaxed atmosphere of this charming town.
START THE ADVENTURE
Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake is one of the most memorable adventures you can undertake in Myanmar.
Begin your trekking from the center of the town,you slowly gain altitude as you work your way up towards the elevated plains above Kalaw. Mountains and valleys stretch their way across the landscape.
As you trek through Shan villages bemused children run out from behind bamboo houses to prod and gaze at the foreign human making their way from Kalaw to Inle Lake.
Trekking duration is about 5-7 hours a day by passing from one village to another and seasonal plantation such as Tea leaves, Coffee, Cordial leaves, Mustard, Ginger, Malt Rice, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Sesame. It is great opportunity for you to learn their daily life. (please contact us if you would like to have price for trekking activity)
Begain your hike for 2,5 hours until you reach Nan The Le village. You will continue your walk towards Shar Pin and Lut Pin, which will give you a unique opportunity to observe people and their simple, rural lifestyle in a place where time seemed to stop decades ago.
You will set off again after lunch and after another 1,5 hours you will arrive in Nan The Le Te where the Pa-O hill tribe lives. The extraordinary way they dress makes them stand out among other tribes in the region. Spending a night and having dinner in the village will enable you to get familiar with the tribe's customs and lifestyle.
Total walking time for the day - 5 to 6 hours
ENCOUNTER WITH THE ETHNIC FACES OF MYANMAR
In the morning you will have a chance to learn more about the daily routines of the villagers who focus mainly on farming. It will take 2,5 hours to get to Kon Hla village, on the way there you will stopover in two more villages - Baw Kone and Htun Kom.
Your trek will start again after lunch in Kon Hla, 1,5 hours later you will arrive in Htee Thein which is your overnight destination. Before getting there you will hike past Pauk Tu village and gaze upon the scenic Shan Mountains.
Total walking time for the day - 5 to 6 hours
MOUNTAINS TO LAKE
On the last day you will complete your trek to the Inle Lake. There are two routes leading there, via In Dein or Than Daung. Upon arrival you will experience the floating market, which will overwhelm all your senses and create another opportunity to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Finally you will eat delicious lunch, before returning by boat to your hotel on the lake.
Total walking time for the day - 4-5 hours
A TIME ALWAYS TO REMEMBER
A day touring around beautiful Inle lake by local boat. Along the way you will gain a fascinating insight into life on the waterways of Inle Lake, passing fishermen famous for their curious ‘leg-rowing’ technique and lush ‘floating gardens’ where local farmers grow a surprising variety of fruit and vegetables. Your first stop will be the region’s morning market, which rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and which is a chance to meet some of the people who gather here from the surrounding hilltribe villages.
See the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, then visit some villages known for their local crafts including those which specialize in the production of handmade ‘cheroot’ (typical Burmese cigars)
Cruise along foliage cloaked canals to the lakeside village of In Dein in the afternoon. Here you will explore the ancient stupas of Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya. The structures date from the 17th and 18th centuries and while some have been restored.
You will also have time to take a stroll around this enchanting village before cruising back to the shore.
(Please contact us if you need our assistance for boat tour)
This is the day you can explore the Inle Lake and surrounding by your own.
DISCOVER THE COUNTRYSIDE
One fullday tour to Kakku by passing Shan and Pa O villages along a countryside mountain with beautiful scenery.
Leave your hotel by boat/car and drive up through the hills to Taunggyi, capital of Southern Shan State and a former British hill station. A stop at She Phone Pyay pagoda fo dizzying views over Taunggyi and Inle Lake. Just a couple of hours from Taunggyi on tarred road, discover the "long lost" ruins of Kak Ku in countryside inhabited by the Pa O people. Situated in the rolling Shan Hills, Kak Ku pagoda is very unusual and little is known about its origins. The Pa O people believe that the original pagoda was built on the site some 2,000 years ago. Dozens of small stupas surround the main pagoda in a huge circle. You can wander around the stupas, which are decorated with fine stuccowork and Buddha images.
Visit one of the many Pa O villages near Kak Ku and a stop at Red Mountain vineyard on the way back to Nyaung Shwe where you will board your boat for going back to the hotel.
FROM THE LAKE TO HISTORY
Set off a scenic journey to Myingyan plain.
This road takes you through the Shan hills to the dry-zone of Myanmar – in summer brown and deserted – in winter green with rice fields. Witness local activities on the road and scenery of Shan rolling Hill & Myingyan plain .
A SHORT TRIP - A BIG EXPERIENCE
After leisurely breakfast, visit Mount Popa,a 1,518m high extinct volcano to enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding area.
Mount Popa is dedicated to animist spirits known as ‘nats’ and you will have time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak. At the foot of mountain, you could observe Nat Shrine contains a display of mannequin like figures representing the 37 Nat and is a major pilgrimage destination. There will be the opportunity to explore the fascinating monasteries, stupas and shrine
Continue to Bagan.
A stop is made at a local palm tree plantation. This relaxing break will give you the chance to observe local working life with Palm trees.
EXPLORE A WORLD OF WONDERS
Your discovery in Old Bagan begins with some of the site’s most important monuments such HtilominloTemple, , one of the greater temples of Bagan, Ananda temple, an architectural masterpiece, built 1105 AD in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains four unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance and angle from which the statues are viewed. Continue to Thatbyinnyu Temple standing within the city walls, rises to a height of 201 feet above the ground and overtops all the other monuments, Gubyaukgyi Temple which dates back to the 13th century AD and Sulamani Guphaya Temple.
You will return to your hotel for a couple of hours to escape the hottest part of the day.
Later this afternoon, end the day atop a pagoda which affords a magnificent sunset view of Bagan's temple studded plains.
STUNNING EXPERIENCE AT AYEYARWADDY RIVER
Morning exploration of local villages.
Start with an excursion to village market in Nyaung Oo and nearby villages to learn agriculture production and village life. Meet the people in the farming to share practices of seasonal plantations such as sesame and various kinds of beans and local products from plantations.
Back to hotel after lunch to escape the heat.
Later in the afternoon,take a boat ride (own expense) on the significant Irrawaddy River to see intricate carvings at Kyauk Gu U Min. Return to Bagan by boat as the sun sets over the Irrawaddy.
ROLLING TO FORMER BRITISH HILL STATION
Depart Mandalay on drive through beautiful countryside to the former British hill station of Maymyo, now called Pyin U Lwin. Situated 1000m above sea level, this was a popular retreat for the British residents of Mandalay, looking to escape the stifling summer heat. Today, this delightful town still has a pleasant atmosphere and some great colonial era architecture. Take an orientation tour of the town by car and horse-drawn carriage (own expense), including a visit to the beautiful botanical garden. The remainder of the day and the evening is free for you to explore on your own.
TAKE YOUR TIME TO NOTHERN SHAN HILLS
Depart this morning on a local train to Naung Pein Village, passing over the staggering Gokthiek Viaduct. The train is very simple and the ride is rather bumpy, but it’s well worth forgoing a little comfort for this wonderful insight into local life and the wonderful scenery along the way. On arrival at Naung Pein, continue by road to the charming market town of Hsipaw. Explore some of the local villages, a little Bagan and old monastery built by Shan Sawbwa in the area in the late afternoon. You may also be able to visit the Shan Palace (although please note that this is not an official ‘site’ and opening/closing times cannot be guaranteed).
Return to the city in the evening to visit Nine Buddha Hill, 2 kilometres from town centre, to watch the sunset over Hsipaw and the Dohtawaddy.
TREKKING TO SHAN VILLAGES AND A LOVELY BOAT RIDE ON DOTHAWADDY RIVER
This morning, take a long tail boat ride along the Dothawaddy River to Shan villages for light trek. The boat will take you from one village to another. The trek passes over gently rolling hills that are home to many hilltribes, such as Palaung and Shan. You will pass paddy fields, seasonal cultivations, green mountains and stop in several villages along the way. Learn about the villages, seasonal cultivations, their religious with Nat spirits, traditional houses, rail road and even you may have chance to see big colorful spiders bigger than the size of your hand (if you visit there in November, December)
Enjoy a Shan noodle soup and a cup of green tea at a Shan traditional house. It is also a good idea to try some fried beans and homemade rice wine.
Then, return to Hsipaw.
Balance of the day at leisure to spend the time at hotel bar with a glass of local wine. (Please contact us if would like to have price for this activity)
ON THE WAY TO CENTRAL BURMA
After breakfast, depart for the 6-7 hour drive through the scenic Shan Hills back to Mandalay. The road is narrow and busy with heavy lorries trading between China boarder town and Myanmar.
START OF A CITY SIGHTSEEING
Visit some of the beautiful cultural highlights of the city. We first visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to a spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves. Stop at local workshops to see Kalaga tapestries being made, gold leaf being beaten into paper-thin pieces. Continue to Mandalay Royal Palace, where Burma's last two kings lived.
Afternoon tour includes Shwe Nandaw Kyuang or ‘Golden Palace Monastery’ noted for its intricate wood carvings, Kayuktawgyi Pagoda with its huge marble Buddha and Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to ‘The World’s Largest Book’, a collection of some 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.
Atop Mandalay Hill lie glittering glass-studded temple walls which reflect the evening glow as you watch the sunset.
DISCOVER MANDALAY'S SURROUNDINGS
Transfer to jetty. We embark at a simple wooden jetty. Cruise to the village of Mingun. Visit the world’s largest uncracked bell and marvel at the impressive sight of the unfinished Mingun Pagoda. Continue to the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cosmology.
Return to Mandalay. (Please contact us if you require boat service from us)
Later in the afternoon, we take a short drive to the ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Visit the world's longest teak bridge, U Bein to capture that memorable photo of the bridge at sunset before heading back to Mandalay.
TIME TO SAY GOOD–BYE
Morning free at leisure.
Transfer to International airport for flight to next destination.
Facts
from $1515.00
Price is based in total on a party of 2 Persons/pax.
Includes : car with driver (saloon/sedan)
Validity : from October 2018 & onwards
Note: 2 nights trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake, one day visit to tribes and boat trip in Hsipaw, one day boat tour in Inle Lake, Mingun boat tour in Mandalay by your own account
THE REAL MYANMAR has its own fleet of modern rental cars. Our vehicles are well maintained in an excellent condition and reliably. We offer vehicles and buses from two people up to groups for which we offer comfortable minibuses. Our drivers have been carefully selected. They are extremely reliable. As a rule, they speak at least basic English (rarely German, Chinese, Thai language skills). They are not tourist guides or official guides. But they know their homeland Myanmar (Burma) well. They also assist you in the selection of restaurants or lodging during the trip. This route is only a suggestion.
Our guests can make their tour of Burma according to their own plans. You stop where ever you want. You are your own "tour operator". This kind of traveling is the most common way to see Myanmar. Your own rental car with our local driver brings you close as possible to the people of Myanmar.