Myanmar Adventure Tour (IPB09)

Mingalabar! Welcome to Yangon, Myanmar.

Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the downtown. While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 02:00 pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

If you arrive in the morning, we have time to visit the world-famous golden Shwedagon Pagoda in the afternoon, a breathtaking and colorful sight visited by Buddhists from all over Myanmar.

This evening with our guide followed by a welcome dinner at Shwe Sa Bwe restaurant, a social enterprise that trains and employs underprivileged youth to provide a step up in life.

Overnight in Yangon.
Meals: (_/_/D)

After breakfast, start a full-day tour by visiting famous Botahtung Pagoda at first. Continuing to 2000 years old Sule Pagoda where contains a Buddha’s hair in a golden dome. Take a look around the colorful Bogyoke market where obtains Myanmar souvenirs, a perfect replacement for shopping.

Walking around the National Museum and the magnificent complex architecture of British Colonial are the main tourist attractions downtown. Extending visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments before come back to the hotel in Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). Thousands of ancient stupas and temples in this area make Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. From the 11^th till the 13^th century, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers of constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

Arrive Bagan and check-in at the hotel. The sightseeing starts with most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair; Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyiinn village) – the 13th-century‘ cave temple’ with fine frescoes of scenes from Jakatas; Ananda Temple – one of the masterpieces surviving and remaining in Bagan and considered to be in the Mon architecture style; Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain.

Enjoy the sunset on the mighty Irrawaddy river by slow cruise.

Overnight in Bagan.
Meals: (B/L/_)

Early morning, we will transfer to the jetty and take a private boat to Kyun Chaung. Then, we drive to Mindat (roughly 8 hours). The countryside is dry and flat and there are numerous sand streams to cross. Stop at Pauk Township, we have lunch at Shwe Aye Ka Yee Restaurant. From Pauk forward, the countryside is getting more and more green and hilly. Before reaching the Chin Hills, it’s able to see rice paddies and vegetable cultivations.

The Amay Ye Yin Nat shrine marks the beginning of the Chin State. After taking a coffee break at Kyauk Htu village, we continue on the steep road up the Chin Hills to Mindat, as a former British Hill Station of the southern Chine State.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Mountain Oasis Resort.
Meals: (B/L/D)

Have breakfast before a stroll around the downtown comprising visits of the market area and also private dwellings to witness how the locals earn their living. The time is enough to trek to some smaller Chin villages near Mindat.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Mountain Oasis Resort.
Meals: (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we will start a trekking trip to Mount Victoria.

On the way to Aye Camp, we stop at Khin Nu village to explore the native village life. The natives make their living by planting rice, corn, castor seeds, and beans. From here, we will be on the small footpath to go further down the valley to the Chi stream.  Walking to the abundant water place, we stop for lunch and rest next to the Chi stream.

After lunch, we cross the Chi stream then ascend steep tracks. We pass through hot and cultivated fields, then through cool and pleasant pine forests until we arrive at the Aye Camp.

On arrival, take a break and visit the nearby Chin village. Shy and cautious, you may be invited to enjoy a cup of rice wine, which will warm up and make closer between hosts and guests. Women dress colorful traditional costumes. The elders have bold tattoos like webs on faces and smoke cheroots (tobacco pipes). Some of the men still wear pure golden earrings, inherited by their fathers. Family stories will be exchanged, questions answered, children, introduced. Packed with these memories

Return the Aye Camp for dinner.

Overnight in Camp.
Meals: (B/L/D)

From Aye Camp, our car will take you to the 8th Mile Junction. From here, we start a steep climb until getting in the Ranshi Junction where one way will lead to Mt. Victoria and the other to Mindat.

The way from the Ranshi Junction to Summit Camp goes through the stunning alpine rose forests. From Summit Camp, it takes only 5 minutes of walk to the Mt. Victoria Peak (3055m). Explore Zi Na Man Aung pagoda on the top and take a panorama of the surrounding Chin mountain ranges.

In the afternoon, we hike back on the same trail to the 8th Mile Junction, then moving by car to Kanpelet. The road will descend and run through pine jungles with a lot of birds and butterflies. Kanpepet Township is located 1400m above the sea level.

Enjoy dinner.

Overnight at Mountain Oasis Resort.
Meals: (B/L/D)

It will take 7 hours to drive back Bagan. The steep road is first down and it is possible to see a delightful town in a green valley. From here, the road goes up and down through deep forests and later the scenery is arider and arider. Along the way, we will stop for lunch at Kan Zun Ma village, then keep driving 2 hours to Seik Phyu, where you pass over a bridge to cross the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Overnight in Bagan.
Meals: (B/L/_)

An early morning transfer to jetty and take the boat trip to Mandalay. There is no better chance of witnessing and enjoying the natural scenic beauty and the ways of life along the Ayeyarwady River.

Lunch will be served on the boat.

The boat will depart from Bagan at 05.30 am and arrive in Mandalay at 17.00.

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Mandalay.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast, board a boat for a 1-hour cruise across the Ayeyarwaddy River (Irrawaddy) to the rural village of Mingun to view its massive unfinished pagoda dramatically cracked in half by an earthquake in the 1800s; Mingun’s bronze bell believed to be a largest uncracked bell in the world and the beautiful Myatheindan pagoda which represents Mt. Meru and the abode of celestial beings.

Return back to Mandalay enjoying lunch.

Afternoon highlight to the most significant Buddha images covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in wars between competing kingdoms; the Golden Palace Monastery, the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone tablets and regarded the world’s largest book in terms of surface area. Time permitting, we enjoy a stroll through the lively Zegyo Market in the heart of the city to experience authentic local life.

We end our day with sunset panoramic views over the city skyline on Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city.

Overnight in Mandalay.
Meals: (B/L/_)

An adventure day by mountain bike around ancient capital in Mandalay.

Venture outside the city to the Buddha land of Sagaing. This religious hub presents education for monks at different levels. After visiting Sagaing University, we will proceed to visit Buddha cave and U Min Thonze Pagoda, Soon U Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, Tupayon temple where you can enjoy the great view of Mandalay.

This afternoon, we will travel to Ava, Amarapura to discover the Maha Aungmye Bonzan, Gabaya Monastery, Leaning Nam Myint Tower, and the nearby attractions.

Enjoy a walk over U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in Myanmar.

Overnight in Mandalay.
Meals: (B/L/_)

Transfer to Mandalay Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival,  drive down into the valley to Nyaung Shwe on the edge of Inle Lake.

During today’s excursion by boat on picturesque Inle Lake we see the famous leg rowers, the typical floating gardens where fruit and vegetables are grown, local methods of fishing, and village life.  A highlight is often visiting the traditional village of Paukpar, with its neat rows of bamboo houses and where we may be able to stop and visit a family for Shan tea.

In the afternoon, we visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State and the boat construction workshop at Nampan village as well as stopping to see some traditional handicrafts – silk weaving on wooden handlooms in Inpawkon village, a cheroot workshop and a blacksmith shop.

Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery (Jumping cats), one of the oldest monasteries on the lake and where inside its large wooden meditation hall and are over 200-year-old ancient Buddha statues. Returning back to the hotel the beauty of the sunset over Inle Lake enchants all visitors.

Overnight at Inle Lake/ Nyaung Shwe.
Meals: (B/L/_)

Start from Nyaung Shwe town (commercial center of Heho), we will start our boat trip to Hpe-Kom, the last lake of Inle.

On the way, we will visit Sagar village, famous for more than 400 pagodas and stupas on its land. Have lunch on the lake and continue our boat ride to Hpe-Kom. Admire the beautiful, lush scenery on the boat side of this lake. Inle´s calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation, fishing canoes, and bamboo houses that will free your hassle away. We will reach Hpe-kom and after 1-hour driving, arrive Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State.

Check-in hotel in Loikaw, we will visit the Kayah museum to study the traditional way of living of the Kayah people. In the late afternoon, we will proceed to Thiri Mingalar Taung Kwe Zedi, the landmark of the Kayah State, to enjoy a panoramic view of Loikaw and its surroundings at sunset time.

Overnight in Loikaw.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After your breakfast, we begin the day with a tour of Loikaws highlights with stops at the Haw Kyaung, a former Shan chieftain’s palace, which has been converted into a monastery and the Kayah State Museum, to learn about the fascinating history and culture of the state.

After a lunch stop, we drive 30 minutes out of town into the serene countryside to explore the recently opened Kyat Gu cave system, a sprawling limestone cavern full of mesmerizing geological structures.

In the late afternoon, we return to town to enjoy a beautiful sunset atop Loikaws iconic Taung Kwe Pagoda. The pagoda is perched on top of a limestone outcrop overlooking the city and offers excellent views of the surrounding landscape

Overnight in Loikaw.
Meals: (B/L/_)

One hour transfer by car brings you to Pa Say Lar Village in Dee Maw Soe Township to jump off our wonderful 6 hours trek to Panpet Village, the origin place of the Kayan (Padaung) tribe.

Take time so see the long neck “giraffe” woman. There are about 20 – 25 houses in the village that the woman still wears the bronze coils around their neck. Taste the local wine while visiting the house and talking to the ethnic tribe to get better knowledge about their history. Start trekking in the midst of a beautiful and breathtaking wide range of mountains.

A lunch box will be served on the way.

After Panpat, drive back to Dee Maw Soe and a short stop at Ngwe Taung Dam before returning to your hotel for a rest. We will finish the evening by enjoying your choice of coffee, fruit juice, or beer at one of the many coffee shops surrounding Nyaung Yar Lake. Locals descend on the lake in the early evening to take in the cool weather, rowboats, and lively atmosphere.

Overnight in Loikaw.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast, we will drive back to Kalaw. This 5 hour-traveling on road will pass through the villages where people grow seasonal farming products, from sesame to pea, corn, wheat… to fruit like mango, avocado, oranges… Passing each village, you will witness a different specialty, join the farmers, or just taking pictures on the way.

Lunch at Hpe-Kom with local fishes.

Continue driving back to Kalaw – the England old colonial hill station, also the biggest farming products town of Burmese. Reach Kalaw in the late afternoon, you will feel the fresh atmosphere and refresh of climate as this town is 1,400 meters over the sea level

Overnight in Kalaw.
Meals: (B/L/_)

Pick up from Kalaw, and drive to Magwe Village and walk to the camp

Take a light refreshment. Walk to the river to the Elephant bath. You can join in feeding and bathing the elephants.

Exploration of the forest area on the elephant back, opportunity to see butterflies, birds, and orchids in the area.

Lunch in the main camp. After lunch, you can explore the surrounding area with a local trekking guide

You are also welcome to join us in planting indigenous trees from our nursery in our forest recovery efforts

Back to Elephant camp and drive back to Kalaw.

Overnight in Kalaw.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast set off on the road to Heho airport for a morning flight back to Yangon.

Upon arrival, your private car and guide pick you up. Continue to Kin Pun where you start in the trucks and on foot for Kyaikhtiyo (the ‘Golden Rock’).

On arrival, walk over a large platform to the Golden Rock and watch the beauty at this important pilgrimage site. Usually, the place is lively with many people coming to spend precious moments here.

Overnight in the Golden Rock.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast, return with a truck to Kin Pun, and rejoin your car and driver.

Drive to Bago. Here you visit the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old, and whose tip is even taller than that of Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. Continue to the 55-meter-long reclining Shwe Thalyaung Buddha image, one of the country’s most revered objects. Visit the Maha Kalayani Sima (ordination hall) and Mahazedi (Great Stupa), offering panoramic views.

Lastly, continue to Yangon, with a brief stop at Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four giant Buddha figures. Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Yangon.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast finish the tour with a visit to downtown Yangon with its faded colonial atmosphere, Sule Pagoda, Mahabandoola Park, India town, and bustling Chinatown.

In the afternoon there is free time for shopping at Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott’s Market before transferring to Mingaladon Airport for onward flight.

End of services.

Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)