Classic option from US$3025* PP
Trip code: BRE-C-13 |
Group size: Max 16, Avg 12
START Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Yangon FINISH
Delve into Burma (Myanmar) on a journey that uncovers the essence of the country at highlight sites, like the thousands of majestic temples filling the Bagan plains, but also reveals hidden gems such as a light trek to the villages beyond Inle Lake. Full of surprises, discover local markets, hilltribe regions and floating gardens, giant Buddha statues and the ‘World’s Biggest Book’. The people of Burma welcome you to their home, with genuine warmth and a friendly smile.
Availability
800 342 1957
2013
DAYS 1-2: YANGON (RANGOON)
On arrival in Yangon, transfer to your hotel before meeting your tour leader and the small group that will share your adventure at a welcome dinner. Walk through the winding city streets and discover the British-colonial architecture and the golden Sule Pagoda. The Indian and Chinese quarters offer an insight into local life in the city. Get a closer look at the Shwedagon Pagoda, seen from much of the city, as the sun sinks in the sky.
Hotel: Summit Park View
DAYS 3-4: BAGAN (PAGAN)
A short flight brings you to Bagan, where a horse-cart ride is a unique way to glimpse the thousands of temples dotting the plains here. A more in-depth exploration is afforded on a two hour bicycle ride, stopping at the Thagyar Pone Temple with stunning views over the plains. There will be a backup vehicle for non-cyclists. Visit the Ananda temple and see the mural paintings and carvings of Gubyaukgyi Temple. Learn more about traditional handicrafts at a local workshop and visit a local school before a boat ride on the Irrawaddy River.
Hotel: Thazin Garden
DAYS 5-7: MANDALAY
An early morning flight brings you to Mandalay. Board a horse and cart for a tour around Ava, the old capital, and see the ancient, wooden Bagaya Monastery. Visit the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort and Mandalay Hill which has an abundance of pagodas and monasteries. Wonder at the intricate carvings at the Golden Palace Monastery and the huge marble Buddha at Kyauktawgyi Pagoda. This is also the home of the ‘World’s Largest Book’, a collection of over 700 stone slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Walk along a 200-year-old teak bridge, spanning over two kilometers. At Sagaing Hill, see hundreds of pagodas painted white. With over 3,000 monks and nuns, this is widely regarded as the religious center of Burma. Here, visit a local nunnery to offer food bought from a local market and join the nuns for lunch, a heart-warming experience. Board a boat to Mingun to hear the giant Mingun Bell and see the whitewashed Hisnbyume Pagoda. Meet local craftsmen at a small neighborhood nearby.
Hotel: Mandalay City
DAY 8: PINDAYA CAVES & KALAW HILL STATION
Fly to Heho and transfer to the Pindaya caves, filled with Buddha statues from the 18th and 19th century. Spend an afternoon at leisure in Kalaw, a former, British hill station with colonial architecture.
Hotel: Pine Hill Resort
DAYS 9-11: INLE LAKE & HILL TRIBE TREK
Get a taste for life in the region at a morning market, before a fun train ride to Shwe Nyaung, a real local experience. Explore a nearby town before an afternoon to relax. A tour of Inle Lake begins with the morning market which is a chance to meet some of the people who gather here from the surrounding hilltribe villages. At the Nga Hpe Kyaung Monastery see the cats that have been taught to jump by the local monks, and then continue by boat to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary. Learn about local crafts at a weaving village, silversmith and see how typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. In the afternoon, visit a local village. A full day of light trekking takes you to the Pa-O villages in the hills beyond Inle Lake, or if you prefer not to trek you could choose to swim, cycle, visit an orphanage or even a local vineyard.
Hotel: Inle Resort
DAYS 12-13: YANGON (RANGOON)
A morning flight to Yangon leaves you with most of the day to explore, with the option to visit some of the great markets in town. On the last day, enjoy free time before your departure transfer.
Hotel: Summit Park View
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