Burma Off The Beaten Track

Nestled between two of Asia’s great – India and China – Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a land of breathtaking beauty which remains relatively untouched by tourism. This 11 night tour takes in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Kalaw and Inle Lake and includes an unmissable luxury cruise up the Ayeyarwaddy River. Escorted by English speaking local guides and staying in superb accommodation, you will have the chance to discover more about the country’s fascinating history and learn more about everyday life as you meet local tradesmen, villagers and tribes along the way.

Day 1: Arrive Yangon

When you arrive at Yangon International Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Once you have freshened up, it is time to start exploring. Yangon is the main gateway and former capital city of Myanmar and home to the famous Shwedagon Pagada. Believed to have been built over 2500 years ago, this magnificent building is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the Stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest which is a single 76 carats. An impressive start to your Myanmar adventure.

Day 2: Yangon (B, L)

After breakfast, you will travel by ferry to the southern town of Dhala where you can explore the colourful countryside and witness daily life along the banks of Yangon. Dhala is a wonderful place to experience true village life as you visit the market and take a ride in a trishaw. Enjoy the relaxed pace, visit the Shwe Sayah Pagoda and witness the friendliness of the locals. After lunch back in Yangon, it’s time to see more of the city and its period architecture and memories of the past. We highly recommend a visit back to the Shwedagon Pagoda as the sun sets to experience the magic and serenity.

Day 3: Mandalay (B, L)

An early morning flight will take you to Mandalay – both a bustling city and a tribute to the country’s ancient culture. You will see the spiritually important Mahamuni Pagada, home to one of the most famous seated Buddha images and Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), an imposing teak monastery-temple that was originally built within the palace complex. After lunch in a local restaurant you will continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda which is said to house the world’s largest book on account of the 729 marble slabs that are inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. To finish the day, you will enjoy a scenic drive to the top of Mandalay Hill to watch as the sun sets over the beautiful city.

Day 4: Mandalay (B, L)

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll start your day with a cruise down the Ayeyarwady River, passing picturesque villages along the way. Your destination is a visit to the ancient relics of Mingun, famous for its spectacular unfinished stupa (a commemorative monument) standing at over 50m high and its impressive bronze bell.

After lunch in a local restaurant you will visit the City of Immortality. Amarapura (or the City of Immortality) was the former capital of Myanmar and now boasts a wonderful legacy of craftsmanship. You’ll find traditional silk and cotton weavers in workshops scattered throughout the city, while bronze and woodworkers create beautiful images of Buddha. You’ll also visit the iconic U Bien Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. Linking Taungthaman village with Amarapura, it’s a busy commuter bridge and makes for a wonderful photo opportunity.

Day 5: RV Orient Pandaw (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will check into your upper deck cabin on board the handcrafted RV Orient Panda. Hand-finished in teak and brass, the ship combines traditional colonial character and style with modern luxury and offers the chance to journey further into undiscovered Myanmar. Make use of the wonderful open air deck to watch the spectacular scenery, enjoy a drink at the bar or lose yourself in a book from the well-stocked library. In the afternoon, you will moor in Sameikkon, which you can explore on foot.

Day 6: Bagan (B, L)

If the weather is good, enjoy an early start by watching the sunrise from the deck of the boat before breakfast, followed by a relaxing few hours of cruising. Your next stop is Bagan and your guide will greet you from the boat and transfer you to your hotel. Bagan is a place with a fascinating past. It is home to over 2000 pagodas, temples and monasteries but also modern day markets, artisan workshops and holds a rich sense of village life. The best way to appreciate the scale of the ruins is watching the sun set from the top of a temple.

Day 7: Bagan (B, L)

Head back to the river today as you set out in a local jeep to venture deep into the rural side of Bagan. Visit several different villages specialising in their own ‘cottage industry’ – cane weaving, basket weaving and cotton weaving to name but a few. The jeep will then take you the 11th century Taunt Kyi Taung Pagoda, perched on a hill with superb sweeping views of the river and temples of Bagan. After lunch the afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 8: Heho – Kalaw (B, L)

This morning you will take an onward flight to Heho, where you will be met by a local guide who will drive you to the hill station of Kalaw. High in the hills, the air is fresh and the surrounding hilly countryside offers unbeatable trekking. Built by the British wanting to escape the heat of the plain, the town retains its colonial charm. Take in the Aug Chan Tha Zedi, a glittering stupa in the centre of town and the interesting central market, where it is sometimes possible to see traders from nearby hill-tribe villages selling and buying their wares. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before checking into your hotel.

Day 9: Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp (B, L)

After breakfast, a beautiful scenic 40 minute drive from Kalaw brings you to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. A retirement home for old and ill elephants who have worked most of their lives in the timber industry, it is a wonderful place to get up close to these magnificent animals in their natural habitat and to learn more about the important role they have played in the country. Owned and run by a former elephant vet, their wellbeing is of utmost importance and is a wonderful example of Myanmar’s first steps into eco-tourism. Your visit will include a chance to feed and bath the elephants and every activity is conducted with the animals’ welfare in mind. After lunch, you are welcome to accompany a local guide to explore the lush countryside before returning to Kalaw in the afternoon.

Day 10: Inle Lake (B, L)

After breakfast you will board the train for the journey from Kalaw to Heho to travel as a local. Your destination is the enormous Inle Lake, dotted with interesting villages and astounding floating gardens. The lake is home to a number of local tribes famous for their unique leg rowing technique. You will also visit Shwe Yaung Pyay Kyaung Monastery before stopping at The Red Mountain Estate & Vineyard to sample what are, reputedly, the best wines in the country. After a tour of the vineyards and winery, there will be a chance to taste the wines and enjoy lunch at the estate. A private boat will then take you to your hotel in the centre of Inle Lake.

Day 11: Inle Lake (B, L)

Today you will visit the wonderful 5-day market with rotates between towns in the Inle Lake region. You will have plenty of time to explore the market before visiting several nearby villages to see local cigar making and silk weaving. After lunch, you will visit the five ancient gold-covered Buddha images at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest monastery on the lake. There will also be the opportunity to visit a floating garden and watch the Intha fishermen in action.

Day 12: Return to Yangon (B)

A morning flight after breakfast will take you back to Yangon where you will be met and taken into the town. You will have the chance to explore Bogyoke Aung San Market, commonly known by its old British name of Scott Market. It’s the best place to discover a bargain, pick up any last minute gifts and enjoy haggling with the local traders before your late transfer to Yangon International airport for your flight home.

“Prices vary according to season and are per person based on two people a twin/double room”

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• 11 nights accommodation as per above itinerary in twin & double rooms with daily breakfast included
• RV Orient Pandaw Cruise 1 night upper deck cabins
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in an air-conditioned vehicle
• The service of English Speaking local guides in each destination
• Meals as specified in the above itinerary (drinks are not included)
• Bottle water and cool towel provided on transfers and sightseeing
• Private boats and canoes included in excursion on Inle Lake
• Private Horse Cart for Bagan sightseeing

TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International airfares
• Hotel early check- in and late check-out
• Myanmar Visa fee (see below)
• Meals other than specified as included
• Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (minibar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
• Tips or gratuities to guides/drivers/porters/hotel, restaurant or boat staff etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
• Balloon flight over Mandaly or Bagan: £200 per person
• Balloon flight over Lake Inle: £240 per person
• Important information regarding guiding services – Supplement for the
• services of an English Speaking throughout £ 420

Visa:

A visa is COMPULSORY to enter Myanmar. A 28-day tourist visa is usually sufficient for most visitors. Important Note: The Visa is valid 3 months from date of issue and NOT date of entry into the country so please time your application accordingly.