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Quintessential Myanmar
Take a step back in time to witness Myanmar's timeless charms. Experience this classic journey of Myanmar starting from Yangon to rustic Inle Lake and ancient Bagan to uncover the gems of this storied Indochina enigma.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in boutique luxury hotels and lodges
Be guided by specialists guides
Enjoy the spectacular Ballons Over Bagan experience
Savor delightful and traditional cuisine of Myanmar
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE YANGON
Arrive Yangon this morning as we then embark on an introductory tour of the fast-developing city, including a short ride on the local circular train. Yangon is a sprawling city with a relatively small downtown area including several markets, colonial buildings, the Yangon River and a very green area with tree-lined streets and several lakes. Experience the different faces of Yangon from the landmarks to the hidden markets that have seen only few westerners. This afternoon, we will meet with Ma Thanegi (Burmese writer, food lover and former secretary of Aung San Suu Kyi) at your hotel for a drink. She will give you an insight of the events in Myanmar history as she was closely associated to the opposition movement in the uprising of 1988. She spent 3 years in the Insein Jail and published a number of books including “Nor Iron Bars a Cage”. As evening falls, we visit the illuminated Shwedagon pagoda – a magic and mystical moment at a time it’s not very busy on the main platform. Your guide will explain to you the history of the pagoda for a deeper insight in the Buddhist religion and how the spiritual belief is mixed with the belief in nats – the Myanmar spirits. Participate in Mee Htun Bwe, a special ceremony of offerings to Buddha in hopes of receiving wisdom and enlightenment. You will assist in lighting 1000 oil lamps on the platform surrounding the Shwedagon pagoda. Later, we enjoy an Asian inspired dinner prepared by Michelin star chef at the brand-new Seeds restaurant.
Overnight: Strand Hotel, Yangon
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: YANGON / INLE LAKE
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight to Heho where on arrival, meet with your guide for a transfer to the Inle Lake for today's program. In the south of the lake the ruins of Indein are certainly worth a visit. Partly covered by vegetation the area looks like a “pagoda forest”. Take a walk to enjoy a fantastic view over the lake. A home-made cooked lunch is served in a local house. We continue towards the Nam Pan village for a very interesting trip going local with a small canoe. Whenever you are tired paddling yourself we continue by motorboat back to your hotel.
Overnight: Sanctum Inle Resort, Inle Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: INLE LAKE
Today, we will take you by private motorboat around the lake to discover the natural beauty of the lake, visit the floating gardens, see some of the famous leg rowers and have some tea at a local family’s house. Inle Lake in southern Shan State is a vast natural lake surrounded by traditional Shan villages. On the lake itself the Intha people have been living for many centuries in village built entirely on stilts on the lake. On and around the lake traditional markets are held in different villages according to a 5 day rotating schedule and today we will take you to visit a colorful market frequented by Shan and PaO people living nearby. We will also visit a local house where cheroot (the Burmese cigars) are made, floating tomato gardens, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and if wanted we visit a weaving factory. Lunch is served on a rice carrier boat in the middle of Inle Lake. The boat has been transformed into an ephemeral fully-equipped restaurant (An exclusive experience catered by a service boat and a kitchen).
Overnight: Sanctum Inle Resort, Inle Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: INLE LAKE / BAGAN
Spend a relaxing morning and later, we meet an Intha native from the lake who will share her traditional Shan recipes with you today during a traditional Shan cooking class in a family house built on stilt on the lake. It’s not a Master Chef course from a Michelin restaurant owner but it’s simple, tasteful, home-cooked meal from a local lady who has been cooking her whole life for her family and enjoys it! We visit the local market to find all ingredients, go by boat to the traditional house and help to prepare the ingredients, prior to the cooking class. The class ends with a very tasteful lunch, a kitchen apron, some specific local kitchen tools and a list with all ingredients to try it at home. This is a fantastic way to learn a bit of delicious cooking and also to get a taste of the real local life of an Intha on the lake. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the airport for your flight to Bagan where on arrival, transfer and check into the Aureum Palace.
Overnight: Aureum Palace, Bagan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: BAGAN
We explore ancient Bagan today touring the temples with an expert archaeologist showing you the best-known temples of the area. We start the day climbing a pagoda to get a first impressive view over the whole area. From here the guide plans his way to some of the other amazing temples that have been here for
hundreds of years. Places like the Ananda, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Thatbyinnyu will certainly impress you. At dusk, we continue the tour by horse cart pass local villages and through temples before reaching a small hill. Enjoy the sunset in a peaceful location before transferring by car back to your hotel.
Overnight: Aureum Palace, Bagan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: BAGAN
Early morning rise today as we embark on the spectacular "Balloons Over Bagan" hot air balloon ride over the temple zone in Bagan. The mostly British balloon pilots are operating each balloon under highest UK safety standards and the views you will get are simply breathtakingly spectacular. After floating in the air and
following the wind you will land safely and be welcomed back on the ground by a smiling crew serving
cold champagne before bringing you to your hotel. Thereafter, we set out on a trip by jeep to experience life in the villages witnessing daily scenes of local women carrying fire wood, villagers chatting around and at work. Nyaung Gyi is the first village visit and we stop to see a black smith work shop. In Se Ywa village we visit several local workshops Plum purifying, cooking oil producing and wooden slipper maker). Then we continue to Taung Kong village where majority of the people are farmers but also making pottery. In the evening, take a boat ride on the mighty Ayeyarwady River and have some sundowners on a sandbank in the middle of the river. Enjoy a spectacular sunset while your guide will be serving cocktails and some snacks. Dinner will be served on the boat.
Overnight: Aureum Palace, Bagan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: DEPART BAGAN
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey to either Yangon or Mandalay for your journey home, continue your adventures in Myanmar or elsewhere in Indochina.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Built in 1901 and acquired soon after by the Sarkies brothers, famed for the likes of Raffles in Singapore and The E&O in Penang, The Strand Hotel remains one of Asia’s most enduring and awe-inspiring Colonial landmarks. The recently-refurbished icon offers contemporary luxury and comfort combining timeless elegance and grandeur to ensure a representative experience in Yangon.
At the Sanctum Inle Resort, arches and cloisters reference the monastic life, opening the doors on a more contemplative experience of travel. With a design that celebrates the fundamentals, that merges the spiritual and the secular, the past and the present, East and West, the hotel is a gateway to one of the Asia’s most fascinating locales.
The Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Bagan is an expansive resort set amidst 27 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, offering the ultimate in relaxation for guests seeking a unique journey into the history of ancient Bagan. Antiques, artifacts and local arts uniquely adorn each villa, complementing the majestic ambiance of the resort and its surroundings.