Feel the Burm
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Overview
When we talk about getting off the beaten track, we’re talking about Burma: hill tribes who’ve never seen foreigners, one-legged rowing fisherman, 2000 temples in one valley and a balancing rock held in place by Buddha’s hair. Did someone say bragging rights?
(Was Best of Burma)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Rangoon
Shwedagon Pagoda is made from 8688 sheets of gold and encrusted with 5448 diamonds and 2317 rubies. That’s more bling than a bunch of rappers at a Mr T convention.
Day 1
- Arrive in Rangoon and spend time getting acquainted with this unique destination
Day 2
- Take an orientation tour around the busy streets of Rangoon
- Visit the Sule Pagoda and the Shwedagon Pagoda
- Enjoy free time to make your own discoveries - such as visiting some of the other important temples and pagodas or shopping at the Bogyoke Market
- Transfer to the central railway station and board a train for Bagan
Yuzana Garden or similarDay 3-4 - Pagan (Bagan)
We’ll jump on bikes to ride around some of Pagan’s 2200 pagodas. We love the Buddhas at Ananda Phaya, whose expressions change depending where you stand; and Tayokye Pyay with panoramic views at sunset.
- Spend a whole day here on bicycles, exploring the temples
- Perhaps explore the Nyaung U market - one of the more interesting markets in the country
Golden Express or similarBreakfastDay 5-7 - Mandalay
Tone up your bingo wings as we cruise along the Irrawaddy River (ie. you’ll spend a lot of time waving to locals). Watch the sunset from Mandalay Hill and do your bit for the local economy by sampling Mandalay rum over a bowl of khout swe (coconut noodle soup).
- Board our public ferry before dawn and cruise up the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River to Mandalay
- Take an optional trip to Mandalay Hill for a sunset view over town
- Set off on an excursion by boat, on the Irrawaddy River, up to the village of Mingun, home to the world’s largest unfinished pagoda
- Enjoy free time in Mandalay to visit some of the surrounding elaborate pagodas or temples around town
- Perhaps take a half-day trip up to the hill town of Maymyo
Silver Star Hotel or similarBreakfastDay 8 - Kalaw
By now you’re probably wondering about the yellow face paint everybody's wearing. It’s called thanaka, a paste made from ground tree bark which works as both a sunscreen and a beauty accessory (judging by some of the creative patterns). Take a hike in the hills then reward yourself with a raksi (Nepali-style homemade liquor) from one of the teashops.
En route to Inle Lake, stay in the chilled town of Kalaw
Perhaps set off on some of the hikes in the area
Plenty of "teashops" serving raksi ( nepali-style home made liquor), for those who wish to relax
Dream Villas or similarBreakfastDay 9-11 - Inle Lake
Consider yourself warned: the roads to Nyaungshwe are terrible. But we’ll make it up to you with a boat trip on Inle Lake where you’ll meet the famous leg-rowing Intha fishermen. Haggle over some of Burma’s famous lacquerware at the Ywama floating market.
- Journey to the highlands of the Shan State to spend a couple of nights at the township of Nyaungshwe
- Take a full-day lake tour, by long-boat, and visit some of the local villages, explore unique temples and monasteries, and meet the famous local leg-rowing fishermen from the Intha tribe
- In free time, enjoy walks in the surrounding countryside
Hupin Hotel or similarBreakfastDay 12-13 - Kyaikhtiyo - Bago
You ready for this? Five-hour drive to base camp at Kinponsakan, open truck drive to Rathedaung, trek along a Buddhist pilgrim trail and sleep in accommodation fit for a pilgrim (read between the lines). Best bits: Kyaiktiyo’s balancing rock and Bago’s 55-metre reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha.
- Spent a night near the Golden Rock
- Transfer to an open truck and drive up a steep hill to Rathedaung
- Walk up a path following groups of Buddhist pilgrims, to one of the holiest sites in Burma
- Visit the reclining 55 metre-high Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago
Mountain top Hotel or similarBreakfastDay 14-15 - Rangoon
You might notice it’s a little quieter in Rangoon than the other cities. That’s because it’s illegal to toot your horn unless it’s an emergency. This gorgeous, crumbling, charming, dilapidated city is like an ageing beauty queen (without all the botox).
- Spend free time further exploring the city
- Perhaps find your own way to the monastery of the Reclining Buddha (Chaukhtatgyi Paya), visit the National Museum or do further shopping at Bogyoke Market
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
All tours are led by an experienced local tour guide, plus the services of local site guides at certain sites. All transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and meals as indicated.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
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