DAY 01: ARRIVAL YANGON ( D )
Upon arrival, be met transfer to your hotel. Late afternoon, we start with a short walking tour through colonial Yangon before enjoying to a welcome dinner in Padonmar situated in a colonial villa in Yangon for a traditional Burmese dinner.
(Welcome dinner)
DAY 02: YANGON – BAGAN ( B, L, D )
Rise early to experience Yangon’s at this special time with market, monks and mohinga! Start with exploring a fish market at its busiest time on Yangon River. Then, continue to 24 hour vegetable market and try the famous Burmese breakfast Mohinga (a mild fish soup with noodles and crackers). By that time, the monks are walking through the streets to collect their alms and you can partake in the ritual before returning to your hotel for your full western breakfast.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Bagan via Mandalay. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, a specialist from the Archaeological Department will take your through the wonders of Bagan with its 2000 over temples on a plain by the Irrawaddy River. The day ends with a sunset from the Pyathagyi temple with some refreshing drinks served!
DAY 03: BAGAN ( B, L, D )
This morning is set aside for an option Hot Air ballooning over Bagan (additional cost US$ 355/Pax).
Late afternoon, we continue our exploration of the many temples of Bagan and in between, enjoy a picnic lunch spread out in a historical setting of a beautiful temple in a forgotten part of Bagan.
After some rest and as the day wane, we take a private boat ride on the mighty Irrawaddy and enjoy a spectacular sunset with the silhouette of the temples and champagne and canapés.
DAY 04: BAGAN – KALAW ( B, L, D )
Transfer to the airport for flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive about 1 hour to Kalaw, the former British hill station Kalaw has a bit of a colonial atmosphere with the old villas, churches and schools.
Spend the afternoon at an Elephant conservation project - a rewarding day in the forest surrounding Kalaw encountering elephants, their mahouts and hill tribe people living in the surrounding. The project focuses on protecting the nature, elephants and traditions of local people living in an area close to Kalaw. In a big part of this private protected forest the nature can grow undisturbed creating a natural habitat for animals that could otherwise be easily hunted down and killed. The project includes creating a natural environment for some Myanmar elephants from this part of the world and helping the local population to grow out of the vicious circle of poverty through education and micro finance.
We start an hour trekking through the forest and visit some hill tribes. Then, we drive and hike to the elephant camp where an exclusive picnic lunch awaits us in the camp. During the lunch a veterinarian specialised on elephants and elephant health will join us and give a 30 min lecture about Burmese elephants. After lunch it is time to help the mahout washing and feeding the elephant.
DAY 05: KALAW - INLE LAKE ( B, L, D )
We travel through the Shan Plateau today by road to Khaung Dine village where we board a private boat to Inle Lake. Nestled at 1381m among forested hills, the lake is described to be outrageously beautiful.
We arrive at Indein ruins, in the south of the lake. Partly covered by vegetation the area looks like a “pagoda forest”. We will walk about 1 hour to enjoy a fantastic view over the lake and visit the primary school in Tha ley village. 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.
Catch a motor boat to your hotel at the end of the day.
DAY 06: INLE LAKE ( B, L, D )
Spend a full day on Inle Lake. We will take you by private motorboat around the lake to discover the natural beauty of the lake, visit the floating gardens, hopefully see some of the famous leg rowers and have some tea at a local family’s house. 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
Khaung Daing to visit a colourful market frequented by Shan and Pao people living nearby.
Enjoy lunch on rice carrier boat in middle of Inle Lake. An exclusive experience catered by a service boat and a kitchen boat from Viewpoint restaurant whereby a kitchen boat is preparing the lunch right next to you.
Then, continue our sightseeing visiting a local cheroot factory (where the Burmese cigars are made), floating tomato gardens, Intha Heritage house where the Burmese cats are bred and a weaving factory.
DAY 07: INLE LAKE – YANGON ( B, L, D )
Rise early to travel by boat and drive about 1 hour to Heho Airport back to Yangon. After lunch at Sharky’s restaurant, it’s shopping time in the afternoon. Late afternoon, indulge in a behind the scene Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda tour. During this interactive half day tour we take you through the back door and show you the full history of the pagoda, the daily life of all people living in the immediate surroundings of the pagoda and a deeper insight in the Buddhist religion and how the spiritual belief is mixed with the belief in nats – the Myanmar spirits. The tour includes a visit to a fortune teller and exclusive access to some old monasteries. This evening, be treated to a farewell gala dinner at Le Planteur.
DAY 08: YANGON – DEPARTURE ( B)
Morning free at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight out. End of our service
Highlights of Trip:
- Explore Bagan with an archaeologist;
- In Bagan: Sunset tea atop a Bagan Temple with stunning view, sunset champagne cruise on Irrawady and picnic lunch in a deserted by beautiful temple;
- An afternoon at an elephant project with the founders and mahout plus a veterinarian presentation;
- A cooking demonstration and lunch on a rice barge on Inle Lake;
- Behind the scene tour of Shwedagon to understand the spirituality of the place;
- Special welcome and farewell dinner;
- Escorted by Luxury Travel Concierge; |
