Myanmar Highlights

Dossier

Isolated Myanmar holds a wealth of cultural and historical treasures, and this trip spends time exploring its rich heritage. From chaotic and charming Yangon, packed with remnants of British rule we head to the incredible Inle Lake, situated amidst mountains and fringed with charming traditional villages. We visit the royal capital at Mandalay with its numerous sites, including the beautiful teak bridge at Amarapura and the intricately craved Shwenandaw monastery. Take the opportunity to visit traditional villages around Kalaw, enjoy a scenic ride on a local train, and explore the old colonial hillstation of Maymyo. A highlight for most travellers will be left until the end of this trip. Bagan is one of the most spectacular sites in Asia, a vast collection of ancient temples which rise out of the dusty plains next to the Ayeyarwaddy and make for superb exploration. Myanmar is one of the most stunning parts of Asia.

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Day 1 - Yangon
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to the hotel. Time permitting begin sightseeing including colourful downtown Yangon, Chaukhtatkyi, a colossal reclining Buddha; a scenic photo stop on beautiful Kandawgyi Lake and the Shwedagon Pagoda, arguably the world's most impressive golden stupa. Overnight Summit Park View Hotel or similar.

Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a delightfully ramshackle city. Founded in the 18th century and becoming an important port it was destroyed by fire and then again suffered during the Second Anglo-Burmese War in the 19th century. Much of downtown Yangon hosts a splendid array of colonial style architecture dating back to the British occupation, including the wonderfully picturesque City Hall and the High Court. Many streets are thronged with people buying from the numerous stalls set up alongside the pavements, selling everything from fried insects to engine parts. Central Yangon contains the wonderfully gaudy Sule Pagoda, an ancient structure in the middle of a busy intersection, which gives a great picture of how Myanmar melds ancient spirituality and modern day commercial interests. The jewel in Yangon’s crown is however the Shwedagon Pagoda, a collection of stupas encrusted in gold which attracts pilgrims from all over Myanmar and is said to contain hairs from Buddha. Containing numerous images of nats (spirits) and Buddha himself, Shwedagon is immensely important for the Burmese people, and is where Aung San Suu Kyi addressed a crowd of hundreds of thousands demanding democracy from the military regime.

Day 2 - Heho - Inle Lake
Transfer to Inle Lake and begin sightseeing of this magical lake via private boat. Highlights include the boatmen with their unique 'one-legged' rowing style, the floating gardens and the 'jumping cats' monastery. Overnight Hu Pin Hotel or similar. (B)

Inle Lake
Enormous Inle Lake is one of Myanmar’s key attractions. With a shoreline littered with stilt villages, it is famous for its fishermen, who row their boats using their legs – an amazingly photogenic sight. A boat trip through the lake reveals small villages with water buffalo wading into the water, and wooden monasteries that have been here for centuries. The surrounding area is mountainous and home to the Pa-O people, among other ethnic groups, who can be found wearing their traditional headgear.

Day 3 - Inle Lake
Continue exploring Inle Lake with a memorable visit to idyllic Indain village with its 16th century pagodas. We can also visit a local silk weaving 'factory' which sits on stilts on the lake. Overnight Hu Pin Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 4 – Kalaw
Drive to Kalaw, the capital of Shan state and a popular hillstation in colonial times. On the way visit Myin Ma Hti cave, which houses many Buddha images and small stupas. Overnight Dream Villa Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 5 – Kalaw – Mandalay
This morning you have a choice of activities; either visit the sites of Kalaw itself, including Nee Paya with its gold lacquered bamboo Buddha, or hike to the Palaung Villages of Ywathit Taryaw and Nyaung Gon (about 4 hours). The animist Palaung tribe were amongst the earliest inhabitants of Myanmar and have kept the tradition of several families living together in ‘long-houses’, cultivating cash crops and tanapet for Burmese cheroot cigars. In the afternoon transfer to Heho and fly to Mandalay. Overnight Mandalay City Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 6 – Mandalay - Amarapura
Visit the former royal capital of Amarapura and stroll along U Bein's Bridge, the world's longest teakwood bridge. Return to Mandalay to visit the town’s many attractions including Mahamuni Pagoda, gold leaf hammering, Shwe Inbin Monastery and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings. Overnight Mandalay City Hotel or similar. (B)

Amarapura
Amarapura is famous for its kilometre long footbridge spanning Taungthaman Lake. A great place to meander along and much used by local people, you can watch Buddhist monks strolling gently by, fishermen in the waters below, and scenes of everyday Burmese life. Nearby is a working monastery which is home to several thousand young monks.

Mandalay
Mandalay has one of the most evocative names in the world, together with other fabled cities such as Kathmandu and Timbuktu. It was the last royal capital of Myanmar, founded in 1857, but was not to last long. Conflict with ever expanding British interests in the late 19th century lead to Mandalay being attacked and the royal family removed, and the city lost its brief significance. Today it is home to a wealth of attractions. The Royal Palace, controversially reconstructed in the 1990’s, replicates the walled city that was home to Myanmar’s last kings. Although not original, it gives an interesting insight into the architecture of the period and a wooden watchtower gives panoramic views over the complex. Mandalay contains numerous payas, monasteries and pagodas, including the intricately carved Shwenandaw Monastery, and Kuthodaw Paya, an astonishing complex which contains countless inscribed marble slabs.

Day 7 - Mandalay - Maymyo
Drive to the former British hillstation of Maymyo (Pyin U Lwin). A tour of the town reveals elegant old colonial houses, and the famous 237 acre botanical garden. Overnight Royal Park View Hotel or similar. (B)

Maymyo
Maymyo, now called Pyin U Lwin, was originally named after the British Colonel May and was once the summer capital for the British in Burma, seeking to escape the heat of the plains. Today it is an excellent example of an old British hillstation, with many well preserved examples of old colonial architecture, standing as a reminder of an empire long deceased. Classically designed churches and horse led stagecoaches give it the feel of bygone era, and it is an excellent place to wander around and explore. It is home to a sizeable population of Indians and Nepalis, who were brought here by the British and never left.

Day 8 – Naung Pain - Mandalay
Early morning transfer to the station to take a local train on a scenic ride over the famous Goitek Viaduct which crosses a deep gorge. We disembark the train at Naung Pain village and take a leisurely drive back to Mandalay. Overnight Mandalay City Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 9 - Bagan
Morning flight to Bagan. Bagan is one of Asia's premier archaeological sites and we spend our time visiting the spectacular temples and pagodas to be found here. This evening we watch the sun set over Bagan – a very special and immensely photogenic experience. Overnight Amazing Bagan Resort or similar. (B)

Bagan
No words can do Bagan justice. A vast plain dotted with innumerable stupas and temples, Bagan’s heyday was between the 11th and 13th centuries, when King Anawahrata embarked upon a massive programme of building that now fills approximately 40 sq. km. on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy. Highlights include the temples of Thatbyinnyu, Ananda Pahto, Shwesandaw and the mighty Dhammayangyi, situated in the middle of the plain. Many temples contain images of the Buddha while others are decorated with ancient frescoes. While some see relatively high numbers of tourists, others remain tantalisingly unexplored and it is quite easy to find yourself the only person there, marvelling over the wonders of an ancient civilisation. Exploring these temples, finding your way through winding and darkened corridors to emerge onto a terrace with spectacular views over the whole area, is one of the highlights of travel within the whole continent of Asia. Watching the sun set and cast a dim yellow glow over hundreds of stupas glittering throughout the plain, is a breathtaking experience not easily forgotten.

Day 10 - Bagan
Continue our exploration of Bagan. We visit the colourful Bagan market and Phya Saw village for an insight into traditional life. We also visit Manuha Temple, and finish the day by taking a sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight Amazing Bagan Resort or similar. (B)

Day 11 – Yangon
Fly back to Yangon. Explore the downtown area with its many large colonial buildings and pavement markets including those selling old books and magazines dating from the 1960’s up to the present. Also visit the famous Scott Market, a sprawling complex built in 1926 and noted for its variety of handicrafts, as well as Chinatown with its markets and small Chinese temples. Overnight Summit Park View Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 12 - Yangon
Tour ends. (B)

Tour style: Traveller

Inclusions:
Arrival and departure transfers
Domestic flights
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:
International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.

The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.