Burma Paths-Unknown

This morning, you will be met by your local guide in the lobby for your exploration of Mandalay surrounding. First, catch a boat and transfer the other side of Irrawaddy River. Cycling to the main sites of Mingun, beginning with the famous Mingun Pahtodawgyi. This huge brick structure was left unfinished after an astrologer predicted the king would die should the temple be completed. In the 1800s, an earthquake left several large cracks in the structure giving it the iconic fractured appearance it has today. Then continue to the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda, whose distinctive style is meant to resemble the mythical Mount Meru. Afterwards, view the Mingun Bell which weighs 90 tons and is considered the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell. Continue our journey to Ava, the capital of Myanmar from 14th to 18th centuries. After a short ferry ride across the river, we visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. Cycling through many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and, by riding we will get great glimpses of local life in the Burmese countryside.

Our next stop is Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. Visit a silk-weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and then continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this iconic 2000-year old teak structure. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak wood posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace. At 1.2 kilometers in length, it’s the world’s longest teak wood construction. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of Taungthaman Lake and the surrounding countryside. Return to Mandalay late this afternoon.

Start early in the morning, meet with your guide to witness the daily alms collection of monks. Clothed in red robes and carrying alms bowls, a solemn line of barefoot monks walk along the streets to collect offerings from locals. The morning alms collection is an important part of daily life for Burmese people and symbolizes the ‘making of merit’, which reminds Buddhists of mutual inter-dependence -a principal that is highly valued in Burmese society. After this beautiful ceremony, head to the morning market in central Mandalay. Covering several city blocks, the market is a hive of activity in the early morning hours, with vendors selling mounds of fresh produce, meats, flowers and other items and shoppers arriving by trishaw or motorbike. The setting is incredibly colourful and, while walking through the market, it’s likely to see things unusual sights such as exotic fruits and spices, dried meats and prepared sweets.

Visit a local tea shop- a busy meeting place throughout the day and an integral part of Burmese life. Sip a hot cup of coffee or try the local tea, a strong brew mixed with sweetened condensed milk. Then sample a bowl of local noodles- Mandalay is famous for its mee shay (noodles with pork or chicken, bean sprouts, toasted chickpea flour, rice flour gel, soy sauce and various herbs) and nan gyi toke or mont di (rice noodles with a chicken curry- the difference is the size of the noodles). Also have a taste of mohinga or Shan noodles if appetite allows. Other dishes such as curries, rice and chappati are also available. Return to your hotel to freshen up before being driven to Monywa with stops along the way. It is the major center of agricultural trade in the Chindwin Valley. After reaching Monywa we embark on a short boat ride across the Chindwin River and drive to the fascinating Po Win Taung Caves, a large complex of small sandstone caves containing many Buddha images and interesting wall paintings. On our return to Monywa, re-cross the Chindwin River and enjoy a local trishaw ride to our hotel. Check in to your hotel in Monywa. Overnight in Monywa.

After breakfast, you will be met by your local guide for your morning touring in Monywa. Visit the very colorful Thanbuddhay Pagoda; similar to, though smaller, than the famous Brobudur in Indonesia; and Hlaungdawmu Buddha, the second largest reclining Buddha in Myanmar. Visit the village of Ma U which makes incense sticks.Then drive south (about 1.5 hours), through the rural countryside. Head to Pakkoku, a quiet little town where you will visit a factory of traditional Burmese Iip-Iop and then you will walk around the market of Pakkoku. Then we board a private boat to cruise into the old city of Bagan and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bagan.

The tour begins with a 5-minute boat ride across the Irrawarwaddy River to the banks of the East Kyun Thiri Island. Once you’ve arrived at the island, take an ox-cart ride to the farming village and explore the locals’ gardens growing tomatoes, chillies, mustard, cauliflower and other seasonal vegetables.

You’ll notice that the buildings are raised on stilts in a very distinct style. This is because the village experiences seasonal flooding and the stilts protect the homes from the churning waters below. One of the most important buildings on the island is the ancient wooden monastery. Chat with the head monk who is the third head monk in 120 years since the monastery was built. After learning about the daily lives of this unique island village, enjoy a home-cooked picnic lunch with a Burmese family at their village house and then cross the river and return to Bagan. The perfect way to explore ancient Bagan is riding through and cover the famous temples and pagodas in the Archaeological Zone. This is one of the world's most remarkable archaeological sites, with 2,000 temples and pagodas each with their own fascinating story. Visit Shwezigon Pagoda and its golden stupa, then Htilominlo Temple, well known for its plaster carvings, Thatbyinnyu Temple, the highest temple in Bagan. Continue to Ananda Temple, one of Bagan's most beautiful temples and an architectural masterpiece! Afterwards, you will visit Mynkaba village then explore the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple; a well-known temple worthy for its mural paintings of Jataka scenes under the protection of UNESCO. You will continue by visiting Manuha and Nanpaya temples. Following by a horse carriage driving along ancient temples. (2 passengers per carriage). The tour will end at East Ohtain Taung from which you can admire the sunset. Overnight in Bagan.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, transfer to airport for a flight to Heho. Upon arrival, you wil be met by your local guide for private transfer to Pindaya, a small town in the Shan State. Mainly famous for its limestone caves called Pindaya Caves where thousands of Buddha images have been consecrated for worship over the centuries, it is also one of the towns that host an itinerant market every fifth day. Meet with a local family at their tea plantation. Take a short walk through the plantation, learning how to identify fresh leaves ready for harvest. Walk to the family’s house where they will serve tea from their plantation and local treats. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to prepare tea leaf salad, one of Myanmar’s most beloved snacks. The final visit of the afternoon is the renowned Pindaya caves. You will be amazed by this massive cave where you can admire then thousands of Buddha images found inside. Check in to your Pindaya Inle hotel, situated near the shores of Pindaya Lake towards the east of the city centre. The hotel is situated on beautiful, lush grounds with meandering pathways. There is a simple yet elegant restaurant serving a variety of food. The chalets are lovely and large with a seating area around a fireplace. Overnight in Pindaya.

After breakfast, stepping out for trekking through the spectacular scenery of the Shan State. One of the great pleasures of travel in Myanmar, and in Shan State especially, is trekking. Winding around hills and mountains, the roads seem always to open up new, delightful vistas. Even in hot season, cool breezes take the edge off the beating sun, while its rays dance over farms and shimmering pagodas. Traverse the rolling Shan hills, pass agricultural fields and catch breathtaking views of the lake below. Stop in hill tribe villages, where the way of life has remained untouched by time. This is the perfect day out for the culturally curious adventurer. Return to Pindaya. Overnight in Pindaya.

Travel from Pindaya to Inle lake, nestled at the foothills of the Blue Mountain Range in Shan State. Inle Lake is also the second largest freshwater lake in Myanmar. The scenic 22km-long lake is dotted with stilt houses and verdant floating vegetable gardens, best explored on a long-tail boat.

Most of the lake residents belong to the Intha group, famously known for their leg rowing technique. Other attractions on the lake include ancient temple sites and handicraft workshops specialising in lotus weaving and making cheroot. Explore villages built on stilts and moating gardens, getting a chance to learn about the life and culture of the lake’s residents. Next, we will hop in a boat and take a watery journey to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake’s most sacred temple. You will have the chance to admire Jve Buddha images whose gold leaf offerings have given them a peculiar shape. Continue by boat to Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery which houses dozens of Shan Buddha images, which is famous for its ‘jumping cats’. Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. Overnight on Inle Lake

This morning, let’s go on a kayaking tour on the lake. You will have the chance to discover another face of the Inle lake. We provide both one or two person kayak which is stable and comfortable, as well as easy to steer, even for the novice paddler. Follow your guide through narrow canals not easily accessible to motor-boats. Glide past stilted houses, where the lake’s residents live above the water. Return to your hotel by boat. Have a free afternoon at leisure. Overnight on Inle Lake.

Board a long tail motorboat for a journey to Sagar, a sleepy village at the far southern reaches of Inle Lake. The boat trip takes 2.5-3 hours and passes through stunning scenery, with lush mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water. Relax and enjoy the passing views.

Arrive at Sagar and start exploring the various sites on the water’s edge. Visit the iconic ‘sunken’ stupas of Sagar, a collection of 108 stupas dating back to the 16th century. Several months a year, the water level rises and partially submerges the stupas thus giving them their nickname. Go ashore near to the stupas and take a walk through the compound and its neighbouring village.

Continue to the village of Thaya Gone, home to Pa-Oh, Shan and Intha people. The village is famous for its high-quality, homemade rice wine. Watch the process of distillation and then sample some of the local brew. In Thaya Gone there is also the chance to climb to a hilltop for sweeping views of the lake and surrounding villages. Nearby is Sae Khaung, a small pottery village. Take a walk through the village to see the underground kilns and traditional tools needed to create oil and water pots. One last stop will be made in Tar Kaung, a series of more than 200 stupas set on the western shores of the lake. (Please note that the order of visits may change. The guide and driver will try to avoid other tourist boats to provide a more authentic experience in Sagar.) During the day in Sagar, a stop will be made for lunch at a local restaurant or for a picnic. Around 2.30 the boat will begin its journey back to the main section of Inle Lake. Although the route is the same as in the morning, the trip takes on a different feeling. The afternoon light casts a different glow on the lake and there is usually more activity in the villages. Continue our journey to Loikaw.

Check in to your hotel. Overnight in Loikaw.

After breakfast at the hotel, start your trip to Pampet, (About 1 hour drive ). On arrival, enjoy a hot drink and simple local snack in a local home. Then, head off on a short trek of 1.5-2 hours. Along the way, your guide will stop and explain special cultural and natural sites, which are important to local people and local way of life. You will have packed lunch on the way. Following the short trek, you will visit Salong Kana hamlet to meet a local Kayan artisan to enjoy a demonstration about how to make traditional Kayan bracelets. The trek ends in Rang Ku hamlet, where you will meet the famous Kayan people also known as Long Neck Karen. Enjoy learning a few words of Kayan language and interacting with them. You will also have opportunities to buy local handicrafts. Return to Loikaw and visit Taung Kwe Zedi Pagoda ( Split Mountain Pagoda ) which is the famous religious landmark of Loikaw, for sunset. Overnight in Loikaw.

After breakfast, head to Ai Sant village, inhabited by Lisu tribe. This trip takes about 45 minutes’ drive by car. Visit local houses in the village. Visit a beautiful cave known as Aung Tha Pyay cave, many stalactites and stalagmites inside it. And then, go to Pa Oh tribe and visit Htee Se khar water fall, the most accessible and popular waterfalls. Htee Se khar water fall is located 15 miles in the north of Loikaw, near Shan-Kayah border, on the road towards Se Saing and Taunggyi. Overnight in Loikaw.

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide for private transfer to the city center. In the afternoon, our tour starts with a visit to the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, famous for the enormous 65-meter-long sleeping Buddha statue, which is one of the largest Buddhist statues in Myanmar. Then you will walk along the Great Royal Lake (Kandawgyi). In the late afternoon, you will discover one of the pearls of Myanmar, the true emblem of the country: the Shwedagon pagoda at the time of the sunset. Walk, to the sound of the bells and incantations of the faithful, at the foot of the huge golden stupa that the last gleam of the sun glows with a thousand lights. Enjoy a wonderful sunset over the Pagoda. Overnight in Yangon.