Myanmar Local Life Experience

Mingalabar and welcome to Myanmar!

The former capital Yangon, also known as Rangoon, remains Myanmar largest city and continues to be the country’s the most important commercial hub and gateway for most of its international visitors. Its colonial background and religious legacy make it one of the most mesmerizing and genuine places in all of Southeast Asia.

Upon arrival at the airport you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel for check in. (Note: check in time at most hotels is 14.00; early check-in is subject to availability).

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Yangon.

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today after breakfast, at 09:00, we start exploring the most highlights of Yangon.
Firstly we visit Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments. The golden dome Pagoda is the place to see the local ways of life and belief then. After that proceed to downtown area with Sule Pagoda, colonial building and Chinatown for a change of scenery and check out the dragons and incense of the colorful Khen Hock Keong Chinese temple. Explore the vibrant street stalls where vendors sell all kinds of fruit, vegetable and other goods or simply just walk around and soak in the atmosphere of this little China in Yangon.

After lunch, drive back to hotel to take a short break.

Afternoon free at leisure time.

Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Yangon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After enjoying your breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan.

Welcome to Bagan, known to be one of the greatest architectural sites in Asia. When Bagan was the centre of Myanmar from the 11th to 13th centuries the monarchs built multitudes of massive stupas and pagodas, scores of which are still present on the shores of the Irrawaddy River. The majesty of Bagan with more than 4000 red brick temples on a plain of the size of Manhattan Island is one of the highlights of a Myanmar holiday that will soothe the eye of every traveler.

Arrive Bagan and visit Nyaung Oo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce and other goods daily. From here you will have a look around the Old Bagan starting with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious memorial. Travel over dusty lanes and tree shaded roads past temples and monasteries to temples and monasteries to a small village. Explore the village on foot, getting a glimpse of local lifestyles of Bagan’s residents. Continue to more lesser-known monuments, selected based on your interest, in the area for the remainder of the morning. If you wish, a short walk can be arranged through a series of smaller monuments which allows for a unique perspective of Bagan.
Afternoon free at your leisure time.

Dinner on own account. Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, drive through Bagan’s countryside to the rustic village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s less visited regions; it’s very tranquil and isolated. You will discover temples such as Payathonzu with its strange structural design, Lemyentha and Nandamannya as well. Also, be sure to head over to Kyat Kan Cave monastery, which is an extremely important meditation retreat. There are also plenty of farming villages around Bagan if you’re interested in studying their particular way of life. Continue with a drive to Myinkaba village where you will also have the chance to examine the village itself as well as the local craftsmen. Learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. You’ll also visit the Gu Byaukgyi Temple with its beautiful frescos.Your next stop is scheduled to be the Myazedi (Jade) Stupa a pace of worship for Buddhist due to the relics held within. Here you can see the twelfth century inscriptions written in Burmese, Pyu, Pali and Mon, giving rise to the stupa’s sometime nickname of ‘Myanmar’s Rosetta Stone’.
Afternoon free at leisure time.
Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Bagan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

OPTIONAL: MYANMAR COOKING CLASS WITH PENNYWORT
• Discover new flavors that delight the plate and satisfy the appetite.
• Learn about the ingenious secrets of Myanmar cooking. Experience Bagan culture at its best.
When the clients come to the cooking class, welcome at the house.
After that, we will go to the “Nyaung U market” together and buy vegetables and fish or meat.
Finishing with the shopping, stop at a local teahouse for a refreshing cup of tea.
Then we arrive back to our cooking class, and prepare to cook. Our chef will show how the traditional family recipes passed from her mother so you can prepare the most authentic homemade dishes.
After you finish cooking, enjoy the food made by yourself.

Fee : USD15 nett per person for this package
Starting time : 08:30am
Estimated time : 4 hours
Class size : Maximum 10 participants

This morning (afternoon if doing cooking class), a visit to Kyauk Gu U Min is a fabulous opportunity to leave the normal tourist beaten path as you drift along the Irrawaddy River to the unusual architecture of the stunning temple of Kyauk Gu U Min. You will set off from your hotel and be driven to the Bagan boat jetty. Here you will board a private river boat and set off upriver towards Kyauk Gu U Min. Throughout your Irrawaddy river cruise you will be treated to fabulous scenes of life on and by the water: fishermen, ferry boats, riverside villages and views of the Bagan temples. There will be a stop at a riverside village to allow you go ashore for a short stroll and observe the lives of the river’s residents. The friendly people work as farmers and fishermen, living a simple but happy life. After returning aboard the cruise continues to Kyauk Gu U Min on the eastern side of the river from where it is only a five to ten-minute walk to the temple. This beautiful temple has exquisite stone carvings depicting religious figures and flowers. The temple itself is built into the side of a cliff and behind the main hall of the temple is access to a quiet and tranquil cave. Inside the cave there are several small recessed alcoves which are ideal for meditation. Legend has it that the cave was built during the 13th century for the locals to hide from the invading Mongols. After your exploration of Kyauk Gu U Min, you’ll return to the boat for a relaxing cruise back to Bagan (around 1 hour).
Afterwards, free at leisure time.
Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Bagan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Transfer to Nyaung U Airport to take morning flight to Mandalay.

Welcome to Mandalay! Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar and one of the ancient royal capitals is often perceived and described in literature as Asia at its most traditional, timeless and alluring but those who go meet a booming and vibrant city located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. However, despite the energy and thriving business it’s where the cultural heart of Myanmar lies and tradition of music, dance and drama are still alive. Upon arrival in you’ll be transferred (1 hour) to Mandalay city.

Start with a visit to the Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda houses one of the country’s most honored Buddha images, completely covered in gold leaves that are every day applied to the statue by male devotees. Proceed to Kuthodaw Pagoda, frequently dubbed as “The World’s Biggest Book” for its collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Directly south of Mandalay Hill stands the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, known as the pagoda of the Great Marble Image. Admire the huge Buddha, carved from a single block of marble. It’s said that the colossal marble block took 10,000 men almost two weeks to transport it from the riverside to its current location. Then it’s off to the Shwenandaw Monastery, the Golden Monastery which is the only enduring structure from the Royal Palace of the 19th century. This impressive structure is celebrated for its remarkable woodcarvings. Don’t forget to visit a gold-leaf beating workshop or bronze casting workshop known for their exquisite merchandise.

Afternoon free at leisure time.

Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today explore the railway market (also called Tha Ye’ Market) where life is colorful. Railway market is an exceptional image which can be seen in Myanmar only. With a nice journey to the Tha Ye Zay market which is quite similar to others in this country but you will see that its special location makes it unique. Immersing in the atmosphere of stalls selling fruits, vegetables and spices along the rail lines, we feel ourselves as a local. At around 10am every day, a train turns up and the vendors will hustle to pack up all their stalls and move them away from the track, which create such an astonishing ambiance. Feel free to take some photos here, surely they will be the best ones.
Continue an expedition to Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital. Amarapura means “City of Immortality”, though its period as capital was relatively brief. Visit Mahagandayon monastery, home to more than a thousand young monks and renowned as a centre for monastic study and strict religious discipline. Then you’ll want to stroll along the legendary U Bein Bridge, which was built in 1782 when Amarapura was the Royal center of attention. It spans 1.2 km across the shallow Taungthaman Lake and is said to be the longest teakwood bridge worldwide. Enjoy this very special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home.
Head back to your hotel in Mandalay after lunch.
Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Transfer to Mandalay Airport to take morning fight to Heho.

From Heho, you will experience a lovely scenic one-hour drive (32km – 1 hour) which leads to Nyaung Shwe, gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas. Also, be sure to stop in at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to witness the intricate wood carving artwork and craftsmanship of the monks there. Upon reaching the edge of the lake, you will board a private motorboat and begin heading out onto Inle Lake where your hotel is located. You will pass several villages that are built on stilts over the lake, which are inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fishermen and see their ‘floating gardens’, which are built up from strips of water hyacinth, earth and anchored to the bottom of the lake with bamboo poles.

Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. The tour will come to a close with a return trip by boat back to your hotel.

There are also many traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake and, should you wish, we can stop for a visit to one making incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar making workshop, blacksmiths or even silver smiths. Then transfer to your hotel in Inle to relax.

Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Inle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

A 1-hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending to the top of a hill. Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you will be greeted buy an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. Here, from the peak, you will also be rewarded with mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings. The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small stupas which are overrun by moss and greenery. If time permits, on the way boat riding back, don’t hesitate to visit the Inthar Heritage House where you can have chance to learn more about the history and culture of local people while enjoying a nice cup of coffee and cake (snacks are not included).

Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay in Inle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Set off this morning for your lakeside hotel for Sagar, the far southern region of Inle Lake. Very few tourists make the trip down to this region yet it is one of the most beautiful places in the Shan State with the mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water. The area was only recently opened to tourists in 2003. The boat journey takes 2.5-3 hours but is full of fabulous views and home to many unique species of birds, both indigenous and migratory. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! Upon arriving in Sagar area there are several stops that will be made (the order will depend on the time, other tourist boats and activity in the villages). The main highlight for many travellers is the ‘sunken’ stupas of Sagar – 108 stupas from the 16-17th centuries that are partially underwater for a few months a year. There is also a local monastery and village that can be visited here. Continue to the village of Thaya Gone, home to Pa-Oh, Shan and Inthar people and known for its production of local rice wine. Watch the process of distillation and then sample some of the local brew if you wish. In Thaya Gone there is also the chance to climb to the top of a small hill which there are great views of the lake and surrounding villages. Another stop will be made in Sae Khaung Pottery Village to see the crafting of oil and water pots as well as the natural, underground kilns used by the villagers. On the western shores of the Sagar area is Tar Kaung, a series of more than 200 stupas which also make a fabulous photo stop. Around 2.30 the boat will begin its journey back to the main section of Inle Lake. Travelling back in the afternoon the light has shifted and the route looks much different on the return, with different activities occurring on the water and in the villages. Rice noodles can be seen drying in the sun, spun cotton is hung out to dry and kids are returning from school at this time of day. You’ll reach your hotel early this evening in time to freshen up and watch the sunset.

Dinner on own account. Overnight stay on Inle Lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today you’ll be transferred to Heho Airport (1 hour) for your domestic flight back Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to your hotel for check-in and freshen-up at leisure time.
Meals on your own account. Overnight stay in Yangon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Free until transfer to Yangon International Airport to take your departure flight home.
Meals on your account. Ends of tour services.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle