This trip is the same as our 5-day Myanmar Explorer, but in addition,
we visit one of Myanmar’s most unique areas, Inle Lake—14
miles long, seven miles wide, its residents live, not only on the
lake, but in the lake.
1st Day: We arrive in Yangon (Rangoon) and transfer to our
hotel. In the afternoon we tour the sights of the city—the
Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred religious monument in Myanmar;
the enormous reclining Buddha at Chauktatgyi; the National Museum;
and Kandagye Lake. Yangon is a montage of Buddhist culture mixed
with British colonialism.
2nd Day: In the morning, we fly to Bagan, where we spend
the next two nights. Bagan is one of the most spectacular sights
in Southeast Asia. Stretching back from the Ayeyarwady River, thousands
of stupas and temples, some over 800 years old, cover an area of
over 15 square miles. We visit many of these magnificent structures,
some with wonderful murals, and then enjoy the sunset over a breathtaking
vista from atop one of the ancient temples.
3rd Day: After breakfast, we drive to Mt. Popa, an extinct
volcano. Located on an outcropping of the volcano, is an impressive
shrine dedicated to animist spirits known as “nats.” We
climb the 777 steps to the shrine, looking at the small shops and
shrines on the way up, and feeding the monkeys that play on the
stairs. In the afternoon, we return to Bagan to visit the Archaeological
Museum before watching the sun set over the Ayeyarwady River.
4th Day: In the morning we fly to the town of Heho, then
drive through the countryside of Shan State to beautiful Inle Lake,
where we spend the next two nights at a hotel built right in the
lake on stilts. Enroute, we stop at the Pindaya Caves, a labyrinth
of limestone caverns into which have been placed 8000 Buddha images
donated throughout the centuries by Buddhist followers from many
nations. We also visit local artisans who handcraft paper and umbrellas.
5th Day: Traveling in a small boat, we discover the many
unique sights of the lake—the famous Intha leg-rowing fishermen
who stand in the stern of their boat on one leg and use their other
leg to maneuver a long oar; the floating farms, where local farmers
grow flowers, vegetables and fruit; the monasteries, including
the Nge Pha Khaung monastery, known as the “Jumping Cat Monastery” for
its trained cats; and the many small factories on stilts, where
local craftsmen weave silk, produce silver and iron ware, and roll
the local cheroots.
6th Day: In the morning, we drive back to Heho, then fly
to Yangon and continue our tour of the capital city, visiting its
colonial downtown and famous markets—the Bogyoke Aung San
Market (Scott Market), which has the largest selection of Burmese
handicrafts found anywhere, including precious gems by the thousands,
and the Theingye Zei market, where locals shop for medicinal herbs
and animal parts, and almost everything else.
7th Day: We depart from Yangon International Airport, sorry
to leave this friendly country, but taking with us the photographs
and memories of a fabulous journey.
What's included: These trips are escorted by an experienced
English-speaking Myanmar guide and include all airfare within Myanmar,
transfers, transportation, tours, accommodations and meals.
