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Carl Meadows
Carl Meadows
Getting off the tourist trail and getting lost in the back streets of Yangon is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city. With a few hours to spare, an aimless walk through the city will open your eyes to the rich Burmese culture just as much as the amazing Shwedagon Pagoda can.

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Myanmar (Burma)

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Tour Highlights
  • Enjoy a full day touring Yangon
  • Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Explore Pyay's bustling night market
  • Cruise the Irrawaddy river
  • Explore the temples at Bagan
  • Enjoy the sunset at Mandalay Hill
  • Visit a paper umbrella workshop
  • Visit the village of Inpawkhone

Explore Myanmar (Burma) Group Tour

17 day tour, from £3780 per person
Price Includes:
  • Flights
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
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Nearly all visitors to Burma will want to see the “musts” of Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle, but for 2013 this tour goes a little off the beaten track and add the often overlooked cities and towns of Pyay, Kalaw and Pindaya have been added to the itinerary. Despite getting a bit more off the tourist route in places, the group will be accommodated in a choice selection of “Superior” hotels, where travellers can be sure to receive a warm welcome.

Instead of being too dependent on domestic flights within Burma most of this tour will travel overland by private vehicle, minimising the risk of being subjected to the notoriously vague and changeable flight schedules within the country and allowing the chance to see a great deal more of the stunning Burmese countryside. Travelling overland from Yangon – Pyay – Bagan – Mandalay – Kalaw – Pindaya – Inle provides the opportunity to see rural life in the smaller villages and towns and breaks the journey in various places throughout the tour.

This tour to Burma will be open to a maximum of 16 persons looking for a tour to a friendly and fascinating country with a rich history, now emerging as a popular “new” destination.

Read more about this tour

Itinerary
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Itinerary
Day 1
FLY TO MYANMAR
Fly to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 2
KUALA LUMPUR TO YANGON
Arrive in Yangon. Transfer to the hotel and check in for 2 nights. Spend the afternoon at leisure and in the evening enjoy a welcome group dinner. (D)
Day 3
YANGON
Today enjoy a full day touring Yangon, a relatively quiet and charming city with an impressive colonial and spiritual heritage. Visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which is home to a 70 metre long reclining Buddha. Visit Little India and Chinatown, home to a colourful cacophony of restaurants, temples and markets. On arriving at Bogyoke Market (formerly known as Scott's Market) enjoy some free time to browse through the hundreds of stalls and shops, this is Yangon's best market for handicrafts and other goods. After lunch continue the city tour with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origin of the pagoda is unclear, legend has it that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times, taking its current shape in the 15th century. Enjoy dinner in the city before returning to your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 4
YANGON TO PYAY
Depart the capital and head to rural Burma. Travel north by private bus drive to Pyay, a journey of around 6 hours. The sights en-route will be a contrast to Yangon and there will be opportunities to make brief stops on the way, including lunch en-route. On arrival in the mid late afternoon in Pyay check in to the hotel for 2 nights. This evening enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 5
PYAY
Explore Pyay. After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, visit the Pyay jetty and the colourful market - a great place to interact with the locals and learn more about daily Burmese life. Visit Shwe Sandaw Pagoda, a pagoda of great religious importance to the Burmese people as it is alleged to contain relics from the Buddha. During the afternoon, visit the ancient city of Sriketra. End your day with a stroll along Strand Road, Pyay main street, and enjoy time to explore the night market. (B,L,D)
Day 6
PYAY TO BAGAN
Today continue north, heading to Bagan through scenic landscapes passing through one of the most arid regions in the country. En-route to Bagan, travel through palm fields and enjoy stops en-route. On arrival in Bagan check in to the hotel for 2 nights. Enjoy dinner in Bagan. (B,L,D)
Day 7
BAGAN
Visit the Thagyar Pone Temple, Ananda Temple, Myinkaba Village, Gubyaukgyi Temple, Manuha Temple and Nan Paya Temple. Enjoy a visit to two workshops to see the production of lacquer ware and wood crafts. In the afternoon board a private boat and cruise the Irrawaddy river, enjoy the fabulous scenes of life on the water and views of the Bagan temples. Stop at Sae Lan village and go ashore for a short walk before continuing by boat to Kyauk Gu U Min. Crusie back to Bagan and return to the hotel (B,L,D) OPTIONAL EXTRA: A sunrise hot air balloon ride over Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience. This option is extremely popular, it is recommended that the excursion is booked at time of tour booking
Day 8
BAGAN TO MANDALAY
Drive to Mandalay via Popa Lann village. Enjoy a short walk and meet the friendly residents. Continue on to Mt Popa and Taung Kalat, a volcanic plug standing 1518 metres high. Climb to the top and enjoy the impressive view over the Myingyan Plain from the top of this volcanic peak. Stop for lunch at the Popa restaurant before continuing onto Mandalay. Upon arrival check in to the hotel for 3 nights. (B,L,D)
Day 9
MANDALAY
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mandalay, a city well known for its skilled craftsmen. As the tour visits traditional workshops, learn about the city's cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remain unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. In the afternoon, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title of the Biggest Book. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery and at the end of the day head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. (B,L,D)
Day 10
MANDALAY
Explore Sagaing Hill, covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, enjoy a horse and cart rise around Ava, visiting the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and visit Amarapura, a former capital whose name means City of Immortality. Continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge, take in the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. At the end of the excursion return to the hotel in Mandalay. (B,L,D)
Day 11
MANDALAY TO KALAW
Drive to Shan State through flat plains and rolling hills, stopping en route to visit villages. In the afternoon reach Kalaw, once a British hill station, this charming town is surrounded by lush green hills dotted with hill tribe villages. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or explore the small town on foot. Check in to the hotel for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)
Day 12
KALAW TO PINDAYA
Visit Kalaw's morning market, a colourful mix of produce and local crafts. Move onto Pindaya and visit the famous Pindaya Caves. Nestled on a hillside, the cave consists of many chambers filled with hundreds of Buddha statues. After lunch visit a local workshop manufacturing paper umbrellas before checking into your hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy some free time to explore pleasant Pindaya at leisure. Dinner at the hotel.(B,L,D)
Day 13
PINDAYA TO INLE LAKE
Visit Nyaung Shwe, a small town on the northern tip of Inle Lake. Board a long-tail boat and enjoy the sightseeing tour on the lake. After lunch visit the Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique 'jumping cats'. Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. Visit the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where these typical Burmese cigars are rolled by hand. Check in to the hotel for 2 nights. (B,L,D)
Day 14
INLE LAKE
Board the long-tail boat once more to visit the morning market. Wander amid the stalls and the guide will explain the local produce and goods for sale. From here continue to Indein, on the south-western shores of the lake. The boat will travel down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of Indein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque stupas and has magnificent views of the lake. Dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 15
INLE LAKE TO YANGON
Depart Inle and make the short drive to Heho Airport. Here the group will depart on a domestic flight to Yangon. On arrival in Yangon return to the hotel for an overnight stay. Spend the afternoon free at leisure before enjoying a farewell dinner in the evening. (B,D)
Day 16
FLY TO THE UK
Transfer to the airport and depart Yangon for the UK via Kualu Lumpar. (B)
Day 17
ARRIVE IN THE UK
Arrive in the UK.
Pricing Information/Dates
Price Includes
  • International flights with Malaysian Airways via Kuala Lumpur in economy class
  • All airport taxes and security charges
  • Hotel accommodation on a full board basis (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
  • All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
  • Internal flights within Myanmar
  • Sightseeing with English-speaking guide throughout
  • Entrance fees and boat trips on sightseeing tours
  • Horse cart tour in Ava
  • Private local boat for Bagan and Inle Lake excursions
  • Porter fees at airports and jetty
Price Excludes
  • International airport departure tax in Myanmar, $10 USD per person, at present
  • Myanmar Visa, £47.55 per person at present
  • Available from CIBT Visa service prior to departure
  • Also available directly through the Myanmar Embassy in London, prior to departure, approximately £15 per person at present
  • Price subject to change without prior notice
  • Visits not mentioned in the program Optional Bagan balloon ride - please contact us for latest price Personal expenses and tips and porters at hotels
  • Tips for guides/drivers
Itinerary Dates Price (Twin share) Single Room Supplement
01 Nov 2013
-
17 Nov 2013
From £3780 Per Person + £745
Tour Route Map
  •   Yangon
  •   Pyay
  •   Bagan
  •   Mandalay
  •   Kalaw
  •   Pindaya
  •   Inle Lake
  •   Yangon
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