MYANMAR EXPEDITION
13 DAYS, 12 NIGHT TOUR
February 1st to the 13th, 2011Day 1 Arrival Yangon
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by guides who will assist you and collect your luggage. Today we will settle into the hotel and meet for a group orientation in the afternoon, followed by a slide show lecture and celebratory welcome dinner.
Overnight in
Day 2 :
Early in the morning, we visit the Koehtetgyi pagoda and visit the local monastery for morning classes. In the late morning, we will visit Sanchaung township and Daw Nyana Sari Nuns Monastery to view the nuns lunch ceremony. Afterwards, we return to the hotel to freshen up, download our photos and eat lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, a breathtaking and colorful sight visited by Buddhists from all over Myanmar. We return to the hotel to freshen up, download and eat dinner.
Overnight in
Day 3:
Early in the morning, we visit the Sin Oh Dan jetty to photograph the flurry of dock workers loading and unloading commodities of all kinds. Once the light becomes harsh, we will walk to the busy China Town Market where people buy and sell exotic foodstuffs from all over Myanmar in the shade of Yangon’s old colonial district. After breaking for lunch we will drive to Thanlyin which was once the base for the Portuguese adventurer Philip De Brito in the early 17th century. Here we visit the
local market and the surrounding pagodas. Afterwards, we return to the hotel to freshen up, download and eat dinner.
Overnight in
Day 4: YANGON - SITTWE
After breakfast, transfer to domestic airport in Yangon for your domestic flight to Sittwe. On arrival in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, leisurely visit the city, colorful fish market and the Cultural Museum.
Overnight in Sittwe.
Day 5: SITTWE
After breakfast, full day visit again in Sittwe. Overnight in Sittwe.
Day 6: SITTWE - MRAUK U
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty for a boat trip on a chartered local boat up the Kaladan River to Mrauk U, about 5/6 hours upstream. Arrive in Mrauk U around midday. Back in its 15th century heyday Mrauk U was one of the richest
cities in all of Asia but today the town is more like a sleepy village. It is home to Myanmar’s 2nd temple site after Bagan. An afternoon tour of Mrauk U includes Koethaung Temple, the Pitakataik Library, Laungbanpyauk Pagoda, Yadana Mannaung and Sakaya Mannaung Pagodas.
Overnight in
Day 7: MRAUK U
Enjoy the sunrise over the misty hills of Mrauk U from the top of the hill. After breakfast continue sightseeing in Mrauk U with a visit to the market, the ruins of the Royal Palace and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon visit Shitthaung Temple, Mrauk U's most important monument, built in 1535 by 1,000 architects and containing a remarkable collection of Arakanese Buddha images and relief. Continue to the multi-spire Andawthein Ordination Hall, with its unique stone carvings, the circular Ratanabon Pagoda, Dukkhanthein, a huge fortress-like temple with vaulted passages containing interesting stone sculptures and Laymyetnha, the first pagoda erected in Mrauk U in 1430.
Overnight in
Day 8: MRAUK U – SITTWE – YANGON
After breakfast depart with local ferry speedboat (or by chartered local boat) from Mrauk U back to Sittwe. On arrival in Sittwe, lunch at a local restaurant before a transfer to Sittwe Airport for your flight to Yangon. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in
Day 9:
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Kengtung. Upon arrival at Kengtung, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon take an orientation tour of Kengtung, a pleasant city nestled in a valley that has kept most of its traditional architecture. Visit to the Maha Myat Muni pagoda, Hot Spring and the most important places in the city.
Overnight in Kengtung.
Day 10: KENGTUNG
Breakfast at your hotel. Morning visit of the local market where all the villagers from the surrounding area come to sell their products and you can still see many minority hilltribes in their traditional dresses. Depart by road to Pin Tauk village. Trek 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Hwe Lon, a Akha minority village. Spend some time in the village and with the villagers to discover their customs and habits. After lunch, walk for approx 30 minutes to arrive at an Ann village, perched on a steep hillside. The Ann minority is known for its black dress and its blackened teeth. Then, return to Kengtung in the afternoon with a stop at Lone Tree Hill for a panoramic view of the city.
Overnight in Kengtung.
Day 11: KENGTUNG TREK
After breakfast at the hotel, drive in the direction of Tachileik for approximately 45 minutes before continuing on the back of local pick up trucks (approx. 30 minutes) up the hills to visit 4 neighboring Akha villages, one of them combining 3 religions.
In the afternoon, continue to the Mong Kwan region where we will see a village from the Loi minority, as well as discover the traditions of the Li Shaw and Khun communities. Return to Kengtung in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Kengtung.
Day 12: KENGTUNG – YANGON
After breakfast at the hotel, free and leisurely enjoy the day in the morning and if it is possible, you will visit Shan lacquer ware production and the water buffalo market, held twice a week in Kengtung. Transfer to the airport of Kengtung for your departure flight. On arrival transfer to the airport for the flight back to Yangon. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight in
Day 13: Depart Yangon
Depending on flight time, there is an option to take a ride on Yangon’s Circle Train in the morning. Transfer to Yangon Railways station to take a unique ride on the city’s circular train ride through the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride). This slowly traveling train gives you unique opportunity to observe the lively, colorful lifestyle of the local people. Disembark at the Insein market where you can peruse the various stalls and interact with the friendly vendors before transferring back to Yangon. Late this afternoon transfer to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight.
OPTIONAL 2 DAY TRIP TO VIEW THE GOLDEN ROCK, FEBRUARY 14-15TH, 2011
DAY 1:
Leave Yangon in the morning for a journey by road to Kyaikhtiyo, 190km to the north-east (5 hrs). Late morning, arrive at Kyaikhtiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction by local open truck (45 mins). Then, your up-hill trekking to Golden Rock begins. You will have and opportunity to enjoying scenic beauties, nature and culture of local people along the way. (45 minutes treks). From here it is a steep one-hour walk up to the site itself. As an easier alternative to walking, four porters at an extra cost can carry you in a specially made sedan chair. A huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, Golden Rock is
one of Myanmar's main pilgrimage sites. The pagoda at the Golden Rock is said to hold a hair of the Buddha.
Overnight near Golden Rock.
DAY 2: KYAIKHTIYO – BAGO – YANGON
After breakfast, return to the base-camp by open truck and head back in the direction of Yangon. Stop after 3 hrs in Bago, an ancient capital dating back to the 6th century. Visit the beautiful 55 meter long reclining Buddha at Shwethalyaung and the Mon style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in