Myanmar (formerly Burma) ~ A Cultural Walking tour

Rudyard Kipling famously described the Burmese nation as ‘quite unlike any other you know about’ and this remains true today. Now renamed Myanmar, the country has remained an enigma, deliberately cut off from the modern world by its own government and little visited by outsiders as a result of sanctions. As the door into this closed world edges open, we have planned a tour which both avoids state-run enterprises, instead putting income directly into the hands of local people; and also creates opportunities for a mutually rewarding exchange of ideas and experiences.

Over 17 days we explore on foot - walking to tribal villages near the colonial hill station of Kalaw and into the forest to see a working elephant camp; by horse and cart -accessing the hundreds of ancient temples on the immense plain of Bagan; by internal flights on new private airlines (its an enormous country); and by boat - to visit markets and monasteries on Lake Inle, and down the Ayeyarwady river from Mandalay.

Special highlights include walking up to the fabulous Golden Rock pagoda, staying in the luxurious, historic, Governor’s Residence, and watching the sunset glow crimson on the golden domes of the Shwedagon pagoda.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

L, D included

After meeting in the morning at Yangon (formerly Rangoon) airport we transfer into the city to our antique-filled first class hotel and have some time to refresh before beginning our explorations. We see the enormous Chauk Htat Gyi reclining Buddha, then proceed to the golden-domed Shwedagon temple complex, the most sacred Buddhist site in the country.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

Setting off on foot we visit the main market, see both the Indian quarter and Chinatown, pass buildings from the British colonial period and visit the great Botataung pagoda, said to enshrine a relic of Buddha’s hair. After watching the constant action in the busy harbour we return to our hotel to prepare for dinner - traditional Burmese cooking combines elements of Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine in a delicious way.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

Setting off early (in an air-conditioned vehicle) we are soon entering another world, the deeply rural, traditional Myanmar where ox carts, paddy fields and straggling villages are the norm. Our destination is the holy mountain of Mount Kyaiktiyo, a stunning, gold leaf- covered boulder miraculously balanced on the edge of a cliff, the most important place of pilgrimage for all Burmese Buddhists.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

We are up at dawn to witness sunrise over the golden stupa, then walk down the pilgrim’s trail to regain our transport. On a long day’s drive through the coffee and betel palm growing Karen hills we have frequent pauses to observe village life - we reach Taungoo by late afternoon and settle into our charming hotel, built in wood and overlooking the fields.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

Today we travel into a mountainous area of teakwood plantations and have a guided walk into the forest to visit a working elephant camp - there is an option to ride an elephant. We bird watch and look for flowers on the walk and enjoy an al fresco lunch of rice and curry.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

Setting off early we drive north (5 hours) and then swing east up onto the mountainous ridge forming the edge of the Shan plateau - we alight in the forested hills to walk (2 hours) into Kalaw, the cool hill station founded by British civil servants, where our very comfortable hotel is appropriately colonial in style.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

A local guide accompanies us on a morning’s walk in the hills to visit tribal villages of the Paulang and learn about their tribal legends and animist customs. Continuing by road we reach Inle Lake and transfer to a boat to reach our hotel for 3 nights, wooden cottages raised on walkways above the lake and owned by a co-operative of Pa-O tribal people.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

Travelling by motorised long wooden canoes we explore the lake, seeing the famous floating gardens, the 11C pagoda and monastery of Indein Pao and the extraordinary ‘leg-rowing’ technique of the local fishermen. In the afternoon we walk in the fields and villages surrounding the lake and visit a local vineyard.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

Another day combining excursions by boat and on foot, visiting one of the traditional markets which rotate between the villages on the lake, seeing silk weaving on wooden handlooms in a village of teak stilt houses and silversmiths and puppet makers at work.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

We travel by boat to see the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda, the holiest religious site of the Shan state, then catch an internal flight from Heho to Mandalay, former capital of the Burmese kingdom. Our luxury hotel has a large swimming pool and overlooks the Palace and we climb Mandalay hill for the celebrated sunset views before dinner.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

We begin the day with a visit to the Shwenandaw Kyaung, or Golden Palace Monastery, a traditional wooden monastery covered with carved panels. At the Kuthodaw Paya we admire the 729 marble slabs inscribed with the 15 books of the Tripitaka (often referred to as ‘the world’s biggest book’) then travel outside Mandalay to Amarapura, celebrated for its supremely photogenic 1,300 yard long teak footbridge over Taungthamen lake.

DAY 12

B, L, D included

The ancient city of Ava (now known as Inwa), an island of paddyfields and palm trees, is accessed by a flatbed ferry and is best seen by a combination of walking and a horse and cart ride, pausing to visit the great teak-built monastery of Bagaya Kyaung and the brick and stucco monastery built by the chief Queen of Bagyidaw for her Royal Abbot U Bok.

DAY 13

B, L, D included

We cross the Ayeyarwady (formerly Irrawady) river to explore Sagaing hill, where leafy paths meander between literally hundreds of stupas, monasteries and nunneries. We see the 45 images of Buddha in the caves of Umin Thounzeh and the huge, 150 ft high white stupa of Kaunghmudaw, dating from 1636, before returning to Mandalay and dinner in a lively local restaurant known for its northern Thai specialities.

DAY 14

B, L, D included

We are up early to board the Shwei Kennery ferry and spend the day watching life on the mighty Ayeyarwady river as we travel to Bagan, where over 4,000 red-brick temples make up Myanmar’s greatest architectural site. Our hotel (built in 1922 for the visit of the Prince of Wales) offers well-equipped river view rooms and a shady garden and pool.

DAY 15

B, L, D included

We make an initial visit to the World Heritage site of Bagan first thing this morning, then travel by road to the 12C village of Salay to visit the wooden monastery of Youqson Kyaung, known for its detailed original carvings depicting the lives of Buddha and the Ramayana. In the early evening we take a memorable horse cart ride amongst the temples of Bagan and climb onto the rooftop terrace of one to watch the sunset over the vast plain.

DAY 16

B, L, D included

We have further opportunities to walk around the exceptional site of Bagan - it really needs time and space to take in - before a late afternoon flight to Yangon. The Governor’s Residence, a teak mansion built in the 1920s, with beautiful lawns and pool, extremely comfortable rooms and a sophisticated restaurant, is the perfect place to end our visit to this fascinating country.

DAY 17

B, L included

We have time for photographic forays, or last minute shopping in the market for gems and jewellery, lacquerware and traditional Myanmar handicrafts, before we depart for the airport in the early afternoon.

Off the beaten track

Please be aware that electricity and water supplies may occasionally be erratic, travel arrangements can be disrupted and standards of driving and vehicle maintenance etc. are not set by Brussels. Kudu Travel will endeavour to do everything possible to ensure a smooth-running tour, but please be ready with your sense of humour and tolerance when travelling in the tropics.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 17 on a twin shared basis

2 internal flights: between Heho and Mandalay; and between Bagan and Yangon

All meals with local beer at lunch and dinner as listed (beer is far more appropriate with Burmese food and the tropical climate, and wine is often spoiled by inadequate storage), except in Mandalay and Yangon where French or Australian wines are served with dinner

All land transportation in private airconditioned vehicles as described

Horse-drawn cart trips and river crossings on local ferries as described

All day boat trip on the Ayeyarwady rivers as described

Visit to a working elephant camp as described

All entrance and sightseeing fees as described except during free periods

Services of an English-speaking local guide and a driver (plus our Kudu Travel tour leader)

Tips for porters, boatmen, restaurant & hotel staff

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.