THE ITINERARY

Myanmar / Burma Tour Day 1: Arrive Yangon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda

Overnight at The Strand Hotel, Deluxe Suite 

Arrival at Yangon international airport and transfer to the hotel. After a brief fresh up at hotel, visit to the most famous Shwedagon, which is over 350 feet tall, gilded in gold and gems, the Shwedagon is the most revered shrine in the country. It is the dream of all Burmese people to see the Shwedagon at least once in their lifetime. The current of humanity that surrounds the pagoda and grounds is quite a spectacle and a perfect introduction to the Golden Land. Fortunately, today is the last day of the Tabaung Festival (Tabaung Full Moon Day), you could enjoy and participate with locals.

Meals: Welcome dinner at the Grand Lotus

Touring Rangoon / Yangon

Following breakfast, meet your private guide and depart on a full-day tour of what is arguably Asia’s most charming city. Pay a visit to the Kalaywa Tawya Monastery where over 1,300 monks and novices reside. Witness them gathering to partake in the midday meal, which is their last of the day. Laid out by the British in a typical colonial grid, Yangon’s shady streets are a delight to roam.

Wander on foot through downtown, with its frenetic markets and aged buildings with fading colonial facades. You will pass Buddhist pagodas, Hindu and Chinese temples, Islamic mosques, Anglican cathedrals and even a synagogue. Visit the Indian Market, where vociferous merchants sell sweet-smelling cinnamon bark, tropical fruit, fiery chilies, medicinal herbs and fish of every description.

Then proceed the visit of Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda – which includes an enormous reclining Buddha and Sule Pagoda (landmark in city centre) -is unusual in that its octagonal shape extends right up to the bell and inverted bowl, the City Hall & Colonial buildings. Botataung Pagoda which is a famous pagoda located in downtown Yangon & near the Yangon River. Dinner on your own tonight

Yangon – Putao (flight), Half day trekking

Arrival at Putao Airport and transfer to Malikha Lodge. We may offer an Asian elephant excursion once our two elephants have returned from a night of foraging in the jungle. Setting off from the Main Lodge, the elephants take you through the fast flowing clear waters of the Nam Lang River and up through the terraced rice fields to the village of Yegyawdi opposite our lodge or downstream along the banks for the Nam Lang River, before a final river crossing brings you back to the lodge. There may be the opportunity to view the elephants being washed by the mahouts. Dinner and drinks at the main lodge in front of our open fireplaces.

  • Overnight at Malikha Lodge , Suite Bungalow
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Cultural and Traditional Visit

Guests at Malikha Lodge will have the opportunity to experience and learn about life in Mulashidi village and the Putao Valley and view some of the cottage industries. For early birds there is also the chance to visit the Putao market, to try a steaming bowl of Shan noodle soup for breakfast and to practice your haggling skills over spectacular Rawang village headman woven hats, colourful longhis and fine baskets.

Lunch at Malikha Lodge. In the afternoon, we have many bike and trek routes to follow with our guides from the Lodge – we discuss and arrange these upon our guests’ arrival dependent on their level of fitness and special interests. Returning to the Lodge in the evening to a huge, hot bath in our fabulous teak bathtubs and/or a massage from our own spa staff in Bungalow is a very welcome treat. The last evening we invite our guests to a hosted group dinner in the Main Lodge.

  • Overnight at Malikha Lodge , Suite Bungalow
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Putao – Mandalay (flight)

After a final leisurely breakfast at Malikha Lodge, check out and transfer to Putao Airport to connect with your onwards flight in the direction of Mandalay. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for leisure. Dinner on your own tonight

Mandalay, Amarapura

Mandalay, the second largest city, represents a Buddhist city of conservative culture and traditional art. Mandalay was the last capital (1860–1885) of the last independent Burmese Kingdom before annexation by the British after the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885.

This morning, you’ll head out for a city tour of Mandalay which has many interesting visit including Mahamuni Temple which houses a huge bronze Buddha image covered in thick layers of gold is one of the three holiest places in Myanmar. It is always crowded with pious devotees from all over the country. Mandalay is the center of arts and crafts. Here you will visit the gold leaf making workshop, where 24K gold is transformed into super thin gold leaves using only precise hammer blows, a technique which even hi-tech equipment cannot match. Use the rest of your day visiting shops where puppets and Kalaga (tapestries) are made or head to other handicraft places such as wood carving and bronze casting workshops.

This afternoon before the sunset, you may visit the traditional cotton and silk weavers whose ancestors used to weave beautiful robes for the royalties. In the late afternoon, visit Golden Palace Monastery, the most well-known wooden monastery in the country, famous for its intricate carvings. It is the only original building from Mandalay Palace having miraculously survived the bombings of WWII. Kuthodaw Pagoda is known as the biggest book in the world with hundreds of marble slabs inscribed with the entire Buddhist Canon.
At sunset, visit the most picturesque U Bein Bridge on Taungthaman Lake, a half-mile long teak span also known as the longest teak bridge in the world. Then return back to Mandalay. Dinner we will find a local restaurant to enjoy for the group

Mandalay – Bagan (RV Paukan)

The embarkation time is at 12.00 hrs at Gawein jetty. Welcome Cocktail in the Saloon. Lunch will be served at 13.00. The sailing time is about 2 hrs. English speaking manager of the cruise will assist you during the visit of the Mingun Pagoda Complex. Moor Overnight at a sandbank mid-stream. After dinner, you could enjoy a Dance and Drama performance by the representatives of the Mandalay Arts School on the sundeck (if available).

  • Overnight On RV Paukan, Upper Deck
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On Cruise

On Cruise

Early in the morning cruise downstream. During the 2 hours journey the passengers can admire the natural beauty of the river and the life of its banks while relaxing on the sundeck or just sitting outside their own cabin. Enjoy the sunrise over Sagaing Hill. After breakfast passengers can go ashore to visit Sagaing with the assistance of the Cruise Manager. The cast off time is at 11.15 hrs. Lunch will be served at 13.00.

In the late afternoon, we stop at Yandabo, a village specialize in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on 24 Feb’ 1826. Cruising all the day and moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.

  • Overnight On RV Paukan, Upper Deck
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembarkation The Cruise, Bagan

Early in the morning we proceed downriver to Bagan. After breakfast (if time permits) we visit another typical river village. Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark at Aye Yar jetty around 10.15 hrs.

Bagan is the greatest collection of Buddhist sculptures and murals from the 11th to 13th centuries and one of Asia’s holiest cities along with Varanasi and Jerusalem. Bagan was begun by the 11th century king Anawrahta with construction continuing for two and a half centuries, cementing the city as the nerve centre of ancient Burmese culture. Bagan was eventually sacked in 1287 by Mongol armies under Kublai Khan who destroyed hundreds of monuments. Still dotted with over 4000 temples, the ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles in the semi-desert region of central Myanmar.

A full-day tour of Bagan is begun with the village of Myinkaba to explore the local market. From Myinkaba, venture to the 12th-century Gubyaukgyi Temple, an Indian-style monument featuring exquisite interior murals. On your way back to Old Bagan, visit the Shwesandaw, a graceful 11th-century temple. Climb the terraces and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding temples, including the 14th-century Shwegugyi Temple. Then, continue on an afternoon exploration of Bagan. Visit the beautiful 12th-century Suliman Pagoda, a classic example of Bagan’s late, sophisticated temple design. Notice the plethora of windows that allowed for improved natural lighting. Also, look for the monastic niches carved into the temple walls, a feature unique among Bagan’s ancient monasteries. Every evening in Bagan, sunset has indescribable, magical power. Just sit on top of one of the tall temples, breathe the fresh air of the surrounding plain, experience peaceful and tranquil moment and relax. Let your imagination take you back 1000 years while looking at the spectacular view in front of you. Dinner on your own tonight.

This incomparable Resort and Spa set amid 27 acres of tropical landscaped gardens offers the ultimate in luxury for guests seeking a superlative vacation experience. Museum quality antiques and artifacts adorn each villa, complementing the majestic ambiance of the resort.

Enjoy sunrise balloon, Bagan

Early morning, you will be picked up at the hotel for taking a sunrise balloon flight over the thousands of pagodas with the impressive view. It takes about 45 minutes and you’ll enjoy the Champagne before returning to the hotel for the breakfast. Today will be started with the visit of Nyaung Oo Market and then depending on your interest, your expert guide will take you to other attractions which you should not miss. Visit more pagodas and temples, small villages nearby to observe the local way of living and local lacquer-ware workshop to watch the skilled artisans at work on the various stages over period of six month. This evening we will take you to the Bupaya for the fascinating sunset view. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner together

Bagan – Yangon (flight), Yangon Departure

This morning, transfer back to airport for your flight to Yangon. If time permits, visit to Yangon’s largest retail market called the Bo Gyoke Aung San market; it is best known as the Scott’s market for shopping. The city’s busiest and most colorful bazaar gives a wonderful feel for the daily life of Yangon’s citizens and offers a huge variety of everyday items and souvenirs, such as lacquer ware, gems, gold, textiles and marionettes.

Then a photo stop at Karaweik Hall & Royal Barge on the Kandawgyi Royal before transferring to the International airport for your departure flight (booked on own arrangement).

  • Meals: Breakfast

*** End of Group Tour***

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