TRAVELS EXPLORING MYANMAR: LAND OF THE GOLDEN PAGOGA MARCH 10-23, 2014 GROUP SIZE: 14-22 GUESTS/ PRICING: $8,595 DOUBLE; $2,095 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Now is an exciting time to visit Myanmar. While this fascinating nation has a long way to go in terms of reforms, the progress it has made over the past few years has been surprising. Yet even with the recent developments, when you visit it seems as though you have stepped back 30 years in time. A treasure trove of cultural wonders undiscovered by the tour-bus crowd awaits exploration. Tribes nearly untouched by outside influence populate the hills, stunning empty beaches lie in anticipation of discovery, and the tinkling of temple bells evokes the ambiance of an earlier age. Indeed, you may hardly believe that such a world exists outside the works of Kipling. We are working directly with private guides and privately owned hotels and restaurants as opposed to government-run agencies. This grassroots approach results in an insightful, authentic connection to Myanmar s people and places, and its economics directly benefits locals. STUDY LEADER: To be announced. SCHEDULE BY DAY B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner MONDAY, MARCH 10 DEPART FROM U.S. TO YANGON TUESDAY, MARCH 11 EN ROUTE TO YANGON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 ARRIVALS / YANGON Upon arrival this morning, transfer to your centrally-located luxury hotel. You will have a few hours to rest and relax. Start your tour with a visit to Yangon's Reclining Buddha, one of the largest in the World, followed by a visit to Scott (Bogyoke) Market, the city's busiest and most colorful bazaar. It 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 and gold leaf, textiles, and marionettes. Lunch today will be at the Green Elephant. Spend the late afternoon and sunset hours at the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda. This glistening golden pagoda, which stands over 350 feet tall, is the most revered shrine in the country and is a site that all Burmese Buddhists aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at Monsoon Restaurant.
Overnight at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel / Meals Provided: L D The elegant Kandawgyi Palace enjoys a splendid location, overlooking tranquil gardens, a beautiful lake, and the fabulous Shwedagon Pagoda. It is a sanctuary in traditional style that excites the senses and soothes the soul. THURSDAY, MARCH 13 YANGON Today starts with a walk around Yangon's shaded, tree-lined streets, which were laid out by the British in the typical colonial grid pattern. Explore the downtown's frenetic markets and fading colonial buildings aboard a trishaw or on foot. Pass Buddhist pagodas, Hindu shrines, Chinese temples, Islamic mosques, Anglican cathedrals, and a Jewish synagogue. Late this morning visit the Kalaywa Tawya Monastery where over 1,300 monks and novices reside. Witness the monks gathering to partake in the midday meal, their last of the day. Later this afternoon enjoy a private music recital at the Gitameit Music Center. In Pali and Burmese gita means music, and meit means friendship. Gitameit Music Center was started in 2003 by pianist Kit Young and colleagues from Myanmar in order to build a supportive community of musicians and audiences locally, and to encourage sustained, meaningful contact with international institutions, teachers and performers. Gitameit Music Center is a nonprofit community center and music school in downtown Yangon devoted to music teaching and nurturing, performing, offering exchange possibilities for Burmese students to study abroad, and inviting international artists and teachers for performances and workshops in Yangon. Overnight at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel / FRIDAY, MARCH 14 YANGON / MANDALAY Early this morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. Fly Yangon to Mandalay on Yangon Air YH 917, departing 06:15, arriving 08:35 Upon arrival, immediately begin exploring Mandalay s main sights such as Shwenandaw Kyaung Pagoda, the Kuthodaw Pagoda (featuring hundreds of marble slabs inscribed with the entire Buddhist canon), and the venerable Mahamuni Pagoda whose Buddha statue is covered with gold leaf. Later this afternoon, you have the option of ascending Mandalay Hill at sunset for spectacular views of the city and the Irrawaddy River. Overnight at the Hotel Sedona / The lovely Hotel Sedona offers elegant rooms with superb views of the Mandalay Hill and the Royal Palace. All the rooms are graciously designed with an aesthetic eye for both contemporary elegance and traditional grace. SATURDAY, MARCH 15 MANDALAY/AMARAPURA This morning begin the day with a visit to the Zegyo Market, with its endless panoply of color, hustle, and heady aromas. Next head out to the lovely countryside around Mandalay to explore Amarapura, which has fine pagodas, ruins of the old palace, a Chinese joss house, and shops specializing in cotton and silk longyis (the Burmese-style sarong), as well as wood and marble carvings. Also visit local handicraft villages where paper and terracotta pottery is still made using traditional techniques. Then proceed to the Sagaing Hills, sitting above the Irrawaddy and the site of crumbling pagodas and many active
shrines. When Mandalay was Burma s capital, Sagaing was the annex town that housed hundreds of Buddhist monks. Explore its beautiful pagodas and the nearby kilometer-long, 16-span Ava Bridge that was built during British rule. En route back to Mandalay, stop at the U Bein Bridge, a long meandering structure built of teak, spanning a seasonal lake. At sunset, a stroll here is an absolute delight. Overnight at the Hotel Sedona / SUNDAY, MARCH 16 MANDALAY / EMBARK IRRAWADDY PRINCESS II Following breakfast, transfer to the Mandalay Jetty to board your privately charted river boat for a two-night journey down the majestic Irrawaddy (Ayerwaddy) River to Bagan. The Irrawaddy gives Myanmar its life. Named after the Hindu eravati or "elephant river," the river (like the Ganges is to India) is a spiritual entity and the provider of life, happiness and material as well as spiritual well-being. Rising in the southern Himalayas, it dissects the land from north to south for 1,350 miles, emptying through a nine-armed delta into the Indian Ocean. In colonial times, before railways and land roads, the river was known as the "Road to Mandalay." To follow the Irrawaddy's entire course, from its undiscovered source lost in the Himalayas to the Delta, would be to run the gamut of Burma's varied climatic zones. Enjoy the day as you cruise down the mighty Irrawaddy, passing magical scenes of old Asia women pounding their laundry on rocks, old paddle steamers churning the muddy waters, ox carts inching down rutted roads, and small children waving gaily at your passing vessel. Overnight onboard the Irrawaddy Princess II (Private Charter) / MONDAY, MARCH 17 IRRAWADDY RIVER Today enjoy stops in small, remote villages that see few visitors. Meet the locals and explore their villages and beautiful pagodas. Encountering the warm, welcoming people on these stops is a highlight of the journey. Overnight onboard the Irrawaddy Princess II (Private Charter) / TUESDAY, MARCH 18 BAGAN Upon arrival this morning in Bagan, embark on a full-day exploration of ancient monuments and temples. During its golden age in the 12th century, Bagan was known as the "city of four million pagodas." While Kublai Khan and several massive earthquakes have reduced that inflated number drastically, what remains is quite incredible. Explore the principal pagodas and temples of the archeological zone. Built in 1090, the whitewashed and gilded Ananda is among the finest and best preserved of the temples, with delicate decorations in glazed tiles along its base and terraces. This afternoon you are free to relax or explore the area. You may take a bicycle or horse cart and lose yourself amidst the crumbling spires. Later in the afternoon, climb to the summit of a tall, serene structure and watch the sun drop into the distant hills. Overnight at the Hotel at Tharabar Gate / Meals Provided: B L The Hotel at Tharabar Gate is located in the most unique Archeological Site of South East Asia, the Ancient capital of the Burmese Empire, Old Bagan. Surrounded by more than 4,000 ancient temples and Pagodas, you will be enchanted by the breathtaking views.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 BAGAN This morning depart on another full day touring Bagan beginning with the village of Myinkaba, with the opportunity to explore the local market. From Myinkaba, head to the 12th century Gubyaukgyi temple, an Indian-style monument that features 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. After lunch continue your exploration with 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. At sunset, visit another temple as you climb high to witness the magnificent sunset. Overnight at the Hotel at Tharabar Gate / THURSDAY, MARCH 20 BAGAN/HEHO/INLE LAKE Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho, the airport that services Inle Lake, Pindaya, Kalaw and other areas in Southern Shan State. Fly Bagan to Heho on Yangon YH 918, departing 08:35, arriving 09:05 Upon arrival in Heho, you will be met and driven to the town of Nyaung Shwe on the shores of spectacular Inle Lake. Notice instantly how much cooler the air is here. Nights in the Shan State at this time of year can get quite cool so be prepared. In Nyaung Shwe, board a long tail boat which will be your chief means of transportation to explore this beautiful area. This afternoon will be spent exploring the breathtaking lake, which is surrounded on all sides by high hills. Here you will see the famous Intha fishermen and their floating gardens. Stop at a weaving village and visit several Shan temples. Late in the day, check into your deluxe lakefront resort followed by dinner. Overnight at the Inle Resort / This boutique resort is situated on Inle Lake and is one of the finest in the area. The resort offers quality facilities in custom built, traditional native style architecture. The Inle Resort is fully committed to responsible tourism for the ecological and cultural protection of the lake environment, while also catering to the most discerning visitor. FRIDAY, MARCH 21 INLE LAKE During your stay in the Inle Lake area, visit the Shan States tribal market, which rotates through towns in this region. It is a fascinating hodgepodge of brightly colored flowers, flopping fish and tribal people, each in their distinctive traditional dress. It is a feast for the sense and there will be photo opportunities galore. This afternoon travel by boat to Indein, a 16th-century temple to explore the seldom-visited group of stupas, yet another aspect of Burma s vast cultural wealth. Enjoy lunch at Nam Pan village and explore the area s interesting local market. Visit with silk weavers, boat makers, cheroot makers and blacksmiths. Then visit the Mine Thauk Orphanage. Overnight at the Inle Resort / SATURDAY, MARCH 22 INLE LAKE / HEHO / YANGON
This morning transfer back to Heho for your late morning flight to Yangon where you will spend your last day and night in Burma before returning home or heading to your next destination. Fly Heho to Yangon on Yangon Air YH 918, departing 09:20, arriving 10:30 On arrival in Yangon, transfer back to your familiar hotel before visiting the National Museum, housing interesting exhibits on Burmese history, culture and ethnic groups. Of great interest in the museum is the glittering Lion Throne of King Thibaw, an extraordinary work of art that stands over twenty feet tall and is covered with carvings depicting scenes from Burmese mythology. Early this evening reconvene for cocktails before enjoying a farewell dinner at Le Planteur. Overnight at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel Meals Provided: B D SUNDAY, MARCH 23 DEPART YANGON FOR U.S. This morning transfer back to the airport for your flights to Bangkok and Singapore for connections home. Meals Provided: B