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CST Permit #2057026-40Spirit of Myanmar 2019

Art, Culture, Buddhist Heritage and Ethnic Minorities

September 25-October 6 with Phaungdawoo Pagoda Festival at Inle Lake

Post-Tour Extension to Remote Villages of Shan State

Private Post-Tour Extension to Angkor Temples Discoverhiddentreasuresonthisinsider’sjourneyexploringBurmeseart,architectureandthegentlegraciousnessofitsculture.ManypeopletraveltoBurmatoseethestunningBuddhistmonasteriesandtemples.Inaddition,wewillgettoknowthepeopleofBurma.Wewillencountermenwearingskirt-likelongyi,womensmotheredinthanaka(traditionalmake-up)andbetel-chewinggrannieswithbloodredjuicesdrippingfromtheirmouths.Thelocalsaregentle,humorous,engaging,considerateandinquisitive.Turnbacktheclockwithatriptothisisolatedcountrywheretravelwithhonestculturalimmersionstillexists.Burmafuelsyouremotions,stimulatesyoursensesandstaysinyoursoul.ThisistheauthenticAsia!Wehavebeenpartneringwithawoman-ownedlocalagencyforthepast15yearsandmakesure100%ofthepaymentforyourtripgoesdirectlytothem.Ourguideforthistourisoneoftheco-owners.Adelightful,intelligentwomanwhospeaksthreelanguagesfluently,Rosiewillgiveyouanexperiencefromherheartthattouchesyours.

Sep25Day1:MorningarrivalinYangon/LotteHotels&Resorts(L)(Someoptions:SQ998920am,PG7011005am).Onarrival,transfertothehotel.Check-intimeisofficially2pm.Wecannotguaranteethatyourroomswillbereadyearlier.Iftheyare,youwillsurelyhaveaccess.Aftereveryonehasarrived,wewillheadouttolunch,passingbyAungSanKyi’shouseontheway.Afterlunch,wewilldrivedowntownforabriefwalkingtourandorientation.Closertothewaterfront,downtownYangonisawarrenofhistoricstreetsconcealingsomeofthebestBritishcolonial-eraarchitectureintheregion.Vibrantanddynamic,YangonisafascinatingintroductiontoMyanmar.It’sdiversetoo–hometoBurmese,Shan,Mon,Chinese,IndiansandWesternexpats.WeshallvisitAungSanKyi’sPoliticalOfficeHeadquarters,theChaukhtatgyiPayaandenjoyasunsetvisittothestunningShwedagonPagoda,mostsacredsiteinthecountry.Youwillseelocalsperformingdevotionalrituals.TheShwedagonPagoda,themostnotablebuildinginYangonisagreatcone-shapedBuddhistmonumentthatcrownsahillaboutonemilenorthoftheCantonment.Thepagodaitselfisasolidbrickstupa(Buddhistreliquary)thatiscompletelycoveredwithgold.Itrises326feet(99m)onahill168feet(51m)abovethecity.TheperimeterofthebaseofthePagodais1,420feetanditsheight326feetabovetheplatform.Thebaseoftheplatformissurroundedby64smallpagodaswithfourlarger,oneinthecenterofeachside.Therealsoare4sphinxes,oneateachcorner,with6leogryphs,3oneachsideofthem.ProjectingbeyondthebaseofthePagoda,oneonthecenterofeachsideareTazaungsinwhichareimagesoftheBuddhaandwhereofferingsaremade.Therearealsofiguresofelephantscrouchingandmenkneeling,andpedestalsforofferingsallaroundthebase.Infrontofthe72shrinessurroundingthebaseofthePagoda,youwillfindinseveralplacesimagesoflions,serpents,ogres,yogis,spirits,orWathundari.OnthewallbelowthefirstterraceofthePagodaattheWest-SouthernWardandWest-NorthernWardcorners,youwillseeembossedfigures.TheformerrepresentsKingOkkalapawhofirstbuiltthePagoda.Thelatterisapairoffigures;theoneaboverepresentsSakkawhoassistedinfoundationofthePagoda,andtheonebelow,MeLamu,consortofSakkaandmotherofOkkalapa.TunnelsofShwedagonThereare4entrancesleadingintothebaseofthisgreatShwedagonPagoda.Nooneissurewhatisinside.Accordingtosomelegendarytales,thereareflyingandturningswordsthatneverstop,whichprotectthepagodafromintruders;somesaysthereareevenundergroundtunnelsthatleadtoBaganandThailand.Sep26Day2:FullDayTourofYangon/LotteHotels&Resorts(B,L)Wewillvisitseveralartgalleries,BogyokeAungSanMarket(locallyknownasScottMarket),aglassfactory,theNationalMuseumandafewpagodasofsignificancewhichmayinclude:SulePagoda,BotataungPagoda.Wewilldepartat830amtogotothecolorfulmorningmarketwhichclosesat9am.Afterwards,wegotothenearbyBogyokeAungSanMarket(locallyknownasScottMarket).TheBogyokeAungSanMarketisthemostpopularmarketandagreattouristdestinationinYangon.ItisinoneofthepreciouscolonialbuildingsinYangon.Themarketwasfirstbuiltonthepresentpremisesin1926.ItwasnamedScottMarketafterMr.C.Scott,thethenMunicipalCommissioner.Nowadays,itiscalledBogyokeAungSanMarketinhonorofBurma’snationalleaderGeneralAungSanwhowasassassinatedin1947.Thereare1,641shopssellingluxuryitems,handicrafts,foodstuffs,clothing,jewelry,fashionandconsumergoods.Therearealsotraditional,MyanmarandChinesefoodstallsinthemarket.WewillvisitseveralartgalleriesincludingGallerySixtyFive(onlyopenifthereisanexhibition)andTreasureArtGallery(nearthePanditaramaMeditationCenterandSavoyHotel),theNationalMuseum,andafewpagodasofsignificancesuchasSulePagodaandBotataungPagoda.

TheBotahtaungPagodaislocateddowntownbesidetheYangonRiveroverlookingthepleasantwaterfrontoftheriver.ThePagodawasnamedafterthethousandmilitaryleaderswhoescortedrelicsoftheBuddhabroughtfromIndiaovertwothousandyearsago.ThemeaningofBois"leader"andtahtaungis"athousand."ItwasbuiltalmostinthesametimeasSulePagodaandShwedagonPagodaover,2500yearsago.ThenameofthepagodawasoriginallyKyaik-de-att,whichwasaMonname,orSandawShinasitisenshrinedwiththesacredhairoftheLordBuddha.TheBotataungPagodaishollowinsideandyoucanwalkthroughit.It'sasortofmirroredmazeinsidethepagodawithglassshowcasescontainingmanyoftheancientrelicsandartifactsthatweresealedinsidetheearlierpagoda.Abovethisinterestinginterior,thegoldenpagodaspirerisesto40metres(132feet)onthecircularbaseandespeciallyitsumbrellaatthetopofthespireisquitedifferentfromtheconventionaldesign.SulePagodaislocatedinthecenterofYangon.The48meter(152feet)highgoldendomewasusedbytheBritishasthenucleusoftheirgridpatternforthecitywhenitwasrebuiltinthe1880s.Thepagoda'speculiarityisitsoctagonal-shapedpagoda,whichretainsitsshapeasittaperstothespire.Itissaidtobeover2,000yearsold.Thegoldenpagodaisunusualinthatitsoctagonalshapecontinuesrightuptothebellandinvertedbowl.SulePagodaisthecentralpieceofthecapital,liketheArcdeTriumphinParis,alandmarkofartisticbeauty.Itcanbereachedthroughfourentrancesofthefourstairwaysfacingfourcardinaldirectionsorbytwooverheadbridges.Thepagodaissurroundedbysmallshopsandallthefamiliarnon-religiousservicessuchasofastrologists,palmists,etc.ItisbelievedthatSulePagodaisenshrinedwiththesacredhairoftheLordBuddhaaswell.TheNationalMuseumofMyanmarwasfoundedin1952withitspremisesatwhatwasoncetheJubileeHall.ThepresentNationalMuseumislocatedinasplendidfive-storybuilding.Pricelessancientartifacts,worksofartandhistoricmemorabiliaareondisplayin14hallsonfourstories.ThreehallsonthegroundfloorholdexhibitsontheevolutionoftheMyanmarscriptandalphabet,theLionThroneRoomandYatanabonPeriodpieces.ThereisalsoaninterestingstonefuneraryurnoftheperiodAD1-AD9withPyuwritingsonitinthishall.InthethroneroomyouwillseeminiaturemodelsoftheeightkindsofthronesofancientMyanmarkingsandthemagnificentRoyalLionThroneofourlastmonarchKingThibawinallitsoriginalmajesty.Thisgreatthroneismadeofsmooth-grained"Yamanay"timberadornedwithlionsatitsbase.Thewholethroneisheavilygilded.Thisthroneisalwaysplacedinthe"Hluttaw"Hall,(theHalloftheCouncilofMinisters).Thekingusesthisthronewhendeliberatingwithhisministersonstateaffairsordeliveringjudgmentsonimportantissues.Inthe19thcenturyYadanabonPeriodExhibitHallonecanseeclothing,furnitureandotherhouseholdarticlesofthetime,includingapalanquinusedbykingThibaw'schiefmonkthathasagildedroofwiththreespires.Sep27Day3:ExcursiontoBago(Pegu)/LotteHotels&Resorts(B,L)Afterbreakfastweshalldrive80kmnortheastofYangon(about1h30mdrive)toBago,anancientcapitaloftheMonKingdomandheartlandoftheBarmarpeople.

VisittheShwethalyaungPagoda,theShwemawdawPaya(GoldenGodTemple)-thetallestinthecountry,KyaikPunPagodaandKhaKhatWainKyaungMonasterywhereyoumayseethelunchofferingtomonks.

TheShwemawdawPayawasoriginallybuiltaroundthetenthcentury,C.E.Itwasdestroyedseveraltimesduetoearthquakes,includingonein1917andanotherin1930.Portionsofthefallenpre-1917versionofthePayaremainatthesite.Theoriginalversionofthepagodawasapproximately70feettall,builtbytheMonsupposedlytoholdtwohairsoftheBuddha.Allegedly,thehairsweregivenpersonallytotwoMonmerchantsnamedMahasalaandKullasalabytheBuddhaonatriptoIndia.Toothrelicswerealsoaddedtothepagodain982and1385.FurtheradditionstothetempleincludeabellfromKingDhammazedi,acrownfromKingBayinnaungandaspireumbrellafromKingBodawpaya.Thecurrentstupa,asofitsmostrecentrebuilding,standsat375feet,makingitthetallestinMyanmar.KyaikPunPagodaisthehometotheFourSeatedBuddhashrine,a90ft(27m)statuedepictingthefourBuddhasnamelyKakusansha,Konagamana,KassapaandGautamaseatedinfourpositions,sittingbacktobacktofourdirections.TheFourSeatedBuddhawasbuiltbyKingMigadippaofBagointhe7thCenturyAD(tradition)andrenovatedbyKingDhammacetiinthe15thcenturyAD.WealsovisittheBagomarketandMontribe-weavingvillagenearby.ReturntoYangonforovernight.Orderabreakfastboxfromthehotelasyouaredepartingearlytomorrowmorning;itsincludedinyourroomrate.

Sep28Day4:EarlyflighttoBagan(Pagan),thecountry'sAngkorWat./ThiripyitsayaResort(B,L)Transfertotheairportforflight6T401depart06:20,arrive07:40(flightschedulesubjecttochange).Transfertohotelintheoldcity/insidetheArchaeologicalPreservationZonetodropoffluggageandrefresh.Bagan,capitalofthefirstMyanmarEmpire,issituatedontheeasternbankoftheAyerarawady(Irrawaddy)River.RivalingthetemplesofAngkorforthecrownofSoutheastAsia’smostmemorablesight,the4400templesheredatefromaroundthesameperiod,the11th-13thcentury.Angkor’sindividualtemplesmaybemorespectacular,butBagan’sbrillianceisinthewonderfulcollectiveviewsofstupauponstupadottingtheplain.Across40sqkm(15.5sqmiles)ofcountry,stretchingbackfromtheAyerarawadyRiver,standthousandsofstupas(alsocalledpagodas,zedisorpayas,buddhistmonumentsthathaveasolidinterior)andpathos(temples,whichonecanenter).Ineverydirectionyouwillseeruinsofallsizes--huge,glorioustemplessuchasAnandaPahtoandsmall,gracefulzedis(stupas)standinginthefieldsnexttoaresidentsthatchedhomes.Somecontainelegantmuralpaintings.Amongthesepagodas,fourareconsideredtobeembodiedwithspecialfeaturesasfollows:Ananda(themostsculptural),Dhammayangyi(thethickest),Thatbyinnyu(theOmniscient),Shwezigon(themostpowerful).Highlightsoftoday’stourinclude:TemplesinOldBaganincludingAnandaTemplecontainsGothicArchesandstonesculpturesofexquisiteworkmanship.AnandaOkkyaungisabrickmonasterywith18thcenturymuralpaintings.ThatbyinnyuTemple,magnificenceinallwhitehighonthehilltoweringabovetheothermonumentsofBagan.WewillventuretoMyinkabaVillageandseeManuhaTemple,whichcontainssomegiganticBuddhaimagesthatarearepresentationofphysicaldiscomfortandmentaldistressofthecaptiveKingofThaton;Abeyadanatemple,locatednexttotheroyalpalaceofKingKyanzittha,wheretheking’swifewaitedforhimwhenhefledduringaconflict.ThetreasuresherearethefinemuralpaintingsonMahayanaBuddhism;Nagayon,an11thcenturyMonstyletemplesimilartotheIndiantemplesinOrissaandMyingabaGubyaukkyiwithexcellentmuralpaintings.SunsetatMingalazediPagoda;thelaststupabuiltbeforetheMongolsinvasion.Sep29Day5:ExcursiontoSalayandMt.Popa/ThiripyitsayaResort(B,L)MorningdrivetoSalaywhereyouwillseeoneoftheoldestmonasteriesfamousforitsfinewoodcarvings,ahugelacqueredBuddhamadeofbamboostripsandsomesmalltempleswithinterestingmuralpaintingsdatingfromBaganEra.ContinuetonearbyMt.Popaabout60km(38miles)southeastofBagan;anextinctvolcanoandalotofshrinesdedicatedtoanimisticspiritsknownas'Nats.'TransfertothePopaMountainResortperchedonthehillsideofPopaMountaininabeautiful,isolatednaturalsettingwithspectacularviewsovertheplainsandtothenearbyvolcanicoutcropandnatshrine.LunchattheresortandanoptionalpleasantwalktothesummitofMountPopaorthroughthewoodedslopes.YoucanclimbMt.Popabyacoveredwalkwaytoreachthecomplexofpagodasatthesummit,1520m.andvisittheMahagiriNatShrine.Itisabouta30-minutewalkfromtheresorttothenatshrine.Thepathhasarailingandsteps;someofthewayisuphillbutnotdifficult.Aone-hourdrivetoreturntoBagan.SunsetatBupayaPagoda,onthebanksoftheAyeyarwadyRiver.Sep30Day6:FulldayTourofBagan/ThiripyitsayaResort(B,L)Ourdaywillbeacombinationofpagaodas,museums,markets,andlocallifestyleexperiencesinthevillages.Highlightsinclude:Nandamanya,ThambulaandLaymyetnha,notedfortheirfinemuralpaintings;PayathonzuwithmuralpaintingsofMahayanistscharacter;avisittotheEastandWestPetleikPagodas,withinterestingterra-cottaplaquesandLawkananda;andaPyu-stylestupaonthebankofAyeyarwaddyRiver.

InandnearWetkyiandNyaungvillages:ShwezigonPagodaisoneofthemostremarkableofthebuildingsofBaganwithasolidcylindricalstructurethatformstheprototypeofMyanmarStupas;KyansitthaUminisatunnelwithaninterestingfeatureofmuralpaintings;GubaukkyiTemplewithfinemuralpaintingsofJatakascenes,HitlominloTempleisadoublestoriedstructureknownforitsfriezeandpilastermolding.DhammayazikaislocatedinPwasawregion,inthesouthernpartofBagan.ThetemplewasbuiltbyKingNarapatiSithu.Thenameofthepagodameans"PertainingtotheKingofLaw”inPali.ThestructureofDhammayazikaPagodahaspentagonalterracesinsteadoftheusualBaganpagodas,thesquarebase.Therearethreerecedingterraces,ornamentedwithglazedJatakaplaques.Oneachsideofthepagoda,thereisasmalltemplehousinganimageofBuddha.Theusualpracticeinmosttempleswastohavefourimagesfacingthecardinalpoints,representingthefourBuddhasofthepresentworldcyclewhohavealreadyattainedEnlightenment.InthispagodathefifthtempleisplacedwiththefuturebecomingBuddha.ThefivenamesoftheBuddhaareKakusandha,Konagamana,Kassapa,GotamaandMetteyya.Theinscriptionrecordssaythatin1197KingNarapatisithureceivedfourholyrelicsfromtheKingofSriLankaandthathebuiltthepagodain1198toenshrinetherelics.AdditionallyavisittotheArchaeologicalMuseumandlacquer-warecottageindustries.Orderabreakfastboxfromthehotelasyouaredepartingearlytomorrowmorning;itsincludedinyourroomrate.Oct1Day7:MorningflighttoMandalay/MandalayHillResortHotel(B,L)MandalaywasthefirstcapitalofBurma,beforetheBritishtookover,andremainsanimportantculturalcenter.ItisthesecondlargestBurmesecityanditsBuddhistmonasteriesareamongthemostimportant.MandalayhastheRoyalPalaceofthelastKonbaungDynastyandinheritsmuchculturalheritagefromtheancientMyanmarKingdoms.SurroundingMandalayareseveralinterestingvillagesthatofferusanopportunitytoobservetraditionalrurallifestylesaswellasvisitinterestingculturalsites.OnarrivalwegodirectlytovisitAmarapuraandSagaingHill.InintriguingAmarapura,acapitalestablishedinl783,wevisitthefamousKyauktawgyiPagoda,1850,boastingthefinestl9thcenturyBuddhistmuralpainting,combiningEuropeanandBurmesepictorialconventions.Sagaing,onthewestbank,isanancientwalled-city,whichwasoneoftheBurmesecapitalsbeforeMandalaywasestablishedinl857.ItbecamethespiritualcapitalofBurmafollowingthefallofthePagandynastyandboastshundredsoftemplesandmonasteries,withspectacularviewsoftheIrrawaddyRiverandMandalay.CrossingtheoldBritishRajAvaBridge,Ava(locallycalledbyitsancientnameInwa)isreachedbyashortboatride.InAvaareoldwoodenmonasteries,ornamentedinintricatewoodencarving.Thisafternoon,avisittotheimpressiveMahamuniPagoda,withitstraditionalhandicraftworkshopssuchasgoldleafhammering,marbleandwoodcarvings.WecontinuetoShwenandawMonastery,whichcontainsfinespecimensofMyanmarwoodcarving.NextwegotoKuthodawPagoda,whichcontainswhatisknownastheworld'sBiggestBook,aswellastheworld'sheaviestBookforitsmarbleslabsofBuddhistscriptures.FinallyisKyauktawgyiPagoda,alargeBuddhaimagecarvedoutofasingleblockofmarble.EnjoysunsetonMandalayHill.Oct2Day8:ExcursiontoMingunPagoda/MandalayHillResortHotel(B,L)AmorningboatexcursiontovisitMingunPagoda,acrosstheriverfromMandalay.Mingun,averyfriendlyvillagelocatedabout11km(6miles)upriver,isaccessibleonlybyriver,givingyouashortbutpleasantinsightintoriverlifeculture.Thousandsofslaveslaboredtobuildthemassivestupabeginningin1790.Anearthquakespiltthemonumentin1838andreducedittopartialrubble.Thebaseofthisprojectedstupa,badlycrackedbytheearthquake,stands50m(165feet)high,overlookingtheriver.Eachsideoftheenormousbasemeasures72m(235feet)andthe

lowestterracemeasures140m(460feet).Hadthestupabeencompleteditwouldhavestood150mhigh(492feet).ClimbthestepsofthezedionthecrumbledcornerandfromthetopyouhaveanincredibleviewoftheHsinbyumePagoda,Mingunvillageandtheriver.In1808,Bodawpayahadagiganticbellconstructedtogowithhisgiganticzedi.Weighing90tons,itisclaimedtobethelargesthung,uncrackedbellintheworld.Thebellis13feethighand17feetindiameteratthelip.Youcanscrambleunderandrightinsideit.Thesameearthquakethatshookthestupabase,alsodestroyedthebellsupports,soitisnowhunginanewplace,closetotheriverboatlanding.Afternoonvisitcraftcentersaswellasaschoolorvillagehome(dependingontheavailabilityandarrangements).Oct3Day9:PindayaCaves-InleLake,ShanState/MyanmarTreasureResort(B,L)MorningflttoHeho6T402dep08:45-arr09:20.Onarrival,weshalldrivetoPindaya,visitinganotherschoolandvillagesalongtheway.ThePindayaCavesareinalimestoneridgeoverlookingthePindayaLake.TheyarefullofthousandsofBuddhaimagesmadefromalabaster,teak,marble,brick,lacquerandcementputthereovercenturiesandarrangedinsuchawayastoformalabyrinththroughoutthevariouscavechambers.Inthesecaves,youmaycomeacrosslaypeoplepracticingmeditation.Weshallhavealeisurelyvisitofthemaincavesandenjoythesuperbviews!LunchinPindayaandcontinuetoInleLake(approx1.5hrdrive),whereweboardamotorboatfortheone-hourcruisetoourhotel,ontheshoresofthelake.Oct4Day10:InleLake,ShanState/MyanmarTreasureResort(B,L)InleLakeisoneofthemostdazzlingandmagicalplacesinAsia.ThevastlakeislocatedintheheartofShanStateandsharesborderswithThailand&Laos.Itclimbsuptoover900metersabovesealevelandisoutrageouslybeautiful.Morethan30hilltribeslivehere.InleLakeisfamousforitsuniqueleg-rowers,diversetribalgroups,andscenicbeauty.Afterbreakfast,weboardourprivateboatstoexploretheInleLakeareaincludingtheFiveDayMarket(ifitisoccurringtoday)atoneofthetownsaroundthelake.TheFiveDayMarketisoneofthemaintradingandshoppingopportunitiesfortheresidentsaroundInleLake.Townsaroundthelaketaketurnshostingthemarketasitrotatesaroundinafive-daycycle.ManydifferenttribesarerepresentedatthemarketincludingtheIntha,Shan,Pa-O,TaungYo,Danu,KayahandDanaw.Manytraveldownfromthesurroundingmountainstotradeproduce,livestockandtoselltheirhandicrafts.Weshallseewonderfulfloatinggardens,afloatingmarket,andPhaungdawOoPagoda—anamazingfloatingpagoda--justbeforesunset.Oct5Day11:InleLake/MyanmarTreasureResort(B,L)FulldaytouringInleLake.Visitcraftspeople,wonderfulfloatinggardens,afloatingmarket,weavingvillages;andobserveunusualmethodoffishingandwaysoflifeonthelake.

PhaungdawooPagodaFestivalOneofthefamousprincipalshrinesinMyanmar,thePhaungdawoopagoda—anamazingfloatingpagoda,housesfivesmallBuddhaimages.Onceayear,inOct.,thereisapagodafestivalduringwhichthefiveBuddhaimagesarerowedaroundtheLakeinacolorfulbarge.Thefestivalisheldonagrandscalefor18days.FourBuddhaImagesoutoffivefromPhaung-daw-ooPagodaarecarriedonroyalbargeandconveyedaround14villagesontheLake.Thebargeistowedbytheboatsofleg-rowersandhundredsofboatsfollowtheprocession.WehavechosenthedatewhentheprocessionistravelingfromLinKinvillagetoNyaungShwevillage.Thesearetwolargervillageswherethelakeiswideandlongofferingthebestsightsandmorelocalactivities.

WeriseearlytoseetheprocessionofboatscarryingtheBuddhaeffigiesthatstartsat7am.Wewillalsoseetheboatraceatapproximately10am.Wewillseediversetribalgroups,traditionalmusicanddanceaswellasspiritualrituals,theone-legrowersboatcompetition.

Thisafternoon,weventureouttoIndeinvillage,oneofthesmallvillageslocatedonthewesternbankofthelake.ABuddhaimagehasbeenenshrinedatawhitewashedstupa,whichisonthesummitofahill.Belowthestupaaroundthehillareaclusterofhundredsofancientstupas-mostareruinsovergrownwithbushes.Thepagodahillisquietandcalm.Onecouldfeelthepleasantcoolbreezewiththesweetringsofthebellshangingattheumbrellaofthestupa.Mesmerizingviewfrompagodahillforeveryonewhoascendstothepeak.ThismysteriousplaceisattheendoftheIndeincreek,whichisconnectedwithInleLakejustafterthePhaungDawOoPagoda.Thecreekisnarrowwithmanytwistsandturns.Sincebothsidesarepaddyfieldsyoucanseethefarmersploughingandharrowingbywithwaterbuffaloes.Whilegroupsoffarmersarehavinglunch,thewaterbuffaloesenjoythemselvesdippinginthecreek.Atmanyplacesinthecreekthefarmersdamupthewaterbybamboobarrierstoirrigatethepaddyfields.Indeinwaterisnotonlyusefulforirrigationbutalsoforbathingandwashingcloths.Wewillseenovicemonks,buffaloboysandvillagegirl’swashandswiminthecreek.Continueabout10minutesfurtherbyboattoTwaMavillagetoseethePadaung(long-neckKaren)ethnicgroup.OnlythePadaungwearthedistinctivebrassneckrings.TheymainlyliveclosetotheThaiborderofMaeHongSon,andalsoKayahstate50milessouthofInle,butafewhavesettledontheshoresofInleLake.Thewomenhaveestablishedworkshopswheretheyweaveandsellhandicrafts.Youcanseethemdoingsilverwork,papermaking,weaving,parasolmakingandShantriballacquerware(differentfromwhatyouhaveseeninBagan).Oct6Day12:FlytoYangon(B)MorningdrivetoHehoforflighttoYangon,W9011dep10:20-arr11:15.Remainatairportforflthome.Ifyourflightislaterneveningourguidewilltakeyouforadditionalsightseeing.

PRICES$3685perpersonbasedonmin4people.$3985basedonmin2people.SingleRoomSupplement:$835Includes:accommodation,dailybreakfast,lunch(basedonmin4people),fourairticketswithinMyanmar,alltransfersandtransports,entrancefees,accompanyingguide(basedonmin4people;for2peoplewillbelocalguidesineachcity).3nightsYangon:LotteHotels&Resorts,recentlyopened,locatedonthelnyaLake,deluxeroomhttp://www.lottehotel.com/yangon/en/intro.asp3nightsBagan:ThitipyitsayaSanctuaryResort,deluxeriverviewroomshttp://www.thiripyitsaya-resort.com/inthearchaeologicalzone,byIrrawaddyRiver.2nightsMandalay:MandalayHillResort,superiorroomshttp://www.mandalayhillresorthotel.comspectacularviewsofMandalayHill,theRoyalPalace,IrrawaddyRiverandthecityofMandalay.3nightsInleLake:MyanmarTreasureResortlakeviewroom,http://www.myanmartreasureresorts.com/location-2/inle/hotelfeaturesuniquearchitecturestyleoftheareausinggoldenteakandenhancedbymoderncommunicationfacilitiesandroomamenities.Generouslyspacedbedrooms,livingareaandprivatebalcony.

Sequencingofallactivitieseachdayaresubjecttochange.

ExtensionRemoteVillagesofShanState

Oct6Day12:Kalaw/AmaraResort,deluxeroomorHilltopVilla,superiorroom(B,L,)Wedepartatabout8amanddriveapprox2hourstoKalaw,aBritishHillStationsurroundedbymanyvillagesofminorityethnicgroups.At1320mtrsabovesealevel,Kalawisasmallquietmountaintown,withoutanyhustlebustleoftourism.Onarrivalwestartdirectlyonaneasy3-hourwalk(roundtrip)intovillagestomeetlocalsandhaveaglimpseoflifestyles.WeshouldreturntoKalawbyabout2or230pmandhavealatelunchthen.Bringsnacksforthewalk.Youcanbrowsethelocalmarketthiseveningifyouwish.

Oct7Day13:KengTung-Wanpauk(PalaungVillage)/NewKaingTongHotel(B,L)

DepartafterbreakfastfortransfertoHehoairport(2hrdrive)forflighttoKengTung.KengTungis456kmnortheastofTaunggyi,thecapitalofShanstate,166kmfromtheThaiborder.ItisthemostscenicandpicturesquetownintheEasternShanstate,stillblessedbyunspoilednature.Itisalsowell-knownforitsmanyethnicgroupswiththeiruniquecultures.TheAkhatribesarefamousfortheirwomen'sstrikinghead-gearandembroideredblueandblackleggings.TheAhnwomenbycontrastwearblackoutfitsandareproudoftheirtotallyblackteeth.ThePalaungladiescanbeidentifiedbytheirtraditionalcroppedjackets,decoratedwithstringsofbeadsoverstripedlongyis,withlacqueredcaneandsilverbands.KengTungisonofMyanmar'slessfrequentedcornersmakingitauniquesightseeingexperienceoffthebeatentrack.

Onarrival,driveapprox30minutestoWan-Pauk,thevillageoftheredclothedPalaungwithsilver&lacqueredwaist-bands.Youwillseetraditionalweaving,silverandblacksmithtechniques.Afterwards,transfertohotel.EveningvisitNaungTonglakewherethecentreoftownisapopularspotformorningandeveningstrolls.

Oct8Day14:KengTung:KatTauk&PinTaukVillages/NewKaingTongHotel(B,L)DuringourdaysinKengTungweenjoyeasy/moderatewalksthroughvillagestoseesomeinterestingtribesandtheirvillages.Youwillencountersomeethnicgroupsthatareveryraretosee.Thewalkswillbeadjustedtosuitabilityofthegroup.Thesequenceofthevillagevisitsmaychange.

Thismorningwedriveabout30minutesinnorthwestdirectionthroughKatTaukVillageandthentoPinTaukVillage.InPinTaukvillage,AkhaandLahupeoplehavingbeenbaptizedChristianandhavebuiltachurchinthemiddleofthevillage.TheAkhaarethelargestminorityintheKyaingTongareaandsurelythemostcolorful.

Afterabout15minuteswalking,arrivalatthefirstAkhavillage,Wanpin,wherepeoplestilldressintheirtraditionalclothing.TheAkhaarefamousfortheirwomen'sstrikingheaddresses,whichresembleheavysilverhelmets.Theyconsistofrowsofheavysilverbaubles,interspersedwithbeads,whicharesewnonabamboocap.Akhaembroideryisextremelyintricateandincludespanelsofdiamondandgeometricshapes.

WewillhaveapackedlunchbythePinTaukWaterfall.Thena11/2hourwalkbacktothecarthroughriceandvegetablefields

Oct9Day15:KengTung:LoimoiVillage(Loi-Mwe)/PrincessHotelorNewKaingTongHotel(B,L)Thismorning,aonehourdrivetoLoi-Mwe,thehilltopvillage.Weenjoyits’peacefulsurroundings(sea-level-5542ft)andhavealookatoldBritishcolonialgovernor'shousesandoldChurch,Akha,NaungChoWaandLahuvillages.ThesceneryontheascenttoLoi-Mwe,whichpassesthroughforests,terracedricefieldsandalake,isspectacular.

A1.5hreasywalktotheAkhavillage.Wewillseetheirtraditionalhousesandinhabitantsintraditionalattire.

Oct10Day16:KengTung-Yangon/Hotel(B,L,)

StartearlywithafiveminutewalktoKengTungmarketthatdrawspeoplefromallovertheKengTungdistrict,includingavarietyofhill-tribepeopleshoppinginthemorning.

TransfertoHehoairport(2hrdrive)forflightdep1515,arrivingYangon1930.

Oct11Day17:Depart(B)Transfertoairport.

PRICE:$1650basedonmin4people.SingleRoomSupplement:$350PricevalidonlyforpeopleonourMyanmarmaintour.Includes:accommodation,breakfast&lunch,twodomesticairfareswithinBurma,alltransfersandtransport(5seatminivan2-3people,9seat4-6people),entrancefees,localguideinKengTung.

Accommodationssubjecttoavailability:

Kalaw:RoyalKalawHillsResorthttp://www.royalkalawhillsresort.com/kh/ORAmaraResorthttp://www.amaragroup.net/mountain/mountain-en/KengTong:NewKyaingTongHotelhttp://www.hoteltravel.com/myanmar/keng_tung/new_kyaing_tong.htm

DoesNotInclude:internationalflight,visafee,travelinsurance,departuretax,camerafees,tipstodriverorguide,anydrinks,laundry,phonecalls.NOTE:GuesthouseinKengTungwillbebasic,butdoeshavewesternattachedbathroomandshower.Thegovernmentrulessomevillagesofflimitstoforeignerswithoutadvancenoticesuchas.Therearemanyothervillageswecanvisitinstead.Thesequencingofthevillagevisitssubjecttochange.Yourguidewillarrangevisitsforbestefficiencygivencurrentconditions.