7 DAYS, BORDER CROSSING TOUR TO ETHNIC GROUPS

Itinerary

Itinerary in details:

DAY 01: TACHILEIK – KYAING TONG BY CAR
After passing a Maesai Border, you can enter to Tachileik after passing through the immigration and Ministry of hotels and Tourism at border check point, welcome by our English Speaking guide at the airport and drive to Kyaing Tong after 3 hour driving.
Arrive at Kyaing Tong Airport and transfer to hotel. A short drive through Kyaing Tong takes you to Lake Tong, the centre of the city. The terrace at the boulevard around the lake is a good place to soak up the atmosphere of Kyaing Tong. Overnight.

DAY 02: KYAING TONG & SURROUNDINGS TO TRIBAL VILLAGE (AKHA, ANN, PALAUNG)
A full day in the countryside.
Breakfast at Hotel. Visit Yan-Law "Khun" people village, Palaung Village, Kat-Tauk village, visit to the Kat Tauk area and visit an Akha village.
Many Akha are found near Kyaing Tong where they live in the high mountains
Visit one of the typical Akha houses.Steep path to Pin Tauk Waterfall (approx. 10 minutes – also called the “young men’s route”) or enjoy a leisurely walk down the hill (approx. 30 minutes).
Return downhill and drive to the Pin Tauk Lahu village, a picturesque but few people wear traditional dress.
Continue to visit Wan Pauk Palaung village that is traditional but very poor. Return to Kyaing Tong. Overnight.
Please note: you will have to bring a picnic lunch box.

DAY 03: KYAING TONG – HOKYIN - SURROUNDINGS
Drive high into the hills, to the top of Hokyin Mountain. On this mountain are 4 Akha villages, one Buddhist, one Animist, one Catholic and one Christian. Observing traditional Yan-gone Pottery Work. Visiting RCM Church, former times' Italian Missionary.
The Akha are very hospitable and enjoy welcoming you to their house for a chat around the stove. After the 4th village, you can return by car, or enjoy another walk down the hill for approx. 1 hour. The path leads through farms with beautiful views of the surrounding hills.
Return in the direction of Kyaing Tong and visit a Wa village, where you can still see handmade guns. Then visit U Mulein Da's unique Shan lacquerware shop. Drive to the top of Lone Tree Hill for views over surrounding countryside and Kyaing Tong. Return to hotel. Overnight.
Please note: you will have to bring a picnic lunch box.

DAY 04: EXCURSION LOIMWE
After breakfast, drive to Loimwe (appr. 2 hours drive), an old colonial town with different colorful tribes. which passes through forests, terraced rice fields and a lake.
lunch on the way, you will have several stops to visit different villages. Wan Lun Shan village, walk and explore the native village life; the Ho Lup Akha village where you can see the traditional Akha tribes the Naung Cho Wa tribe, in former times headhunters . Late afternoon come back to Kyaing Tong. Overnight.

DAY 05: KYAING TONG – MANDALAY BY FLIGHT - AMARAPURA
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, enjoy Kyaing Tong Market - a fascinating place to soak up some local atmosphere.
Other stops can be made at Wat In – a Khun-style temple and the more “Myanmar” style Maha-Myat Muni temple. Also visit a pottery village and the blacksmith shop.
Return at hotel and check out. Transfer from hotel to airport for the flight to Mandalay.
Arrive Mandalay, a second largest city and the historical old capital.. with the life span of 140 years old. Welcome by our local guide at the airport and directly drive to Amarapura. the temple and small
pagodas to the former ancient capitals Amarapura.
You can take a sunset by walking over the world’s longest teakwood U-Bein Bridge, which is over a kilometre long and made entirely of teak. Overnight.

DAY 06 MANDALAY VISIT – SAGAING
Mahamuni Pagoda; century-old and legendary Arakan Buddha, made of pure gold. It was the capital of the last, independent Burmese kingdom, which in 1886 was finally conquered by British colonial forces.
Shwenandaw Monastery, a Golden Palace Monastery. This monastery is famous for its beautiful wood-carvings and carved all over with motifs and mythical creatures.
Kuthodaw Pagoda: It is a large walled complex situated at the base of the southeast stairway to Mandalay Hill and was built by King Mindon. The Fifth Buddhist Synod, which King Mindon called in
1872, in the development of the Kuthodaw.
Visit Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda: a large Buddha statue carved out of a single block of local marble.
Visit to Sagaing; Then, we drive across Ava Bridge, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill. The hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. It is a place one can enjoy the magnificent views over Sagaing.
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda; continue to see the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, with its huge egg-shaped dome in Ceylonese style. Just Photo stop! Back to Mandalay.
In the afternoon, visit to Zegyo market (if open) and some of Mandalay's cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making. (If still feel fresh) Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, its 790 ft (240 m) Mandalay Hill which towers above the city and the flat plain below.where there are interesting glass-studded temples.

DAY 07 MANDALAY – DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for international departure flight.