13Days, Myanmar Family Adventure

Itinerary

DAY1:ARRIVAL IN YANGON

You can arrive any time before 3pm today. A driver will meet you on arrival and bring you to the hotel. We meet in the late afternoon for a briefing, followed by a visit to the most important religious monument in Myanmar, the Shwedagon Pagoda. We learn about the intricate history and significance of this towering, gold covered Pagoda and enjoy an unforgettable sunset here. A delicious Burmese dinner awaits. Meals: D

 

DAY2:FLY TO INLE LAKE

After an early morning walking tour of downtown Yangon, we take a late morning flight to Heho and a short drive onto Nyang Shwe, the main Inle Lake town. We will be staying on the dry land next to the lake rather than on it. This gives you freedom to explore the area by bike in the afternoon with your guide.

Meals: BLD

 

DAY3:BIKE & BOAT INLE LAKE 25KM

We take a ride around the area to learn a little about the local culture and the farming habits of the people here. We then cycle along the western bank of the lake, before taking a boat trip on the lake itself. Here we will see leg rowing fishermen, silk weaving, silversmiths and whole communities that exist in stilt houses on the lake. Everything from schools, shops, even basketball courts can be found out here, all within a short boat ride of each other.

Meals: BL

 

DAY4:CYCLE TO INDEIN 25KM, TRANSFER TO KALAW

Today we make our way in to the Shan Hills but not without one last ride along the lake where we'll have little traffic and the chance to see local villages and perhaps even a rotating market. We'll pack up the bikes and drive 2 hours to Kalaw, a former British Hill Station and home to an astounding mix of people, from descendants of Gurkha soldiers, to Bangladeshi immigrants, ethnic Pao O and Burmese. All share this picturesque setting with a small, but fascinating market at its centre. We explore the market on foot and then, if you wish, jump back on the bikes for a pedal around the town to see some of the remaining British influenced buildings. The Shan Hills are noted for their fresh produce and tonight you'll have a chance to try it at a family run restaurant.

Meals: BLD

 

DAY5:TREK TO ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

After a short drive, we start our walk on well worn trails through the forest. We pass small villages as we descend, eventually arriving at the Elephant Sanctuary. Here a dedicated team have established a natural reserve for working Elephants to retire to. The sanctuary, in its third year of operation, also serves as a re-forestation project to provide further habitat to the elephants. We take a walk here and hope to see some of the residents. After spending some time with these majestic creatures, we have lunch at the sanctuary HQ and then return to Kalaw by car.

Meals: BLD

 

DAY6:FLY TO MANDALAY

Mandalay was the last royal capital of Myanmar and was the first city to be ransacked by the advancing British forces. The former Royal complex was destroyed in a fire during World War II, but you can still see the impressive walls and moat. The city of Mandalay is now a bustling commercial centre with fascinating local markets. We touch down in the late morning and then have the afternoon to wander on foot and explore town.

Meals: B

 

DAY7:CYCLE THE MANDALAY COUNTRYSIDE 20KM

We take a bike ride beyond the bustle of Mandalay to see the villages that exist around the periphery. Here we find a peaceful way of life, centred around the cycle of the farming seasons and traditional life. In the dry season while the land lays fallow, the villagers dedicate their time to traditional crafts such as making robes for monks, snacks to sell in market or other skills that have been passed down to them. After lunch, the rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the pool or explore on your own. Meals: BL

 

DAY8:CYCLE TO U BEIN BRIDGE 25KM, TRANSFER TO MYINGYAN

We take to the bikes and ride the back trails of the Mandalay region this morning. We pass by ruined pagodas dating back to the heyday of Amarapura and we discover the Muslim enclave that is home to the descendants of Mayor U Bein who built the longest teak wood bridge in the world. We finish at this bridge where we have lunch before driving onto Myingyan, a small town of little note, but perfectly located for us to break our journey for the night.

Meals: BD

 

DAY9:TRANSFER & CYCLE TO MOUNT POPA 25KM

After driving some way towards our destination, we find our bikes and detour through the villages surrounding Mount Popa. Depending on the time of year, you will see various crops, maybe even sunflowers or tamarind. We are then back into the vehicle for the drive up to volcanic Mount Popa, home of the 37 Nat. Our hotel is the Mount Popa Resort with a clear, fresh pool and a view of the hill-top temple. In the afternoon, those wanting to get up close and personal with the tales of the Nat spirits can join your tour leader for a visit to Taung Kalat.

Meals: BLD

 

DAY10:TRANSFER & CYCLE TO BAGAN 25KM

Those who enjoy big downhills may like to enjoy this one before we drive onto the Bagan area where we cut short and take a lovely ride through the villages of the dry zone area. We encounter palm sugar production and various other food and craft production as we pedal the sandy trails into Bagan proper with its beautiful panorama of the pagoda speckled plain.

Meals: BLD

 

DAY11:CYCLE THE PAGODAS OF BAGAN 25KM

The pagodas of the Bagan Plain are best visited early in the morning as the sandy landscape heats up by the middle of the day. We make good use of an early start and focus our visit on the temples that were built between 14th and 19th centuries: Shwezigon, Sulamani, Htilominlo, Dhammayazika. In the late morning we find a shady tree to enjoy lunch under and then have an afternoon for free time before we find a quiet view to enjoy a peaceful sunset overlooking the pagodas. Meals: BL

Note: Day 11 is the ideal timing for Balloons Over Bagan, a professional ballooning operation based in Bagan. They run sunrise balloon flights that are considered some of the best ballooning in the world. We can arrange this for you. Prices are approximately $330 per person. Please inquire when booking on the tour if this interests you.

 

DAY12:FREE DAY IN BAGAN

A free day for you to relax, take stock of the great adventure and enjoy this enchanting location. The hotel is well located for more exploration and has a nice pool for those who have had enough exploration for the time being. Burmese massage is also highly recommended.

Meals: BL

 

DAY13:TRANSFER TO MANDALAY & CONCLUSION OF TOUR

We make an early start for our five hour drive to Mandalay. Those departing today can be taken straight to the airport. For those wanting to spend more time in Mandalay, we will take you to your hotel.

Meals: B