Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to Myanmar - where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas & the traditional ways of Asia endure.

‘This is Burma', wrote Rudyard Kipling. ‘It will be quite unlike any land you know about.’ Amazingly, over a century later, Myanmar retains the power to surprise & delight even the most jaded of travellers. In a nation of multiple ethnic groups, exploring Myanmar can sometimes feel like you have stumbled into a living edition of National Geographic, c 1910.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant Yangon, by far the most exciting place in the country, a commercial & artistic hub reflecting the changes that have occurred since the country recently reopened to the world.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Yangon International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in & also discuss the program for the next few days.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Ancient Civilisations|Golden Wonders|Traditional Life|Simple Pleasures 

Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is the largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Since the 17^th century, Yangon has been a cosmopolitan city with a polyglot mixture of peoples. Portuguese businessmen, Dutch fortune hunters, Englishmen of all sorts, Chinese seeking refuge from the upheavals in the Yunnan & many Indians who arrived in several waves during colonial times. Most of these people are now gone & Yangon is now a predominantly Bamar city with a large Indian minority & a growing Chinese minority. Still, there are traces of the old Yangon still visible, whether it is in the crowded Indian dominated parts of Anawratha Street, or in the occasional Anglo-Burmese or Anglo-Indian who walks up & says hello.

In some ways, the biggest change in modern Yangon is the loss of the Indians, who arrived with the British as soldiers & labourers (though Indian traders have always been a part of the Burmese landscape) &  then left in 2 large waves of migration (during the Japanese occupation and again, in 1963, when they were forced to leave by Ne Win's government). Ethnic groups such as the Shan & Karen are also present. Kabya, or persons of mixed heritage, are common in Yangon.

The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese & Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying & beyond appreciation, remains an almost unique example of a 19^th century British colonial capital. New high-rise buildings were constructed from the 1990s (& some are scarily unoccupied and left as ghost skyscrapers & hotels as seen along Upper Pansodan Rd) as the government began to allow private investment (while former national government buildings such as the massive Secretariat Building, as the capital is shifted to Naypyidaw, have been left to rot). However, Yangon continues to be a city of the past, as seen by its longyi-wearing, betel nut chewing & spitting pedestrians, their friendly or even familial attitude towards strangers, its street vendors & its pungent smells.

A mix of colonial architecture, modern high-rises & gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline. Its famed Shwedagon Paya, a huge, shimmering pagoda complex, draws thousands of pilgrims annually. The city's other notable religious sites include the Botataung & Sule pagodas, both housing Buddhist relics. In 2006, the capital was moved to Naypyidaw but Yangon remains the business, cultural & intellectual capital of modern Burma. 

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby & proceed downtown to start your walking orientation tour on Mahanbandola Road where the Immanuel Baptist Church, originally built in 1830, is located.

Continue east passing a couple of alleyways crammed with food stalls & markets. Turn right onto Pansodan Street with its many stalls selling second-hand & photocopied books. You will pass the High Court Building, the grand Inland Water Transport offices & even grander Myanmar Port Authority building until you will reach Strand Road.

Next stop will be the majestic Strand Hotel & then walk along Strand Road until you see the Customs House & the Law Court, an impressive-looking colonnaded building. Turn north onto boisterous Bank Street & up onto Sule Pagoda Road, where you can consult one of the many fortune tellers who hang out under the trees. Be sure to make a photo stop at Sule Pagoda, downtown’s symbol whose construction dates back to over 2,000 years ago standing in the middle of the heat-stained Mahabandoola Garden.

After a complete rotation seeing the twice rebuilt City Hall, continue west down Mahanbandoola Road through the chaotic Indian & Chinese quarters. Explore the gold shops of Shwe Bontha Street & have a look from outside at the Moseh Yeshua Synagogue on 26^th street. You will then reach Theingyi Zei market, where you can engage in a little pickled-snake hunting. Exit onto Anawratha Road until you reach into the Sri Kali temple, one of Yangon’s most colourful Hindu temples

Return to the hotel.

Evening, proceed to the artificial Kandawgyi Lake (also known as Royal Lake), built by the British as a reservoir, to enjoy a Burmese Welcome Dinner on the Royal Barge. It is most attractive at sunset, when the glittering Shwedagon is reflected in its calm waters. The boardwalk, which runs mainly along the southern and western sides of the lake, is also an ideal place for a jog or stroll.

Return to the hotel.

After breakfast, you will meet the Tour-guide in the lobby at the specified time & embark on a full day 6 hour sightseeing tour to discover the colorful capital of Myanmar.     

From your hotel it’s off to the Pansodan Jetty to get on a local, two-deck ferry in order to cross the Yangon River to Dhala, a charming low-lying township. Since Dhala does not have a direct bridge to Yangon, the ferry is the main mode of commuting and thus the area around the jetty and the boat itself is an extremely vibrant market where many locals come to do their trading and sell snacks and other items to the ferry passengers.

After disembarking on the other side, you will travel by trishaw throughout the town, which includes a visit to the colourful local market, Buddhist temples and rural neighbourhoods with plenty of opportunities to interact with the local residents. This trip is an absolute pleasure for people that like to take lots of photos, it is chock-full of beautiful scenery and amazing splendour. Have a drink on the terrace of the local tea shop at the jetty and watch the action while you take in the historical skyline of Yangon which has not changed in decades.

Get on the ferry & return to Yangon around midday.

We’ll start things off in the afternoon with a trip to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70 meter long reclining Buddha statue around the size of a blue whale. You will continue uptown in order to make a quick stop by the Royal Lake located in Kandawgyi Park which is very popular with local residents, especially in the early morning & around sunset. Catch a view of Karaweik Hall, a reproduction of a royal barge & enjoy a spectacular view of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda.

No Myanmar expedition can be considered truly great if it’s lacking a visit to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. Ready for an amazing experience? The visual delights present there alone, are worth the trip. Begin at the eastern entrance to find a row of shops at the base of the temple selling various religious items. Here you will find monks robes, alms bowls, offerings, incense & other unique Buddhist objects. As your browse the stalls your guide will explain the use and rituals of Myanmar’s Buddhist people. 

Then continue up the stairs to the main platform. Witness the colors transform on the 100 meter Chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf. Shwedagon is largely considered to be the most important religious site for the Burmese; most visitors report that the trip is extremely memorable & still etched into their minds.

Return to the hotel.

Evening at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

Morning, you will be transferred to the Airport for your short flight to Bagan.

Arrive at the temple town - one of Myanmar’s main attractions.

As you exit from the Arrival Terminal? - Bagan Nyaung U Airport, you will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in & also discuss the program for the next few days.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Relax & freshen up & get ready to embark on a full day sightseeing.

An ancient city, Bagan, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, was once the capital of a powerful Pagan Kingdom, the first kingdom that unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar.

The UNESCO World Heritage listed ‘Bagan Archaeological Zone’ occupying an impressive 26 square mile plain, part-covered in stands of palm & tamarind caught in a bend of the lazy-flowing Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, framed by the hazy silver-grey of distant mountains, is home to the largest & densest concentration of Buddhist Temples, Pagodas, Stupas & ruins in the world with many dating from the 11^th & 12^th centuries.

People draw a comparison between this immense archeological site & the other significant archeological gem of Southeast Asia, the Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This analogy may be illustrative: Angkor ruins are like a Chinese Lauriat banquet where food is presented in spectacular servings with a suspenseful wait between items which are hidden beneath curtains of forests. On the other hand, Bagan is served in Spanish Tapas style, the ingredients exposed to the customer & shown in small bite-size servings, with the next attraction close & visible at hand, in shorter intervals.

Shortly after, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at ??? & proceed for an 8 hour excursion to visit some of the Temples.

Rising from the plain’s canopy of green are temples, dozens of them, hundreds of them, beautiful, other-worldly silhouettes that were built by the kings of Bagan between 1057 & 1287, when their kingdom was swept away by earthquakes and Kublai Khan & his invading Mongols. Some 2,230 of an original 4,450 temples survive, a legacy of the Buddhist belief that to build a temple was to earn merit.

What makes the Temples look romantic is the process of graceful aging. The shape & construction of each building is highly significant in Buddhism with each component part taking on spiritual meaning. Most are superbly preserved or have been restored by UNESCO, among others, and many contain frescoes, carvings & statues of Buddha, big & small.

For some reason, there are no windbreakers around as shown by the barren, desert-dry mountain range to the west past the river, spinning occasional micro twisters that spawn loose dust particles everywhere from the eroded earth to the structures. This phenomenon had peeled off so much the stucco coating of the temples to reveal the brick structural blocks with its rusty, reddish & sometimes golden brown-like patina when hit by the sun's rays.

Traveling amid the temples on vehicle, ox cart or horse cart, you will get a taste of rural Bagan life in this ‘living museum’ setting where farmers & families work amongst the monuments.

Start with an elevated Temple where you can climb atop to see panoramic views of the Bagan plains. This viewpoint will give you a taste of the sheer number of Temples as well as some of their distinctive styles. Continue to various other temples dotted around the temple plains, including highlights such as Ananda & Pyathada Paya, full of murals & statues of Buddha or Shwesandaw, to experience a variety of architectural styles & artistic wonder of a bygone era.  

Pass through the city’s other important pagodas & temples such as Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan, gigantic Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, Sulamani Temple & Gu Byaukgyi Temple. 

You will also visit the Central Market & Myinkaba - a village famous for it’s distinctive traditional Mon-style lacquerware & wood crafts, some of the most common cottage industries in Bagan. All over Myinkaba village, you will see lots of giant stacks of bamboo, which is the main raw material of the plaited matting used for the walls of houses all over Myanmar. Watch in amazement as the skilled craftsmen use traditional techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.

On the outskirts, just off the main road, you will find many attractive sites including Mingalazedi Paya which represents the final flowering of Bagan’s architectural outburst ; Gubyaukgyi attracting many visitors with its well-preserved, richly, colored painting, Manuha Paya, named after King Manuha whose reign is one of the most admirable part of Burmese history, etc.

Late afternoon, you will be taken to the jetty where a private wooden river boat awaits you. Sitting either under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River. You’ll cruise past several small villages, fishermen, local boats & of course many of the ubiquitous Myanmar Buddhist temples. The views of Bagan from the river are particularly spectacular & offer a different perspective from the land based tours.

The sightseeing comes to a close while watching the sun set from the upper terrace of one of the elevated temples - Shwesandaw, the “sunset” pagoda, so-called because it is the one (with Buledi) most visitors climb to watch the sunset.

As the sun begins to sink slowly from view, you will prepare to disembark before being driven back, greatly relaxed, to your hotel for the evening. The perfect end to a busy day of sightseeing in Bagan!

The best way to see the temples is from a hot-air balloon (optional, not included – extra payment). The roughly 45 minute flight leave at dawn or dusk & drift over much of the site, with glorious views of the river & distant mountains, hazed by mist, as well as a bird’s-eye view of the temples & rural village life.

Return to the hotel.

Evening at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

Morning, you will be met by the Tour-guide & proceed for a full day sightseeing.

It is off to the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce & other goods daily. From here you will have a look around Old Bagan starting with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11^th century as a religious memorial. Travel over dusty lanes & tree shaded roads past temples & monasteries to a small village. At one of the Monasteries you will participate in a special traditional Buddhist ceremony. Around 10.30 am you will witness an alms procession where, alongside locals, you will donate offerings of food to the monks. Afterwards you will receive a special blessing from the monks to ensure good luck & happiness.

Continue your journey by horse cart for an excursion that passes through the city’s most important pagodas & temples such as Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan, gigantic Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, Sulamani Temple & Gu Byaukgyi Temple. Take pleasure in an extraordinary sunset from the upper terrace of one of the surrounding temples. 

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, you will be transferred to the Airport for your flight to Mandalay.

Arrive in the 2^nd largest city in Burma & a former capital of Myanmar, Madalay - with its hilly slopes studded with Pagodas, looming over the city.

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As you exit from the Arrival Terminal? - Mandalay International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep / Tour-guide who will ensure your comfort & accompany you on an orientation tour of Mandalay, straight from the Airport.

Mandalay, the very name evokes the splendours of the Burma of old. But, most people will be surprised to learn that Mandalay is not an old city, not even a medieval one, but rather a new city that was created by King Mingdon Min of Burma in 1857 as the new capital of the kingdom of Ava. The city is the economic & religious hub of upper Myanmar & is centred around the Royal Palace. It has wide lanes filled with bicycles & motorcycles and is known for its cultural diversity. Half of Burma's monks reside in Mandalay & the surrounding areas.

Only two Burmese kings ruled from there, King Mingdon & King Thibaw, before the British conquest of Upper Burma in 1885. It was a city of splendour between 1858 - 1885 but most of the magnificence is gone, destroyed by the fire that consumed wooden structures & by intensive bombing by the Allies during the Second World War. The city, neatly planned with its lettered roads and numbered streets, is a British creation. The once magnificent Royal Palace & the great Atumashi (incomparable) pagoda, King Mingdon Min's finest creations, are modern reconstructions. Today, Mandalay lies at the end of the Lashio Road & it is, by Burmese standards, relatively prosperous as a centre for trade with China & for the growing trade with India. Despite the capital having been moved to Naypyidaw, Mandalay remains by far the main commercial centre of Upper Myanmar.

Visit Mandalay Hill, rising 240 meter above the city. At the top, the reward is a full panoramic view, the hazy blue outline of the Shan Hills to the east, the Mandalay Palace (& the city sprawl) to the south & the Irrawaddy River to the west. Directly south of Mandalay Hill stands the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda with a giant Buddha carved from one marble block.

Proceed to Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as 'The World’s Biggest Book' for its collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.

Final stop of the morning is Shwenandaw Monastery, the Golden Monastery which is the only enduring structure from the Royal Palace of the 19^th century. This impressive structure is celebrated for its remarkable woodcarvings.

Take a break at mid-day & proceed to the hotel to Check-in (Check-in time at most hotels is 02:00 pm).

Afternoon after lunch (not included), continue your guided tour with a visit to the Mahamuni Pagoda. This Pagoda houses one of the country’s most honored Buddha images, completely covered in gold leaves that are applied to the statue by male devotees, every day. 

There are also many craft workshops in Mandalay &, should you wish (& if time allows), you can stop for a visit to one making gold leaf, tapestries, wood carvings or marionettes.

Later, drive to Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital.

The main feature of this charming little town is its many workshops. From practically every house you can hear the clacking of the looms as they produce the most exquisite longyis (traditional sarong-style lower garment) of cotton or silk. There are many bronze foundries and woodcarvers providing devotional objects such as Buddha images and gongs for the lucrative market in nearby Mandalay. All that remains of the former royal palace are the stone ruins - the teak buildings were dismantled and taken away to Mandalay.

This magnificient Mahagandayon monastery founded in 1914 and renowned as a centre for monastic study & strict religious discipline, is one of Amarapura's main sights. One of the largest Monasteries in Mandalay where at times there are more than 3,000 Monks living & studying here. At 10:30 every morning, hundreds of monks wait in long queues for their Swan (meals). At the same time, hordes of tourists stand watching and photographing them & even in the refectory they cannot escape from the curious & often intrusive gaze of the visitors.

Continue on foot or by bus a short distance to U Bein Bridge. Built in 1782, it spans 1.2 km across the shallow Taungthaman Lake and is said to be the longest teakwood bridge worldwide.  Enjoy the late afternoon beauty as the sun casts long shadows and illuminates the bridge.

The sightseeing concludes & you head back to the hotel in Mandalay.

Balance of the evening is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

The day will begin with a visit to Mandalay’s vibrant morning market.

The Market is a hive of activity in the morning with vendors selling mainly fresh produce & meat but there is an array of other goods including spices, local ‘slippers’ and Buddhist donation items. You’ll be amazed at the colors and sounds as deals are made. Should you wish to buy some fruits or household items, your guide can assist and advise on a monastery or nunnery in today’s touring at which to donate.

Then, continue across the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing, the Buddhist centre of Myanmar. With 600 ivory colored pagodas & monasteries, Sagaing Hill claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. You will visit some of the more famous Pagodas & enjoy spectacular views from the top of Sagaing Hill before returning down to the small town for lunch.

Next, it is on to Ava (or Inwa) which was the standing capital from the 14^th to 18^th centuries known for religious structures left over from several reigns. Recognized as the significant capital, Inwa was the name of which Burma was recognized to Europeans until the 19^th century. When the British occupied Lower Myanmar, after the Second Anglo-Burmese War, the Upper Myanmar was popularly referred to as the Kingdom of Inwa. The heart of government & royal power on 5 separate occasions, Inwa was finally abandoned in 1839 after a series of devastating earthquakes. Even after having been destroyed & rebuilt numerous times over the centuries, Ava continues to exude a regal sort of charm.

Today, a visit to Inwa is a fascinating trip back in time, allowing you to explore the remains of an ancient city full of old watchtowers, city walls, monasteries & temples that feel a world away from the hustle & bustle of Mandalay.

The most popular way to visit Inwa is by horse cart & you will see dozens waiting at Inwa's eastern jetty. Horse-cart tours are a major part of the Inwa experience – carriages generate no noise pollution and create picturesque scenes along the tree-lined tracks. Sit back & travel in style to some of the city’s most significant destinations:.

Cross the small river by ferry & travel in a traditional horse & carriage to the wooden the 19^th century Bagaya Kyaung, working Monastery made of teak, renowned for its extraordinarily elaborate woodcarvings. Be sure to check out the Nanmyint Watch Tower - also called “the leaning tower of Ava“ - which is what’s left from the remnants of the ancient palace & Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery.

Return back across the river to the city centre in the early evening and transfer by road to your hotel.

Evening at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

Morning, you will be transferred to the Mandalay Airport for your flight to Heho.

Arrive in the small beautiful Heho, the primary air gateway to tourist areas such as Inle Lake region in Central Myanmar, a must-see destination where you can see firsthand the unique leg-rowers.

The best time to visit Heho is in the festival season when the Shin Pyu Festival, also referred to the Buddhist Orders Festival, is held annually by the town’s locals. It is the special ceremony of the locals in which the Master will admit the Son of some families to be a Monk for a new life without possession & worrying.

On arrival at Heho International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort, discuss the program for the next few days & see you off for the drive to Pindaya, a quiet town on the banks of the serene Botoloke Lake.

The road to sleepy Pindaya cuts across one of the most densely farmed areas in Myanmar - at first glance, the patchwork of fields & hedges could almost be a landscape from central Europe. Stop along the way to enjoy the fresh, countryside air & take photos of the beautiful fields, farms & hills.

Drive along on small & windy roads which snake their way through mountain ranges from Mandalay, Inle Lake, or Bagan, to reach the pretty little town of Pindaya, set amidst the beautiful countryside of Shan State.

The town is most famous for the famous Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda & Pindaya Caves, a massive limestone cavern filled with thousands of gilded Buddha statues that have been consecrated for worship over the centuries. 

It is also the Danu, Palaung & Pa-O tribe villages, rather than the farms, around Pindaya that draw travellers for treks through less-visited areas than elsewhere in western Shan State. The Danu & Pa-O people look quite distinct from the other Burmese, both ethnically & in their dress and have their own languages. They are also passionate about their independent identity, often displaying local flags on their houses & vehicles.

Pindaya is also known for its Handicrafts & you will visit a small factory that makes paper parasols & see the full process from the paper making to the hand painted decorations as well as observing locals making the famous Burmese cheroots. The town is a great base for gentle walks to local villages or embarking on steeper treks into the Shan hills.

Shwe U Min Pagoda Festival is a popular major festival of Taungyo, Pa-O & Danu hill tribes, that takes place in Pindaya in February & features dancing, music & fairground attractions.

For really spectacular views of Pindaya & the surrounding countryside, we recommend that you take to the skies with a hot air balloon (optional - not included).

Reaching the town of Pindaya, you will first visit the local market which is an interesting experience for visitors. Open daily, the market is a gathering place for area farmers to sell their fresh produce & it also attracts vendors from hill tribes further away. You will also visit a small shop making Myanmar’s famous tea leaf salad from Pindaya’s Tea Plantations. Pindaya is known throughout Myanmar as having the best green tea & tea leaf salad as well as soya-based products.

In time, proceed to the hotel to Check-in (Check-in time at all hotels is 02:00 pm and we will try our best for an early Check-in but it is not guaranteed).

Relax for a while.

Afternoon, meet the Tour-guide & embark on a short 20 minute walk through the village to a family farm house on the outskirts of town to spend time with the family at a Tea Plantation, learning about the growing of tea & the production of tea leaf salad & other local delicacies.

Walk amid the tea plants, stopping to pick a few ripe leaves if you wish. Then return to the house to watch a demonstration of tea leaf salad making. You will have a chance to sample freshly brewed green tea & see the drying of soya bean crackers.

Later, drive to the renowned Pindaya Caves, one of the significant beauties of the area. Then, you will walk south along Shwe U Min Pagoda Road, which includes an atmospheric section passing between gigantic trees whose trunks & branches weave unusually along the ground, to reach the 15 metre tall Shwe U Min Pagodas - giant white stupas which climb out of the ground, located at the entrance to the Caves.

Set deep in the hillsides, the Caves (some of which serve as meditation chambers) contain some 6000 Buddhas of various sizes, made up of white marble, bronze or plaster & coated with gold leaf, estimated to have been formed more than 200 million years ago.  

While returning from the Caves, you will take a different route, walking along the covered walkway that surrounds the hillside, downhill from the Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda on the dirt path to Pone Taloke Lake - where you can see the 19^th century Hsin Khaung Taung Kyaung, a beautiful Monastery with its carved teak panels.

At the north end of Pone Taloke Lake, there is the fine teak Kan Tu Kyaung (Burmese Buddhist Monastery) featuring some heavily restored stupas & a large collection of antique Buddha images on ornate plinths.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Morning, depart for Nyaung Shwe, gateway village for Inle Lake.

Should today be Pindaya’s scheduled day on the 5-day market rotation among the peripheral villages, you may wish to stop by for a visit prior to embarking on the drive to Nyaung Shwe

Enroute, it may be possible to stop at the Aung Ban wholesale market.

On reaching the edge of the lake, embark on a short orientation tour of Nyaung Shwe, a small village of narrow streets dotted with temples, monasteries, tea shops and of course, local houses. 

Proceed to the hotel to Check-in.

Later, you will board a private motorboat and go into Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular & breathtaking sights. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation & fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop. Along the way, you will pass several villages that are built on stilts over the lake, which are inhabited by the local Intha people.

Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fishermen & see their ‘floating gardens’, which are built up from strips of water hyacinth, earth & anchored to the bottom of the lake with bamboo poles which rise & fall with the tides to avoid flooding.

You will visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses loads of early Shan Buddha Images. In the past this temple was known for its ‘jumping cats’ but these days there are only a few felines roaming around & none are jumping any more. Yet the Buddha images are still well worth the visit.

You will then proceed to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main sanctuary, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf.

The day will come to a close with a return trip by boat back to your hotel.

Evening at leisure.

Continue your exploration of Inle Lake with a visit to the morning market (open every day apart from dark moon & full moon calendar days) where you can meet local hill tribe people who gather from the surrounding area & explore a local village and beautiful ruined ancient stupas.

There are also many traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake and, should you wish, we can stop for a visit to one making incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), blacksmiths or even silver smiths and a cigar making workshop where typical Burmese cigars are made by hand . The Market is a hive of activity as the lake's residents gather to buy fresh produce and other goods in the early morning hours. The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5 day schedule and is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell and trade their wares.

Embark in a 1 hour boat ride down a small canal, that will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake.

The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake.

Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending the moss-covered stairway to the top of a hill. Once you have arrived at the summit, you will be rewarded with mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings & greeted by an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins & overgrown shrubbery.

Then it is time to embark on a 45 minutes trek to Sae Ma village. Along the way, you will enjoy the natural beauty & panoramic vistas of the area while basking under the shade of the bamboo grooves in the area. Upon arrival at the village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural inhabitants.

On the boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe, should time allow, you'll stop at the Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history & culture of the lake's indigenous people.

An exciting day comes to a close as you are transferred back to the hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight.   B 

Early morning, you will be met by The Journeys Rep & transferred by Boat & Car to Heho Airport, where you will board the short flight for Yangon.

Alas, this wonderful glimpse of Myanmar comes to end & it is time to say good-bye & go home. But, we sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of the "Land of the Golden Pagodas" on your next visit.

Arrive in Yangon & depending on your flight schedule, you will connect directly with your onward flight.

However, if your flight departs in the evening & you have time to spare, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort. We will be happy to offer a private car that will be at your disposal to enable you to explore independently & to catch up on any last minute shopping that you may want (no accommodation is envisaged on this day).

In time, the Journeys Driver, will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Yangon International Airport for your onward journey. B

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