Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Mingalabar (traditional greeting) 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. 

Food plays an important role in the local lifestyle - it serves not just as sustenance but bears social & religious significance.  Throughout on this Culinary Journey, you will not just taste & participate in the preparations of food but also partake in daily rituals that revolve around food. This will give you a much deeper understanding of the culture & the cuisine of Myanmar.

Later in the afternoon around 2:00 pm, meet the Tour-guide in the lobby & proceed to the bustling & vibrant downtown to commence your introduction to the food culture of Myanmar.

The 3 hour orientation tour begins near Theingyi Zay - an all-day bustling market.

Walk through the streets of ‘Little India’ where a mix of Bamar & Indian influenced dishes are prepared by vendors and stop to sample a dosa or fried bean treat. Continue toward China Town where colorful stalls feature fruits, flowers & vegetables. There are several small houses making fresh noodles, sausage makers & dumpling vendors dotting the streets. Stop for a refreshing faluda or other sweet at Shwe Pu Zun, a famous Yangon dessert shop, and then continue to a shop selling Myanmar’s beloved tea leaf salad.

Return to the hotel & relax for a couple of hours.

Evening, we will introduce your palatte to a variety for foods from different regions in Myanmar.

Proceed for Dinner at one of the famous Yangon landmark restaurants - Taing Yin Thar, ( means ‘National’), which showcases great flavours from remote areas of the country such as Rakhine, Kachin & Karin as well as traditional Bamar foods.

Come back to the hotel.

Early morning is a perfect time to experience the wide variety of Myanmar street food. Meet the Tour-guide at 07.00 am & begin.

Start with a trip to one of the city’s major markets on 18^th Street with fruit, vegetables & spices vying with meat & fish for the attentions of the discerning shoppers. Visits to fresh produce markets & sampling all manner of food both sweet & savoury (& indeed perhaps even bizarre, depending on your previous culinary experiences) your taste buds are in for a treat!

Join the locals as they partake of a delicious breakfast of noodles, samosas or perhaps something sweeter like a doughnut or pancake. You will take a short drive to Seikkan Tha Street, another morning market area with many stalls selling palata (thick pancakes), flowers & fruits. Try a bite of palata or an exotic local fruit.

After all the delights, a visit to the popular Maung Aye Tea Shop & a cup of Myanmar tea will doubtless be highly welcome. The stall next door serves also fabulous rice flour pancakes with jiggery & poppy seeds. Suitably refreshed you will set off for the Shwe Myot Taw Indian restaurant, famed for its palata & padauk yeik before heading towards the final stop at Ye Kyaw market with yet further displays of the variety of food stuffs available in Yangon.

By now, in spite of the samples & snacks, you will be ready for a more complete eating experience. So, next on the agenda is Lunch at the highly popular Feel Myanmar restaurant where you can try one of the fabulous local curries and its accompanying vegetables sauces & soups. What better way to experience your voyage of Myanmar cuisine!

Post lunch, commence your regular sightseeing.

Meet the Tour-guide & 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

Next will be Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70 meter long reclining Buddha statue around the size of a blue whale. Continue uptown in order to make a quick stop by the Royal Lake, built by the British as a reservoir, located in Kandawgyi Park  which is very popular with local residents, especially in the early morning & around sunset when the glittering Shwedagon is reflected in its calm waters. The boardwalk, which runs mainly along the southern & western sides of the lake, is also an ideal place for a jog or stroll.

Also catch a view of Karaweik Hall, a reproduction of a royal barge.

No Myanmar journey can be considered complete if it lacks 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, the Tour-guide will explain the use & 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.

Come back 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.

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. The monarchs built multitudes of massive stupas & pagodas, scores of which are still present on the shores of the Irrawaddy River.

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 (of the size of Manhattan Island) canopy of green are red brick 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.  

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.

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 craft, some of the most common cottage industries in Bagan. Learn more about the local culture with a visit to 2 workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products. 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.

Later in the afternoon, you will be transferred to the jetty where a private wooden river boat awaits you & embark on a 1 hour cruise down the Irrawaddy River towards KyaukGu UMin - the "Rock cave tunnel".

Sitting either under the shade or on the open-deck, you will be treated to fabulous views as you 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 and offer a different perspective from the land based tours.

There will be a stop at a riverside village to allow you go ashore for a short stroll & observe the lives of the river’s residents. The friendly people work as farmers & fishermen, living a simple but happy life.

The cruise continues to KyaukGu UMin on the eastern side of the river from where it is only a short 10 minute walk to the Temple. It is an interesting place because of the use it has made to the natural topographical features, The Temple is built into the side of a cliff in a deep ravine and consist of a high ground storey surmounted by two receding terraces on which stands a small pagoda. This beautiful masterpiece has exquisite stone carvings depicting religious figures & flowers. Behind the main hall is access to a quiet & tranquil cave. Inside the cave, there are several small recessed alcoves which are ideal for meditation. Legend has it that the cave was built during the 13^th century for the locals to hide from the invading Mongols.

After your exploration of KyaukGu UMin, return to the boat for a relaxing cruise back to Bagan.

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!

Balance of the evening is 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 6 hours of sightseeing.

It is off to the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce & other goods daily.

Then, you are invited to a local home to join a traditional Myanmar cooking experience.

Meet the friendly host who waits in the humble kitchen while preparing an array of ingredients for today’s cooking session. The host will briefly explain her market finds of the day, and if you are in luck, some seasonal vegetables, native to Bagan region, will be on the menu. While the host storms up the kitchen, you will find some time to share cooking methods, stories & some laughs.

After approximate 2 hours of cooking, it is time to enjoy the meal together in the home garden. Explore the authentic taste of each dish & bigger portions in the plate are the Myanmar way to show your appreciation to the host. (please notify in advance if you have any allergy or wish to avoid any particular kind of meat or vegetable).

Next, head out to the countryside to a Toddy Farm, where you will see the local farmers at work, harvesting the juice from the toddy trees & then processing it into various forms such as alcohol, sugar & molasses.

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.

After the early flight, you may be hungry so before commencing any sightseeing, you will stop at the popular Shwe Pyi Moe tea shop for a tea or coffee and a snack. They make delicious mee shay, the Mandalay signature noodles, as well as Indian-style dosa.

Having fueled up, it’s time to head to 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 (and the city sprawl) to the south and 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 is the historic Buddhist Shwenandaw Monastery - the most significant of Mandalay's historic buildings, since this 'Golden Palace Monastery' remains the sole major survivor of the former wooden Royal Palace built by King Mindon in the mid-19^th century.

Originally part of the royal palace at Amarapura, it was moved to Mandalay, & became the northern section of the Glass Palace and part of the king's royal apartments. When King Mindon died in this structure in 1878, his son & successor, King Thibaw (r. 1878-1885), often went there to meditate.  He soon became convinced, however, that Mindon's spirit was haunting the building & so in October 1878, he ordered it dismantled & removed from the Royal City.

Over the next 5 years, it was reconstructed as a Monastery & dedicated as a work of merit to the memory of King Mindon on a plot adjoining the Atumashi Monastery near the northeast corner of the Royal City. The rest of the old Royal Palace within the old Royal City (now Mandalay Fort) was burned during the latter stages of the Second World War as a result of allied bombing of the Japanese ensconced in the old Royal Palace. King Thibow's superstition thus had preserved a significant remnant of the Royal Palace.

The Shwenandaw is a wonderfully fragile yet grand example of Burmese teak architecture & a significant masterpiece of the wood-carver's art. The structure was once gilded & covered with glass mosaics. Rich carvings on the bargeboards & balustrades/parapets and wooden entries further hint at the glory of the former royal palace.

It is a large multi-tiered building with four separate zei-ta-wun roof levels. Newly recarved or restored a-saw, flame-like decorations define the roof lines, which also contain profuse sein-taung ("mountains of relief work") embellishment & daung corner roof ornaments as well as numerous avian creatures.

Surrounding the building at the main entry level is an imposing teak platform with elaborate carvings & marble finials on the parapets.  There are rich ornamental carvings, wonderful serpentine dragons, lively figures at dance, mythical animals, flowers & vines on carved teak panels both on the outside & the inside.

The main hall features massive teak pillars, an imposing ceiling, replica of the Lion Throne & the rich carvings of the nats, spirit beings, worshiping the Buddha image.

Take a break at midday & 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).

Lunch will be served at Daw Lay May, a delicious curry house.

Later in the afternoon, 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 every day applied to the statue by male devotees. 

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

Next, 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 & woodcarvers providing devotional objects such as Buddha images & 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 & taken away to Mandalay.

This magnificient Mahagandayon monastery founded in 1914 & 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 & 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 & is said to be the longest teakwood bridge worldwide. Enjoy the late afternoon beauty as the sun casts long shadows and illuminates the bridge.

As a stunning day comes to an end, head back to the hotel in Mandalay.  Relax for an hour.

Dinner this evening is a fun local experience.

Head to Yunnan Barbeque, a large hall with dozens of tables. Mandalay residents gather here nightly to drink cold draft beer & eat varieties of barbeque as well as noodle dishes, such as the tasty, slightly-spicy malahin flat noodles. Enjoy the food & atmosphere on this fun evening out.

Transfer back to the hotel.

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’ & Buddhist donation items. You will be amazed at the colors & sounds as deals are made. Should you wish to buy some fruits or household items for donations, the Tour-guide can assist & advise on a Monastery or Nunnery in today’s touring at which to offer the contribution.

Then, continue to the house of your delightful host Auntie Alice, where you will be engaged & entertained with another 2 hour Cooking Lesson. The clean setting has a couple burners, chopping boards, mortar, pestle & other items. You will assist Alice in preparing traditional Myanmar dishes while she explains the local methods & recipes handed down by generations. After the dishes are prepared, you will sit down to a feast on your home-cooked creations.

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 & nearly 100 meditation shrines. You will visit some of the more famous Pagodas & enjoy spectacular views from the top of Sagaing Hill before coming down.

You will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin, U Min Thone Sae & Shin Pin Nan Gyaing.

Continue to Sagaing’s local market, where the locals shop. You may also observe the tradesmen here applying their traditional methods for producing the goods.

Few countries can boast as many perfectly preserved traditional crafts as Myanmar. Despite the rapid modernization, many commodities are still produced by hand, using age-old techniques. Pottery is among the most prominent of those - there are large artisan communities in every corner of the country.

Head over to Nwenyein – a small pottery village of some 2,000 households, which is recognized for manufacturing ubiquitous water pots in high demand, especially at Pagoda festivals. The Pottery industry here is based on centuries-old techniques handed down from generation to generation, since the times of King Alaungphaya, who founded Yangon in 1755.

Pottery factories here may be considered double-traditional. In essence, not only the process is entirely manual, but the wares made are also old-school: large water jars, used in households with no plumbing.

The demand for Kyaukmyaung jars in Myanmar is high enough to support 4 large co-operative manufactures & a changing number of small private workshops. Curiously, one of the main factors undermining this demand is the superior quality of the jars. They are sturdy & durable enough to serve a family for generations, with no need to purchase new ones.

Pottery craft in Myanmar has been preserved & developed for centuries. Two types of clay are combined to produce the jars: red from the bottom of Irrawady River & yellow from a separate natural deposit. The process of manufacturing the vessels is sophisticated & entirely manual.

First, half of the jar is thrown on a wheel, usually by two people, since the jars are too big for one man both to spin the wheel & reach into the rising cylinder of clay. Next, it is dried, often by putting hot embers inside the vessel to augment the heat of the sun. The process is then repeated to complete the jar. The glaze is applied with a brush once the clay dries. Finally, the ready items are placed in the wood fired kilns. About 80 jars can be fired at once, but since they take a long time to finish, 4 big kilns cope well with the load.

Burmese people are deservedly known for their hospitality, however, and in off the beaten track locations like this, natural curiosity enhances it. The Artisans are friendly & curious, they have not seen many Western tourists yet, so you can wonder around freely even if you do not speak Burmese - and if you do, they may share a few secrets of their traditional craft.

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 & 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 Inle Lake.

Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural a couple of workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper & unique handcrafted umbrellas.

Check-in on arrival at the hotel in Nyaung Shwe, the small gateway village for Inle Lake, with its narrow streets dotted with temples, monasteries, tea shops & of course, houses. 

Shortly after, accompanied by a Tour-guide, proceed for a short orientation tour around the village.

Start with the Nyaung Shwe market where locals gather every morning to buy & sell fresh produce from the lake & its surroundings.

Continue by local trishaw down to the bustling canal which is a hive of activity in the morning as boats from the lake come in to unload tomatoes & other vegetables for distribution to the markets around the country. Watch as baskets laden with produce are transferred from boats to trucks & bikes.

Hop back on the trishaw & wind through the quiet streets. Make a stop at the ‘tomato house’, a warehouse like structure where the tomatoes are sorted & priced for sale. Then continue past some of the many Monasteries & Nunneries in the town, stopping for photos as you go.

Enjoy a delicious traditional Shan lunch at View Point, the best restaurant around Inle Lake.

Then, board a private motorboat & head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular & breathtaking sights. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation & fishing canoes, to which the scenic hills provide a 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

Enjoy the spectacular scenery & observe the daily activities of the skilled local fishermen using their leg-rowing technique to propel themselves around the lake. 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 5 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.

Morning, continue your exploration of Inle Lake aboard the wooden motorized boat, 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 & beautiful ruined ancient stupas. The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5 day schedule & is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell & trade their wares.

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 & other goods in the early morning hours. If time permits, you will also pay a visit to the local silversmith & a pirogue workshop in the village of Nampan.

We highly recommend an Optional culinary experience not to be missed on Inle Lake! Have a mouth-watering typical Shan lunch on a rice carrier boat in the middle of beautiful surroundings of Inle Lake. The Boat has been transformed into a fully equipped ephemeral restaurant. Relax and enjoy an exquisite lunch while exploring the life on the lake from your floating private restaurant (subject to weather conditions).

You will also visit the 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 worth the visit. Then, proceed to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, 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 the hotel.

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 on 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’s time to embark on a 45 minute 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.

Then, get on the Boat again to visit an Intha family’s residence where you will lend a hand in the preparation of a traditional feast.

The Intha are an indigenous Burmese tribe living on Inle Lake. Most of the Intha are farmers, and spend their time nursing their hand constructed floating gardens that rest upon water hyacinth beds & are anchored to the lake bed by bamboo poles. The ingenious part of it all? The gardens actually raise & lower corresponding with the water level of the lake. They love water & the lake especially, because they live on houses which are perched on stilts.

Enjoy an enchanting meal with the Intha family.

On the way back, should time allow, you will stop at Intha Heritage House to learn more about the history & culture of the lake's indigenous people. Enjoy a delicious coffee & cake here (direct payment).

As an exciting day comes to close, you will be transferred back to the hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.

Evening at leisure.

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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