TRAVEL MYANMAR VIA TACHILEIK

After immigration & customs formalities at the Thai / Myanmar border checkpoint not later than 10:00AM, transfer from Tachileik to Kyaing Tong by overland. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Take the time for a leisurely walk through downtown Kyaing Tong.

For your information: Tucked away in the far eastern corner of Shan State, Kyaing Tong is a sleepy but historic centre for the state’s Khun culture, surrounded by Wa, Shan, Akha and Lahu villages. It is a very scenic town as it is built around a small lake, Naung Tung Lake, and is dotted with ageing Buddhist temples and crumbling British colonial architecture. Naung Tung Lake is pleasant enough a place to stroll around, and is also the perfect location to soak up the atmosphere of this laid-back town, dotted with examples of colonial architecture and numerous tea shops, where the locals end their working day. And also at night, there are a few street vendors selling food in this area if get that midnight craving for some moonshine and Shan food.

Return to your hotel early evening. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Today you will experience an active day of Ho Lap villages in the southern east of Kyaing Tong, 1:30 hour driving in the direction of Loimwe. You will trek through Ho Lap villages and learn more about the life of the Akha in this very remote area. Continue to Naung Cho villages of Lahu people and Wa village.

Picnic Lunch.

Loimwe, 38 km from Kyaing Tong, used to be the headquarters of the British District Commissioner during the colonial period.

This ‘hill station’ features a number of old colonial buildings and a century-old Catholic church. The main attraction is the scenery on the ascent to Loimwe, as you pass through forests, terraced rice fields and past a lake.

Return to Kyaing Tong and overnight in Kyaing Tong.

(Remark: Above Program is subject to be changed depends on the weather especially for Monsoon Season – May to September!)

Precaution: Due to the Monsoon Period from May to September, the heavy raining occurs in some destination in Myanmar. Therefore there may occur muddy and sloppy most of the places on the route for trekking/hiking!

Today’s trekking tour will bring you to some Akha villages in the north-west region of Kyaing Tong. You will see Akha people in their traditional costumes and women with their famous striking headdresses. One of the villages you walk to is Wanlar, where the Akhas converted to Catholicism or Baptism and are famous for their technique of hunting birds.

Picnic Lunch.

From Nam Lin Mai village, which is located on a plateau, you have an overlooking view to rice terraces surrounded by shady trees. The walk back to the waiting car will lead you through rice and vegetable fields.

Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

(Remark: Above Program is subject to be changed depends on the weather especially for Monsoon Season – May to September!)

Precaution: Due to the Monsoon Period from May to September, the heavy raining occurs in some destination in Myanmar. Therefore there may occur muddy and sloppy most of the places on the route for trekking/hiking!

Enjoy your day to visit the highlights of Kyaing Tong area such as the Central Market. Balance your day by walking tour surrounding Kyaing Tong City area before your airport transfer time for flying to Heho.
Upon arrival in Heho, transfer to Kalaw, a former British hill station, also home to a variety of ethnic minorities including Shan, Pa-O, Danu, Palaung, and others. Transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Accommodation at your hotel in Kalaw.

Meet and greet at trekking starting point. We explore the historic Kalaw train station and hop on the train bound for Thazi. Once train role slowly towards Sin Taung located at 4465 feet above sea. The exciting journey goes through tunnels, narrow valleys and high reef passing 4608 feet so-called summit (approx. one hour). We get down at Sin Taung (elephant shaped mountain), name after a mountain similar to Elephant. Sin Taung located at 4425 feet above sea, inhabited by Danu, Taung Yoe and Nepalese community. Here we visit old railway station and check in at our community lodge.

After a brief fresh up we explore village lead by our local guide. We stop at some of the designated local homes for various activities and later walk up the hilltop Pagoda for the stunning view of the valley below. In the evening, we enjoy sumptuous local meal over a cultural show perform by the community. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Community House.

Lunch on the way. Dinner at Sin Taung Community Home.
Accommodation at Community Home.

Breakfast and we trek to Hinkha Gone, located at 4767 feet above sea, (2.5 mile, and approx. 1:30Hour). Trail goes immediate uphill all the way stays pretty much on the ridge till we get to the village. From here we head towards north and keep our trail on the ridge having right side is protected forests and left side open view to the valley to view point, parched at 4715 feet above sea, (2mile, approx. one hour). We have lunch stop here and take some time to enjoy the view from the ridge.

From here, we trek along dirt road but beautiful surrounding to Pinmagon where we visit the Pinmagon monastery housing famous Nee Paya (Bamboo Buddha Image) which was estimated to be built during Ava period over 500 years ago. The Image is eight feet four inches high and noted for its longevity, its prevention of fire, and wish granting powers. From here, we walk back to Kalaw downtown to complete this unique experience.

Total walking hour (5-6)
Lunch at View Point.
Accommodation at your hotel in Kalaw.

After breakfast, drive to Nyaung Shwe, one of the gateways to Inle Lake. When you reach the top of the lake, transfer by boat to hotel. Explore the charm of Inle Lake proper. Over 20 km. long and more than 10 km. wide, and at 875 m. above sea level, the calm waters of the lake contrast sharp with the surrounding high hills as a backdrop.

Experience the typical every-day Inle lifestyle by canoe at Kay La village. Observe fishermen and farmers in their daily activities. The local people here are very friendly and warmly welcome any foreign visitors. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the local stilt houses and meet with a typical local family in its own homely environment.

Next, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Its five uniquely shaped, gilded, but relatively small images are carried around the lake by boat during the annual Inle Boat Procession (usually in the period September / October).

Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung, primarily of interest for its extensive collection of Buddha images made of different materials, and in various styles and sizes.

Then, visit the Inthar Heriage House and The Burmese Cat Sanctuary, which is dedicated to the protection and preservation of this rare and beautiful species.

Late afternoon, stop at several workshops on and around the lake such as a cheroot (Burmese cigar)-making workshop and a boatbuilding workshop. (If time permits)

Finally, Transfer back by boat to your hotel.
Accommodation at your hotel in Inle Lake.
(Please note that due to safety reasons night transfers by boat on the lake are not allowed by company policy. Thank you for your understanding!)

Breakfast at hotel. Check out from hotel and boat transfer to Nyaung Shwe jetty and then, overland transfer to Heho airport for your departure flight to Mandalay. Arrive at Mandalay, visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay’s most revered Buddha image. Stop to see some local handicraft works such as stone & wood carving, and bronze casting. Further, en route, observe how gold leaf is beaten into wafer thin pieces which will ornate many of Mandalay’s holy images. Check into your hotel shortly after noon.

In the afternoon, visit Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon’s home. Continue to see the “world’s largest book”, being the Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs, at Kuthodaw Pagoda.

Drive back to the downtown and walk around Mandalay Palace in the evening time by viewing Mandalay Hill and enjoy the night of Mandalay City with panoramic view.

Return back to hotel.
Accommodation at your hotel in Mandalay.

Breakfast. Drive to Pyin Oo Lwin and take a short time to explore some of the main attractions of Pyin-Oo-Lwin, formerly known as Maymyo (the city of May, a British colonel in colonial times). It is one of several British hill stations, which were popular with the British back then, and are still quite popular with the local people because of its mostly cool climate, its scenic beauty, and fresh air. Apart from the Bamar (Burmese) ethnic group, there are also many Nepalis and Indians living in Pyin-Oo-Lwin, as many of them chose to stay on there after the end of WW II.

Visit the local fresh market.

Also, visit Purcell Tower, a clock tower in the heart of the town’s centre, which was given as a present by Queen Victoria. Ride through town on a horse drawn “stagecoach”, giving you the chance to admire the brick and timber houses, Colonial Governor’s House, complete with English-style gables, turrets and chimneys. Short visit to an orchid garden which with various kind of Orchid species.
Arrive at the Botanical Gardens with lots of flower beds, trees, and stretches of manicured lawns. Originally the botanical gardens were laid out by Sir Harcourt Butler, a former governor of Burma, but shortly after the turn of this century the layout was partly redrawn by Japanese garden designers.

Transfer back to your hotel.
Accommodation at your hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin.

After breakfast, early morning transfer to the railway station of Pyin Oo Lwin (check-in time around 07:15 AM) for the departure time at 08:10/08:22 AM. Traveling by train in Myanmar is quite a different experience as compared with developed countries. However, despite the apparent lack of modern comfort and convenience, it is enjoyable to mingle with the local travelers. Also, a long train ride is a chance to observe how locals travel around, and the many vendors hawking and peddling their wares give some real “couleur locale’ to it all.

The train suddenly slows down, and crosses over the famous Gokteik Bridge at a snail’s pace. The bridge is over 700 metres long and its construction was finalized by the American Pennsylvania Steel Co. in 1901. The bridge spans an abyss nearly 300 metres deep. Note: Officially it is not allowed to photograph / video bridges in Myanmar. Practically, this regulation is often only loosely endorsed. After crossing the Gokteik bridge, train will continue to Hsipaw via Kyauk Me. Get off the train at Kyauk Me station around 01:30 PM. Get into the waiting vehicle to continue to Hsipaw. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Accommodation at guest house in Hsipaw.
Accommodation at your hotel in Hsipaw.

Breakfast at hotel. Start walking from hotel towards Tarpok, Jornpin villages just situated at Northern bank of Dotthawaddy in shady lane. Cross railway track and paddy, seasonal green crops to pay a visit Tai-Palaung village for elevens Shan Noodle break and observing bamboo basket weaving. Proceed to Donsint village- if time is permit, we may visit town Guardian-spirit shrine, Bamboo Buddha and Little Bagan on the way back to Hotel.

(4-5 hr walking)

Afternoon, directly drive to Mandalay. On the way, visit to Bawgyo Pagoda, is of great significance to Shan people and gets overloaded with pilgrims who arrive en masse during the annual Bawgyo Paya Pwe, culminating on the full-moon day of Tabaung (February/March).
Arrive at Mandalay, transfer to hotel for check in.
Accommodation at your hotel in Mandalay.

After breakfast, check out from hotel and transfer to Mandalay airport for your departure flight to NyaungU.

Arrive at Bagan, visit to Shwezigon Pagoda. Pass through Tharaba Gateway into Old Bagan. Continue to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas. Make a photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 m. – Thatbyinnyu known as ‘temple of omniscience’ and dating from 1144. After that, transfer to hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, continue your sightseeing by Ebike in BaganContinue to the Myinkaba area and Gubyaukgyi Temple with its fine stuccowork. Then, visit Dhammayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from 1170 which is famous for its interlocking mortar-less brickwork.

Stop at one of the local popular lacquer ware workshops to watch craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts.

Then, drive to jetty near Bu Paya for sunset boat. Sail slowly along the Ayeyarwaddy River near the Ancient Bagan Temple Site. Sit back, relax, and capture the glorious moment when the sun sets over Bagan and its surroundings. While sailing, you will be served cool refreshment (a soft drink or beer). Then, drive back to hotel.

Accommodation at your hotel in Bagan.

After breakfast, transfer from hotel to Nyaung U airport for your return flight to Yangon.
Upon arrival, visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to see a huge reclining Buddha image.

Drive towards heart of colonial downtown area of Yangon and walking tour.

Enjoy some of the best that colonial-style Yangon has to offer such as the High Court building and The Government Telegraph Office on Pansodan street; both were built in the 1920s & 1930s.

Walking tour from Pansodan continue to Sint Ohe Dan Road.

Then, end up at bustling Chinatown with its many shops and stalls offering every thinkable commodity one can get. Visit also Chinese Temple.

Walk again by the Indian Quarter and soak up the sounds, smells, and colours of typical Indian herbs & spices on display in many shops and stalls.

Late afternoon, drive to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the highlight of any visit to Yangon. Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colors of twilight.

Transfer to hotel for check-in.
Accommodation at your hotel in Yangon.

Breakfast at hotel. Balance your time till the transfer time for your International departure flight.