ROAD TO MANDALAY
13 days | US$3280 | Imperial Active in Myanmar
From the cool climes of Lake Inle on the Shan plateau and the colonial hill station of Maymyo, this tour traverses the heartlands of Myanmar including remote villages as well as the popular highlights - Mandalay, Yangon and the Pagoda studded plains of Bagan - a tour that captures Myanmar in all its splendid diversity.
Day 1 Arrive Yangon
Today is arrival day. Meet with your guide and enjoy dinner and an opportunity to discuss your tour ahead.
Day 2 – 4 Inle Lake
A short flight on day 2 takes you to Nyaungshwe, a convenient base to explore Inle Lake and the villages of Myanmar’s agriculturally abundant 'rice-basket' up high on the temperate Shan plateau. Cycling and canoeing are great options to explore this famous lake region. Then, slow the pace right down as you wander back lanes to colourful produce markets, taking refreshment at rustic tea-houses, as the locals love to do.
Watch out for the famous leg-rowing fishermen as you join the flotilla of boats crossing the lake to the daily market on the morning of day 3. Tribal people trading goods, or simply catching up on the gossip over tea are scenes that are as timeless as they are nostalgic. Silks, silver and handicrafts from local cottage industries are great fun to haggle for.
Taking lunch with friends under the shadow of Phaung Daw U, the holiest religious site in the lake region, be enlightened by stories told through wall paintings of Buddha’s’ revered spiritual journey. You will also visit the floating gardens and drop into the quirky "jumping cat monastery" for a taste of the absurd.
Hike into the mountains to visit the mysterious and reclusive Pa-O people, on day four, a free day for you to have an adventure or to continue exploring the lake and town on your own.
Day 5 Maymyo
Travelling back roads through rugged mountains to the old British hill station of Maymyo, you'll discover the 'real' Burma on a route that few other tourists travel. Exchange stories with the locals as we drop in for tea at several of the villages along the way. Then revel in the old-world ambience of Maymyo, a cool mountain getaway established by the British who would parade the town in (still functional) horse drawn coaches. A gin and tonic sun downer at 'Candacraig', the former estate of the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation is a splendidly colonial end to an awesome travel day
Day 6 - 8 Mandalay
Drive to Mandalay, a colourful trade hub that has become a melting pot of cultures. See the fascinating Mandalay Marionettes which teach the important legends and folklore despite fierce competition from television. You will meet the puppet masters and learn about their quest to keep this important tradition alive.
Day 7 starts with sunrise (great light for photos) over U Bei, the world's longest all-teak bridge. Visit the stunning Mahamuni Pagoda with its revered gold leaf Buddha, and check out tribal wear from this melting pot of cultures in the buzzing Zegyo market.
Sunset over the Irrawaddy River back dropped by the Chin Hills from atop Mandalay Hill is a great beginning to the night.
Day 8 starts in a trishaw driving through the foggy streets down to the river where a boat will transfer you to the ancient capital of Mingun. A place of superlatives, Mingun is famous for an attempted 'worlds biggest' pagoda where you can gong the world’s largest uncracked bell, and enjoy the company of Myanmar’s (reportedly) friendliest community.
Day 9 Boat journey Mandalay to Bagan
Go local on the ferry to Bagan watching life on the river pass you by. Villagers fishing the shallows with throw nets, bathing in the river, ploughing paddy with water buffalo are scenes little changed since described by writers of Burma’s colonial heyday, Kipling, Maugham and Greene. Arrive in Myanmar’s spiritual capital that same evening.
Day 10 - 11 Bagan
UNESCO listed Bagan is like no other place in the world. Two thousand temples from an original collection of four thousand stand as testament to the importance of Buddhism in Burma’s first unified. A horse cart is the best speed and vantage point to view this ethereal landscape, study pagodas of all shapes and sizes. Your guide will interpret what you see and then facilitate your own further exploration, by cycle, hired vehicle or on simply by foot. The evening light painted as a series of delicate silhouettes in receding layers is another of the many moments of pure Myanmar magic.
Days 12-13 Bagan to Yangon
Fly back to Yangon to the glittering gardened capital. Hear those temple bells tinkle* at the famous Shredagon Pagoda, the largest and most mythologised Buddhist Paya.
*Rudyard Kipling, the Road to Mandalay.
Tour Inclusions
Tripcode: IEMY13D08
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