Burmese Experiences: Discovering Myanmar

Departure by scheduled flight from Italy.

You will be welcomed at the airport by the rich scent of jasmine flowers of a beautiful colorful garland to begin your experience of the senses in Myanmar.
At the airport, meeting with the driver who will accompany you by private vehicle to the chosen hotel for the overnight stay, dinner in a local restaurant and free evening.
The former capital Yangon, also known by the name of Rangoon, is the largest city in Myanmar and continues to be the most important commercial center in the country and the arrival point for most international visitors. The colonial past and religious heritage make the city one of the most fascinating places in Southeast Asia.

Breakfast at the hotel.
This amazing day will be full of wonderful experiences that will let you enter in Myanmar's culture and traditions. You will begin your exploration of the country from one of the most sacred places in the country. No trip to Myanmar can be considered complete without visiting the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda famous for its flaming stupa 100 meters high covered by 40 tons of gold leaves.
You don't really know a country if you don't know its cuisine. The rest of the morning will be all about the experience of Yangon flavors that you will have the chance to taste! On foot and by rickshaw, from one culinary discovery to another, from E Kyar Kway ("fried breadstick") to Mote Hin Khar ("noodles and fish soup"), in the lively and dynamic streets of central Yangon.
Start your tour in the very authentic Burmese part of the city, before crossing the Chinese district and ending up in the streets of the Indian district of Yangon. Street vendors, tearooms, market stalls, temples, mosques and old colonial buildings: each street contains something wonderful, whether it's eating or looking at the daily life with admiration. Your walk will end with a peaceful lunch in a hidden Indian restaurant, located next to the first floor of a historic building.
After having lunch, we will go to visit the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda and the statue of the reclining Buddha 72 meters long (almost the size of a blue whale), it is one of the largest reproductions of Buddha in all of Myanmar.

Transfer to the hotel, dinner in a typical local restaurant and overnight stay.

After having breakfast, private transfer to Yangon airport for the flight to Heho. Once you will arrive at your destination, a driver will wait for you to accompany you to the village of Kalaw (about 45 minutes away), an ancient small town once loved by English officers who came here to find some refreshment during the hot season. Even today this destination is a holiday destination thanks to its pure air, its pleasant atmosphere, its green trees and its paths suitable for trekking. We will continue towards the village of Magwe. Located about 45 minutes away (25 km) from Kalaw, Magwe is the place where the Green Hill Valley Elephant project was born, which aims to protect elephants and the natural environment.
This project made it possible to donate a home to 7 Asian elephants raised in old carpentry fields, where no one cared for them. Now they receive all the necessary care and can finally lead a dignified life without chains.
Upon your arrival at the camp, the staff will explain the origins of the project and the program of the day while you enjoy a delicious and refreshing drink.
From there you will walk for 10 minutes heading to the river where you will meet the elephants of the project, while they dive into the water or while they are looking for food. The feeling given by knowing these pachyderms immersed in their natural environment is something very special. The guide will also help you discover the typical fauna and flora of the region and the different types of birds and flowers. At lunchtime, you will return to the camp for a light meal based on local products.
After having lunch, you will be invited to participate in the environmental rehabilitation project, where you will have the honor of planting a small seedling.
In the late afternoon, we will return to Kalaw in the accommodation and subsequently having dinner in a typical local restaurant. After dinner, free evening and overnight.

After having breakfast, transfer from Kalaw to the village of Nyaung Shwe, at the entrance to Inle lake. During the trip you will have the opportunity to stop to visit some local craft factories that produce Shan paper and umbrellas, and above all to discover the Shweyanpyay monastery completely in teak. Teak is a wood of a plantation typical of southern Asia, characterized by a color that varies from pale yellow to bronze and sometimes tends to red. It contains a natural oily resin which makes it extremely resistant. It is not even attacked by termites. To the touch and sight it appears oily and with a characteristic smell of old leather. It contains an appreciable percentage of silica and is refractory to impregnation, even in an autoclave. Thanks to its features, it is appreciated for external use, mainly for the manufacture of naval parts.
Arriving at the dock of Inle Lake you will embark on a motor pirogue (4-5 people) and you will sail on the waters of Inle Lake about 900 meters above sea level. You will pass through some villages built on stilts and inhabited by the Intha people. You will find yourself surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes and majestic mountains; living up close fascinating moments of Burmese rural life. Inle Lake will be an unforgettable experience.
The first stop in the lake will focus on visiting the Phandawoo Pagoda, famous for being located in the center of the lake. Inside there are five sacred Buddha statues entirely covered in gold. You will then discover the craftsmanship of Inle Lake by visiting the village of Inpawkhone, known throughout the country for its silk shops, the processing of lotus flowers and for the creation of cigars. This last artisanal activity will keep us company during the day, in fact the boat will lead you to an isolated stilt house where some women will wait for you to teach you how to make cheerot, the typical Burmese cigars, often flavored with the taste of banana, honey and other flavors very pleasant. Upon entering the laboratory, you will immediately smell the tobacco; sit down with the women and let them show you the traditional technique for rolling cigars: the speed with which they do it is impressive, but after a little practice you will see that you too will be proud of yourself. Of course, don't forget to bring back one of the cigars you made!
In the late afternoon, you will be taken to the hotel for a well-deserved rest before dinner in the hotel restaurant room. Overnight.

After having breakfast, you will visit the lake market (it is held every day except for the days of new moon and full moon). The market moves between the various villages every 5 days and every day the inhabitants of the lake and of the different tribes go there to sell and exchange products of all kinds.
After a one-hour boat ride along a small canal that will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein located on the west bank of Inle Lake, go venture into the village before starting your climb to reach the top of the hill. Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by a magnificent Buddha statue that dominates a hundred stupas and ruins submerged by vegetation.

Continue the discovery of the country with another sensory experience.

Nyaung Shwe - Wine tasting
On a hill overlooking Lake Inle, Red Mountain Vineyard is a paradise surrounded by vineyards. It is one of the two vineyards in Myanmar, both in the southern Shan state. Take a seat on the terrace to enjoy the fresh air typical of this area and taste an assortment of red and white wines produced on the estate.
At the end of the day transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and transfer to Heho airport in due time for the flight to Bagan, to discover the most famous temple plain in the world.
Once landed you will be immediately transferred to the first stop of the day: the famous Shwezigon Pagoda, in Old Bagan. Built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, it is a very important religious monument as well as the discovery of the Ananda Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in the region: the building symbolizes the infinite knowledge of Buddha and is characterized by the unmistakable dome golden.
Then you will get to know the local culture better by visiting two artisanal laboratories manufacturing the most famous products of Bagan: lacquered objects and wooden handicrafts, still made in an artisanal way following the traditions handed down from generation to generation.
In the late afternoon an unforgettable horse-drawn carriage ride between the temples of Bagan via Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, the imposing Dhammayangyi Temple notable for its architecture, and, of course, the Sulamani Temple.
Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Departure in the early morning to start the day at best with a beautiful hot air balloon ride; you will fly over the expanse of Bagan. You can watch the sunrise from the Irrawaddy river and the stupas unfolding as far as the eye can see, thanks to the very precise descriptions of the guide who will make you live this experience to the fullest.
Landed after about 50 minutes of flight, you will reach the lively market of Nyaung Oo where local inhabitants go every day to sell fresh and other products. You will discover how poneyay (dough of fermented beans) and plum jam are made, and you will immerse yourself in the flavors, smells, the daily routine of many Burmese and bargaining: at the market, you will also have to try your hand at buying some typical ingredients of the local cuisine that you will need later.
After this dip in the different sensations that the market will offer you, you will be invited to join a delicious Burmese family to cook some typical dishes of traditional Myanmar cuisine. The family will be ready to wait for you in their modest home, to prepare a whole series of dishes for lunch. The purchases made at the market for the preparation of lunch will be explained. While the family is busy cooking, you will have time to discover some culinary techniques, try your hand at preparing and listen to some fun local history. After about a couple of hours, it will finally be time to enjoy lunch all together in the garden of the house. Discover the authentic taste of each dish and don't be afraid to overeat: it's a way to show gratitude to the family!

Notes: communicate in advance if there is any type of food to avoid or any allergy.

After having lunch, you will go by private vehicle in the countryside of Bagan towards the rural village of Minnanthu, one of the least visited areas of Bagan, very quiet and isolated. You will discover the temples built in the 13th century characterized by their unusual structure. Also, you can't miss the Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a very important meditation center. Around Bagan, you can also find many villages dedicated to agriculture such as the village of Myinkaba, where you will have the opportunity to visit the village and get to know the local craftsmen.
You can also visit the temples characterized by their beautiful frescoes before discovering one of the oldest temples in the area built in the 11th century by King Mon Manuha. The next stop will be a visit to a sacred stupa which contains relics behind its walls. Here, you can admire the 12th-century inscriptions written in Burmese, also called "Myanmar's Rosetta Stone".
In the late afternoon, after lunch in a local restaurant, you will reach a pier where a small private wooden boat awaits you. Take a seat in the shade or in the open air on the deck so you can enjoy the refreshment while sailing on the Irrawaddy: relax on board the boat while sipping a refreshing cocktail accompanied by delicious local snacks, at the end of the day it is definitely what you will need!
Before dinner in a typical local restaurant, near the hotel, you will wear a very special accessory: color your cheeks with thanaka, the traditional Burmese cosmetic obtained from the bark of a specific tree. Burmese women in particular have been using it for millennia to color their cheeks and keep their skin soft, but in addition to that, thanaka is also applied to protect from the sun. In addition to giving a feeling of freshness, it is a very fun practice: often real drawings are made on the cheeks, try it (alone or with the help of the guide or your travel companions) and get a judgment from the many Burmese who you will meet at dinner!
Rest of the evening at the guest's disposal. Overnight

After having breakfast ,transfer to the city of MANDALAY, you will follow the east bank of the Irrawaddy River and, after leaving the main road, you will pass through some villages and fields of millet, sesame, cotton, corn, rice and many others local productions. Take a break at a tea shop in Myingyan, a typical Myanmar town, and then continue towards Mandalay.

Once in Mandalay you will visit the Mahamuni pagoda with its highly venerated Buddha, entirely covered with golden leaves brought by the worshipper over the centuries.
Before the sun goes down, you will go to the Shwe Kyin Monastery, an extraordinary place full of history where, after sunset, the young monks gather and line up for evening prayer. You will witness one of the most important and ancestral Buddhist rites of the Buddhist religion.
Then transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After having breakfast, the day will begin with a visit to the legendary U Bein Bridge, the largest teak bridge in the world built in 1728 when Amarapura was the center of real life.
Then you will be invited to participate in the fun trishaw ride through the backroads of the city of Mandalay. You can't miss some local shops where you can try traditional snacks: tea leaf salad, the famous Mohinga - fish and noodles soup, usually for breakfast - samosas or fresh fruit. We will then continue to the Nan Shae Market, also called East Palace Market, where mixing in the stalls with the locals will be easy. The last stop of the journey will take you to Shwenandaw - the beautiful wooden monastery - to Kuthodaw and the corner of Mandalay Palace.
After visiting the monastery, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Yangon.
Once landed at the arrival airport, you will be accompanied to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out, transfer to the airport in due time for the return flight.