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Peregrine Travel Centre

Real Myanmar

Real Myanmar

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Description

Not all that long ago, many parts of Myanmar were still off-limits to travellers. Lucky for you, that’s no longer the case, although outside the cities you’ll find large parts of the country remain relatively new to tourism. Check out the busy streets of Yangon, the thousands of orange temples that rise over green plains in Bagan, take a cruise up the Ayeyarwady River in Mandalay, head into the steep mountains of Kalaw and be treated to awesome hospitality at every stop along the way.

Trip Name
Real Myanmar
Last Updated
2019-10-19
Days
13
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Start and finish your explorations of Myanmar in incredible Yangon, rapidly developing but still packed with beautiful pagodas, astounding giant Buddhas and more history than you can poke a stick at. Your leader will show you around downtown, then it's yours to explore.
  • Tour the ancient city of Bagan by bicycle or take the chance to float high above the spectacle of stupas in a hot air balloon. There are multiple magical ways to have your mind blown here at this astonishing site with its thousands of temples and pagodas.
  • There are plenty of opportunities to get in touch with the people and culture in your ample free time. Try our Urban Adventures in Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay for river tours, exploring after dark, local food and community visits.
  • Spend a full day waking through the hills and villages of Kalaw.
  • Get lost in the floating markets of Inle Lake.
  • Round up your trip with a visit to perhaps most glittering stupa of them all, Shwedagon Pagoda.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Yangon
Min Gala Ba! Welcome to Myanmar. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Check with the hotel reception where and when it will take place, or check the reception notice boards. Spend your free time getting amongst it today – maybe take an Urban Adventure on the circle train or stroll around the Kandawgyi Lake.
Day 2 - Bagan
Depart the hotel in a private bus headed to Bagan (approximately 9 hours). There will be 2 drivers on board, and multiple rest breaks on the way. It's a good idea to pack some card games, a good book or load up some podcasts to your phone. This is also a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers. Arrive in Bagan in the evening and check into your hotel. Stretch your legs after a long travel day by tracking down Bagan's top laphet (tea leaf salad) or mohinga (rice noodle broth) at a nearby restaurant.
Day 3 - Bagan
Enjoy a full free day to explore the sites of Bagan. Stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat and go exploring. Try and close your wide-open jaw after seeing that super duper stupa-studded skyline (say that three times fast with a mouthful of pickled bitter melon!) The Nyaung U market, one of the best in the country, is a great place walk around. The archaeological museum is also a choice option. But there are 4500 brick and gilded temples calling your name, and the fun has only just Bagan.
Day 4 - Bagan
What you gonna do? Well it's up to you. If you like to get up early then check out the incredible balloon flight takes place every morning. If you're looking for ideas, floating up and (not quite) away is the perfect way to take in the atmosphere of this place. Or perhaps explore by bike with Urban Adventures. You can drop by big-name sights like Ananda Pahto, Dhammayangyi Pahto and Shwesandaw Paya, as well as some of the smaller ones. There will also be plenty of chances to jump off the bike here and there so you can climb stairs to lookout points where the really awesome views are found. You can also pay a visit to the village of Kyunkalay, where you can enjoy lunch with a local family and see how ActionAid Myanmar is using responsible tourism to improve local infrastructure and living conditions. Another great option is a sunset river cruise and picnic beside the Ayeyarwady River, the country's largest river. Your leader can help you book any of these activities locally.
Day 5 - Ayeyarwady River - Mandalay
Rise and shine! Bound out of bed before dawn so you can catch the ferry for your cruise up the Ayeyarwady River to Mandalay. Watch the wonderful world of local life stream by while you're chilling out on the boat. It's a good idea to bring some snacks today, although there will be a cafe and bar on the upper deck with simple meals available. You'll arrive in Mandalay late afternoon, then be transferred to your hotel.
Day 6 - Mandalay
Join your group leader for a walking tour around Mandalay this morning, then the day is yours. Maybe head further up the Ayeyarwady River to visit Mingun, a world-class archaeological site. The main temple here was never finished, supposedly because an astrologer thought the king would die if it was finished. Harsh. But it sure is impressive. You'll also find the world's largest uncracked bell, which is possibly even cooler than the temple. And a glistening white stupa to go with it. There are plenty of things to do with your free time here. You can visit the teak Monastery Shwe In Bin Kyaung or the bigger Shwenandaw Kyaung, or check out the city by local transport (van or truck ride). Maybe make a stop at some cottage industries that make gold leaf (the sacred Buddha image of Mahamuni Paya is covered in six inches of it – and it is known to be over 2000 years old). On the other hand, you can rest your legs and enjoy a puppetry or dance performance at the Mandalay Marionettes or Mintha Theatre.
Day 7 - Kalaw
Take a private bus to Kalaw (approximately 8 hours). On the way we stop in at the impressive U Bein Bridge. At 1.2km long it is the world’s longest teak bridge. Drive into the mountains of Shan state. Keep that camera handy, because the scenery is awesome and there will be stops for photos. Your social followers will be loving you for this, or maybe not loving you, just wishing they were here. Arrive in Kalaw late afternoon, with time to stretch your legs and get a feel for this beautiful spot, a former British hill station.
Day 8 - Kalaw
Head for the hills! Explore villages, farms and forests in the area outside of Kalaw. Feel that breeze? Welcome to the highlands, baby. This is a land of many communities, including the Palaung, Danu and Pa-O, as well as Indians and Nepalese who moved here during the British rule. This may explain why the chai is so good. Along your travels today you'll stop for lunch (which is included) at a local village.
Day 9 - Inle Lake
Consider yourself warned: the roads to Nyaungshwe are terrible. But it'll be worth it when you choose to take a boat trip on Inle Lake, where you’ll meet the famous leg-rowing Intha fishermen. Stock up on snacks before your bus trip to Inle Lake in the afternoon (approximately 3 hours). Haggle over some lacquerware at the Ywama floating market. Or you can check out one of the beautiful Buddhist pagodas around. Surrounded by the cool stilt houses, Inle Lake makes for fairytale kinda scene. Shimmering waters, floating gardens and intense sunsets.
Day 10 - Inle Lake
Freedom! Well, a free couple of days at least. Spend a free day exploring the lake and the surrounding villages. Your leader can help organise the transport: motorised longtail boat. The sights: cool waters, floating tomato plantations, floating everything! (Even floating markets, if it's the right day.) The people: local silversmiths, weavers, cigar makers... and those fisherman, rowing their boats with their legs, how do they do it? As them! You can grab a bike and peddle to some local villages towards the end of the day, where people will greet you with smiles and cute traditional handicrafts.
Day 11 - Inle Lake
Enjoy some time to chill today. You might like to visit the Mingala morning market, or maybe Nyuang Shwe's oldest Buddhist monastery, Yadana Man Aung Paya. There's also a traditional puppet show held every night in town, and a nearby winery that has ah-mazing views over the lake (your chance to sample a wee drop of the local varieties perhaps, and to be all distinguished and cultured and civilised).
Day 12 - Yangon
Tar tar, spectacular state of Shan. It's been real. Make your way to the airport in Heho for your flight back to the hustle and bustle of Yangon (approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes). When you touch down in town, head off to visit the serious treasure of the Shwedagon Pagoda – this 98-metre-high stupa is covered with tons and tons of pure gold, along with jade, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. This is, literally and symbolically, the jewel in the Myanmar crown. Maybe gather together your new best buds and tuck into a farewell dinner at Linkage Restaurant, a vocational training restaurant that’s part of Friends International.
Day 13 - Yangon
This trip ends today and you are free to leave at any time after you check out. See ya!

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights)

Transport

Boat,Private vehicle,Ferry,Plane,Public bus

Map

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