10D9N Hidden Villages of Myanmar

Exceptional Experiences:

• Visit one of Myanmar’s crystal-clear natural pools: This is one of the most breathtaking spots in the area. If you would like to cool yourself down after a warm morning, go for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Dee Doke waterfall

• Experience Irrawaddy Dolphins & Fishing Communities: Fishermen will teach you how to throw a cast-net, demonstrate how they fish with the help of dolphins and experience life at a local community along the Ayeyawaddy River.

• Embark on a Private Sunset Cruise in Bagan on Ayeyarwady River: Enjoy an evening full of spectacular views as you sail along Ayeyarwady River. Snap Instagram-worthy pictures as the sun turns the landscape into a stunning crimson orange.

• Visit an Elephant Camp and take part in a Forest Recovery Programme: Spend the day working with the mahouts (elephant caretakers) and interacting with the elephants. Take part in their forest recovery project, where guests are welcome you to help in the seedling process for forest recovery program

• Experience Hot Air Ballooning over Inle Lake, overseeing local Inthar fishermen looking for the first catch of the day and boats laden full of produce on their way to the market through a maze of green floating canals.

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Yangon

Welcome to Myanmar! Your holiday begins in Yangon, the country’s former capital and largest city. Your friendly guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your private transfer to your accommodation.

Experience the timeless charm and elegance of Belmond Governor's Residence, set in a verdant urban enclave where you’ll find serenity yet enjoy all that Yangon has to offer. This romantic, colonial-style mansion holds infinite treasures, from the fusion of local flavours you’ll enjoy at the resort’s restaurants to the handcrafted art found in the boutique to the exquisite outdoor pool.

Spend your day afternoon at leisure or you may utilize the complimentary 50-minute massage for two at Belmond Governor's Residence.

In the evening, embark on a food tour and discover the Burmese culture, cuisine and traditions.  Try some famous delicacies such as Samosa salad, Mohinga fish soup with noodles, Burmese pancakes, Gangster snack (fried flat bread with veggies), Couple snack (fried rice powder with sesame seeds, salt and beans), New tea leaf salad, King Tea Shop: Shan noodles, Pau Si and tea, Daw Saw Yee and Innwa – Faluda.

Accommodation: 5* Belmond Governor's Residence

Day 2: Yangon - Mandalay

This morning after breakfast, you will spend an insightful morning at Myanmar’s famed Shwedagon Pagoda. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72-carat diamond. Here, learn about the beliefs of Myanmar's people and you may meet a fortune teller where you can stop to get your fortune read if you like.

After lunch, we head for Yangon airport for your domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the city of Mandalay and check into your accommodation. Pullman Mandalay Mingalar is an international upscale hotel in Mandalay, with easy access to the city's commercial hubs and tourist attractions. It is also the hotel is the first international upscale hotel in Mandalay in more than 20 years and the modern architecture is inspired by the Mandalay Palace and Kuthodaw Pagoda.

Accommodation: 5* Pullman Mandalay Mingalar

Day 3: Mandalay

This morning after breakfast, we will explore one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Burma, the stunning Dee Doke waterfall. The waterfall crashes down into one of Burma’s most beautiful natural pools and is one of the most breathtaking spots in the area. If you would like to cool yourself down after a warm morning, go for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Dee Doke waterfall.

After which, we visit Shwenandaw Monastery, a historic Buddhist monastery and a stunning example of traditional 19th century wooden architecture. Continue the trip with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda including a gilded pagoda and hundreds of shrines housing marble slabs and pavilions and complete your sightseeing adventure with a 240-meter Mandalay Hill before heading back to your accommodation.

Accommodation: 5* Pullman Mandalay Mingalar

Day 4: Myit Kyan Gyi Community Village

Today after breakfast, we set out to visit some endangered Irrawaddy dolphins found in Mandalay that became famous for helping fishermen catch fish in what is called 'cooperative fishing.’

As we depart Mandalay, we will make a visit to Sin Kyun Community and learn how to make a bamboo hat. Then, we will sail around Sein Pa Kone, Mya Zun or Aye Kyun and have lunch here. After which, the local fishermen will introduce and teach you more about cooperative fishing and you will learn how to throw a cast-net and fish with the help of dolphins.

Then, we sail towards Myit Kyan Gyi Community and visit the village. We will depart back for Mandalay in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: 5* Pullman Mandalay Mingalar

Day 5: Bike U Bein Bridge – Inwa – Bagan

This morning after breakfast, we will set out of the city centre to U Bein Bridge, a 1.2-kilometre bridge was built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Make a stop here and snap some photos and go for a walk on this historic bridge before hopping on bikes for a fun cycling adventure.

Then, ride past weaving workshops and along small village lanes and ride to the banks of the Dohkthawaddy River, where a ferry boat will take you to Inwa, Myanmar’s most famous old capital. Also known as Ava, this town served as the capital several times from the 9th to 14th centuries; the cycling route is dotted with historic monuments. You will also cycle through village lanes and get a chance to witness some local ways of life.

After which, enjoy a picnic lunch in a monastery or family home. Then continue your journey to Bagan and check into your accommodation. At Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Bagan, spend the night in Bagan’s Archaeological Preservation Zone, a unique location amongst the ancient temples.

Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Bagan is an expansive resort set amidst 27 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, offering the ultimate in relaxation for guests seeking a unique journey into the history of ancient Bagan. Antiques, artefacts and local arts uniquely adorn each villa, complementing the majestic ambience of the resort and its surroundings.

Accommodation: 5* Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Bagan

Day 6: Bagan

Spend the first half of your day and explore the wonders of Bagan by bike or electric bike and visit beautiful cultural sites with your own guide at a leisurely pace.

Visit Shwezigon Pagoda, which will show you how Myanmar's stupas were built. Then, don’t miss the mural paintings inside the Wetkyi-In-Gubyaukgyi Temple, where Jataka scenes and stories from the Buddha cover the walls. Feel the full grandeur of Burmese culture at Htilominlo, one of the largest temples in Bagan. Lastly, drop by Thatbyinnyu Temple, an asymmetrical cross-shaped temple built in the middle of the 12th century.

In the late afternoon, set sail on a private sunset cruise in Bagan on Ayeyarwady River. Enjoy an evening full of spectacular views as you sail along Ayeyarwady River. Snap Instagram-worthy pictures as the sun turns the landscape into a stunning crimson orange.

Float down the tranquil river and enjoy the view of the ancient city from a different angle. Pass by famous pagodas such as the Shwezigon Pagoda and rural villages. Cocktails and snacks will be served.

Accommodation: 5* Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Bagan

Day 7: Heho - Kalaw

This morning, we will take an early domestic flight that will take you to Heho.

After breakfast, depart for Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, a retirement home for former logging elephants. Spend the day working with the mahouts (elephant caretakers), interacting with the elephants and learning more about these gentle giants. These gentle giants are free to wander as they like, but they love human company, so you will likely get a lot of trunk-to-face time with them.

Take part in their forest recovery project, where they plant one regional tree for forest recovery efforts. Guests are welcome you to help in the seedling process for the forest recovery program.

Have lunch at the camp. After lunch, visit the recycle paper project made from elephant poo, and further learning elephant study with Skeleton.
Learn more about elephants and forest. Then, you may explore around the forest area, opportunity to see butterflies, birds and orchids within the conservation area before heading back to your accommodation to rest for the day.

After which, check into your accommodation. The Hotel- Kalaw Hill Lodge sits upon a 30 acre stretch of land on the Shan plateau, far from the hubbub of the Kalaw. The hotel has rooms which mimic the design of the local houses but are fitted with modern amenities and lavish en suite bathrooms. Just beyond the creek houses a farm with cows, goats, buffalos, pigs and chickens and you are free to walk over to the farm.

Accommodation: 4* The Hotel - Kalaw Hill Lodge (As Kalaw is a small city, we have arranged your accommodation at the next best alternative available)

Day 8: Kalaw - Inle Lake

This morning, you will join the lodge guides at Kalaw Hill Lodge and experience farming. Try your hands at milking cows, feeding animals and visit an organic garden. Then take a spin in a cart led by oxen make a visit to the local market in Kalaw or join a local family for lunch in the nearby village.

After lunch, we will take a drive towards Inle Lake.

Check in to your hotel at Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min, located in Shan State on the Eastern bank of Inle. Direct access via the lake is available from Nyaung Shwe, the nearest village. Each contemporary and spacious suite features a large terrace, rain shower, free WIFI access, bluetooth speaker system and overlooks the lake or mountain.

Accommodation: 5* Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 9: Inle lake

Today, we will set off for an extraordinary way to experience one of Myanmar’s most scenic and cultural attractions – hot air ballooning over Inle Lake, overseeing local Inthar fishermen looking for the first catch of the day and boats laden full of produce on their way to the market through a maze of green floating canals.

Then, we take breakfast next to one of the beautiful Shan villages when we land.

After breakfast, we will head for Nyaung Shwe jetty and board a wooden motorboat to go out to Inle Lake. Here, we will explore villages built on stilts and floating gardens and learn about the life and culture of the lake’s residents.

Then, make a stop into artisan workshops to see people making incredible hand-woven silks and fabrics with the fibers of the lotus flower. To end the day off, we visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, where you can join local devotees as they come to pay homage to this sacred site. Return back to your hotel and rest for the night.

Accommodation: 5* Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 10: Heho – Yangon - Singapore
After breakfast, transfer to the Heho Airport for your flight to Yangon and transfer to your flight to Singapore in Yangon.

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Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect on the tour but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored based on the interests of the group.

This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.

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