Myanmar (Burma): The Road To Mandalay
14 Days Starting and ending in YANGON
Visiting: Yangon, He Hoe, Kalaw, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Monywa, Old Bagan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BUR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
Low, Low / Moderate
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
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Tour Overview
An enigmatic land of golden pagodas and mist-shrouded jungle, Burma was once described by Rudyard Kipling as a place ‘quite unlike any...you know about’.Isolated for years by the outside world, it remains an enigma to many. But those that enter will discover a timeless land of colonial elegance and Buddhist tradition that has changed little over the intervening years. Across the plains of Bagan we can gaze across a seemingly endless sea of temples and pagodas, whilst amongst the bustling streets of Yangon and Mandalay the old world and the new clash in a vibrant explosion of colour and sound.We will walk in the footsteps of pilgrims and adventurers, as we travel from the city streets of old Yangon (Rangoon) to the stunning landscapes around Lake Inle, taking in hill stations and some of the most revered religious monuments in Southeast Asia along the way.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : In Yangon
Location: Yangon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Chinatown or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner,
The tour begins at lunchtime today at our hotel in central Yangon. This afternoon we will pay a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, whose famous golden stupa dominates the city’s skyline. The most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, Shwedagon is estimated to be over 2,500 years old. Believed to hold the relics of past Buddhas, the pagoda is a popular shrine for local pilgrims, making it a fascinating spot at which to enjoy the setting of the late afternoon sun.
Day 2 : Yangon - Heho - Pindaya - Kalaw
Location: Yangon, He Hoe, Pindaya, Kalaw
Accommodation: Hotel, Kalaw Heritage or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
We take a morning flight to Heho from where we’ll cross the Shan Plateau to Pindaya. Our journey takes us up into the hills and past a network of paddy fields as we make our way into the heartland of the Taung Yoe people. Our destination is the magnificent complex of limestone caves that occupy the ridge overlooking Pindaya Lake. The Pindaya Caves are home to thousands of Buddha images, made from alabaster, teak, marble, lacquer and even cement, which have been placed here over the centuries to create a labyrinth through the hills. We will have a chance to explore something of this fascinating setting, even taking the time to visit some local houses to watch traditional Shan paper making, before we then continue on to the nearby old hill station of Kalaw.
Day 3 : Kalaw
Location: Kalaw
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kalaw Heritage or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
A short drive today will bring us to the Green Hill Valley elephant sanctuary, the primary focus of which is to provide care for elephants that are no longer fit to work. After a welcome briefing we'll take a short walk to see the elephants and see the life of the mahouts with their families. Watching feeding and bathing time offers a great insight into these intelligent and sensitive creatures, and you can choose to help with washing the elephants if you wish. There will also be time to explore some of the surrounding forest area with opportunities to see butterflies, birds and orchids in the conservation area. This afternoon we will return to Kalaw with time to explore the local market.
Day 4 : Kalaw - Lake Inle (New Year's Eve)
Location: Kalaw, Inle Lake
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
This morning affords us the opportunity to take a relatively easy but rewarding walk in the hills around Kalaw. We'll start by walking down to Hlwan Zedi, from where we'll follow a trail through pine forest and past orange farms. We'll continue on to the village at Pein Ne Bin, where we can experience a little of the life of the Silver Palaung: watching some traditional hand weaving and enjoying the panoramic views from the village's hilltop pagoda. Returning to town, this afternoon we will then take a classic train ride to Heho from where we'll transfer to Nyaung Shwe, our gateway onto the tranquil waters of Lake Inle. From here we will take a boat ride to reach our accommodation for the next three nights.
Day 5 : Lake Inle (New Year's Day)
Location: Inle Lake
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
The second largest lake in the country and one of its highest, Lake Inle covers some 116 square kilometres of the picturesque Shan Hills. Home to a number of ethnic minorities, including Intha, Shan, Taungyo and Danu, the lake provides us with a wonderfully scenic backdrop to all our activities. We will be transported around for the next two days in small traditional open narrow boats, enjoying the calm waters and floating gardens of the lake, formed from a combination of silt and weed, which over time forms a thick layer of rich humus upon which gardens of fruit and vegetables can be grown and tended. The Inthas tend these gardens from long, banana-shaped boats, the same boats that they use to fish the waters of the lake for Inle carp. The locals have a somewhat distinctive way of rowing these sturdy craft, standing at the stern of the boat and wrapping a leg around the oar. It is a posture that affords them an unrestricted view across the floating reeds and leaves them two free hands with which to handle their nets. We will also visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, site of the holiest shrine in southern Shan. We then proceed to In Paw Khone to observe some unique lotus fibre weaving and visit a local silversmith.
Day 6 : Lake Inle
Location: Inle Lake
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
After breakfast we will visit a local market offering another aspect of the colour and spectacle of life on the lake. We will then continue up a beautiful canal to the small village of Indein, located on the lake’s western shore. Passing by the monastery of Phe Chaung, our boat turns into a narrow creek, taking us past a patchwork of rural farmland and ancient ruined pagodas. After a chance to take a short walk around the Pa-O village, we return to the main tributary and the expansive waters of Lake Inle. After lunch we’ll take a gentle row through a stilted village to learn a little more about the Intha and their ways, and if time permits, take a short walk beside the lake before returning to our hotel for the night.
Day 9 : Mandalay - Monywa
Location: Mandalay, Monywa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Win Unity or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
This morning we visit Sagaing, the last of Mandalay’s ancient capitals and one of the most important religious and monastic centres in the country. The hillsides that lead up from the river are crowded with numerous monasteries and pagodas and we will visit a few, taking in the U Min Thoneze Pagoda (Thirty Caves) and the central pagoda of Soon U Pon Nya Shinwill. Leaving Mandalay behind we make a stop at the Kuang Madaw, the largest dome in Myanmar, dating from the 17th Century and inspired by the Great Stupa in Sri Lanka, before departing for the Chindwin Valley. Travelling through an interesting rural area, en route we will visit the second tallest and second longest reclining Buddhas in the world. They are both within the monastery that contains the most Buddhas globally - 582,363 to be exact! We will also stop to admire the nearby Boditahtaung Pagoda, with its immense garden of over a thousand sitting Buddhas, before arriving in Monywa on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River.
Day 13 : Bagan - Yangon
Location: Old Bagan, Yangon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Chinatown or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
We plan to take a mid-morning flight to Yangon, allowing plenty of time this afternoon to discover Yangon’s high concentration of colonial architecture with a stroll around the bustling streets of downtown, wandering down Pansodan Street, admiring the faded Victorian architecture of the former High Court and General Telegraph Office. We’ll head for Nanthida Jetty, from where the ferries leave for the Delta region and the upcountry towns that lie along the Irrawaddy River. Close by is the colonial elegance of the Strand Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in Myanmar during the days of British rule. This evening we will go out to enjoy our final dinner together.
Day 14 : Tour Ends In Yangon
Location: Yangon
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning provides an opportunity for personal exploration and perhaps a chance to visit the famous Scott Market for some last minute souvenir shopping. Those on the suggested group flights will be transferred to the airport this afternoon.
What's Included
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MEALS
8 x Breakfasts, 8 x Lunches, 8 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a train, coaster buses, boats and domestic flights.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
What's Not Included
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Myanmar (Burma). Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that you will get the most out of the tour if you are able to participate in the short trek around the hill villages of Kalaw and negotiate the numerous, often uneven, steps involved in visiting the temples at Bagan. On Lake Inle you will spend a few hours sitting in wooden motorised canoes whilst travelling to your accommodation, as well as to and from the sights.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Myanmar (Burma). Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.
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