(There will
be five different locations we stay on this trip. Different
modes of local transport include "canoe, horse cart, small
local farmers' tractor, light truck and more as authentic as it can be."
Majority of meals are local, steam rice, vegetable, curries and fruits.)
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As soon as you end up your long flight,
- The first port of entry is Yangon (Rangoon) for three nights.
- Second location is Bagan for three nights.
- Third location is Mandalay for three nights.
- Fourth location is Kalaw for one night.
- Fifth location is Inle lake for three nights.
- First domestic flight between Yangon and Bagan: (01:10 hrs)
- Second flight between Bagan and Mandalay: (00:25 hrs)
- Third flight between Mandalay and Heho (the airport in/out Shan State for either Kalaw or Inle): (00:25 hrs)
- Fourth flight between Heho and Yangon: (01:10 hrs)
The best size of Carry-on Baggage for this adventure: The aircraft we use in this adventure are all propeller type ATR except for Bangkok Airways which is mainly Air Bus. The best dimension for this adventure is 45 cm x 35 cm x 16 cm.
Plugs
The shape of plugs will vary from country to
country, and sometimes even within a country depending on when that building
was built. Different plug shapes are named by letters of the alphabet—Type A,
Type B, and so on. Standard U.S.
plugs are Type A and Type B. Here is the list of plugs for Myanmar on
this trip:
·
Burma :
C, D, or G
Many of the hotels are now also having the multi function plugs as per photo below.
Our Brief Itinerary
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Day
1
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Depart
from U.S.A
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Day 2 |
Arrive Yangon from U.S.A You'll be picked up and transfer to hotel in Yangon. Day at leisure. |
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Day
3
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Yangon
We'll visit Shwe Dagon Pagoda in the morning. (afternoon at leisure till welcome dinner. Or Freedom to your personalized adventure.) I'll assist you who are active and want to do something else this afternoon.) |
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Day
4
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Yangon
City walk through colonial Buildings in the morning. (afternoon at leisure.) |
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Day
5
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Fly
to Bagan
Today we are going to take a domestic flight by Mann Yadanarpon. Our air-crafts are propeller type ATRs. Almost all air companies leave Yangon early at the same time because they like to maximize the daylight as majority of airports in Burma do not have "night landing facilities." On the other hand, we will have "more time" in Bagan starting from her picturesque time of the morning. Our visit today will include "colorful morning market in Bagan.Our next stop will be "Ananda temple" which is the most beautiful temple. We're going to check in hotel after lunch. Since early in the morning we are out on the road and busy traveling, this afternoon will be ideal break for you. If you are active, I'll have some activities/recommendations for you to do. We'll have dinner at hotel. |
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Day
6
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Bagan
(in
life-style)
Yippie!!! It's going to be a FUN day. We are going to see today "what other business that people do in Bagan" apart from tourism. We are going to see an expert in lacquerware and learn the process. It's the day you are going for home-host dinner. Bring your family photos - for ice-breaking. |
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Day
7
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Bagan
by
horse-cart.
This morning we're going to take typical means of transportation in Bagan; "pony-drawn carriage." It's going to be a great opportunity getting to know local expert of the area. The ride will be among temples of archaeological zone. For me, I feel more close to the temples and "love the ambiance" the real Bagan by this ride despite being "dusty and bumpy." I hope you like this experience as much as I like it. (Afternoon is at leisure to explore Bagan on your own, enjoy the hotel or packing for next flight tomorrow.) Oh.. wait ! Last shot, we'll give you a short boat ride on Irrawaddy river in the evening.  |
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Day
8
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Fly
to Mandalay
Morning flight to Mandalay. It's going to be almost the same flight we took from Yangon. Mandalay airport is more than 21 miles south of the city. There will be an activity this morning; visit to the a Buddhist nunnery; " we will meet the local nuns and have a discussion with them, if you have any questions about their lives as nuns or their religious practices, this is the best opportunity for you to find out the answers directly from them!" If you have questions and are not sure whether it is a suitable one or not, let me know so we can talk about it before we visit."
In the evening, we are going to "U Bein Bridge" in the south of Mandalay- the World Longest Teak Wood Bridge. Please note that it is a foot bridge, and has no handrails. It can be very crowded often. But we will be walking over the bridge for a good 10 minutes. For those who do not want to walk, I recommend you to take a boat *(small boats can be hired) and see the bridge from the lake.
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Day
9
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Mandalay
This
morning we are going to explore "Mandalay Hill," "Kuthodaw"
known as World Biggest Book, "Shwe Nandaw monastery" the fine example of Burmese
Palace buildings, and "Gold leaf making place."
(This afternoon is an ideal day for a break. Or if you have a list to do in Mandalay, please use this afternoon. Mostly I like to do something else in my free time, so I will keep you posted on site what we can do together as well.)  |
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Day
10
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Mandalay
and
beyond (Upstream to the West by River, to the South by Coach)
Here is the most enjoyable 45 minutes boat trip up to a village, called Mingun in west of Mandalay. Apart from boat ride, what do we see there? a lot.... there are a lot of "paintings galleries" along the street and "the World Biggest Working Bell." (Afternoon is at leisure.) |
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Day 11 |
Fly to Heho. Drive to Kalaw We will take a short morning flight today to Heho, an airport town or major gateway to Shan State. Then drive to Kalaw. Today is relaxing and traveling day. For us, it's the first day of Landscape change, from today onwards we will discover more about "Shan" people. Today is a relax and traveling day. In the afternoon, we'll do a walk in Kalaw.*(due to altitude over 4000 feet, the climate is much cooler. Bring warm cloths.) |
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Day 12 Day 13 |
Hooray!! We can't wait for this day. "today is to experience a typical day in the life as a local". Today you are no longer an American, you will do what local do. If school is open, there we will meet kids range from 5 to 10 years old. It's a place we help built "Purified Water Systems" and toilets for them through Grand Circle Foundation from travelers like you. Today we'll round up "discussion" with the villagers. We say "goodbye" to these happy-goes-lucky people and continue our journey to naturally beautiful Inle lake.
Means of transport from today will be long-tailed boat. It's open air. We provide you "umbrella," "rain-coat" if need be. We will visit major villages on the lake where they make cheroots - Burmese cigars, lotus-fibers. "hat" "sun-glasses" "sun's cream"will be useful today. There will be lots of "ons" and "offs" from the boat.
Inle lake
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Day
14
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Inle
lake
We'll go to Ywama village to learn how we make "paper" "parasol" and meet with Padaung ladies. Our journey will end up going to the West end of the lake. The village is called Inn Dein, it is famous for its ruins. Today "long boat ride" and “approximately 2 hours walk." |
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Day 15 |
Fly to Yangon and depart for U.S.A.You'll have a hotel for day use in Yangon before you depart for your next flight. |
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