The 45-minute flight to the Burmese capital of Yangon (Rangoon) from the modern hustle and bustle of Bangkok is like riding a time machine a half-century into the past. Largely isolated from the rest of the world for the last fifty years, the Burmese way of life has in many ways been frozen in time. The people are gentle, humorous, engaging, considerate and inquisitive, and they want to play a part in the world. Theirs remains a largely agrarian society, with a pervasive Theravada Buddhist spirituality. Saffron-robed monks and nuns number in the hundreds of thousands, and gilded temples and shrines dot the landscape. Scooters and motorboats haven't yet displaced horse carts in the ancient capital of Bagan or the wooden boats deftly leg-paddled by villagers at Inle through the lake's floating gardens.
Kipling would be surprised to find that his observation remains true more than a century later, and that Burma would be unique in missing the wave of modernization and economic development that has swept over Southeast Asia over the last three decades. Once a cherished jewel in the crown of the British Empire, Burma has been insulated against the influence of globalization and foreign cultural intrusions – for better or for worse – leaving intact the storied grace, elegance and warmth of the Burmese people themselves.
Many western governments and travelers have shunned Burma in protest of the repressive military regime, but the political tides are changing and hope for new freedoms and a brighter future is on the rise. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Burma in November and December of 2011 portends new openness and greater economic engagement with the international community that will likely lead to development of Burma's rich natural resources, modernization, and and the end of ways of life that have persisted for centuries. This is a rare moment in time, when it is still possible to "ride the time machine" and experience a Burma that Kipling would still recognize, before it is transformed forever.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Oct 24 – Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok and take the Novotel Airport free shuttle service from the airport to the Novotel Airport Hotel. Welcome dinner and orientation.
O/N Novotel Hotel – superior room
Day 2 - Oct 25 – Fly from Bangkok to Rangoon/Yangon
As a group, transfer by way of the airport shuttle to the airport for the flight to Rangoon @ 7:55AM/9:15AM. Transfer to the hotel for check in and lunch briefing. Afternoon visit to the Reclining Buddha before arriving at the amazing Shwedagon Pagoda with time to explore and prepare for sundown. Photograph the transition of the Pagoda as it goes from glistening in the sunlight to being illuminated by candle light.
O/N Traders Hotel (LD) – Trader Club Room
Day 3 - Oct 26 – Fly to Heho (Inle Lake)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake, at 11:00AM/12:10PM. On arrival, transfer to the van for the 1 hour drive to the lake, stopping at a local monastery en-route. In Nyaung Shwe transfer by boat for the 30 minute boat ride to the fabulous Inle Princess Resort (IPR). Tonight you’ll have the pleasure of dining with the manager of the resort in the private wine cellar. You will be introduced to local wines that will be paired with traditional Shan food.
Note: each boat will take 4 persons and a local guide and boat driver
O/N Inle Princess Resort (BLD) – lake front suite
Day 4 - Oct 27 – Inle Lake
Early morning departure by local long tail boats to spend the day exploring the magic of the lake. We’ll enjoy a private lunch at the “Burmese Cat House” – an amazing facility in the middle of the lake, home to Burma’s only remaining purebred Burmese Cats. In the afternoon, we will visit a new traditional stilt house being constructed for a family in need, selected by the local community. The small cost to provide a home for this family has been donated by our group. Locals constructing the house will invite us to join them in the final stages of the project to learn the art of tying bamboo and building using all aspects of the bamboo stalk without the use of hammer and nails.
O/N Inle Princess Resort (BLD)
Day 5 - Oct 28 – Inle Lake
Today, after returning back from an early morning on the lake, we will return to the stilt-house where we will be invited to participate in and photograph the giving ceremony, during which monks bless the house and the family that will benefit from our group's donation. The family in turn sponsors a lunch for the monks and invites the donors as the guests of honor at the hour-long ceremony. The balance of the day will be visits to some of the many villages around that lake that specialize in producing silk, lotus fabric, silver and/or cheroots.
O/N Inle Princess Resort (BLD)
Day 6 - Oct 29 – Inle Lake – Full Moon
Today we begin with an early morning excursion by boat to the 5-day market. Returning to the hotel mid-morning spend the balance of the day exploring the nearby villages, schools, orphanages and a monastery. We will depart the hotel with picnic lunches, stopping to enjoy them at a special place along the way.
O/N Inle Princess Resort (BLD)
Day 7 - Oct 30 – Fly to Pagan/Bagan
An early morning departure to the town of Ngaung Shwe to enjoy the local market. After lunch transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan @ 3:25PM/4:40PM (currently the flight stops in Mandalay). On arrival in Bagan, transfer to the hotel, located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
O/N Ayer River View Hotel (BLD) – premier room
Day 8 - Oct 31 – Bagan – Explore the Temples of the Ancient Capital
Depart by horse cart to the temples to watch as the sun comes up behind the thousands of temples of Bagan. Balance of the day spent exploring the magic of Bagan and it temples.
O/N Ayer River View Hotel (BLD)
Day 9 - Nov 1 – Bagan – Hot Air Balloon Flight, Market, Lacquerware
Enjoy a very special treat today – we have 2 hot-air balloons for the exclusive use of our group to photograph as the sun rises over Bagan - a truly spectacular site. Though one balloon could accommodate our whole group, we have booked two balloons so we can split the group, providing everyone extra space in each balloon to maneuver for photography. After the ride, return to the hotel for breakfast followed by a morning visit to the local market - one of the most active in the country. Afternoon walking tour through a village producing lacquer and lacquerware where you will witness firsthand the entire process from the making of the lacquer to the finished product.
O/N Ayer River View Hotel (BLD)
Day 10 - Nov 2 – Bagan – Mt. Popa, Nat Ceremony
This morning’s drive takes us out of town to the pilgrimage site of Mt. Popa – home to the “Nat” religion. Hike to the top of the mountain to visit the temple. Enjoy lunch at the nearby Mt. Popa Resort. Return to Bagan, stopping to visit some of the local villages and monasteries along the way. Tonight, another treat – an official “Nat” ceremony has been arranged for the group.
O/N Ayer River View Hotel (BLD)
Day 11 - Nov 3 – Fly from Pagan/Bagan to Rangoon/Yangon
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rangoon at 8:05AM/10:15AM (currently the flight stops in Mandalay) Afternoon free to explore Rangoon’s sites/shops including Scott Market, China Town, and Augustine’s Antique shop. Farewell dinner.
O/N Traders Hotel (BLD)
Day 12 - Nov 4 – Depart for Bangkok/home
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok at 9:50AM/11:45AM.
Price based on double occupancy: $10,235/person
Single Supplement: $1,260/person
Included in the program:
- Group flights Bangkok/Rangoon/Bangkok
- Hotels as indicated (1 night Bangkok, 2 nights Rangoon, 4 nights Inle, 4 nights Bagan)
- Group gratuities
- Group local transportation
- In-country flights (economy class)
- Donation to build a stilt house for a family in need at Inle Lake
- Private Hot Air Balloon Ride in Bagan, using two balloons at half-capacity each to facilitate photography
- Private traditional Nat performance in Bagan
- National guide and supplemental regional guides in Inle Lake and Bagan
Single entry Burmese tourist Visa
Not Included:
- Items of personal nature
- Excess luggage
- Round trip flight to Bangkok, Thailand from your point of origin
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/12/18/travel/18MYANMAR.html?ref=travel
