12 Days Exploring Myanmar Including CBT in Loikaw, Myanmar

Yangon–Bagan–Mandalay–Pindaya–Inle Lake–Loikaw

Excellent

from 1 review

Duration

12 Days 11 Nights

Group Size

Max 20 People

Guide

English Speaking Station Guide

Arrival

Yangon Airport

Departure

Yangon Airport

Validity

All Year Round (private Tour – Daily Departure)

Tour Customize

Your Specific Requirements Can Be Mentoned In The Booking Form

Overview
Itinerary
Include/Exclude
Map
Reviews

Description

In this tour, you will visit the most important places in Yangon (The Commercial City) in South Myanmar, Bagan (The first Capital of the Myanmar Kingdom as well as the newly listed UNESCO heritage site), Mandalay (the last Royal Capital of Myanmar Kingdom) in Central Myanmar, Pindaya Cave and Inle Lake (the 2^nd largest Lake above 880 m above sea level) in the Eastern Myanmar, Shan State.

And explore to Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State and one of the least visited but more picturesque places we’ve found in Burma (Myanmar). This tour includes drive down into the Kayah State to visit the Padaungs – where elder women still wear the brass rings around their neck – a tradition no longer followed by the younger generation.

A perfect opportunity to get an interesting insight of the most stunning and remarkable must-see sites in Myanmar.

You will be fully satisfied as your experienced guides will share not only the history but also the culture and religion of the city and its people.

Highlights

Exploring the colonial heritage centre of Yangon with visit to its stunning religious sites
Visit Shwedagon, the most admired Pagoda in Myanmar. Enjoy sunset from the Pagoda and watch the tradition of people
Sightseeing in the stunning pagodas-filled Bagan with loads of ancient architectures and historical background
Enjoy the Horse cart ride and Sunset Boat tour in Bagan,
Sightseeing in the former royal capital Mandalay and the old cultural cities just beyond the outskirt area
Visit some local houses where families produce Shan paper and parasols in Pindaya
Learn the traditional way of growing crops in the Floating Vegetable Garden in Inle Lake
Enchanting Inle Lake discovery with stops at the most important highlights on the lake
Exploring ethnic Karen villages and meeting with the famous long neck women in Kayah State
Hiking to the community village where women wear traditional brass rings
Experience the local life and interact with the villagers
Observe the local weaving workshops
Visit impressive limestone caves and cliffs

Hotels to be used (Subject to change if fully booked)
Notes : If the hotels we mentioned below are fully booked in the period you are staying, there may be some changes.

Yangon	Jasmine Palace Hotel (Superior room) 3.5/4 * or similar
Bagan	Razagyo Hotel (Superior room) 3* or similar
Mandalay	Hotel Sakura Princess (Superior room) 3* or similar
Nyaung Shwe	81 Central Hotel (Superior room) 3* or similar
Loikaw	Famous Hotel (Deluxe room) 3* or similar

Brief Itinerary

Day 1	Arrival at Yangon and Yangon sightseeing (By car)
Day 2	Yangon – Bagan (By morning flight) & Bagan sightseeing (By car)
Day 3	Visit in Bagan (By car)
Day 4	Bagan – Mandalay (By morning flight) & visit in Mandalay (By car)
Day 5	Mandalay – Heho (By morning flight) & visit Pindaya (By car)
Day 6	Full day boat trip in Inle Lake (By boat)
Day 7	Soft Trekking in Inle Lake
Day 8	Nyaung Shwe – Loikaw (By car)
Day 9	Short Trekking in Loikaw – Pan Pet – Hta Nee La Leh Villages (By car)
Day 10	Loikaw – Kyat Cave – Htee Se Khar Water fall (By car)
Day 11	Loikaw – Yangon (By flight). & short visits in Yangon
Day 12	Departure Yangon

Know Before You Go (Additional Info)

As you will be visiting religious sites, please wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and remember to take off your shoes and socks when entering pagoda areas.
Please note the Bogyoke Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
This tour is not available during the Water Festival between 12 to 18 April. During this time, everything in town is closed: restaurants, shops, markets, Museum, etc. Driving through Yangon is extremely difficult if not impossible because people celebrate the famous water-festival.
You cannot avoid of getting very wet because everyone throws water at everybody. People drive through the city in open cars and there are stages along the street where people throw water. Everybody going up will get very wet.

Cancellation

Cancellation charges are calculated from the day the written notification is received by the clients or agent as a percentage of the net total tour price as shown, plus any surcharges (e.g. ticketed air sectors and other penalties imposed by suppliers, such as hotels):

Within 31-22 days prior to arrival date: 30% of package price
Within 21-15 days prior to arrival date: 50% of package price
Within 14-8 days prior to arrival date: 75% of package price
Within 7 days prior to arrival date: 100% of package price

Remark

“Minimum days to book before departure : (10 Days)”

Child Policy:

The price for children under 2 years old will be advised upon request when sharing the existing bedding with parents. Supplements for extra bed or baby cot may apply.

Children between 02-11 years of age at the time of travelling are granted a discount rate (mentioned in child price) when traveling with minimum 2 adults and sharing the existing bedding with parents. Supplements for extra bed or baby cot may apply.

When one adult is traveling with a child between 02-11 years old, the full charge of an adult price is applied.

Important Notes:

There may be changes to estimated prices depending on air fuel cost, domestic airfares, US$ exchange rates and festive season surcharges. All supplemental cost to be advised.

Hotels’ normal Check in time is 1400 hrs and Check out time is 1200 noon.

Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road and/or river conditions, flight schedules and room availability. No refund shall be made for any change during once you have started your tour in Myanmar.

Price per person based on two person tour (twin hotel room sharing basis). Larger groups will pay less per person, single person purchase will mean a higher price.

If you wish come to Myanmar during Water Festival between 12 to 18 April, tour price will change and we will let you know the extra charges.

Additional charges during Festive Season: Christmas, New Year and the Water festival period may apply.

Supplements for compulsory Gala Dinners will be advised at the time of booking.

All hotels have special booking and deposit conditions and will be indicated at the time of booking.

Nonrefundable deposits may be required.

Itinerary

Arrive to Yangon International Airport by morning flight. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide in the arrival longue. From the airport, start the full day visit in Yangon starting with the magnificent reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi, take for a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall, a ‘hamsa-bird-shaped’ floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. Then transfer to your hotel, and check-in (if room is available).
In the afternoon, drive through the colonial style buildings downtown, the Chinatown area and the Indian quarter. Photo stops at the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years and makes a useful landmark in downtown Yangon. Complete your first day tour in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda. The golden dome of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises 98 meters above its base, is covered with 60 tons of pure gold and is the very heart and soul of Buddhist Myanmar. Make sure to spend time here watching the Burmese come to pray and make offerings; it is an unforgettable experience. Both lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Yangon.

After breakfast, transfer to Yangon Airport for domestic flight to Bagan (approx: 0630/0750 – direct). From the airport, drive to visit the colorful local market in Nyaung Oo to learn the local people ways of trading. Then proceed sightseeing to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, which is Bagan's most important reliquary shrine – look out for images of the 37 'nats' housed in a small hall. See 13th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha 'Cave' Temple. Continue to Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi In village), another 'cave' temple with fine frescoes of the 'Jataka Tales'. Next stop is Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes, Shwe Gu Gyi. Then, pass through Tharaba Gateway where in the niches on the eastern side you will see two statues representing Nat shrines before entering into Old Bagan. Check into your hotel late morning.
In the afternoon continue to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the early Bagan era with well-preserved murals. Make a photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 meters - Thatbyinnyu known as 'temple of omniscience' and dating from 1144. Take a break from temples and wander through the village of Minnanthu to see how the local people live. Both lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Bagan.

(Optional Program: Balloon Over Bagan flight)
Around 0530 hours the Ballooning shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel (your guide will tell you the exact pick up time). You will drive to the departure ground of the Balloons. While the team makes the Balloon ready to go, you enjoy some refreshments, but you can also take great pictures of this event. Then, depending on the wind, you will over fly Bagan for about one hour, and enjoy spectacular views of the ancient Kingdom of Bagan in your hot air balloon! The tour ends where ever the wind has brought you. Then the shuttle bus will transfer you back to your hotel or any point you request within the city area.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning explore the Myinkaba village area by horse cart. First we visit Gubyaukgyi Temple admiring the fine stuccowork. We continue to Nanpaya temple, built in the Mon style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been Manuha's residence. See the four Buddha images in Manuha Pagoda and later, visit Pyatsashwegu, built in 11th century showing frescoes with ancient Mon captions on the interior walls. Stop at Myazedi stupa to see Myanmar's "Rosetta Stone", bearing inscriptions written in four languages. In the afternoon, visit to one of the Lacquer ware factories to watch craftsmen skilfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. After that visit to Abeyadana Temple with frescoes representing Bodhisattvas and the gods of Indian mythology. Continue to Damayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from 1170 that is famous for its interlocking mortar less brickwork. Next, visit Sulamani, one of Bagan’s great two-storied Bamar style temples, which has 4-seated Buddha images. Late afternoon, transfer to jetty to board the local boat and enjoy the Sunset Boat trip on the legendary Ayeyarwaddy River. Both lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Bagan.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Bagan Nyaung Oo Airport for domestic flight to Mandalay (Approx: 0835/0905 – direct). Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, drive to Amarapura, the penultimate Royal Capital and lying 11 km south of Mandalay. Here we visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study. Then visit to over 160-year-old U Bein teak bridge, built in 1851 at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital by staking 1060 teak posts over the wide Taungthaman Lake to connect two villages. One of the most photographed spots in Myanmar and well worth spending time walking across the bridge.
After Lunch (by own account), a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Mandalay includes Mahamuni Pagoda with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves, a visit to a craftsman’s workshop to see Kalaga tapestries being created, Golden Palace Monastery (Shwe Nandaw / Shwe Kyaung), a superb example of a traditional wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda (known as the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Enjoy the sunset at Mandalay Hill. Both lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Mandalay.

After the breakfast, transfer to Airport for domestic flight to Heho (Approx: 0955/1050). Upon arrival in Heho, proceed by road to Pindaya (65 km - 1½ hours). Lunch at local Restaurant (by own account).
After lunch, visit magnificent Pindaya Caves, set in a limestone ridge overlooking a picturesque lake, where thousands of different types of Buddha images are on display in the various cave chambers. Visit some local houses where families produce Shan paper and parasols. A scenic drive takes you to Inle Lake (90 km - 2½ hours). Transfer by boat to the hotel on the lake. Both lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Nyaung Shwe.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, explore one of the 5-day markets (on market day only). By visiting 5-day markets, clients will get insight into the life-style of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha inhabitants who came to these markets to sell their goods. Enjoy full day boat trip on Inle Lake – a photographer's dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake's unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Pass endless floating gardens, where fruit and vegetables are grown. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries on the lake. One can see ancient Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Then visit Inn Paw Khone Village to see Silk & Lotus Weaving workshop, Blacksmith Work Shop & Cheroot (Burmese Cigar) Work Shop.
In the afternoon, enjoy another boat tour to the western shore of Inle Lake, where you will find the beginning of a stair path leading to the well hidden Indein Pagoda complex. The boat takes you through a long channel where you watch the farmers cultivate their produce. This ride is one of the most scenic boat tours on Lake Inle. Return back to hotel at sunset. Accommodation at Hotel in Nyaung Shwe.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, explore one of the 5-day markets (on market day only). By visiting 5-day markets, clients will get insight into the life-style of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha inhabitants who came to these markets to sell their goods. Then, start Trekking Tour program.

Trekking Highlights
- Trekking to Danu, Pa-O and Taung yoe and Innthar tribal villages and to observe their living and traditional style,
- Observing the Plantation of rice, onions, garlic, various kind of peas & vegetables, tea leaves, Malt Rice, oranges, beans, bananas and tobacco leaves etc …

Inle - Thalee Oo 2.30 hour walk (Flat walk with optional uphill for 30 mins)
A short 25 minute boat trip brings us to the village of Thalee Oo, which similar to several lakeside villages has a water part as well as a land based section both with their own monastery. Navigating through the houses on stilts, we disembark at a jetty to being our walk on a flat and shady bullock cart road through the heart of the village. Thalee Oo is an Intha village whose population lives mainly off the land growing peanuts, tomatoes, garlic, sugarcane, rice and vegetables. The walk is not only extremely pretty with traditional bamboo houses on either side and adjacent to a clean stream used for daily washing but also has good views across cultivated fields to Inle Lane and the Shan Hills behind. Stop and chat to some of the friendly Intha families whilst observing their day to day life. After 45 minutes walk through Thalee Oo, we stop at a local rice mill, made entirely from wood and see the process of separating grain, husk and bran. Climbing uphill for 30 minutes through a Monastery, we reach the small PaO village of Ywa Thit renowned for its weaving of bamboo baskets.
The PaO ladies still wear traditional black tops and brightly colored chequered towels as turbans. After admiring the stunning view of Inle Lake and the Shan Hills from our vantage point, we descend for 30 minutes before continuing along a flat path through the village of Alae Myaung back to the lakeshore and our boat. Transfer by boat to your hotel in Inle Lake or Nyaung Shwe Jetty by navigating through the houses on stilts by enjoying the stunning beauty of sunset of Inle Lake. Dinner is your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Nyaung Shwe.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, leave your hotel by boat to Nyaung Shwe and overland to Loikaw (Nyaung Shwe - MineThauk through Hmaw Bi Brigde Approx: 5-6 hours drive). on the way can see some crops field, and en-route stop at Pin Laung Village for lunch at local restaurant (by own account). Loikaw is the capital of Kayah state, located in southern Shan State of Myanmar and on the Bilu River, a tributary of the Thanlwin (Salween) River still remain as an untouched attraction where you can observe traditional ways of life of Kayah national races and extension to nearby villages. Arrive Loikaw in late afternoon, if time permits enjoy panoramic and sunset view from hill of Taungkwe Zeti, famous land mark of the area at sunset. Both lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at hotel in Loikaw.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning drive out of Loikaw (approx 1 ½ hour) and visit landmark like Ngwe Daung Dam and proceed to join with Community Based Tourism program at Pan Pet Village.
(Please see the detailed program in the separate PDF file)

Program Highlights:
- Visit the homeland of the ‘long-neck’ Kayan people.
- Gentle trekking while exploring local beliefs and way of life (The short trek 2 hours for cultural and nature trail start from Pemasong village)
- Visit traditional artisans and musicians in their homes (3 home visits includes)
- Home cooked Lunch or Picnic Lunch will be served.

These community based, cultural tours offer you fascinating, fun insights into local life and culture in Pan Pet, an ethnic Kayan community, located in Demoso township, Kayah, Myanmar. Pan Pet area includes 5 small villages.

In the afternoon, drive to Hta Nee La Leh village and continue the tour with CBT program in that village.

Program Highlights:
- Witness the ancient, animist beliefs of the Kayah people….
- Meet traditional artisans and musicians in their homes (2 home visits includes)

Community based, cultural tours offer visitors fascinating, fun insights into local life and culture in Hta Nee La Leh, which is an ethnic Kayah (Karenni) community, located in Demoso township, Kayah state, Myanmar.
Remark: Price inclusive of car hire for full day, local guide, visiting fees and traditional lunch at Kayan home.
Drive back to Loikaw in the evening. Dinner by own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Loikaw.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit attraction around Loikaw with a local market at Loikaw; Visit some more villages depending on situation to see most unusual Kayah tribes ladies wearing brass rings around their extra ordinary long neck, Kayah traditional weaving industry and wonderful ritual flagstaffs of Nat (spirit) worshipers and visit Kayah state museum (closed on Mondays & public holidays). Then drive out of Loikaw (approx 1 hour) to Kyat Cave. Visit Kyat Cave (Ghost Cave), where we can find broken wooden box believed to be coffins from many years ago.
Drive back to Loikaw at lunch time. In the afternoon, drive out to Loikaw again to visit Htee Se Khar Waterfall (1 hour driving time). Return back to Loikaw in the evening. Both Lunch and Dinner by own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Loikaw.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Loikaw Airport for Myanmar National Airline flight UB-110 to Yangon (0905/0955 – direct). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. On the way, you can visit Gems Museum (or) National Museum according to your interest (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays).
After check in, in the afternoon, transfer to Bogyoke (Scott) Market (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) gives you the opportunity to see Myanmar's wide range of handicrafts for souvenirs. Both Lunch and dinner are your own account. Accommodation at Hotel in Yangon.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for your departure flight (TBA).

End of our services:

Include

All sightseeing tour and transfer services with private air conditioned car/coach as detailed in our itinerary,
Accommodation with breakfast at hotels as specified,
All domestic airfares (Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Heho, Loikaw-Yangon) including Insurance Surcharge,
Tours/Sightseeing with English speaking stationed guides (you will meet with different guides at different destinations) (OR) English or language speaking throughout guide with a supplement
All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the program,
1 Half Day Trekking in Inle Lake including Drinking Water, Towel, Lunch, CBT fees and porter.
1 Full Day visit Pan Pet & Hta Nee La Leh CBT project tours including 1 Lunch, local guides, home visits.
Private Boat fees on the Inle Lake,
Service charges, room tax and baggage handling
Snow towels and purified drinking water during the sightseeing/tour

Exclude

Services not mentioned in our itinerary,
Optional Balloons Over Bagan flight
Meals not specified (lunch & dinner),
Visa fee for Myanmar,
International airport departure tax,
International flight tickets to/from Yangon,
Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.
Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness)

Location

Reviews

5/5

Excellent

Based on 1 review

Excellent

Very Good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Elizabeth Leodler

27/12/2020

0 likes this

Incredible Itinerary with Community-Based Tourism!! Unique and Helps Local Communities-Highly Recommend!

I researched at least 15 tour companies and looked at dozens and dozens of potential itineraries before deciding on Real Treasure Travel & Tours for a customized family trip in 2018. Real Treasure Travel & Tours is the one I'm am VERY THANKFUL that I ended up going with. It's based in Myanmar (vs. Thailand or Europe etc.) and had ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!! They still send me personalized holiday emails to see how my family is doing and took me to the airport when I was done working in the country (months after the tour). The main reason I chose them though was because they were the only tourism company I found that actually got in touch directly with the community based tourism programs in more remote states that I had read about in some academic journals or sustainable tourism pieces. They even sent a staff member to check out the programs first. Highlights included going to the actual villages of the long-necked women (rather than seeing them in areas they had to travel to just for tourism, where they are often exploited). We also did walking tours in other unique communities and had wonderful accommodation and personalized attention through, including a beautiful stay at a community owned lodge on Inle Lake.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 in total

Write a review

Get a Quote