The land of the golden pagodas Myanmar is always worth a trip and we are your experts for Myanmar (Burma), one of countries starting with letter M listed on Countryaah.
This guided round trip for a mini group of 6 to 12 people has been put together with great attention to detail and offers a perfect mix between discovery and relaxation, including in-depth insights away from the usual round trip routes. Every year we are on site for you for several weeks and we know the country and its people very well. Benefit from our insider knowledge and immerse yourself deeply in the country on this trip.
Best travel time: Fixed dates
March 07 – March 24, 2021 / extension until March 27, 2021
September 30 – October 17, 2021 / extension until October 21, 2021
Travel duration: 18 days without and 22 days with beach extension.
Travel planning: We offer single travelers the opportunity to book a ½ double room to share.
Tip: If the dates do not fit or if you prefer to travel alone or in a private group, we will be happy to make you an individual offer for your desired date.
B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Day 1 – 2: Arrival from Switzerland and arrival in Mandalay
Flight from Zurich to Mandalay. On arrival we will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. Visit of the former capital Mandalay with the royal palace, the pagodas, the largest book in the world and handicraft workshops. On foot across the large vegetable market. Sunset on Mandalay Hill. In the evening we meet for a common welcome cocktail. (F)
Day 3: Mandalay and royal cities
With a little luck we can take part in a monks’ meal today. Then visit the old royal cities of Ava, Sagaing and Amarapura by car and horse-drawn carriage. At sunset we enjoy a wonderful view of the longest teak bridge in the world from a private boat: the U-Bein bridge and in the evening we visit a puppet performance (optional). (F)
Day 4: Hsipaw
Drive to Hsipaw, which is around 1000 meters above sea level. lies. On the way stop in Pyin Oo Lwin, a former British mountain health resort with a beautiful botanical garden. Depending on the time of arrival, we visit the palace of the last Shan prince and spend the night in Hsipaw. (F)
Day 5 – 6: Hike to Shan and Palaung villages
Passing rice fields and tea plantations framed by green mountains, we hike to remote Shan and Palaung villages (approx. 5 hours per day). Overnight stay on day 5 with a family in a Palaung village (day 5: B / L / AI, day 6: B / L)
Optionally, the 2 days can also be spent in Hsipaw and on day 5 an easy hike with a boat trip in the vicinity is offered (surcharge).
Day 7: Hsipaw – Train ride – Mandalay
The train ride between Hsipaw and Pyin Oo Lwin is an extraordinary experience. At walking pace we pass the over 100 year old Goteik Viaduct (690 meters long and 102 meters high) before we reach the former British spa town of Pyin Oo Lwin at lunchtime. In the evening drive to Mandalay. (F)
Day 8 – 9: Irrawaddy boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan
The Irrawaddy is the lifeline of Myanmar. After breakfast we move into our cabins on a comfortable ship. We spend two full days downstream on the water and have time to let our soul dangle and process what we have seen with love. On the way we stop at a typical Burmese village, visit the largest bell in the world in Mingun and learn in Yandabo, the village of potters, how the clay pots are made in Myanmar. (F / M)
Day 10 – 11: Bagan
In the morning we reach Bagan by ship. As far as the eye can see, countless temples, pagodas and stupas adorn the landscape. A unique sight. 2 days are planned to absorb the atmosphere of Bagan and to visit the most interesting temples and pagodas such as the Ananda Temple or the Shwezigon Pagoda. Of course, a sunrise or sunset from the Dhammayazika Pagoda with a view of the surrounding pagoda fields should not be missing. On day 11 we are staying with a local family.
Bagan is world famous not only for its countless pagodas, but also for the labor-intensive paintwork. The production of a piece often takes several months. In addition to tables and cupboards, plates, mugs and bowls are also produced. When visiting a studio, the various work steps for producing a lacquer object will be explained to you.
Optionally there is the possibility to go by balloon over Bagan. (Day 10: FI Day 11: B / D)
Day 12: Pindaya and Inle Lake
Flight from Bagan in Shan Highlands to Heho. From there the journey continues to the caves of Pindaya, where there are now over 8000 Buddhas from all over the world. Pilgrims from everywhere meet here. The atmosphere in the caves is unique and only a few European tourists visit this place. Continue to Inle Lake, where we spend the night in an idyllic hotel directly on the lake. (F)
Day 13-14: Inle Lake with cooking class and mini-trek to Indein
Inle Lake is the home of the Inthas and one-legged rowers. Together with the guide we explore the lake and its surroundings by longboat and drive past hectare-sized vegetable plantations which, contrary to expectations, were not laid out on land but floating on the lake. Traditional craftsmanship awaits us in the villages built on stilts in the lake. On day 14 we will be initiated into the secrets of the Intha kitchen in a cooking class before we hike across travel fields and past cotton plantations to the temple complexes of Indein. (Day 13: FI Day 14: B / L)
Day
15-16 : Yangon Flight from Heho to Yangon. Stroll through the center of the 5 million city with its colonial buildings. Visit the more than 2000 year old Sule Pagoda and the lively Scott Market, where everything from handicrafts to clothes and jewelry is for sale. The Shwedagon Pagoda as one of the most beautiful pagodas in the country will show you its gold-plated exterior in a particularly impressive way at sunset. We can review the impressions of the past weeks over a cozy dinner. (FA)
Day 17: Departure
Even the best vacation comes to an end. Time to do some last shopping and visit galleries before you are driven to the airport and it is time to say goodbye to Myanmar. Depending on the flight time, arrival in Zurich in the evening on day 17 or in the early morning on day 18. (F)
Day 15 – 18: Beach extension “Ngapali Beach” Flight from Heho to Ngapali and relaxing days on the beach on the Bay of Bengal. Our hotel is nestled between palm trees, directly on the kilometer-long white sandy beach, which is ideal for walks. There are no large holiday complexes here, so you can relax away from the hustle and bustle. (F)
Day 19 – 20: Yangon
Flight at noon from the beach to Yangon. Stroll through the center of the 5 million city with its colonial buildings. Visit the more than 2000 year old Sule Pagoda and the lively Scott Market, where everything from handicrafts to clothes and jewelry is for sale. The Shwedagon Pagoda as one of the most beautiful pagodas in the country will show you its gold-plated exterior in a particularly impressive way at sunset. With a cozy dinner on the last day, you can look back on the impressions of the past weeks. (FA)
Day 21: Departure
You will be driven to the airport in Yangon. Depending on the flight time, arrival in Zurich in the evening on day 20 or in the early morning on day 21. (F)
