15 SOFT ADVENTURE TOURS (PHT-015S)

YANGON – MANDLAY – PYIN OO LWIN – MANDALAY – BAGAN - KALAW – INLE LAKE – YANGON – KYAIKHTIYO – YANGON

Transfer to jetty at 06.00 hrs or 06.30 hrs, depending on available ferry and its schedule of the day. Board the ferry. This down river journey takes approx. 7 hrs or 12 hrs depending on the ferry, water level & weather condition. Lunch on board (or) packed lunch (depending on the available ferry).

This boat journey allows visitors to experience life & dazzling scenery along Myanmar’s most dominant river; a different phase to enjoy one’s visit of Myanmar. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer from jetty directly to your hotel. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, Bagan.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Today, you will start before dawn, departing hotel around 0530 hrs for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, we will escort you to your hotel first. After checking-in, take your time to freshen up and rest for a while. Bagan morning tour starts with Nyaung U Market and continues with visit to significant pagodas and temples. First, you will visit Shwezigon Pagoda built by the great King Anawrahta in 11th century. It serves as a prototype of later Myanmar pagodas. Then, continue to Ananda Temple known for its finest artistic value and is perhaps the most beautiful monuments in Bagan. A brief stop is made for photo at Tharabar Gate. Lunch at River View Restaurant.

This afternoon, we take you to Manuha Temple built by a captive Mon King. Here, one sees a huge sitting Buddha image housed in a relatively small chamber. As gloom and odd one would discern seeing as it is widely said that the captive king explained his despair through this image; it surely serves its purpose. Take a break from the temples and observe intricate steps of crafting Bagan’s famous lacquer ware and to stroll in a typical Myanmarfarming village. Then, proceed to enjoy the enchanting sunset over Bagan’s plain as the conclusion of today’s tour. Dinner with cultural show at Nandar Restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Bagan.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, transfer to Bagan (Nyaung U) Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Proceed by road to Kalaw (65 km - 2 hours). This lovely small town is formerly a British Hill station. Cool temperate climate and old colonial properties on hill tops are part of its charm. In town, the local market – especially colorful on market days, a small train station and a century old church are the highlights. In addition, Kalaw offers various trekking opportunities. Lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, we transfer you to your hotel. Time to prepare for your trekking trip. Near Kalaw, there are many ethnic tribe villages dotted hither and thither on Shan Mountain ranges. Today, you will trek to visit Palaung & Pa-Oh villages – significant tribes among Shan ethic groups. You are taking a walk through the hills, some tracks are steep up, some are easy plain walk and sometimes you walk down. The scenery varies as you walk past the villages, working farms and plantations, and as you ascend and descend on mountain paths. Some of its many crops harvested are tea, cheroots, orange, and banana. Finally, you reach the Palaung Village of Pinnabin, to observe the way they live in longhouses – quite a unique tradition. Then, return to your hotel through another route, the trip takes approx. 4 hours depending on the chosen route. Remaining of the day is at leisure. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, Kalaw. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, drive through refreshing scenic route to Nyaung Shwe (65 km – 1 ½ hrs) a gateway to Inle Lake, a freshwater lake in the heart of Shan Highlands. In Kalaw, or en route, you may get a chance to visit lively outdoor market, typical 5-day rotating market in Shan regions. That’s a place where you can see colorful tribes gathered from various villages nearby. The market offers variety of products, not for tourists, just for locals – meat, produce, herbs, and spices etc. Upon arrival at Nyaung Shwe, we stop for lunch at River View Restaurant.

After lunch, proceed by boat to Inle Lake. This boat trip is truly pictorial. Admire the view of famous leg-rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life. Don’t miss it; it’s a great photo time! Further visits are made to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Transfer to your hotel around sunset time. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, Inle Lake.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, depart your hotel by boat to visit Nampan Village and see the small traditional work places producing hand-made goods for local use and trading. Lunch at Nampan Restaurant.

After lunch, enjoy a boat tour to Inndein Village at the western end of the lake. As you travel past the villages, the boat takes you through a long and narrow waterway with both shores covered by reeds and bamboo forest. This is probably one of the most scenic boat rides on the lake. Upon arrival, head to the ruined temple complex, following a stair path lined up with magnificent columns to the top. Return to jetty with leisurely descent and proceed by boat to your hotel. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, Inle Lake.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner