Myanmar Country Highlights

Yangon is an interesting city for its history and mystique, where colonial and contemporary Burma meld amidst technological innovation and government inefficiency. You can spend several days walking the streets and small alleys, exploring the temples and shrines, and feasting in the markets and small restaurants. The centerpiece of the city is the prominent Sule Pagoda , an impressive shrine built in the 3rd century that remains to this day an active center for Ayurvedic astrology , Buddhist demon worship and strict Theravada doctrines. Explore the large ethnic enclave of South Asian peoples and the markets which maintain a strong West Asian bazaar atmosphere, the banter and barter of a surprising array of goods.

By far the most awe inspiring of Burma's religious shrines is the Shwedagon Pagoda , built over 2,500 years ago when Yangon was just a coastal fishing village. According to legend, this tremendous bell-shaped stupa, which towers over 300 feet, is the final resting point for eight hairs of the last Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama). The stupa itself is surrounded by an amazing collection of smaller stupas with terraces and bells amassed over a period of 25 centuries .

Once considered the world's foremost religious center, Bagan was dubbed the City of Four Million Pagodas with close to three million inhabitants living along the vast plains of the Irrawaddy River. A unique way to approach this wondrous land is by boat from Mandalay arriving early in the morning for a sweeping perspective on the spectacular ruins. For an intimate glimpse of the supreme architecture unique to this bend in the river, you can travel by horseback to more remote ruins or take a horse-drawn carriage to explore the splendor of the Buddhist frescoes and detailed sculpture. Catch an unforgettable sunrise or sunset at Thatbyinnyu Temple for stunning views of the stupas and pagodas that dot the sprawling plain. And do not miss Ananda Temple , one of Bagan's finest and best preserved monuments. Bagan is also famous for its lacquerware production and those with an interest in this traditional artform can observe craftspeople at work.

The mere mention of the name Mandalay conjures up a romantic nostalgia for this city of historic beauty. Today, Mandalay still remains a center for skilled artisans and craftspeople specializing in gold leaf work, sculpture, traditional weavings and musical instruments. Let us guide you through this amazing city of temples, pagodas and monasteries as well as colorful neighborhoods, tea shops, and market areas. We begin our tours with a visit to Amarapura to witness the procession of monks receiving their offerings. Cross the mile-long rickety bridge built from teak from the previous ancient capital of Ava.

Hidden in the foothills on the west bank of the Irrawaddy is the monastic town of Sagaing . Further north lies the small village of Mingun , home to the world's largest intact bell, an example of the finest in bronze casting as well as the impressive ruins of the fortified Mingun Pagoda . Take an excursion to Mogok to observe gold processing , visit local fruit markets, and tour gem mines for hands-on experience harvesting rubies from the earth. From Mandalay, there are other opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside including the scenic & temperate hill station of Maymyo for a relaxing overnight stay amongst lingering British ambiance.

Inle Lake is a magical place and home to the Intha people who have ever so naturally adapted to the lake environment in which they live. We suggest a guided cruise of the lake with visits to the stilted houses, floating vegetable plots, traditional floating market, and famous leg-rowing fishermen.

West of Inle Lake, our in-depth itineraries feature Kalaw , a tranquil small town that was once a colonial retreat on the edge of the hill country. Do not miss the holiday atmosphere that pervades the city every five days when the hilltribe minorities come down in their "Sunday finest" to market their colorful their handwoven bags, clothing, and produce.

North of Kalaw are the fascinating Pindaya Caves , used for centuries as a storage place for sacred Buddha images with a wide variety of styles and expressions covering the distinct artistic periods. The Padah-Lin Caves are the sites of important Neolithic excavations which reveal tool making techniques of a prehistoric people as well as interesting hieroglyphics and primitive cave paintings .

For those with additional time, we suggest a cultural overnight trip to Prome , the site of the ancient capital of the Pyu Dynasty. This overnight features a guided tour of the spectacular ruins of the old palace and distinctive Pyu stupas as well as a visit to a traditional Karen tribal village . Other options for adventure can be arranged to Myitkyina and Hpakant in the Kachin State and the snowcapped mountains around Putao . Our specialized itineraries in the northern and southern Shan States feature visits to mulberry and bamboo papermaking villages along with the spirit rituals of the Chinese craftspeople. For an off the beaten track travel experience, we suggest exploring the secluded beaches and natural atmosphere of Myauk-U in Arakan State , the most western and perhaps the most pristine region of Burma. For the more adventurous, climb the steep hill to Golden Rock near Pegu, famous for its pagoda perched atop a gold-plated boulder. Among the specialized activities We can arrange are Buddhism study trips to monasteries in Mandalay, Amarapura and Sagaing featuring meditation retreats, architectural study and monastic life in Burma today.