A walk in the park
Colonial, uncoordinated, typical authentic Southeast Asian!
Yangon is a city that reminds you of Asia in the 1980’s. Colonial, uncoordinated, typical authentic Asian! In between all of the hecticness you find an old colonial beauty that is unparalleled to any other city in the region. Former British grandeur stand out between the Chinese style shophouses and are home to local businesses, apartments and all kinds of restaurants and coffee shops. Leaving Yangon may be with pain in your heart, but allows you to explore the beauty of Bagan and beyond. Use an e-bike and ride over the sandy paths that connect the 4000 or more temples.
Not far from Bagan you will find a little town called Salay. This is a place where you are able to take in Myanmar the local way. Situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, strolling around this place almost feels like being a part of a fairytale.
Traveling further up north of Myanmar you get to Mandalay where you enjoy a bike ride into the countryside. Meet the incredibly friendly people and learn about the historical importance of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. We cannot forget about the Inle Lake, where a trek through the Kalaw area shows you rural life and nature at its best.
By train and boat you travel further south to the lesser known Moebyel Lake and drive to Loikaw. The area is home to minorities for which Thailand is famous for, but without the staged authenticity idea. People around Loikaw sincerely follow their local tradition and culture. Hike from village to village and explore minority life.
Length of Tour: 16 days
The tour can be extended with a visit to the beach of Myanmar (Ngapali Beach for example) where you can enjoy a few days exploring the empty beaches of offshore islands. Free days could also be added around Mandalay or the Inle Lake.
Outline of the tour
What does our expert say about this tour?
“This tour around the main sights of Myanmar is an unbelievably divers tour. From the narrow streets of Yangon to the wide plains of Bagan and tree-lined trails that lead from village to village in Loikaw, the tour is focused only on the local way of life. I would love to guide this tour myself every time I get a chance. Simply because it is my favorite route and allows me time and time again to learn from the local people. The minority markets, the local school project, the fortune tellers, the local family and all the other people that have crossed my path traveling this route made it truly special. The highlights like the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the temples of Bagan or the Inle Lake are in fact just nice additions to this tour. This tour was made to get you in touch with Myanmar and what life is like in this beautiful country.”
The unique aspects of this tour
- Exploring Yangon and its colonial path on foot
- Interesting local experiences with fortune tellers, artists and farmers
- Getting away from the crowds in Salay
- Being part of ancient old traditions and ceremonies
- A champagne breakfast and balloonride over Bagan
- Explore Bagan away from the crowds by e-bike
- Homestay experience in Kalaw
- Authentic minority village trek with a visit to the local homes of a “Longneck” family
- Bike ride along rice paddy fields surrounding the Inle Lake
- Become Chinese trader at the Jade market
- Local picnics, invites to local homes and pagodas, and visit interesting school projects
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