Breakfast at your hotel. Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda - YGN-001 – half day So what’s behind the golden façade of the Shwedagon Pagoda? During this interactive half day tour we take you through the back door and show you the full history of the pagoda, the daily life of all people living in the immediate surroundings of the pagoda and a deeper insight in the Buddhist religion and how the spiritual belief is mixed with the belief in nats – the Myanmar spirits. An intriguing half day tour starting from the bottom of the hill and passing the workshops, markets and monasteries which will be useful or even essential to understand more of the country during the rest of your journey. The tour includes a traditional Burmese breakfast, offerings to monks and the pagoda, a visit to a fortune teller and a Burmese lunch. Yangon Heritage walk - YGN-016 – half day Yangon downtown is unique with much of its colonial-era architecture still standing. You find one of Asia’s most impressive collections of late nineteenth and early twentieth- century buildings, religious and secular. This walking tour will take you a step back in time, through downtown Yangon, focusing on its old colonial buildings, neglected or purposefully restored. Stop at the Secretariat, scene of the nation-stopping assassination of General Aung San which has been closed off to the public for over since the 1960s. After the tour you will have time to enjoy a drink at Gekko, a cosy restaurant on Merchant Street in a historical building.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Cloud 10 Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. We pick you up at your hotel, around 06:30 for a transfer to the train station – we have reserved upper class seats for you at the train leaving at 07:15. Your journey starts over the track that also is used for Yangon’s famous circular train and slowly you will see the scenery changing from the downtown Yangon to scenery of paddy fields. Travelling by train through Mon State towards Mawlamyine we pass the area which supposed to be the seat of the last capital of the Mon kingdom: the city called Suvannabhumi. Burmese archaeologists have recently started the search again for the exact location of this ancient city. We suggest you to bring water, snacks and a good book on the train. Pictures of your home country are also always a good ice-breaker to meet other passengers on the train. Expected arrival time at Thaton is around 14:00 and upon arrival at Thaton train station, meet your guide for a private transfer to Mawlamyine. On arrival in the colonial city Mawlamyine we walk around the area with impressive buildings from the colonial times when writers like Orwell and Kipling where living in this city, visit the first Baptist church and the Seindon Mibaya Monastery. The last king of Myanmar, at the palace in Mandalay, came to power by killing many of the rival heirs to the throne at the end of the 19th century. Queen Seindon escaped and moved to what was called Moulmein in that period and became a Buddhist nun till her death (her tomb is in the compound in one of the nunneries). She built the Seindon Mibaya Monastery in Mawlamyine which is very fine example of architecture in the original Mandalay palace and has magnificent woodcarvings and other decorations. It’s a monastery so beautiful that one could actually call it a museum. Continue to the Ni Paya to have a view over the city and river before heading to a local house where a home cooked dinner of Mon specialities is served.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Cinderella Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. At 07:30 a tuk-tuk will pick you up to go to the jetty from where we take private motor boat for a cruise over the Thanlwin (Salween) River – one of the longest rivers in Myanmar ending in Mon State. After about an hour we arrive at a small jetty in U Na Auk village from where you take a tuk-tuk to visit the amazing carvings and decorations or the temples and ordination hall donated to the village by Mr Na Auk. Mr Na Auk was a Mon trader, living in this area in the British period and he was famous for his intelligence to trade and win from the big British companies and has been a symbol of being patriotic, have a good trading sense and be kind to his fellow country man. In modern schoolbooks his story is taught and everybody in the country knows his name and stories how he offered free transportation for the local people in his area, offered food and managed to compete with the British traders. The temple committee does not ask entrance fees but a donation is greatly appreciated – we suggest a donation of 5.000 Kyats per person as the community really needs to money to keep the buildings in such a good shape. We continue the boat trip over the Thanlwin River with spectacular sights on Zwekabin and other limestone mountains rising from the rice fields. A highlight of the trip through this part of Myanmar. A simple lunch is served on board. Arrive around 14:00 in Hpa An – on arrival at the jetty you have to arrange a local motor taxi or tuk-tuk on your own to the hotel in the centre of the town.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Hotel Gabbana

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide for a tuk tuk transfer to the starting point where we start the kayaking. Kayaking, Kayin village walk and a home cooked lunch Be prepared for a soft adventure day with a lot of activities and impression to experience real Kayin life style. We start the day by small kayaks to go for a leisurely trip through the paddy fields for half an hour or so. If you don’t feel like paddling yourself, let us know and we arrange a local Kayin man to paddle for you. We leave the kayaks behind and continue on foot through the forest visiting Kayin villages for a leisurely walk of about an hour including a visit to the Kayin community, wears traditional clothes and are all vegetarian. We walk to a traditional Kayin house where a home cooked lunch is being served by the local host. After lunch a short kayak ride brings us to the starting point where we meet with the driver for a private transfer to the hotel. A great trip to get a feel for the real Kayin life in the nature. Attention: as the creeks in this rural part are quite shallow we use small kayaks to travel around which means that you could get wet – slippers, shorts and a t-shirt are recommended. It’s possible to shorten the village walk. After the tour, return to the hotel by tuk tuk. Free at leisure in the afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Hotel Gabbana

Breakfast at the hotel. Beyond Hpa cycling tour – Half day In the morning, meet your bike guide at Hotel Gabbana (private transfer from your hotel to Hotel Gabbana is arranged). After a safety briefing and personalized bike fitting, cycling start to local villages and beautiful rice fields. Pass by Kyauk Ka Latt Pagoda and continue to the Kayin villages passing the paddy fields overlooking Mt. Zwekabin which is the landmark of Hpa an. You will have a chance to take the photos with the stunning views along the way. You will then have a break at the traditional Kayin village and have a tea and chit chat with local people while your guide will assist you for interaction with local people. We continue bike back to hotel. Tour start and end at Hotel Gabbana (08:30-11:30). At 12:00, Check out from hotel and own transfer to bus station. We have reserved a seat for you at the 13:00 A/C bus to Kyaikto where you will arrive around 16:30. At the junction in Kyaikto there are always plenty of tuk-tuks available to bring you in about 30 minutes to the Golden Sunrise hotel which is on the left side of the road just before Kinpun basecamp. Expected costs about 10.000 Kyats. Reminder of the day free at leisure.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Golden Sunrise Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit to the Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock visit by own arrangement), you go up the hill by trucks and spend the morning time on the platform, then go down to Kin Pun basecamp by trucks for your bus to Yangon. You are expected to arrange the transportation to the Kyaikto bus station on your own (about 30 minutes). We have reserved seats for you on the A/C bus to Yangon leaving at 16:30 from Kyaikto bus station. Expected arrival in Yangon at Aung Mingalar Bus station around 20:00. On arrival, private transfer to the hotel (without guide).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Cloud 10 Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport in Yangon for domestic flight to Lashio. Your Shan guide will pick you up from the airport for a 1.5 hour drive through Shan state towards Hsipaw. Arrive in this small town in Northern Shan state known for the beautiful scenery which happens to have one of the last remaining residences of a former Shan prince. Shan village walk In the late afternoon your guide will take you for a 2.5 hour walk through a panoramic scenery of paddy fields and other seasonal crops passing small creeks, Shan villages and local schools and monasteries. The guide will explain in detail about Shan life around Hsipaw and show you some home industries like cheroot (cigar) rolling and bamboo weaving. He will explain why each Shan village has a spirit house build at the entrance of the village and make sure you will get to know the spirit of the local people in Northern Shan state. Attention: In case your flight to Lashio is delayed the guide will arrange to do this trip the next day.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Tai House Resort

Breakfast at the hotel. A walk through the fields visiting Palaung tribal villages One of the most colourful tribes in Shan State are certainly the Palaung people who are famous for their high quality tea plantations. Especially the older women still wear their traditional costumes. During this full day walk we visit 2 or 3 different villages and have a simple lunch in a local village on the way. Total walking time today is about 5 hours through tea plantations, colourful fields and forest – sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill. Transfer to starting point will be by local tuk-tuks. An enchanting day in nature discovering some of the interesting tribes of this part in Myanmar. Return back to Hsipaw at end of the day.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Tai House Resort

Breakfast at the hotel. Train ride over Gokteik Viaduct Enjoy a wonderful train journey through the Shan mountains crossing the mighty Gokteik Viaduct which was constructed in 1901 by the Pennsylvania Steel company and was once the second highest railway bridge in the world. The train departs around 09:30 from Hsipaw station and will pass the Gokteik Viaduct around 13:30. Through spectacular mountain scenery the train will slowly move forward over the old railway track passing small villages and towns where vendors will enter the train to sell drinks and local snacks. Expected arrival time in Nawnghkio is around 14:00 and we then continue by private car to Mandalay but be warned: be delays on an historic railway like this one are not unusual. Simple lunch boxes are provided on the way in the train. On arrival in Mandalay, we will also visit to the Shwenandaw monasteries which are excellent examples of the architecture and crafts work of this region and we end with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda with the white marble slabs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Ayarwaddy River View Hotel

Biking Tour: Mandalay Morning Ride - MDL-012 A fantastic tour just outside the city operated by Grasshopper Adventures a small specialised biking company in Mandalay. We start biking from our conveniently located shop and ride through the back lanes to get out of town. We pass through fresh markets, lively neighbourhoods and head for the north east of the city. After only a short pedal we find ourselves in the true countryside where farmers tend to their fields and villagers go about the daily rituals that have remained unchanged for decades, if not longer. Water buffalo lazily roll in the mud, goats nibble at the foliage, and friendly locals wave from all directions. We make some interesting stops, first at a fresh market to learn about the different produce on sale and then continue on to see bamboo weaving which is used to construct everything from roofs and walls to fans. We take a walk through a typical central Myanmar village and learn about their way of life and their different crops. On our way back to town we stop at a tea shop for some delicious snacks and tea. We return to our shop at around 11:30/noon and bring you by motorbike back to the hotel. Please note, you should wear clothing suitable for this activity: quarter length pants, shorts, t-shirts are all advisable, as are comfortable closed shoes. Sunscreen is also a must. The tour includes transfers at 07:15 AM from your hotel to the starting point and back to your hotel by motorbikes. Free at leisure in the afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Ayarwaddy River View Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Private guided scenic way from Mandalay to Bagan incl. hidden temples, tortoises and river trip - MDL-019 – full day A full day excursion to explore more of the country side including a visit to Amarapura, where we walk through U Bein Bridge and the Burmese star tortoise in the wildlife sanctuary and a fantastic boat ride over the Ayeyarwady River. With a private car and driver, we take you to a hidden cave temple - Ta Moke Shin Pin Shwe Gu Gyi Pagoda the excellent creatures of its exterior with plants, animals and characteristic of myths. From here, we continue drive to visit Burmese star tortoise at the Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary. The Burmese star tortoise is an endangered species originally from the dry zone in Myanmar and in urgent need of protection. The Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary has been doing an excellent job in breeding tortoises and setting them back out in the wild and we take you to this simple but unique project to walk with their rangers through the forest (all together about 1–1.5 hr.) with a tracking device to locate some of the tortoise in the wild and continue for a glimpse inside the breeding centre to see more of the tortoise. The simple visitor centre gives you more information about this endangered and oh so cute little animal. The walk is not compulsory and also without a visit to the ranger’s station you will learn a lot about the tortoise and see them at the breeding centre. Your visit to the centre will support the project. After the visit to the tortoise centre we continue for lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading to Pakkoku. A 2 hours leisurely drive to Pakkoku where a private boat is ready for you at the jetty in Pakkoku for a leisurely boat trip downriver to Bagan. If time permits we stop to visit Kyauk Gu Ohnmin cave temple that rarely sees foreign visitors.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Zfreeti Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. This is Bagan! - BGN-001 – full day orientation tour A full day tour by car, with an experienced guide through Bagan will show you the best known temples of the area. We start the day showing a first impressive view over the whole area. From here the guide plans his way to some of the other amazing temples that have been here for hundreds of years. Places like the Ananda, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Thatbyinnyu will certainly impress you. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant and around 16:00 we continue the tour by horse cart to sunset points for sunset with some refreshing drinks served!

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Zfreeti Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho. (NYU-HEH 08:50-09:30 YH 935) On arrival private transfer to the hotel and leisure. In the late afternoon, we visit to the Elephant Camp. Behind the scenes – send off an elephant for the night – KLW-010 An elephant life or the life of his caretaker, the “Elephant Oozie” as we call him is never boring. At the end of every day around 15:00 the camp closes for the day as our “lead actors” will retire for the night into the jungle to find additional food and have a few hours of sleep. His Elephant Oozie will walk with him to the jungle for about an hour and you are invited to walk with the elephant and his Elephant Oozie to ask more about the elephants and the Elephant Oozie life. How did they meet, how long have they been together and questions about the elephants character are all OK to ask. A “fly kiss” for the night and the elephant will disappear into the jungle and it’s time for you to walk back to the camp (you will be passing streams, slippers will be provided or bring your own “wet shoes”) and drive back to Kalaw around 17:30.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Dream Villa Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. A former Shan palace From Kalaw hotel, we bring you by car to Pinlaung (about 3 hours’ drive) where you are being welcomed by a local family, for a traditional home-cooked Shan lunch. Go for short walk around town and pass by the ruins of the former old wooden palace from the last Sawbwa (=prince) of the Pinlaung principality. Drive to the newly-discovered maze cave with Buddha statues about 3 km away from Pinlaung. Use the flashlight provided and stick with your guide in case you get lost! After that, continue to Loikaw where you say goodbye to our Shan guide and you will be greeted by Kayah guide.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Kayah land Hotel

The Dutch organization CBI has set-up a program in Kayah state to ensure that communities benefit from tourism and organize excursions in a sustainable way. 2 of their projects will be visited during the stay in Loikaw. We start the morning with a visit to the always bustling morning market in Loikaw and the former palace of the Kayah prince. Trail of the ancestors trek and long neck villages Continue by car to Pemsong village where we start a trekking: Trail of the Ancestors. During about 2 hours a local community guide will walk along with you and the translator guide and tell the story of their ancestors including all beliefs in spirits, the importance of the totem pole and herbal medicines. The first 30 min is uphill followed by mainly flat parts, the views are always stunning and a delicious picnic lunch is served half way. From here we continue to Kasae Kum village where we will see some local handicrafts like bracelet making, bamboo cups, weaving and sculptures. An excellent opportunity to learn about the legends of the longneck women. Your last stop is a of the Kayah villages where you will meet more longneck women. We drive towards Loikaw.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Kayah land Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Kayah village walk & BBQ lunch at local family house In the morning we visit by car the Hta Nee La Leh and meet some of the community members who explain (translation by your guide) their shrines where animist traditions are practiced. An easy stroll through the community. Continue by oxcart for a 30 min scenic ride before heading by car to a local family house where a Kayah Barbecue lunch has been set-up for you. Shortly after lunch we drive to Pekon where you say farewell to Kayah State and continue by private boat over the wide Pekon Lake in about 2 hours to Samkar village.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: A little lodge in Samkar

Breakfast at the lodge. We continue by private boat and drive northwards to Nyaung Shwe (or your hotel on the lake). On the way we visit Hmawbi temple ruins and other sights the lake is famous for. A day on the lake! Inle Lake in southern Shan State is a vast natural lake surrounded by traditional Shan villages. On the lake itself the Intha people have been living for many centuries in village built entirely on stilts on the lake. Today we will take you by private motorboat around the lake to discover the natural beauty of the lake, visit the floating gardens, see some of the famous leg rowers and have some tea at a local family’s house. We will certainly also visit a local cheroot factory (where the Burmese cigars are made), floating tomato gardens, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, an Intha house where a traditional Intha lunch is served and if wanted we visit a weaving factory.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• Standard Accommodation: Blue Vanda Lodge