Diethelm Travel Management Limited

13-Day Arakan and Cultural Experience

Downloaded on: 27 Sep 2021

Tour code: PKMCACEB Tour type

( Private )

Tour Level: Moderate Tour Comfort: Standard Tour Period: 13 Days

German,Russian,Spanish,English,French Yangon, Sittwe, Mrauk U, Yangon, Heho, Pindaya, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Bagan, Yangon highlights tour details

Explore Yangon through its colonial buildings and the world- Your 13-day tour commences with visits to Strand Road, the famous Shwedagon temple Botathaung Pagoda, the colonial district, the Indian quarter, Sule A break of 4 Days in the Rakhine State to visit Sittwe and Pagoda and the impressive Shwedagon Pagoda. In Bagan, you'll Surroundings explore markets, see the Shwezigon Pagoda and discover Visit Chin Tattoo Villages to see women with Chin facial tattoos Gubyaukgyi. Next you'll make your way to the Ananda Temple, a Visit Pindaya Caves and explore local Shan Paper workshop lacquerware workshop and the Manuha & Nanpaya temples. In Visit the mystic Phaung Daw Oo pagoda and a cheroot factory Mandalay you'll explore Amarapura, picturesque Sagaing, the Bagaya Discover the culture and traditional life-style of the ethnic Pa-O Monastery and the U Bein Bridge. In Heho, you'll see Inle Lake, and Intha inhabitants around Sagar Indaing & Ywama villages and the ruins of Nyaung Ohak. Other Explore around Mandalay, its old kingdoms, artisans and highlights include Shwe Inn Thein Paya, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, surroundings area the 5-day rotating market and a cheroot-maker’s workshop. You'll Visit the famous ancient pagodas and temples in Bagan conclude with visits to the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery & a blacksmith’s forge before returning to the capital Yangon. why choose this tour?

Observing the one and only splendid culture of Arakan or Rakhine State, with a deep insight of their century-old traditons and cultures Visit to the untouched areas in Sittwe and Mruak U, featuring ancient temples with spellbinding architectures Visit to the notorious tattooed-face Chin women to observe their cultures and traditions Exploring the must-see destinations in the southern Shan State and upper Myanmar for essential cultural experiences

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tour description

Day 1 : YANGON ARRIVAL (-/L/-)

Meet on arrival at Yangon International Airport and transfer to hotel (check in time is 14:00 hours). Lunch Monsoon Restaurant. In the afternoon, the introductory half-day tour takes visitors to the colonial-historical centre of Yangon, a photo stop to the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge; and the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years. Proceed to Bogyoke (Scott) Market (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) followed by an extended visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments. The golden dome of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises 98 metres above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. Return to hotel. Accommodation at Ibis Style Hotel (Superior Room) or similar, Yangon.

Day 2 : YANGON - SITTWE - MRAUK U (B/L/-)

Transfer to Yangon airport for domestic flight to Sittwe. Transfer from Sittwe airport to the boat jetty where you board your private boat to sail up on the Kaledan River to Mrauk U, a journey of 4 to 5 hours. Lunch on the boat. Arrive Mrauk U in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at Mrauk U Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, Mrauk U.

Day 3 : MRAUK U (B/L/-)

Mrauk U (once known as Myo Haung) was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Arakan (now Rakhine State) in the 15th century, when it enjoyed great wealth and was an important commercial port. A visitor described it as one of the richest cities in Asia, and as a result it was coveted by many surrounding kingdoms. Mrauk U declined after two disastrous earthquakes in 1761 and 1762, and in 1784 the Arakanese kingdom was taken over by the Burmese King Bodawpaya. In the wake of the first Anglo-Burmese war in 1826, and the subsequent founding of Sittwe by the British as an administrative centre, Mrauk U's oblivion became complete. Today there are few visible remains of its greatness, but Mrauk U has charm, with significant ruins, local markets, wooden houses and friendly people. Some of the ruins can be visited on foot from the town, whilst others require a bullock cart or vehicle. Visit Laungbankpyauk Pagoda, locally known as 'plate pagoda' because a wall at the front is embedded with plate-like tiles in bright colours. Then visit Mrauk U's main market and Koe Thaung Pagoda, the largest in Mrauk U, where a large octagonal tower covers a rock cave tunnel holding some 90,000 Buddha images. Lunch at Moe Cherry Restaurant. Afterward, continue visit the famous Shittaung Pagoda, perhaps the best preserved. It is home to some 80,000 Buddha images. 33 smaller ones, rising from platform to platform, flank the large central stupa, and are similar in style to Indonesia's Borobudur. Inside the pagoda it is fascinating to wander through the interior passages admiring reliefs and Buddha images in niches. Visit Andaw Pagoda, an octagonal monument smaller than Shittaung but with a similar linear layout. Opposite Shittaung, visit Dukkanthein ordination hall, a construction of laterite and sandstone bricks that resembles a huge bunker from the outside. Enjoy sunset at Haridaung Pagoda hill. Accommodation at Mrauk U Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, Mrauk U.

Day 4 : MRAUK U - CHIN TATTOO VILLAGES - MRAUK U (B/L/-)

Proceed to Lay Myo river bank, where you take a boat to the Chin area of Rakhine State (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes) and visit three Chin 'tattoo' villages, where you will see women with traditional Chin facial tattoos. Packed lunch at the village. Visit a weaving project to see examples of beautiful Chin textile patterns. Return by boat to Mrauk U. Accommodation at Mrauk U Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, Mrauk U.

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Day 5 : MRAUK U - SITTWE - YANGON (B/L/-)

Transfer to jetty for departure by private boat (from 4 to 5 hours) back to Sittwe. Lunch on boat. The journey on the Kaladan River takes place through changing scenery downriver towards the sea surrounding Sittwe. Upon arrival, visit the fish market and Cultural Museum (if open). Transfer to Sittwe airport for your flight to Yangon. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation at Ibis Style Hotel (Superior Room) or similar, Yangon.

Day 6 : YANGON - HEHO - PINDAYA (B/L/-)

Arrive Heho Airport and continue drive to Pindaya across the Shan Plateau. Lunch at Green Tea Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit magnificent Pindaya Caves, set in a limestone ridge overlooking a picturesque lake, where thousands of different types of Buddha images are on display in the various cave chambers. Visit some local houses where families produce Shan paper and parasols. Enjoy a short trek through the hills to the village of the Danu tribe. You will pass through the farming where the Danu cultivates cheroot, tea, damsons and mangoes on the hillsides. Stroll along the village. Then, visit one of the tea plantation garden to observe how they produce the famous Shan green tea. Enjoy green tea with snack and chat with the villagers. Accommodation at Pindaya Inle Inn (Chalet Room) or similar, Pindaya.

Day 7 : PINDAYA - INLE LAKE (B/L/-)

This morning, drive down to the valley to Nyaungshwe (approx. 3 hours) on the edge of Inle Lake, en route stop at Shweyanpyay wooden monastery, then board the local boat to take you to your hotel. Lunch at Green Chilli Restaurant. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Inle Lake - a photographer's dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake's unique "leg rowers" - the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State and Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries on the lake. One can see ancient Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old. Accommodation at Inle Resort (Garden Cottage - Private Pond / Garden View) or similar, Inle Lake.

Day 8 : INLE LAKE - SAGAR - INLE LAKE (B/L/-)

Pick-up from your hotel and travel by boat via Nampan to Sagar (approximately 2'bd to 3 hours) and Thakong, a rarely visited area south of Inle Lake. Explore the 5-day rotating market (if your visit coincides with the schedule) and Kyauktaing, a Shan village where earthenware pottery is produced. At nearby Kyainkhan visit a family who produce monk's robes made of fabric woven from thousands of lotus stems. Lunch at little lodge in Samkar. In Thakong, observe local methods of producing alcohol fermented and extracted from bran rice. The day offers an insight into the unspoiled culture and traditional life-style of the ethnic Pa-O and Intha inhabitants around Sagar. Enjoy the beautiful landscape, trees and numerous settlements dotted on both sides of the canal. Late afternoon return to the hotel at Inle Lake. Note: During this tour, you will be exposed to a lot of sun, do carry a hat and bring along sun cream. Accommodation at Inle Resort (Garden Cottage - Private Pond / Garden View) or similar, Inle Lake.

Day 9 : INLE LAKE - HEHO - MANDALAY (B/L/-)

Early morning, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight from Heho to Mandalay. You are met on arrival at Mandalay airport, and driven to picturesque Sagaing, perhaps the living centre of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. The hills here are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Enjoy a magnificent view over the surrounding area and a scenic sunset. Lunch at Min Wun Valley Restaurant. In the afternoon, cross the Ayeyarwady River to the third former capital, Amarapura, via the Ava Bridge, built by British engineers. Visit

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impressive wooden Bagaya Monastery, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. Take a sunset stroll on U Bein Bridge, which at over a kilometre is believed to be the longest teak bridge in the world. It was reportedly built by local headman U Bein of teak salvaged from the former royal palace after the capital moved to Mandalay in 1859. Whilst the bridge has been repaired from time to time, the pillars are still original. Accommodation at Hotel Sakura Princess (Superior Room) or similar, Mandalay.

Day 10 : MANDALAY - BAGAN (B/L/-)

Optional: Oriental Ballooning's flights offer stunning bird's eye views of the world-famous archaeological site of Bagan and the mystical landscape of Mandalay. There is no better way to enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire region, with the mighty Ayeyarwady River or the former royal capital at your feet and mysterious mountains on the horizon. You will be collected from your hotel and provided with a light breakfast and safety briefing while the balloons inflate, before enjoying a sunrise flight lasting just under one hour. Oriental Ballooning is operated by qualified European or UK pilots and technicians who are all registered in the United Kingdom. Cameron Balloons Ltd., the world's largest manufacturer of high quality balloons, manufactures the equipment.

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Mandalay, a highlight of which is the Mahamuni Pagoda, home to a spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves. Stop at local workshops to see Kalaga tapestries being made, marble being carved into Buddha images, and gold leaf being beaten into paper-thin pieces. Next visit beautiful teak-carved Shwenandaw Monastery, the only Royal Palace building to survive World War II bombing, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, where the Theravada Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 729 marble slabs, giving rise to its nickname 'the world's largest book'. Lunch at Daung Lann Gyi Restaurant. Late afternoon, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Bagan. Arrive Bagan and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at Villa Bagan (Superior Room Without View) or similar, Bagan.

Day 11 : BAGAN (B/L/-)

Scattered on a large plain beside the Ayeyarwady River are the magnificent red brick temples and pagodas that are the great legacy of the kings of Bagan. Built from 1057 to 1287 AD in honour of the royal Buddhist faith, the pagodas display impressive architecture and interiors of colourful murals and exquisite Buddha statues. From the top, the visitor can enjoy awesome views of the immense, temple- dotted plain. Start your tour to the busy local market, continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples in Bagan. These include the Shwezigon Pagoda, a huge gilded temple built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century and Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi-Inn), a 13th century temple with exquisite murals of the 'Jataka Tales' (scenes from the life of the Buddha). Continue to the eminent Ananda Temple; one of the finest and largest pagodas, with a 51-metre (170-foot) shimmering gold tip plus four huge standing-Buddha images and numerous seated figures arranged around the interior gallery. Lunch at Sunset Garden Restaurant. Later, visit a lacquer craftsman's workshop in nearby Myingaba village. Sightseeing continues with visits to Manuha Temple, built in Mon style in 1059; Nanpaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument that is said to have been the palace of King Manuha; and Gubyaukgyi (Myingaba) under the protection of UNESCO because of its ancient mural paintings. Observe a sunset in the vicinity of Bagan's ancient monuments. Accommodation at Villa Bagan (Superior Room Without View) or similar, Bagan.

Day 12 : BAGAN - YANGON (B/L/-)

Optional: There is no better or more spectacular view of the ancient kingdom of Bagan than from a hot air balloon. This world-famous archaeological site of more than a thousand Buddhist temples scattered over a plain is at its best when seen from a bird's eye vantage, as the sun comes up gently over the Ayeyarwady River. You will be collected from your hotel and provided with a light breakfast and

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safety briefing while the balloons inflate, before enjoying a dawn flight lasting just under one hour. Flights operate daily from October through March.

This morning visit Minnanthu village by horse cart. Visit Tayoke Pyay, Payathonzu and Nandamanya Temples (noted for exquisite 13th century murals) and Kyat Kan Cave Monastery, a famous meditation centre in Bagan. Visit farming houses around Bagan. Lunch at Sanon Restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the beautiful Nat Htaung Kyaung, a monastery famous for wood carvings, built in 1781 by a group of monks. Admire the monastery's collection of ancient Buddha statues and lacquer boxes. In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport for a late afternoon departure to Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to hotel. Accommodation at Ibis Style Hotel (Superior Room) or similar, Yangon.

Day 13 : YANGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Day at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight. customise the tour

Extend your stay and take a break at beautiful Ngapali beach Spellbinding oil lamp ceremony at Shwedagon pagoda Opportunity to shop souvenirs at local markets and workshops Unlimited photo opportunities throughout the trip includes excludes

All sightseeing tour and transfer services with private air- Domestic airfare (Yangon-Sittwe-Yangon-Heho-Mandalay- conditioned car/coach as detailed in our itinerary Bagan-Yangon) All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the programme Myanmar visa fee Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch) Surcharges for throughout guides (English and other languages) Transfers and tours with English-speaking locally-stationed Optional Balloon flights guides Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, Boat fees from Sittwe to Mrauk U and return, boat fees for camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. sightseeing Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme Horse cart in Bagan Drinks with meals Service charges, room tax and baggage handling Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak Accommodation at hotels as above mentioned or similar season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking Filtered drinking water and wet towels during the tour (Peak season in general is between 15 December to 15 January and 13-17 April Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness)

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notes

Hotel prices for packages are quoted bases on hotels as mentioned or similar. Higher or lower categories can be requested and the price will be adjusted. The hotels featured in the package tour are subject to availabilities at the time of booking. Meals at respective hotels are also included in the hotel prices if the itineraries mention lunch or dinner at hotel. Additional charges during Festive Season: Christmas, New Year and the Water festival period may apply. Supplements for compulsory Gala Dinners will be advised at the time of booking. All hotels have special booking and deposit conditions and will be indicated at the time of booking. Nonrefundable deposits may be required. Domestic airfares are quoted separately and subject to change in case of increases imposed by the airlines (ie. taxes, fuel costs, etc.). There are 8 different airlines operating on the domestic route in Myanmar. Each company has slight different airfares and this pricelist is based on average airfare. Diethelm Travel will book the most convenient and direct routing. The final price can be confirmed once the tickets are booked and issued depending on available booking class and seat availability.

Important Notes for Sittwe and Mrauk U: A trip to Mrauk U must be regarded as an adventure tour because of the prevailing travel conditions: accommodation with infrequent electricity supply, bad roads, old vehicles with NO air conditioning and of doubtful roadworthiness, erratic supply of public and private boats, poor condition of boats, etc. Itineraries may have to be changed on the spot because of weather, transportation problems, etc. In case of delays occurring in Rakhine State, we recommend that guests travelling to Mrauk U allow at least one extra day in Yangon after returning from Sittwe. This is to avoid missing your international departure flight out of Yangon. Please note that Mrauk U is located in an area bordering hilly and forested land. Therefore to avoid insect bites it is recommended to bring enough insect repellent and to wear comfortable clothing (preferably cotton) covering arms and legs, mainly around dawn and dusk. Even at night it is better to put on night attire covering exposed body parts as much as possible. Both Sittwe and Mrauk U get frequent power cuts. Therefore, a torchlight is useful. Most hotels use generators to produce electricity; if you are sensitive to noise, please bring along ear plugs. The reward for accepting the above inconveniences is that few foreigners currently visit Mrauk U the most important cultural and archaeological site in Myanmar besides Bagan. It is essential that all guests visiting Rakhine State are fully aware of and accept the travel conditions as described above. Travel to Rakhine State is recommended only during the dry season from November to April this area is known for its heavy monsoon storms that make travel near impossible from May to September.

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com