MYANMAR DONE RIGHT
7 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS OVERVIEW
THE DESTINATION THE EXPERIENCE YOUR HOSTS Iconic urban landscapes, remote We’ll take you on an intimate Your team at Smiling Albino has spent villages, colonial hill stations, glittering exploration of the back lanes of years dabbling, experimenting and stupas, a diverse regional cuisine and Yangon, the lush countryside of the dreaming up the ultimate SA smiling faces are all waiting to be Shan State, and through the pagodas renditions of Myanmar. We tread experienced in Southeast Asia’s of Bagan and the photographic haven beyond the traditional, sit down with Golden land. of Inle lake. We’ll engage and learn longtime residents, eat palate-tingling from the Burmese people from meals and open our spirits to an Completely unique to its neighbors, floating villages to hill stations, and awakening that can only be crafted by Myanmar, formerly Burma, more from markets to monasteries and our mahouts; a course that bonds closely mimes the vibes of Bhutan and roadside pubs. We invite you to come expertise, character and curiosity. Nepal - far off lands with preserved and discover the spirit and hidden cultures, ready to showcase its corners of this nation on the move. And of course the parts our guests authentic soul to those who make the like you have said makes our trips so journey. much fun: a variety of activities, private transport, rockstar guides, insider-access moments and a hygiene-obsessed team (yes, it’s 2020!). We don't just connect the dots, we create them.
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT EXCLUSIVE OFFER Exclusive PERKS for you when you book before August 2020 Remember the time the world shut down? We do! To fuel the wanderlust of our revered friends of Smiling Albino, we've put together an ultra perks-infused itinerary for you to take when you're ready. Just make a small deposit now, and set your travel dates for anytime through 15 December 2021! With a flexible deposit before 1 August 2020, we're adding in totally bespoke Back to Travel Complimentary Experiences that show how much we love you. We love you, see below!
One-on-one sundowners with Myanmar local expert and Yangon resident, Edwin Briels. Complimentary 60-minute massage treatment at the Spa at Excelsior hotel in Yangon. Complimentary bottle of champagne aboard your sunset cruise in Bagan. Free sunrise Balloons over Bagan epic experience for one person. PRICE Bonus Adventure Experience to explore the Bagan temples by e-bike. $2,535 USD per person* Another complimentary hosted kayaking journey on Inle Lake. Complimentary set dinner experience for two at Sanctum Inle Resort. TOTAL VALUE OF PERKS A super pre kit sent to your home a month before travel filled with regional $700+ USD goodies and Smiling Albino treats. (Except the Smiling Albino team Giant smiles and social-distancing hugs from the entire Smiling Albino team. smiles, which are priceless!)
*special offer valid on bookings deposited before 1 august 2020 for travel through 15 [email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com December 2021. see document terms and conditions for more information. YANGON
D A Y WELCOME TO YANGON 1 Migalabar! From the Himalayas to white-sand beaches, Myanmar is possibly the most geographically diverse country of Southeast Asia and it is easy to understand why the likes of Kipling and Orwell fell in love with it. A spirituality permeates the place. Kipling once described Myanmar as “quite unlike any place you know about”, and we invite you to come and discover the spirit and hidden corners of one of Southeast Asia’s least visited nations.
Upon arrival in Yangon your host will be waiting for you with a big smile and warm welcome to Myanmar.
Yangon's daytime discoveries evoke Buddhist splendor through the likes of the Sule Pagoda, the Shwedagon Golden Stupa and the Chauk- tat-gyi Pagoda. By night roam Yangon’s lit boulevards and savor the local flavors as you marvel at the variety of lifestyles and ethnicities in this eclectic city.
Interesting fact: Yangon is a motorbike-free city. Unlike other major cities in Southeast Asia (most notably, perhaps, Hanoi and Saigon), you won’t find a frenzy of two-wheelers and honking dominating the streets.
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT YANGON
YANGON COLONIAL HERITAGE WALK Our focus in Myanmar is on exploration, and we’ll start doing just that!
Yangon’s old quarter is home to some of Asia’s finest shopfronts and imposing edifices borne out of the ambitions of 19th century captains of European industry. Today it is a dazzling array of crumbling gems, iconic period architecture, derelict mansions with banyan trees sprouting up from within, and beautifully restored masterpieces rivalling some of Asia’s finest buildings.
We hunt the hidden of Colonial Yangon by foot on a half-day below-the-surface jaunt. Foregoing traditional landmarks we explore tucked away back alleys, peering through doorways into the city's rare history.
This connoisseur's urban exploration gives you an intimate glimpse into Yangon’s multi-cultural heart, access to stunning relics and an appreciation for the grandeur of the old town which captured the hearts of visitors from Orwell to Kipling.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com YANGON
D A Y SPIRITUAL SHWEDAGON PAGODA 2 Have you thought about what’s behind the golden façade of the Shwedagon Pagoda? Venturing into the depths of Yangon's spiritual heritage, today we don't just see the sights, we engage in the culture, interacting with the locals living in the community around this impressive monument. We walk away from Shwedagon with a deeper insight into Myanmar’s Buddhism and how animist beliefs in spirits still play a part in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies.
Our intriguing adventure takes us into workshops, markets and monasteries, three integral pillars of life in Myanmar, all of which play an essential role in the upkeep and worship of Shwedagon Pagoda.
After a classic Burmese lunch, transfer back to the hotel for some r'n'r.
Experience Features: Savor a traditional Burmese breakfast, make offerings to Shwedagon's resident monks, sit down with a famed Yangon fortune teller and try the infamous Burmese green tea leaf salad for lunch.
AFTERNOON MASSAGE Rest your mind, body and soul with a complimentary 60-minute Touch of Burma Massage. A recipe that infuses traditional massage techniques with a Thanaka essential oil elixir. A mix of stretching, firm pressure, rhythmic and rolling movements activate you whole body. Your treatment relaxes, detoxifies and relieves while improving blood circulation, creating a sense of well-being.
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT YANGON
A SUNDOWN SIP WITH A YANGON EXPERT Local Rangoon (Yangon) resident, entrepreneur, connoisseur and student of all things Myanmar; Edwin Briels is a true "Burma lover". This afternoon Edwin will take you out for a sundowner walk through downtown Yangon, have a local drink and some typical Burmese bites as Edwin narrates Yangon.
Politics, and the strong social behavior and resilience of the people of Myanmar are also fair game for discussion. Edwin's personal experience from his years in Myanmar are fascinating, as are the sustainability projects he's initiated across the country. This lively dialogue with one of our own will deliver long-lasting memories.
ABOUT EDWIN Edwin Briels first arrived in Myanmar in 1996. Originally from the Netherlands, Edwin is well-versed in tourism, Myanmar history and current affairs, and much more. Ask him about his favorite local tastes, secret Myanmar's destinations or his extensive travels.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com BAGAN
D A Y TO THE ANCIENT CITY, BAGAN 3 If travelling was a game then Bagan would be the final boss of ancient brick temples in Southeast Asia. Today we fly from Yangon to Bagan, landscape to thousands of Theravada Buddhist monuments.
Considered the world’s largest and densest concentration of Buddhist religious buildings, Bagan's plains are dotted with massive stucco-covered brickwork monastic complexes, as well as more modestly sized and small stupas and wats, some mere piles of rubble covered in shrubs. It is the combination of all of these buildings – in varying stages of ruin, repair, renovation, and reconstruction – imposed on a vast landscape which gives Bagan its unique and seemingly timeless character.
Across the Bagan plains, more than 4,000 stupas, temples and monasteries were constructed between the 11th and the 13th centuries. A few more than half remain today for you to explore in wonder at the devotion and labor that went into their construction.
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT BAGAN
THIS IS BAGAN WITH PICNIC LUNCH PRIVATE SUNDOWNERS ON THE BANKS OF THE Galavant the plains of Bagan where ruined temples grow out of IRRAWADDY RIVER the horizon. Serene viewpoints give way to endless glimpses of Bagan is home to magnificent sunsets and our favorite way to pagodas and a bird's-eye orientation of Old Bagan. Sites ranging enjoy the sky's morphing colors is aboard a boat ride along the from Ananda, to Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Thatbyinnyu, mighty Irrawaddy River. which have stood in place for centuries demonstrate the awe of the steadfast skills of ancient craftsmen. With cocktails in hand, on a sandbank in the middle of the river, relax and enjoy light snacks as the golden orb of the sun sinks Today's lunch is no ordinary meal. In a quiet quarter away from into the temple-filled horizon. crowds, our team has prepared a private picnic lunch. Home- cooked Burmese favorites made with love by a local family, Cheers with a complimentary bottle of champagne as you surrounded by the ancient ruins, this rustic feast is delicious in its appreciate the tranquility of your surroundings. simplicity.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com BAGAN
D A Y SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER 4 BAGAN Today's adventure sets off to experiences of the most revered sunrises in the world. One of Southeast Asia’s epic experiences, rise early for a spectacular hot air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan.
As we arrive at the launch site, the growing light reveals the groundsteam busy at work preparing your balloon against a backdrop of ancient ruins shrouded in mist.
We slowly rise into the air as you absorb the serene and peaceful God's-eye view of ancient temples drifting by. The roar of the hot air balloon is a stark contrast to the placid plains that lay still below us.
A gentle landing brings us back to earth where our experienced crew wait for you with fruits, fresh pastries and a balloonist’s traditional glass of bubbly for a jovial post-flight celebration.
Today's flight is a join-in experience with up to 16 people per balloon. Want to make it more exclusive? We have private upgrade options available!
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT BAGAN
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SAFARI INTO MYANMAR’S DRY E-BIKE & TEMPLE VIEWING ZONE After time to debrief and unwind from the morning excursions, in Did you know the landscape surrounding Bagan can be barren, the late afternoon we’ll traverse Bagan's temple-rich expanse by almost desert-like? While during the rainy season, patches of electric bike. Your host will show you some of the most green tend to beautify the area, during the dry months it is truly, spectacular sceneries of ancient lesser-known temples. well, dry. Tranquil and scenic, your guide digs into the history as you pass We travel by four-wheel drive vehicle, for an adventure into this temples, villages, stop for photos. Take it slow, or race along the arid dry zone, passing local women carrying bundles on their dirt roads, making the experience your own. backs, slow-moving ox carts and roadside markets. Pit stop for a peek at time-honored workshops, where ancient skills passed down for generations still offer a livelihood to today's Burmese population.
Are you a shutterfly? This 4x4 road trip is fitting for photographers keen to capture shots of local life, or for anyone curious about deep-rooted cultural traditions. A savory local lunch of Bagan cuisine rounds out our day's journey.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com I N L E L A K E
D A Y FROM BAGAN TO INLE LAKE 5 Possibly the most picturesque destination in Myanmar, Inle Lake is home to verdant landscapes, assorted wildlife as well as a diverse and thriving human population.
BIKING & BOATING AROUND INLE LAKE A short flight takes us to Heho, and we’ll journey the back roads towards Inle Lake the best way possible: by mountain bike! As you arrive your two wheels are waiting and we’ll start a leisurely 4-hour biking trip down to Indein (modifiable distances!).
Pursuing a belief that the journey is as important as the destination, today’s highlight is passing through numerous Pa O ethnic villages, lush farmland seemingly from a previous generation, and charming rural Shan lifestyles in an area where few visitors go - a brilliant intro to storied Inle Lake.
Lunch will be in a local village and we’ll end the cycling portion and explore the ancient ruins of Indein. From here, continue by boat to the lodge, where your luggage is waiting in your room.
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT I N L E L A K E
RELAXATION & DINNER WITH A VIEW A destination as removed from the wider world as Inle Lake demands a stayplace where detachment is a priority. Where simplicity is the essence of place and where contemplation, not bustle, reigns.
Feast on a complimentary dinner on-site at Sanctum Inle Resort. Celebrating the must-eat fare of the Shan culinary arts, from noodles and soups to fresh garden salads, your dinner will be a treat of some of the region's flavors. The Refectory deepens its exploration of regional fare with mohinga, samosa and a delectable palate of curries from wider Myanmar.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com I N L E L A K E
D A Y A DAY ON INLE LAKE 6 Inle Lake is a vast natural lake surrounded by Shan villages. On the lake itself the Intha people have been living for many centuries in villages built entirely on stilts.
Rise early to watch the morning mist – a quintessential Inle Lake experience. After breakfast we begin in true Inle Lake fashion: by boat.
Today will be one long iconic photo moment after another. We’ll have a little bit of fun with today’s lunch, catered on a rice boat in the middle of the lake. The boat has been transformed into an ephemeral restaurant fully-equipped.
Sprawling on and around the traditional markets are held in different villages according to a 5- day rotating schedule. After lunch we’ll leave solitude behind and visit one of these colourful markets frequented by Shan and PaO people.
Choose your final adventure depending on your interest. We can visit a local cheroot factory (where traditional Burmese cigars are made), floating tomato gardens, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Intha Heritage house - where Burmese cats are bred - and a weaving factory. The choice is yours.
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT I N L E L A K E
PADDLING TO INTHA VILLAGES DEPARTURE D A Y You simply cannot come to Inle Lake and miss an opportunity Say it isn't so! Yes, you’re leaving. Where next? The beach? 7 to paddle out into the spectacular floating water world of Hong Kong? Toronto? Bear Dance, Montana? Wherever you’re Myanmar’s second largest lake! Today, a paddling adventure headed, we’ll escort you to the airport for your return flight to on kayaks provides the most intimate and rewarding journey Yangon and onwards. It’s been a pleasure hosting you, and we into the essence of Inle. hope to see you again!
With the mountains of the Shan state as your backdrop, we’ll paddle out beyond the fringe and into fantastic floating villages of the Intha people. The stilted homes, leg rowers, water hyacinth and communal water gardens provide visuals of a world so unfamiliar to us - almost unimaginable - and first hand insight of what life is like living on the water.
We’ll paddle right up to traditional houses, dine in a wooden home above the water, chat with villagers in their peaceful natural surroundings, and no doubt feel light years away from the business of our everyday lives.
This is a brilliant half day of paddling, connecting, and appreciating the stunning natural surroundings of Inle Lake.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com ACCOMMODATION
YANGON EXCELSIOR HOTEL | DELUXE ROOM A luxury boutique hotel housed in an authentic colonial building from the 1870s. Located in the heart of Yangon with many sights in walking distance. This 5-storey hotel offers 74 rooms and suites, boasting 5-meter high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows to let in natural light, smoked-oak parquet floor, elegant design and modern amenities.
Amenities: Daily breakfast, Complimentary 60-minute spa treatment
BAGAN LODGE | VILLA Enter into a unique and unparalleled luxury adventure in the ancient city of Bagan. An archaeological zone adorned with more than 2,000 temples and the warm hospitality of its people.
Amenities: Daily breakfast
SANCTUM INLE RESORT | CLOISTER DELUXE A destination as removed from the wider world as Inle Lake demands a resort where detachment is a priority. Where simplicity is the essence of elegance. Where contemplation, not bustle, reigns supreme. At the Sanctum Inle Resort, arches and cloisters reference the monastic life, opening the doors on a more contemplative experience of travel.
Amenities: Daily breakfast, One time Dinner for two (Set Menu)
MYANMAR DONE RIGHT TERMS
PRICE INCLUSIONS EXCLUSIONS $2,535 USD Accommodation with daily breakfast Myanmar Visa per person* Yangon Excelsior Hotel in Deluxe Room (2 We strongly suggest that you process your nights) visa online in advance Bagan Lodge in Villa Room (2 nights) (https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/). Sanctum Inle in Cloister Deluxe (2 nights) The fee is about $50 / person. You must keep Private airport transfers throughout the Visa Invitation Letter to present when Discussed daily activities, including most meals boarding the flight and on arrival. (as indicated) Flights to and from Myanmar Drinks and snacks Personal expenses such as spa (not mentioned), English speaking hosts, laundry, souvenirs, meals not indicated All transportation and logistics Any compulsory and peak season surcharge Admissions and executive care (normally during Christmas - New Year periods) Balloon Ride over Bagan (Classic Service) Hotel Early Check in / Late check out Domestic airline tickets in economy class Yangon - Bagan Bagan - Heho Heho - Yangon
VALIDITY & CONDITIONS
Price is per person for a minimum of 2 travelers sharing a room. Valid for travel from 1 October 2020 – 15 December 2021. All inclusions mentioned. Exclusive offer is valid on bookings deposited before before 1 August 2020. Travel dates must be confirmed at least 90 days before departure date.
[email protected] | www.smilingalbino.com THE SMILING ALBINO DIFFERENCE AT SMILING ALBINO WE DON’T JUST CONNECT THE DOTS, WE CREATE THEM, AND DELIVER UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.
We understand implicitly that a perfect adventure is much more than nice hotels, great meals and hassle-free logistics. For a travel experience to be perfect, all pieces must work together like a symphony. It is the fine details which our guests appreciate most, like cold face towels after a hike, electrolyte beverages for your day cycling, and wine uncorked when the moment is right. From local maps to bottled water and colorful anecdotes on the areas we visit, a Smiling Albino adventure is a thorough, intimately hosted experience.
You will be treated with executive care during your Smiling Albino adventure. We look forward to hosting you!
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