MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION TAILORED EXPERIENCES Myanmar [email protected] | www.trailsofindochina.com 1 MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Active FULL DAY TREKKING IN MOUNT POPA Bagan | 8 hrs Mount Popa reaches 740m (2,428ft) above the plain of Bagan and is said to be the abode of a powerful spirit, the Popa Goddess or Popa Mother, considered to be the protector of women. Trek through the thick forest to reach the peak and admire the magnificent Taung Kalat Monastery sitting on top of a volcanic outcrop in front of Mount Popa. FULL DAY BIKING IN BAGAN Bagan | 9.5 hrs Spend the day cycling the highlights and hidden sights of alluring Bagan. See the life of the Burmese by visiting their local market and traditional village and understand the local culture and religion with a stop to a local monastery and pagodas. End the day by enjoying a magnificent sunset view while cruising along the Ayeyarwady River. INLE LAKE FULL DAY TREKKING TOUR Inle Lake | 9 hrs Located in Central Myanmar’s Shan state, Inle Lake is the country’s second largest lake famous for its floating gardens, lush surroundings and iconic leg-rowers. Depart in the morning for the hills surrounding Inle Lake and trek along small paths through beautiful scenery. With gorgeous views of the expansive body of water, stop at some of the hill tribe minority villages to learn more about the local way of life. CYCLING, BOAT & KAYAKING IN INLE LAKE Inle Lake | 8 hrs One of Myanmar’s largest freshwater lakes, Inle Lake boasts a cool highland climate, exceptional flora and fauna and dozens of floating villages. Our early morning bicycle ride takes us through lakeside villages, bamboo forests and crop fields, revealing typical scenes of farmers and fishermen going about their daily business. At Khaung Daing Village, cycle past traditional cottage industries that include rice wine distilling. From here, a serene boat trip takes us amongst floating gardens and stilt-houses inhabited by the local Intha people, before cycling amongst verdant rice paddies. Enjoy a home- cooked lunch served at an ethnic Shan homestead, then head off on kayaks to an open stretch of lake. [email protected] | www.trailsofindochina.com 2 MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Arts & Crafts MARIONETTE SHOW IN MANDALAY Mandalay | 1.5 hrs ‘Yoke thé’, a traditional Burmese art using strings to control wooden puppets was a popular form of entertainment in Myanmar. In the past, Burmese puppetry served as a mean to inform the population on current events, to educate people, to display lifestyles and customs and to speak for the people. However, this ancient art was fading away until it was restored by the Marionette Theatre in Mandalay in 1986. Enjoy this one-hour show, which includes an introduction to to traditional Burmese dance and music, as well as the complex art of Myanmar’s string puppetry. SHAN PAPER UMBRELLA WORKSHOP Inle Lake | 8 hrs Visit a family-run Shan paper umbrella workshop in Pindaya, a lakeside town in the highlands of Shan State. Pindaya is well-known for its Shan paper, an age-old craft practiced by the indigenous Shan people and exquisite Shan paper umbrellas (Burmese parasols). Shan paper is traditionally hand-made from the fibres of mulberry trees growing in abundance in the region’s mountains. The owner will escort you around his artisan workshop, explaining each step of the long, complex umbrella process, with everything made by hand. Participate in the final production stages, creating individual artistic designs on your own Shan paper umbrella – a unique souvenir to take home. Later, explore Shwe U Min Cave Pagoda, a revered Burmese Buddhist pilgrimage site. Etched deep in limestone hills, marvel at this vast chamber crammed with thousands of multi-sized gilded Buddha images, deposited here over the centuries. BAGAN LACQUERWARE WORKSHOP Bagan | 2-3 hrs Myanmar lacquerware has a distinctive style and a long tradition dating back centuries, allegedly originating in Bagan, central Myanmar in the 13th century. The owner will explain the history of Burmese lacquerware and this exquisite art form, besides the complexities of lacquerware production. Guided by artisans, we try our hand at some of the simpler steps of production, taking home the lacquer item as a unique souvenir! [email protected] | www.trailsofindochina.com 3 MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Culinary STREET FOOD WALKING TOUR Yangon | 4-5 hrs A walk through Yangon Night Market (on Strand Road) offers the experience of seeing various stalls filled with favorite Burmese street food. Experience an explosion for your senses of smell, sight and taste through this bustling night bazaar, walking past different food stalls all side by side along Strand Road. Make your way past people eating some of the most visually appealing food in Myanmar as your guide provides insight into the history of the area and introduces you to some local snacks. EXPLORE INTHA COOKING STYLE Inle Lake | 3.5 hrs Transfer by private boat across Inle Lake to Im Paw Kong Village and Inthar Heritage House, for a memorable hands-on cooking class. Start cooking old family recipes native to the Intha lake dwellers, with step-by-step tuition and following a “Teaching with pleasure and respecting the produce” theme. Enjoy your creations later at a sit-down lunch. Afterwards, we visit a Burmese Cat village. The iconic Burmese Cat breed has existed in Myanmar for over a thousand years, traditionally kept as pets in the Burmese royal household, temples and monasteries. THE ART OF COOKING BURMESE CUISINE Bagan | 5 hrs Burmese cuisine is delicious, but not as well-known when compared to foods in other countries in the region. A terrific way to learn about a country’s cuisine is to cook some of its most popular dishes alongside a local chef. Travel ten minutes north of Bagan to the sleepy village of Wet Kyi Inn. Once there, a trained chef will take you to the market to browse local foods, and purchase ingredients to create an authentic Burmese lunch. While you cook you will learn about the history of the cuisine and how different regions of Myanmar have their own specialties. Take the recipes home and impress your friends and family with the new dishes you learned to make [email protected] | www.trailsofindochina.com 4 MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Culture & History SUNSET AT BAGAN WITH A HISTORIAN Bagan | 2 hrs Visit “Nan Myint”, a 60m (197ft)-high viewing tower in Bagan. Here, we first meet with an esteemed historian in a private meeting room, who will present an exclusive lecture on the history of Bagan’s former ancient kingdoms. Additionally, a slide show will educate us further about Bagan’s key temples. Afterwards, on the 13th floor outdoor rooftop terrace, enjoy a spectacular sunset across the Bagan Plains, dotted with thousands of ancient pagodas – some of which, you have just learnt about! OIL LAMP CEREMONY SHWEDAGON PAGODA Yangon | 2 hrs A gigantic golden dome with several gilded spires and 7,000 precious gems define the ever-glistening Shwedagon Pagoda, once one of the most religious and oldest Buddhist temples on Earth. To make offerings here is to gain merits of the highest order, partake in this ancient ritual as 1,500 oil candles are lit around the pagoda while the monks chant ancient Pali scriptures. YANGON LIVE LIKE A LOCAL Yangon | 9 hrs Set off for a full day of ‘living like a local’ in Yangon, observing the lifestyle and culture of the Burmese. Venture from the north to the south of the city using all the local means of transportation. This is a real taste of local daily life, showcasing the scenery of small villages and traditional markets. Feel the sense of the rural and urban atmospheres, with the flavour of various dishes. LIGHTING AND CANDLE CEREMONY BAGAN Bagan | 2 hrs Shimmering light bounces off the gilded gold lintels of Shwezigon as the sun sets on this stunning ancient pagoda. Deemed to contain bones and teeth of the Buddha this pagoda is one of the most important locations for Burmese people. Attend this ancient ceremony as 1,500 candles will be lit while the monks chant ancient Pali scripts. Partaking in this ancient ritual is believed to forge good luck, bringing believers a step closer to attaining enlightenment. [email protected] | www.trailsofindochina.com 5 MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Family TRADITIONAL PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP Mandalay | 2 hrs Drive to Daw Ma Ma Naing Marionette Theatre where the owner has over ten years of experience manipulating puppets and is an award winner in the performing arts competition in Myanmar every year.Learn how to create a traditional puppet step by step from a master at the Marionette Theatre including painting their eyebrow, eye lashes, eyes, and nose; drawing beautiful colours on its face; joining all the body parts with strings; and dressing the puppet in a beautiful traditional dress. Then, Daw Ma Ma Naing will explain about the history and the methods of manipulating the Myanmar three string puppet. ZAYTA WUN MONASTERY VISIT Bagan | 3 hrs The Zayta Wun Monastery in Bagan is a free school operated by Monks to provide an education for underprivileged children in the surrounding area. Depart from your hotel after breakfast to visit the Nyaung tropical market to have a peak at where locals do their daily shopping. Afterwards, head to the Monastery and visit the children who will be thrilled to see you. If you like, you can bring stationary or school supplies to donate; it is deeply appreciated. After your visit to the school, you will be taken to the village of Min Nan Thu where you can see how peanut oil is produced or witness the skill of spinning thread by a local woman.