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Home , Art of Myanmar, Burmese dance, Mount Popa, Taung Kalat

TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION

TAILORED EXPERIENCES Myanmar

[email protected] | www.trailsofindochina.com 1 MYANMAR TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Active

FULL DAY TREKKING IN | 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 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 . 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 , 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 | 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 and music, as well as the complex ’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 , 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!

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STREET FOOD WALKING TOUR | 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 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

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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 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.

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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. Relax at a local café and enjoy a cup of tea while you chat with the locals. This is a truly heartwarming experience.

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NOVICE CEREMONY IN BAGAN Bagan | 6-8 hrs With almost 90% of the country’s population practicing Theravada, a branch of , Myanmar is the most religious Buddhist country in the world. One of the standout religious traditions is a novitiation ceremony, held for boys under the age of twenty. At this time, these young men will be handed over by their parents to an elder monk to study Buddhist philosophy and ancient Pali scripts. An exclusive experience, you will take part in a ceremony, which is typically closed off to non-family members and non-Burmese people. See first-hand the preparation process that the whole village, and novice’s family undertake to provide these boys with a peaceful future.

HOME BUILDING AT INLE LAKE Inle Lake | 4 hrs During your stay at Inle Lake, get involved with our homebuilding project that aims to achieve this, besides developing strong ties with the local Intha community. Adequate housing is a basic human right, but many impoverished families can’t afford their own home. Donations such as yours preceding your Myanmar trip helps us turn dreams into reality. Although the house construction timeframe is around six days, the entire project takes between four and six months. When the new house is finally ready for a family to move in, we will exclusively invite you to attend the opening ceremony. During this special event, which includes a communal lunch with Intha villagers, see for yourself the results of your donation and celebrate the family’s inaugural day in their new home!

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HEALTHY, HOME-COOKED MEAL WITH CARE Yangon | 2 hrs Learn how to cook classic Burmese recipes at Three Good Spoons, a not-for-profit cooking school and social enterprise in Yangon. This pioneering school supports a social impact program that provides free nutrition, hygiene and practical cooking training to unemployed and disadvantaged – helping them find employment within the community. Three Good Spoons also provides fee-based cooking classes, teaching housekeepers, Yangon home cooks and tourists authentic Burmese recipes and kitchen skills. Join a fun cooking class here, learning how to master an array of traditional Burmese recipes and simple and healthy home- cooking – which we later sample for lunch – while gaining valuable insight into the regional culinary culture.

SUNDOWNER AT U BEIN BRIDGE Mandalay | 2 hrs

Late afternoon, we take a local-style rowing boat out on Taung Tha Man Lake heading for two-century-old U-Bein Bridge – the longest teak wood bridge in the world. U-Bein also is a popular backdrop for amazing sunset views with superb photographic opportunities. On board, enjoy sunset cocktails while observing and snapping – the lingering, colourful rays of the sun as it sets beyond the bridge.

ROMANTIC SANDBANK DINNER IN BAGAN Bagan | 3 hrs Enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars, served on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River with the backdrop of Bagan’s magnificent temples. Board a local boat that will take you to a mid-river sandbank where a private dinner will be served out in the nature with the view of Bagan’s resplendent temples mirrored on the leisurely river. Look forward to a meal full of exquisite local dishes while a Burmese harp player will enhance the romantic atmosphere. An incredible dinner experience that you will never forget in stunning surroundings a world away from modern life.

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BALLOONS OVER BAGAN Bagan | 45 mins Described by Marco Polo as ‘one of the finest sights in the world’, the ancient city of Bagan was the capital of several ancient Burmese kingdoms who built up to 10,000 temples between the 11th and 13th centuries. Take to the skies for a breath-taking bird’s eye view of some of the approximately 2,200 temples that remain standing in Bagan. As the sun starts to raise its lights over the beautiful plains of Bagan, you will see the expansive landscape grow to life.

BALLOONS OVER INLE LAKE Inle Lake | 45 mins Enjoy a unique bird’s eye view over scenic Inle Lake from the skies above. Inle is home to the Inthar people who live on the floating islands of vegetation and row their fishing boats using a unique leg-rowing technique not found anywhere else in the world. Catch the sight of the Inthar fishermen at work and boats full of produce on their way to the market. As you float far above the earth the breadth of the vast landscape can be felt. Enjoy breakfast either on a special retrieve boat in the middle of the lake or next to one of the beautiful Shan villages wherever the balloon lands.

IRRAWADDY DAY CRUISE TO Mandalay | 6 hrs Cruise along the legendary Ayeryarwaddy River, stopping off at the infamous town of Mingun – home of the famous giant . Explore Mingun’s history and unique offerings with an experienced guide, before enjoying a traditional Burmese lunch on the boat. Later return back to Mandalay, cruising down the river mid-afternoon, where you will be able to witness local life along the riverside.

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TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND MASSAGE IN YANGON Yangon | 5 hrs Traditional medicine and massage play a big part in Myanmar daily life but it can be difficult to find some of the best treatments. This special one-day package, allows you to not only sample an invigorating and relaxing herbal traditional massage at the hands of the famous ‘blind masseuses’, it also gives a rare chance to meet a traditional doctor as well as explore the famous herbal medicine market in Yangon. Relax and unwind as you embark on an alternative Yangon.

MONASTERY MEDITATION AND VEGETARIAN LUNCH Bagan | 4 hrs In the morning, visit Mya Taung Monastery (Emerald Monastery), a tranquil spot secluded amongst trees, located near revered . At this monastery, two resident monks will give an introductory discussion about Buddhist philosophy, meditation and spiritual practices. They will also explain about the traditional role the local community plays in this Buddhist monastery. You will also participate in a guided meditation session, lasting for around thirty minutes. Seated in a peaceful environment, chanting mantras with the eyes closed, meditation is widely practiced to help reduce stress, anxiety, depression and pain. After your restorative meditation, enjoy a health-giving vegetarian lunch, served in the monastery’s shaded compound.

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