Festivals of Burma

You will be met at the Yangon International Airport and taken you to your hotel. Along the way, you will pass many of the old British Colonial buildings, which, along with its tree-lined streets, give the city its 19th century charm. In the evening, the market areas in the heart of the city are fascinating to explore.

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho and immediately transfer to Nyaungshwe, a small town at the north end of Inle Lake, where you will see all of the local people busily preparing for the festival. Overnight at a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

IInle Lake, the second largest natural lake in Myanmar, is located in the middle of a greatest depression in Nyaungshwe valley between two parallel mountain ranges running north to south in the southern Shan State. You will have an opportunity to observe the royal barge carrying the Buddha images that have been brought by a small boat from Lin Kin Village to Nyaungshwe as part of the procession. Enjoy traditional music and dances, along with leg-rowing boat races. Overnight at a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a full day of celebration. The greatest event is the celebration of the Phaungdaw O Buddhas, where the Intha’s place five revered images on a decorated royal barge and tour the Inle region. Phaungdaw O Pagoda festival draws people from all over, not only to pay homage to the Buddha statues, but also for great fun and the Intha's unique leg-rowing competitions. Overnight at a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pindaya is known for its extensive limestone caves and picturesque lake. The drive to Pindaya is especially nice as the road winds over the rolling hills of the Shan Plateau through mustard and wheat fields. You may have the opportunity to stop amidst the farmlands for social exchanges with ethnic farmers. You will also have the chance to observe the Pa O's traditional paper umbrella making. Or, if you prefer, you may opt for a Pindaya village trek instead. Overnight at a traditional style bungalow.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At an altitude of 4,330 meters, Kalaw is pleasantly cool and a good place for hiking. You will have the opportunity to hike to some of the Palaung tribal villages and observe their unique daily lifestyle, with women wearing colorful blue and red costumes and families living in “long houses.”

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will be driven to Mandalay. It is a long drive, but an interesting one, because you will be passing through many villages along the way. Mandalay is the spiritual, cultural and traditional capital, as well as the commercial heart, of central Burma. Overnight at a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, depart for Kyawzun jetty and board a boat for a short ride to Mingun, seven miles upriver. This is an excellent opportunity to observe life on the majestic Irrawady and watch the local people at work. Here you will see the Mingun Bell, the world's largest uncracked, functioning bell and the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, which was originally supposed to be the world's largest monument, but unfortunately is today the world's largest pile of bricks. On your return to Mandalay, observe a traditional gold leaf hammering workshop. In the late afternoon, stroll around the foot of Mandalay Hill and see the Kuthodaw Pagoda (golden teak Monastery), which houses the "world's largest book" of Buddhist history. You also visit the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, a large Buddha image carved out of single block of marble. In the evening, view the fantastic sunset from Mandalay Hill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart for the ancient capital of Amapura, the "City of Immortality.” En-route, observe traditional handicraft workshops such as wood and stone carving, bronze casting, and silk weaving. Observe the unique second century U Bin wooden bridge, the longest teak span in the world. Also, visit the Maha Gandayone Monastery to observe the lunch process of hundreds of Buddhist monks. Proceed to Sagaing, a living center of Buddhist faith, with visits to Kaung Mudaw Pagoda, the most popular stupa in Sagaing and the picturesque Sagaing Hill, a retreat for Buddhist devotees. Later, visit the forgotten ancient capital of Ava, which is located across the Myit Nge River and was once the capital of a Burmese Kingdom. Upon your return to Mandalay, visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, the most impressive Arakanese golden-seated Buddha image. You may also have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional puppet theater show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart for Kyauk Se, located 26 miles from Mandalay, to observe the paper dummy Elephant Dance Festival. Of all the domesticated animals in Myanmar, the elephant is considered the most intelligent and versatile. Historically, elephants were used not only for carrying royalty on their backs, but also for fighting wars. Early Brahministic and Buddhist influence added religious and cultural flavors to the image of the elephant. To the Myanmar kings, elephants were the symbol of majestic power and prosperity for the kingdom. With such long traditions, the Myanmar naturally turned their creative thoughts to introduce the animal to their festivals. As Myanmar religious celebrations are always accompanied by music and dance performances, the elephants gradually became accustomed to the festival mood and began to move with the beat and rhythm of the musical instruments. This is said to be how the elephant dances begun. Kyauk Se, a thriving town on the Yangon River, is where the elephant dance is held in the month of Thadingyut (Oct/Nov), at the annual light festival. According to legend, King Anawratha from Bagan built a stupa on the Shwe Tha Lyaung hill range and the people around the region would pay yearly homage to the stupa. The villagers then came with their elephants and celebrated the Pagoda festival with both men and elephants participating. After many generations, paper dummies were skillfully used to simulate the dance, replacing live elephants. This fascinating ceremony is what you will observe while in Kyauk Se. Later, you will return to Mandalay for your overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Weather and water levels permitting, take a cruise along the Irrawady to Bagan. This beautiful cruise will allow you the opportunity to see life along the riverbanks. Bagan is considered to be one of the most amazing sites in Asia, and though comparable to sites of worldwide importance such as Jerusalem and Rome, remains virtually unknown. More than 2,200 temples remain of the 13,000 that once stood. Some were destroyed by invaders, others by earthquake and decay, but internationally funded restoration is under way and the major temples are in excellent condition. If time permits, you may enjoy the sunset from one of the archaeological ruins. Overnight at a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day visiting one of the nearby villages to observe the daily life of the Burmese people. You will see them weaving with traditional handlooms, producing oil manually, and blacksmiths working the old-fashioned way. Afterwards, visit one of the fisherman villages to observe the unique, centuries old Nat Htaunt Monastery built of teakwood and situated on the Ayerwaddy riverbanks. In the afternoon, visit Bagan's major monuments including the Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype for later Myanmar stupas; Dhammyangi, the "Temple of Evil Kings,” where the double image of Buddha is most unique in all of Asia; Htilominlo, the temple where there are frescoes representing the 28 Buddhas of the future; Anandar, the best-preserved masterpiece of Mon architecture; Thabyinnyu, one of the tallest monuments in universal science; Gawdawpalin, one of the largest and most imposing monuments in Bagan; and Wetkyi Inn Kubyakgyi Temple to observe original 12th century mural paintings, frescoes and bas-relief works depicting the entire life of Buddha and his disciples. If there is time, enjoy the breath-taking sunset view of the ruins from Mingalar Zedi Temple, said to be built just before the Mongols invaded.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart for Salay (one hour) to visit one of the best 18th century wood carving works at Yoke Son Monastery and a unique 13th century lacquerware Buddha image nearby. Upon your return to Bagan, visit a traditional lacquerware shop to observe the process of making this unique souvenir. Explore more of Bagan's archaeological zones, including Abeyananda Temple, famous for its fine mural paintings on Mahayana Buddhism; Myazedi Pillar, considered the Rosetta stone of Burma; Shwegugyi Temple, an example of the Middle period; and Natlaungkyaung, the only Hindu temple left in Bagan. Time permitting, enjoy a sunset view of the entire ruins.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon and check in to your hotel. Your afternoon will be spent on a guided tour visiting Karaweik, a barge on the royal lake, which provides excellent photo opportunities, Chauk Htat Gyi, the colossal reclining Buddha, Botatung Pagoda, and Independence Monument. You also visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the world's richest and most famous golden stupa. More than 2,000 years old, Shwedagon is plated with 8,688 solid gold slabs weighing about 42 tons. In addition, the tip is inset with about 5,500 diamonds and over 2,000 rubies, sapphires and topaz. Shwedagon symbolizes how important Buddhism is to Burma; legend also has it that the pagoda houses eight of the Buddha's hairs. If there is time, you may enjoy a fantastic sunset view from the hilltop. Overnight at a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depending on your onward flight schedule, you may have a chance to do some last minute shopping or visit a non-tourist site, such as the Gem Museum, to observe the world’s largest ruby, pearl and jade, all products of Myanmar. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the airport for your onward departure.

Meals: Breakfast