Arrival in Yangon and explore the charms of the city
Our representative will pick you up directly at the airport, then you will be taken to the hotel by private car for check-in.
Yangon, the first city in the country was the capital until 2005. You will start your visit to the great reclining Buddha Chauk Htat Gyi, right next to Shwedagon, which is also a very important place of worship.
You will continue your visit to the National Museum of Myanmar (closed on Mondays and holidays), a small museum with many relics of the glorious past of the Burmese empires. Including the lion's throne, the witness of the last imperial dynasty of King Konbaung, the evolution of Burmese writing, a magnificent collection of images of Buddha or antique furniture incredibly carved on wood. In about an hour and a half, you will know much more about a good part of the heritage and history of Burma.
Flight to Nyaung U and exploration of the archaeological site
Today you will be transferred to Yangon airport for a flight to Bagan (about 1h20).
Bagan, one of the most impressive archeological sites in Asia with more than 2,200 pagodas pacing the plains throughout the legendary Ayeyarwaddy River.
You will explore the oldest and most important temples of Bagan. For example, the Sulamani Temple, built by King Narapatisithu; then the temple Dhammayangyi Pahto, a temple of the last period with one of the most beautiful masonry of Bagan, then the temple Thatbyinnyu which predominates the monuments of Bagan, as well as the pagoda Dhammayazika or Shwezigon, a prototype of the first stupas of Burma .
The afternoon tour includes Shwesandaw Pagoda, an idyllic spot for panoramic views, and Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi Temple, a 13th-century temple with fine murals.
Later, you can visit a traditional lacquer shop to learn about the carpenters and artisans of these unique products. Being a private tour you can try to draw alongside local artisans.
Finally, enjoy the famous Bagan sunset on a hill chosen by our guide or our private driver to enjoy the best views.
Note: The sunset on the top of a lot of temples is forbidden since September 2017.
Boat at Kyun Thiri village and half-day e-bike in Bagan
In the morning you will be transferred to Ayeyar Pier for a nice boat trip to Kyun Thiri village (about 1 hour). In fact, Kyun Thiri is an island where you can walk through the rice fields and plantations of all kinds to the monastery of the village.
The whole island is immersed in water for almost 6 months, so the land is rich and agriculture abundant, the locals take the opportunity to grow seasonal products. This is the best time to visit and enjoy this authentic village around Bagan. The main interest, again, and observe and interact with locals, always very nice, much less used to tourists. An intimate and different experience in a region where we often only know the temples of Bagan.
Then return to Yangon to continue your day of e-bike tours.
Overnight in Bagan.
Transfer by car to the companion, Lei Thar Gone
At 2 hours from Bagan in the middle of the Burmese countryside is Lei Thar Gone which represents a magnificent project of support as well as a superb human experience. Created from scratch by an ambitious Burmese a few years ago, the goal was to mix business with pleasure by building several recreational bungalows with a solidarity school at a hundred meters. This is a bold project that is now bearing fruit. 200 students from poor families or orphans are educated in this establishment whose supplies, repairs, salaries of teachers and all the operation, in general, depend on the activity of the Guest House.
There are only 14 rooms available with a "house" restaurant open only in the evening (the food is particularly good).
The setting of Lei Thare Gone is idyllic. Perched on a hill, this small structure offers a spectacular view of the green plains entangled in the Irrawaddy River. All bungalows are surrounded by a lush garden offering a real haven of peace.
Finally activities proposed by the locals will be available during your stay (including fishing or hiking). The revenues generated will go directly back to them.
Overnight in Yenangyaung.
Free day at Lei Thar Gone
During this little bubble out of time you can mainly indulge in 2 activities. Fishing or visiting the surroundings for a real immersion completely off the beaten track.
If you wish, you can also stay by the pool enjoying the quietness or discover the children and teachers of the school during recess. Teachers are always happy to welcome strangers and interaction with children is particularly enjoyable and moving
Fishing activity (OPTION)
After a ten minute walk you will arrive near the small local canoes. You will be with two local fishermen who will take you in the middle of the waters to show you their traditional know-how. You will be able to observe closely all the small details that are essential to have a productive fishing.
If low or high tide lends itself to it you can dock alongside some houses to walk around the lake and go back to the village to have a complete overview of the frenetic market that makes the heart of the village beat in the middle of colonial buildings.
Finally you will return to Lei Thar Gone, where MaThu, the chef will be happy to prepare a tasty dish for dinner with the catch of the day.
Hiking activity.
Flight to Heho - Hiking around Pindaya
Flight to Heho, a small airport in the western area of the picturesque Shan State. After your arrival, you will be driven to Pindaya, famous for its caves with almost 8000 images of Buddha who have been placed there over the centuries, made of various materials and sizes, the statues fill every corner of the many cavities. In addition, people from the area usually attend to pray, being an important place of worship for Burmese.
Then, you will head for the day of hiking to the Htut Ni village, where you will witness the daily life of the Danu people (one of Myanmar's ethnic minorities) who are mainly dedicated to planting tea and other cultures.
Then, you will discover another village called See Kya Inn, which is surrounded by a majestic landscape where rice fields and tea plantations abound. It is here that you will have the honor of enjoying a magical meal served in a local house.
After lunch, continue your exploration to Yazakyi's Palaung Village, an ideal place to get in touch with locals and get to know their way of life.
About 6 hours of walking in total.
Accommodation: in a monastery or a local house.
2nd day of hiking
After a simple breakfast prepared by your guide, you will start a walk of about 2:30 crossing the incredible landscapes in the valley of Vast, full of rice fields and small villages, Gone Paw, Myaw Taw and Taung thu. Then, continue your hike to Kaung Soe Gone, a village where you will enjoy a majestic meal prepared by a local chef.
Finally, you continue the road to the village of Myin Kwin, Palaung about 45 minutes. Then you continue to the village Min Ti Pin around 30 minutes, to know the local people (Danu) and their way of life.
Accommodation: in a monastery or a local house.
End of the hike and navigation on Inle Lake
After a breakfast prepared by your guide, take the road to Naung Yae Oo Min Village. Then you will continue to the village of Say Ti Gone (the village of Danu) (approx 2 hours 30 minutes walk).
Then you head to the village of Na Ywar Taung where the main activity is agriculture, where you can observe some unique scenes.
Near you head to Myin Ka village and then you will be transferred to Inle by private car.
You will begin your visit on Inle Lake, UNESCO World Heritage Site. This abundant lake is 900 meters below sea level, spreading over 20 km long and 10 km wide. The trips on the lake are realized by traversing the various villages and floating gardens, you will be able to admire the ability of the locals with their banks as well as to understand their way of life.
Points of interest include Phaung Daw O Pagoda, the four revered Buddha images as well as the Ngaphe Chaung Monastery (surrounded by floating cultures) or the Nan Pan Village where you will witness the development of traditional-style boats. (Everything is handmade !). On the way your riverbank will make many stops and you will approach the charming floating gardens of Inle, also passing through small villages and more remote. The main objective is to avoid tourist catches, such as the Inle Lake souvenir markets (such as some "5-day" markets) or souvenir shops, (to be avoided unless requested).
Day of navigation towards the southern part of the lake: Sagar
Today, departure by boat to the impressive c. The latter is very famous thanks to its stupas and sculptures immersed in water, the oldest dating back to the 16th century. This day will allow you to know a less visited part of the lake, you will have the opportunity to interact with the local inhabitants who call the lake "house".
This part of the lake is remote (3 hours by boat), the landscapes are really extraordinary.
Also, you will have time to enjoy a small pottery industry in the village of Kyauk Taung, where some PaO and Shan live in a very traditional way.
Back to Nyaung Shwe.
Night in Inle.
Departure from Yangon
Transfer for your international connection from La Terre d'Or.
