8 Day Best of Burma Paukan Cruise

Experience the most famous sights of Burma on this guided journey and travel back in time tracing the footsteps of Kipling & George Orwell. Your private journey begins in British administration constructed capital city, Yangon (Rangoon) known as the garden city of the east. Discover the rich history of this dynamic city in transition and its most famous sights including the gold and gemstones decorated Shwedagon Pagoda. From Yangon, journey to Central Myanmar for exploring the ancient Kingdom of Bagan, the greatest archeological treasure of Myanmar with over 4000 pagodas and temples ruins located on the plains of Bagan. In Bagan we celebrate sunrise from birds’ eye view on a hot air balloon flight and board flotilla style river cruiser for a nostalgic journey to Mandalay. Relax and enjoy shore excursions and activities onboard during the cruise. From Mandalay continue by flight to Shan highlands and the charming Inle Lake, home region of several ethnic minorities, lively markets, floating vegetable farms and villages built on stilts over the lake. Enjoy the scenery and excursions by boat on the lake making stops at some of the lake regions highlights. From the Inle Lake fly back to Yangon to connect to your international flight back to the UK.

Highlights

Old Rangoon architecture and heritage walk
Gleaming gold & gems decorated Shwedagon Pagoda
Temples of ancient Bagan & spectacular sunsets
Magnificent sunrise balloon flight in Bagan
Luxury cruise on Irrawaddy River with RV Paukan 2012
Minorities, markets & local life Inle Lake region

What’s included

Private transfers, tours & activities
Guided tours with English speaking expert local guide
All entrance and permit fees
Best available rooms in top hotels & best cabins on cruise
Special meals to experience best Myanmar has to offer
And a few extra treats…

Trip details

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Trip type: Cultural tour, luxury tour
Destinations: Yangon, Bagan, Irrawaddy & Inle Lake
Starts: in Yangon
Ends: in Yangon

In brief

Day 1. Arrival to Yangon. Shwedagon Pagoda
Day 2. Yangon highlights and heritage walk
Day 3. Bagan temples by elephant coach
Day 4. Bagan balloons flight & optional tours
Day 5. Paukan river cruise
Day 6. Paukan river cruise. Visit riverside village
Day 7. Flight to Inle Lake. Afternoon sightseeing
Day 8. Flight to Yangon and connect to Bangkok

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive To Yangon

Arrival to Yangon international airport and warm welcome by your guide Cho Cho Myint who will meet you in the arrivals hall with a signboard and your names on it. Transfer to your hotel for check-in (approx. 1hr drive depending on traffic). Rest of the afternoon is for acclimatizing and enjoying the lovely garden and pool of the hotel.

We take a stroll along lively market street filled with fruit vendors, flower shops and artisans carving decorations for monasteries and home shrines. Walking gallery leads us to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed. You will get a blessing for safe travels and have the opportunity to join in a candle lighting ceremony. Return back to your hotel for dinner and savour the best of Myanmar cuisine.

Meals: Burmese dinner (Myanmar buffet) at Governor’s Residence. Great introduction to local cuisine.
Overnight: In Governor’s Residence 5*, Governor’s Suite.

Day 2 Explore The Colonial Yangon

After breakfast we drive to downtown for a private heritage walk with colonial history expert who lead you 100years back and though the old quarter of Yangon. Enjoy sights of beautiful old buildings, book merchants, food stalls and various kinds of shops. We will make a stop at the Sofaer building, renowned for the being the centre for trade in its heyday. Our lunch today will be at the Rangoon Teahouse, where all ingredients are made in-house and traditional Burmese recipes handed down through generations. Knowing that ladies love art we have arrange art curator Jill Pattison to lead you through the galleries of Yangon for the afternoon and to enjoy an afternoon tea at the Strand Hotel. For the gents who are keen sports fans, we have arranged first a peek to Myanmar’s only the Jewish synagogue with the community leader, before we heading off to boxing gym where we have arranged a friendly Let Phway Myanmar kick boxing match with 3-time Myanmar champion Lone Chaw and one of his protectorates.

From the gym continue to football stadium for Yangon United’s match. We have arranged seating with the club owner in the VIP booth where you will be among the local socialites.

This evening we have booked you best table at Le Planteur, best restaurant in Myanmar, run by Swiss Chef Boris Granges. Enjoy dinner under the stars in the garden by Inya Lake.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at Rangoon Tea House, dinner at Le Planteur
Overnight: In Governor’s Residence 5*, Governor’s Suite

Day 3 Yangon & Temples of Bagan

Enjoy breakfast and morning swim at the hotel before transfer to Yangon airport for your (approx. 1hr) flight to Bagan K7 240 10:00-11:20. Today journey to the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan by Elephant Coach, a luxury replica of 1930’s colonial era Chevrolet coaches that were still used in Myanmar until a few years ago.

During the six centuries of reign Bagan became one of the greatest kingdoms in South-east Asia region with trade relations to China, India, Arabia and Europe. Over 3000 thousand pagodas and temples remains are scattered around the arid plains by the Irrawaddy River. Our Bagan visits are adjusted to individual preferences as most people have certain temples on their bucket list. Our recommended sites include the Swesandaw pagoda providing panoramic views of the temple studded plains of Bagan; the Archeological Museum; the gold gilded Swezigon Stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha.

Not far from the stupa, the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka reincarnations. Next, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village, and then visit Htilominlo Temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour ends with a visit to the beautifully symmetric and majestic Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the viewer with fixed serenity wherever the viewer stands and a pyramid shaped Dhammayangyi Temple built by cruel king, and famous for its fine brick work. For sunset, a Bullock or Horse Cart Ride around the temples offers unparalleled photo opportunities of one of the richest archeological treasures in Southeast Asia as the sun dips behind the temple ruins (weather permitting).

Meals included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at a riverside restaurant with view to Irrawaddy River
Overnight stay: In Aureum Palace Resort & Spa 5*, Palm tree villa

Day 4 Balloon Flight & Bagan

Early pick up from your hotel by balloons crew approx. 5.30am and transfer to balloons launch site. Imagine . . . floating over thousand-year-old pagodas and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, as the sun rises slowly from the distant horizon. The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for centuries. One of the most remarkable sights in Asia, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. After 45min to 1hr flight you will be served celebratory glass of champagne and light snack before transfer to hotel for breakfast.

On this day we can arrange you customized activities. Below are some suggestions:

Option 1. Bagan off the beaten trails cycling or e-biking
Bagan has many off-the-beaten trails temples connected by small tracks and back roads. Fun way to explore the region and to see local village life is by mountain bike or on electric bike. Your guide can adjust the distance and route to your skills and wishes. After lunch return to your hotel for rest, spa treatments and pool time.
Continue around 4pm by car visiting some of the temples and sites we did not have time to see day earlier.

Option 2. Mt Popa half day excursion
Today’s excursion 1.5hrs 50km drive from Bagan will bring you to Mount Popa, the Burmese spiritual epicenter for those who worship the pantheon of nat spirits and martyrs. After paying respects to the Nat’s Shrine at the foot of Mount Popa, we climb nearly 800 steps to the pagoda on top of the gigantic volcanic plug for panoramic views over the surrounding plains and farm lands. On the way back to Bagan stop en-route at toddy collectors hut to observe the process of making the rich and caramel-like toddy candies from the sap of the toddy palms.

Option 3. Bagan cultural tour
We continue the exploration of Bagan with visits to the Manuha Temple, built by the Mon king in the 1300s to represent his time in captivity under the Bagan king. Continuing to the Thanaka Museum tribute to Myanmar natures make up, and a local house where ladies are rolling “Cheroots” Myanmar cigars. A visit to the Nyaung U Market, the largest market in the Bagan region, gives us a glimpse into local life. We also see how cottage industries like brick making and are carried out with traditional methods. During a visit to a Monastic School that provides disadvantaged children with free primary level education, we have the opportunity to interact with the school children.

This evening we have arranged a special temple dinner for you. Enjoy private candle lit pagoda dinner under the stars with traditional music and performance.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch at local restaurant, special candle lit pagoda dinner
Overnight stay: In Aureum Palace Resort & Spa 5*, Palm tree villa

Day 5-6 Paukan Flotilla Cruise on The Irrawaddy

Breakfast at hotel and morning free until transfer to RV Paukan cruise jetty located on the outskirts of Bagan. The Paukan River Cruise fleet is modern luxury boats built from model of colonial river steamers that used to transport people and goods along the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers. During your 2 nights cruise experience you will be treated to shore excursions, onboard entertainment and cooking demonstrations on board. Luxuriate with great cuisine, spa treatments (not included) and library during your relaxing cruise. The comfortable and well-appointed boat facilities and cabins are decorated in oriental style.

Tuesday: Check-in Time The embarkation is 11.30 hrs at Bagan Aye Yar jetty. Welcome Cocktail in the Saloon. Upstream to Mandalay, the Cast off time is at 12 noon. Lunch will be served at 13.00. In the late afternoon stop in a typical river village.

Wednesday: Cruising To Mandalay (Visit River Village). Cruise all day with stop enroute in the morning to visit Yandabo, a typical river village specialize in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Moor overnight nearby a village (Ywar Thit Gyi or Pauk Myaing Pauk Taw) few miles away from Ava Bridge.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard
Overnight stay: On board RV Paukan Cruise 2012, 2 Premier Suites in the front of the vessel

Day 7 Inle Lake, Floating Islands & Leg Rowers

Enjoy the sunrise. After an early breakfast onboard disembark. We will arrange a smaller boat to pick you up and then transfer to meet car driver and continue directly to Mandalay airport for the K7244 09:55-10:30 flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. This morning we will disembark before other passengers and transfer to Mandalay airport to catch flight to Heho.

Next, from Heho airport we take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields. By Inle Lake Indewi boat, luxury version of typical Inle boats, will be waiting for you. We journey out to a surprise lunch location on the lake, we promise this one will be something unique. Catering is from the best restaurant in upper Myanmar and French kitchen meets local Inn Thar and Shan cuisine.

After lunch continue with afternoon explorations of Inle Lake, populated with floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake. We end the day with scenic canoe ride propelled by leg rowers gliding through one the villages built on stilts over the lake as the sun sets down.

This evening dinner will be at the wine cellar cave of Inle Princess Resort. Start with canapes and tasting Myanmar’s premier wines, followed by a multi-course dinner. The hotel owner Yin Myo Su will be joining. She is often featured as one of the top Burmese business women and has some interesting projects on going in Shan state.

Meals included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch on lake and dinner party at Inle Princess
Overnight stay: Inle Princess Resort, lake front chalets

Remark: Inle Princess Resort is long term favourite and best known boutique hotel on the lake. The hotel is locally owned and operated and has unique character. It is by no means ultimate luxury retreat as the rooms have no TV’s and can be bit simple. However, the views from the lakefront chalets are best on the lake and the resort garden and setting
is charming.

Day 8 Flight to Yangon

Early breakfast at hotel and transfer to Heho airport for your flight to Yangon K7249 10:30-11:40. Bid farewells to your guide Cho Cho at the Heho airport. The flight time to Yangon is approx. 1hr. In Yangon Discovery DMC team will assist you with transit and checking in for the next flight to Bangkok TG302 15:00.

Meals included: Breakfast at Hotel
Overnight stay:

What’s Included

All domestic flights
Visa to Myanmar
Hot air balloon flight in Bagan for 2 persons
Lodging with breakfast as specified in the itinerary
Private transfers & tours with expert English speaking local guide
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Elephant coach for sightseeing in Bagan
2 nights cruise with RV Paukan 2012
All entrance, camera and permit fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary
Refreshments and fresh towels while on tour

Not Included

International air fares
Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary
Drinks during meals, hotel extras and other expenditure of personal nature
Travel insurance

Need Further Information

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