MYANMAR & NORTHER THAILAND EXPLORER

On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Chiang Mai, where you'll meet your Kaoma Travel Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner this evening.

Meals: D
Accommodation: Tamarind Village **** or similar

After an early breakfast, we will enjoy a scenic drive through the Northern Thai mountains and jungle-covered valleys and visit the area’s most stunning and culturally rich places. We will arrive in Chiang Rai, the birthplace of the most revered artists, the city is a hub of heritage Thai arts. The stunning White Temple, Blue Temple, and Black House will show you a colourful mixture of cultures. On the way you’ll wind along mountain roads and through verdant valleys stopping along the way to visit some of the region’s colourful hill tribes in their villages.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Tamarind Village **** or similar

Free time in the morning: Relax in the pool, spend half a day at the heartwarming Elephant Care Centre or learn how to create Thailand’s renowned dishes in a hands-on cooking class.
After a free lunch, we will explore the historic heart of Chiang Mai City and visit many of its most interesting sites by bicycle or samlor. We will visit the Three Kings Monument, the famous temples of Wat Pra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. Back to the hotel, you will enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tamarind Village **** or similar

We will spend a half-day to explore Sankampaeng, Thailand’s famed centre for handicraft products, factories, and shops. We will learn about the art of hand-weaving silk and witness exhibitions of local furniture, costumes, jewellery, and more. We will see the process of making Saa paper umbrellas from scratch, just like a true local. After lunch, we will be transferred to the Airport for a short flight to Mandalay.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort**** or similar.

Min ga la ba! Welcome to Myanmar, one of the fascinating countries in Southeast Asia.
This morning, we will join a traditional ceremony of giving alms to local monks. Clothed in red robes and carrying their alms bowls, a solemn line of barefoot monks walks along the streets to collect offerings from the locals. The morning alms collection is an important part of daily life for the monks and the Burmese people as it symbolizes ‘making merit’ and reminds people of their mutual inter-dependence.
We will return to the hotel for breakfast before reach the Mandalay's Jade Market. In Burma, the jadeite mines are in Kachin State to the far north, but Mandalay as the main commercial centre and largest city, is the trade’s hub. Though commonly found in semi-translucent green shades, ranging from pale turquoise to emerald green, jade also comes in pink, orange and several other colours.
We will observe some of the traditional craftsmanship dating back to last kingdom of Myanmar the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. We also will see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded using traditional methods.
Next, we will proceed to the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda, one of Burma’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites – male devotees apply gold leaf to the Buddha statue as a sign of respect, to the finely carved teak Golden Palace Monastery; and lastly, to the the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which houses 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s teachings. We will end the day in Mandalay Hill, a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a fantastic place to enjoy views at sunset over the city’s hills which are speckled with shining temples and pagodas.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort**** or similar.

After breakfast, we will take a short drive to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of the Shan and Burmese Kingdoms for over four centuries. We will cross over the Myint Nge River by ferry and trip back in time exploring by horse cart the remains of an ancient city full of old watchtowers, city walls, monasteries, and temples.
We will visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery, over three hundred years old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery building with its graceful curves and archways.
We will continue to the Ancient Kingdom Of Sagaing, located across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar. We will continue to another beautiful ancient capital city, Amarapura, where keen photographers will have the chance to capture U Bein Bridge – this is the world’s longest teak bridge which was built in 1782. We will enjoy the sunset with a boat ride on the lake. Back to the hotel enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort**** or similar.

You will enjoy your breakfast before being transferred to Sagaing for the embarkation.
After a welcome Cocktail and briefing, we will cruise all day long. In the late afternoon, we will stop at Yandabo, a village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. We will visit the Pot workshops and observe the entire manual process of pottery production, from shaping to baking and shipping.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Paukan or similar.

Early in the morning, we will continue downstream to Bagan. We will enjoy the sunrise and after breakfast, begin the journey into the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan. Today exploration will be with electric bicycles that allow to travel small back streets and lanes and visit some remote corners in Bagan and local villages. We will continue to the Nyaung U Market, the largest market in the Bagan region, nearby we can see how Burmese cigars “cheroots” are rolled by hand.

In the late afternoon, we will board a traditional wooden riverboat for a private cruise along the Irrawaddy River, where local cocktails can be enjoyed on board along with views of the temple silhouettes and bustling shore. This evening, we will enjoy the Dandaree Cultural Show with buffet dinner. A visual masterpiece, features striking presentation styles, incredible light and sound system stage performance by more than a hundred talented dancers, actors and performers will tell the story of this land’s arts and cultural treasure.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Paukan or similar.

You will start your morning with an optional hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. You will enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the endless stupas and Irrawaddy River. A truly an unforgettable and unique experience.

We will hop on a horse and cart for a half-day tour of the city’s temples including the 11th-Century Shwezigon Pagoda which was built by King Anawrahta to enshrine sacred relics 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 re-incarnations. Next, we will learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village, and then we will visit Htilominlo Temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour will end with a visit to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. For sunset, a bullock or horse cart ride around the temples will offer unparalleled photo opportunities of one of the archeological treasures in Southeast Asia. Then we will round off this memorable tour with an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples. Back to the hotel, you will enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: The Bagan Lodge or similar.

After breakfast, we will be transferred to the Airport for a short flight to Heho Airport (Inle Lake).

We will drive through small town’s sleepy streets, where trishaws, pedestrians and old trucks trot along at a relaxed pace. We will arrive at the Red Mountain Estate, one of Myanmar’s finest vineyards of Myanmar. We will enjoy a wine tasting, lunch and wonderful panoramic lake and mountain views. Next, we will visit the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, an elegant 19th-century red teak decorative structure with large oval windows standing on stilts.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Sanctum Inle Resort***** or similar.

After breakfast, we will travel by private, long-tail boat for visiting the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. Wander amid the stalls where you'll get to know more about the local produce and goods for sale.

Then we will continue across the lake, passing through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. We will admire the leg‐rowing fisherman who steer their boats with incredible balance. This skill, unique to Inle Lake, takes a high level of balance, agility and strength. We will visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the main sanctuary, home to five small Buddha images which sit hidden beneath infinite layers of gold leaf applied by devotees. We will proceed to the village of Inpawkhone, a floating community located on Inle Lake, is home to exceptionally- skilled artisans who continue to practice lotus weaving. We will continue to visit a cheroot factory where local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand.

You will enjoy a local lunch where you will taste delicious, traditional Inthar dishes while soaking in the views of the lake and its surroundings. This afternoon we will travel to Indein, on the southwestern shores of the lake. This village could be reached by boat through the Inn Thein creek, a long narrow canal. We will explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area, a complex of hundreds of ancient stupas whose construction started from the 8th century AD. Enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Sanctum Inle Resort***** or similar.

We will set off this morning from the lakeside hotel for Sagar.
Sagar lies to the south of Inle Lake and is one of Burma’s best-kept secrets. We will sit back the boat and let the world will go by as we head further off-the-beaten-track.

We will visit the ‘sunken’ stupas of Sagar- 108 stupas from the 16-17th centuries that are partially underwater for a few months a year. We will continue to the village of Thaya Gone, known for the production of local rice wine. We will watch the process of distillation and then sample some of the local brews if you wish. We will head into Sae Khaung village, to see the crafting of oil and water pots as well as the natural, underground kilns used by the villagers. On the western shores, we will see the Tar Kaung, which is a series of 200 stupas. In the early afternoon, we will drive to Loikaw.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Loikaw Lodge or similar.

We will set off this morning from the lakeside hotel for Sagar.
Sagar lies to the south of Inle Lake and is one of Burma’s best-kept secrets. We will sit back the boat and let the world will go by as we head further off-the-beaten-track.

We will enjoy our breakfast before departing to visit the Kayan minority villages of Pan Pet (1hr drive from Loikaw). The long neck Padaung or Kayan, are a minority group that fled to the North of Thailand during the times of armed conflict in this part of then called “Burma”, is probably the most iconic of the nine major tribal groups in Kayah State. The Kayan ‘long neck’ ladies are famous for their traditional brass ring necklaces that appear to elongate their necks. By visiting Panpet CBT (community-based tourism) project you will benefit local villagers in a sustainable and self-managed way and help the locals to preserve their culture, heritage and environment. On arrival at Pan Pet, you will be received by a local community guide. Taking advantage of the cool morning weather, your guide will begin the visit with a moderate hike along a scenic nature trail making stops at important cultural sites on the way.

After a Kayah style picnic lunch, we will continue to Salong Kana village to meet members of the community and learn more about the unique culture and society of the Kayan. During your time at the village, you will also have a chance to visit traditional Kayan homes and observe artisans making Kayan bracelets, weaving traditional textiles, carving wooden statues and other handwork. After a full day spent with these fun-loving and artistic people, we will say our farewells and return to Loikaw in the late afternoon. We will enjoy your free time this evening to spend however you like.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Loikaw Lodge or similar.

Transfer to the Loikaw Airport for your return flight or you may choose to extend your holiday.

Meals: B