Burmese Days

 

Yangon	Traders Hotel	1 night
Inle Lake	Inle Princess Resort	2 nights
Mandalay	Mandalay Hill Resort	2 nights
Cruise	R.V.Paukan 2007	2 nights
Bagan	Thiripyitsaya Resort	2 nights
Yangon	Traders Hotel	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details.

12 days from £1795

excluding international flights

BURMA TOURS FACTFILE

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Thai Airways International from London Heathrow via Bangkok to Yangon (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Arrival in Yangon.  Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

On arrival in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel.  Time to relax for a few hours before your late afternoon visit to the amazing Shwe Dagon Pagoda, whose gilded stupa has drawn the admiration of travellers for centuries.  You will also have some time to wander through the colourful market in China Town before returning to your hotel.

 

BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION IN YANGON

If you prefer to stay in a smaller hotel in Yangon with the atmosphere of colonial days we recommend the charming Savoy Hotel in the centre of the city close to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda.  We would be happy to quote the additional cost for staying here rather than at the Traders Hotel.

 

DAY 3 - Yangon.  Fly to Heho.  Drive to Inle Lake.

Yangon is probably best described by what it does not have – traffic jams, fast-food restaurants, freeways, smog, lots of tourists and flashy discos. More than other city in Asia, Yangon still reflects the “Romance of the East” as evoked by the writings of Conrad and Kipling.  Your guide will show you the main sights of Yangon this morning. In the afternoon transfer to airport and fly to Heho, gateway to the Shan States, known for colourful markets, beautiful mountain scenery, and its fascinating people, a mixture of tribal races. Then drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer by private boat to your resort in Inle Lake, one of Burma's most spectacular locations.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 - Inle Lake.  Indein.

After breakfast enjoy a leisurely trip by longtail boat to explore the lake and its surrounding attractions. Afterwards, proceed to Indein, a recently discovered 16th century temple site before returning to your resort.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 5 - Lakeside Market.  Fly to Mandalay.

In the morning visit one of the daily markets on the lakeside (the location differs from day to day) where you can find a real local atmosphere with a huge variety of produce from the lake and the surrounding area; the markets are crowded with ethnic minorities in their traditional dresses.   In the afternoon drive to Heho and take the short flight to Mandalay.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

 

DAY 6 - Mandalay.  Amarapura.

After breakfast you will be taken to Amarapura, a former Royal capital located 7 miles south of Mandalay, to visit the important Mahaghandayon Monastery and other places of interest, as well as taking a stroll on the famous U Bein teak bridge across the Taungthaman Lake.  In the afternoon enjoy the main sightseeing highlights of Mandalay, ending with a trip to the top of Mandalay Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Your Irrawaddy Cruise begins.

Embark on the R.V. Paukan 2007 and enjoy lunch soon after setting sail downstream.  Your first shore excursion is to the former royal capital of Mingun, famous for its bell, the largest uncracked bell in the world weighing more than 90 tons, and the impressive unfinished Mingun Pagoda. Pictured left - The R.V. Paukan moored at Mingun with the unfinished pagoda in the background.  Tonight your cruise boat will moor at a sandbank in midstream.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Sagaing. Yandabo.

Early in the morning cruise downstream. During the 2 hours journey you can admire the
natural beauty of the river and the life of its banks while relaxing on the sundeck or just sitting outside your cabin. Enjoy the sunrise over Sagaing Hill.  After breakfast step ashore to visit Sagaing, capital of an independent Shan state in the medieval times, where visits will include the Kaungmudaw pagoda.  Continue cruising on the Irrawaddy and in the late afternoon visit the village of Yandabo, famous for it pottery.  Moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 9 – Disembark.  The Temples of Bagan.

DAY 10 - Bagan.

Further Bagan sightseeing this morning.  In the afternoon explore the village of Minn Nan Thu, the least visited temple area in Bagan. Observe the local farmers’ way of life together with a visit to some of the most interesting temples such as Payathonzu, with its unusual architecture and Tantric Buddhism influence.  You will also visit Myinkaba village to see lacquerware family workshops.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

 

OPTIONAL VISIT TO MOUNT POPA

If you feel you would like to vary the sightseeing, and reduce the number of temples you visit in Bagan, you could choose to take an optional half day excursion (for an additional cost) to the unusual 'nat' (ancestral spirit) shrine at Mount Popa, an hour's drive from Bagan.  Please ask for details.

 

 

DAY 11 - Bagan.  Return to Yangon.

The day is free in Bagan until your early evening flight back to Yangon for overnight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 12 - Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Bangkok to connect with your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

There are no direct flights between London and Yangon. We recommend the services of Thai Airways International from London Heathrow to Bangkok with a good onward connection to Yangon. Flights are daily throughout the year.  Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Bangkok. Depart at 12.30; arrive Bangkok at 06.05 (next day)
Bangkok/Yangon. Depart at 07.55; arrive Yangon at 08.50
Yangon/Bangkok. Depart at 09.00; arrive Bangkok at 10.45*
Bangkok/Heathrow. Depart at 12.25; arrive Heathrow at 18.30
* Operated by Myanmar Airways International (MAI).

Burma Tours: Burmese Days (Tour Reference: WDBU004)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Mondays	Price (see note)
Oct, Nov, Dec*	£1795

The Price shown is based on a Main Deck twin-bedded cabin on the R.V. Paukan.  The supplement for an Upper Deck twin-bedded or double cabin is £80 per person.  There are no double cabins on the Main Deck.

* Supplements will be charged during the Christmas and New Year period. 

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights from Yangon to Heho, Heho to Mandalay, and Nyaung-U to Yangon, including airport taxes.
• Hotel and cruise boat accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms/cabuns with private facilities.
• 10 full breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees.
• The services of private drivers throughout.
• The services of a private English-speaking guide for the included sightseeing.
• Porterage at the airports.
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Visa for Burma.  A special 'Package Tour' visa for individuals is required.  You can obtain this in advance through the Embassy of Myanmar or alternatively obtain your visa on arrival in Yangon. World Discovery will help organise your visa in either case (our Burmese agents have to provide letters of introduction) - Full details will be given when you make a booking.
  

A deposit of £500 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Burma tour must be paid at least 3 months before your departure date.