20 th March 2018 by Ameer Virani (Myanmar Product Manager)

Transcription

1 20 th March 2018 by Ameer Virani (Myanmar Product Manager)

2 Myanmar s Big 4 Destinations: Yangon (Colonial Downtown & Golden Pagodas) Bagan (Ancient Temples & Local Villages) Mandalay (Ancient Culture) Inle Lake (Natural Beauty & Villages on the Lake)

3 Discover unknown parts of central Yangon Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda, explore a maze of small lanes with no tourists and buzzing with local life Travel by various forms of transport On foot, local taxi, trishaw, public bus Responsible Travel Sustainable forms of transport that put money directly into the hands of local providers IMPORTANT INFO Max. 6 persons per tour, afternoon recommended for Mahabandoola Park sunset

4 Discover the unknown Yangon across the river Kanaungto River Island combines rice fields, bamboo groves and a maze of village alleyways Explore by mountain bike Start with a short ride from our office to a boat jetty before crossing the river by small boat Responsible Travel 1.5 USD per person from this trip will go towards the village clinic or school in Ah Lett Chaung Village guests pass by the clinic during the tour for a brief explanation about this community development project IMPORTANT INFO Max. 6 persons per tour, easy ride with some narrow lanes, early morning tour recommended, no back-up vehicle

5 Traditional monk s blessing ceremony Visit a monastery by the river and gain a better understanding of traditional Buddhist culture Private river island sunset yoga class Take a small boat to a sand bank for a 1-hour yoga class by a certified yoga teacher Responsible Travel The organisers of the yoga classes provide free sessions for local people and at local schools to introduce yoga to Myanmar IMPORTANT INFO Max. 12 persons, afternoon only, appropriate monastery clothing recommended

6 Local lunch at a traditional village Enjoy a meal in a unique setting away from the tourists of Bagan, but only 1 hour away Walking tour around the village Experience the cultural charm of Magyeekan (close to the colonial town of Salay on the banks of the Irrawaddy) Responsible Travel The village is part of a community-based tourism initiative where all profits are used for community benefit IMPORTANT INFO This is a simple village but community members have been trained in hygiene to provide a safe meal, home stay accommodation also available in the village

7 Learn to fish like a local in a village on the Irrawaddy Venture 2.5 hours out of Mandalay to visit a small village by the river and give traditional fishing a go Observe wildlife During the 45 minute boat ride observe a wide range of migratory birds, any maybe even a famous Irrawaddy Dolphin! Responsible Travel - All income from the village visit stays within the community (50% to the service providers, 20% to the community fund, 20% to the dolphin conservation fund, 10% to the maintenance of the Visitor Centre) IMPORTANT INFO It is recommended not to oversell the dolphins

8 On the road from Mandalay to Bagan Just two hours driving from Mandalay lies Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctury, home to a conservation centre for Burmese Star Tortoises Track Burmese Star Tortoises Go on a guided forest walk for a unique wildlife experience Responsible Travel This visit includes a contribution to the centre to help with its conservation efforts IMPORTANT INFO The guided walk is easy and manageable during all seasons

9 Explore Kalaw by foot Most people miss out on the beautiful town s colonial architecture as they simply use Kalaw as a base for experiencing the surrounding area Scenic train ride through the Shan Hills from Kalaw towards Inle Lake This 3 hour train ride is the most scenic way to arrive at Inle Lake Responsible Travel Most travellers journey between Kalaw and Inle Lake by private car, travelling by local train reduces the environmental impact IMPORTANT INFO No guide during train ride, arrival at Inle Lake is after dark so transfers only possible to hotels with road access because boats do not operate after sunset, train can be delayed

10 Fine dining in the middle of the lake Shan State is well-known for its delicious food so this culinary experience on the lake is the best way to enjoy a meal with a stunning backdrop Be served from a rowing boat Dine on a specially-designed boat for comfort with food arriving from a separate cooking boat by rowing boat Responsible Travel Locally-sourced ingredients and local staff are trained to deliver high standards IMPORTANT INFO Best value for money with groups

11 YANGON Social Enterprise Tour BAGAN Treasure Hunt for Kids MANDALAY The other Circular Train INLE Community Forest Tree Planting & Lunch Activity

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