Itinerary. hills of Kalaw and the breathtaking ancient temples of Bagan.

Transcription

1 Burma The Golden Land

2 Itinerary hills of Kalaw and the breathtaking ancient temples of Bagan. Our itinerary introduces you to the highlights of this Golden Land, using the expertise of local leaders accompanied by an HF Holidays leader to ensure that you experience the best of this charming country. Day 1: Depart UK Day 2: Arrive in Mandalay We arrive in Mandalay. A group transfer from the airport takes us to our accommodation. Depending on the time of our flight, we may have time to walk up Mandalay Hill, for views over the city and the plains beyond. Accommodation: Yadarnarpon Dynasty Hotel (2 nights) (Meals included: Day 3: Exploring the Mandalay Plains Quite unlike any land you know about was Rudyard Kipling s description of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. This Golden Land has fascinated travellers for many years and, since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, has been on the top 10 to do list for many travellers. Its popularity is understandable as this stunning country invites you to experience cultures and traditions little changed by the modern world, as well as a plethora of landscapes from the stunning shores of Inle Lake, to the lush This is a day of sightseeing with some short walks. We begin with a cruise along the Irrawaddy to ancient Mingun. Short walks here discover the history of the unfinished pagoda, a gigantic 90 tonne bell and Mya Thein Tan Pagoda. This afternoon we continue our journey into the Sagaing Hills. These hills are a retreat for Buddhist devotees and are dotted with over 500 monasteries which peek out from the greenery of the hillside. Paths connect the monasteries and monuments and we take a short walk along one of these delightful trails to explore some of the quieter temples. 2

3 On our return to Mandalay this evening we take a sunset stroll, crossing the 1.2km teak structure that is the iconic U Bein bridge. were constructed here. The remains of over 2,200 temples and pagodas still stand today, resulting in the area being put on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our first walk of the day winds its way through the flat plains, visiting temples, villages and farmland, finishing at arguably the most beautiful of the Bagan pagodas Ananda (5 miles/3km, flat walking, approx 3 hours). Day 4: To Bagan *An earthquake struck Myanmar in August 2016 and the epicentre was 120km from the ancient city of Bagan. Whilst 181 temples were affected in the earthquake, UNESCO officials were very quick to assess the damage, and it is very likely that any closures will be short term only. If necessary, your local guide will make any adjustments to the tour on the day. A morning flight takes us to Bagan, where we discover one of the world s richest archaeological sites, the main tourist attraction in Burma the Bagan Archaeological Zone. We explore this city of four million pagodas visiting several of its small villages and principal pagodas. This city was once the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan and, between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries We have time to rest after lunch as we wait for the day to cool a little. We then take a short sunset stroll, from Ananda, where we finished earlier, to Shwe-san-daw Pagoda to watch the sun set over the plains (1.5 miles/2.5km, flat walking, approx 1.5 hours). Accommodation: Tharabar Gate Hotel (3 nights) * flight schedules in Myanmar change frequently and often at the last minute. Please be prepared for changes to the domestic flight times. 3

4 Day 5: Around Bagan A morning visit to Nyaung Oo market to see a little of local life before we visit Shwe-zigon Pagoda and nearby Taungphee for village strolls. We enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant before returning to the hotel for some free time. If you wish to explore further independently, there are still many options cycles can be hired, or you can explore the area by horse and cart (payable locally); please ask your leader for information. In the late afternoon we take a short journey to the Golden Cuckoo, an area famous for its lacquerware workshops. We have time to observe the skill involved in making these ornate pieces before we begin our walk. This afternoon we walk to some of the lesser visited temples, getting off the beaten path, and crossing farmland to the temples of Kokthi-naryon, ending at Dhamma-ya-za-ka Zedi, where we enjoy the sunset (2.5 miles/4km, flat walking, approx 1.5 hours). They climb the 777 steps to the top to receive the blessing of the 37 Nats, the spirits that reside in the mountain. We walk from the resort to the monastery, with time to explore before returning to Bagan for the evening. Day 7: To Kalaw We take a morning flight to Heho, in the Shan highlands, and transfer to the cool, scenic rolling hillside of Kalaw. The countryside between Kalaw and scenic Inle Lake is home to minority villages, including communities of Palaung, Pa-O, Taungthu and Danu people. On arrival in Kalaw we begin our exploration straight away, with a walk through the rolling countryside and local villages of the Danu people. Day 6: Mount Popa Today, we travel to Mount Popa. This is the name for the monastery and also for the volcanic plug upon which the picturesque monastery was built. Mount Popa rises from plains surrounding it, to a height of 737m, and is a pilgrimage site for many Burmese people. Our walk offers us some fabulous views over the surrounding countryside and its limestone forested slopes, before finishing at the village of Myin Ma Ti, and its cave pagoda (6 miles/9.5 km, 525ft/160m ascent / descent). 4

5 *changes may be made to the walks in the Kalaw area depending on the weather conditions during your visit. Accommodation: Pine Hill Resort (2 nights) Day 8: Hill tribe villages around Kalaw We enjoy a day walk visiting villages of the Palaung, Taung yoo and Danu people. Our trail takes us through the hills with vistas of tea plantations, vegetable gardens and villages scattered through the hillside. We will take a picnic with us today so we can relax and enjoy the entire day outdoors. (7.5 miles/12km, 430ft/130m ascent). We return to Kalaw by bus. Day 9: To Inle Lake village of Mya Ni Khone and takes us away from the main touristy areas, through the villages of Yae Mell Pin, Khung Gyi, Min Chaung and Than Taung, before we reach our boat for the transfer to our accommodation (5.5miles/8km, little ascent/ descent). En route to our hotel our boat will take us on a tour of the lake. Inle Lake is 22km long and 10km wide, surrounded by lush greenery and marshes, and is the focal point of over 30 different hill tribes who come down from the surrounding hills to sell their produce at the daily markets. Watch out for the iconic sights of the leg-rowing fishermen, the floating gardens and the stilt-houses of the Innthar people, as we journey to our accommodation. Accommodation: Ann Heritage Lodge (2 nights), Inle Lake. Day 10: Exploring Inle Lake Our walk today will depend on the timetable of the local five day market. The market is not to be missed. All of the people from the various villages descend from the hills surrounding Inle to sell their fruit and vegetables. It makes an interesting stop for any photographer as many of the locals are in traditional dress. After breakfast we drive to Inle Lake. Our introduction to Inle Lake and the different ethnic cultures that live locally begins with an excellent walk to discover villages of the Innthar and Pa-O people. Our walk begins at the 5

6 Pagoda and Botataung Pagoda. Our finale will be a visit to the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner. We may visit the market in the morning and walk in the afternoon, or vice versa, this will depend on the location of the market on the day. Our walk is likely to be as follows: Our trail takes us to visit the quiet countryside surrounding the villages of That Lay, Phaung Daw Oo, Yae Thar, and Sel Mar, ending at Indein (4.5miles/7.5km, little ascent/descent). After lunch, we take a short walk to discover the 16th and 17th century ruins there. Accommodation: Sedona Hotel (1 night) Day 12: Departure day A leisurely morning before a group transfer takes us to the airport for our return flight home. (Meals included: breakfast) Day 11: To Yangon A short transfer back to Heho for our return flight to Yangon. Depending on our flight time, we may have time to take a walking tour of Yangon, taking in some of the city s most famous sights including the faded grandeur of some of the city s colonial buildings such as the City Hall, the old railway station, the High Court, the Minister s building, St Mary s cathedral, and Customs House, and the city s stunning religious buildings such as Sule 6

7 Ngapali Beach Optional Extension Days 12-14: fly to Thandwe, where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in Ngapali Beach. Please note there will be no HF Holidays leader nor local leader accompanying you on this extension to the tour. Ngapali is a small fishing town set on the white sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal. Its palm fringed beaches, framed by a mountain backdrop, provide the perfect escape. The accommodation we have selected is 4-star, offering comfortable en-suite rooms and excellent locations. Your extension is on a B&B basis to allow you the flexibility to choose where you wish to eat in the evenings. We have selected hotels which meet our standards and we check availability with them at the time of your request. Your time in Ngapali is free to relax or to explore some of the local villages in the area. Day 15: fly back to Yangon, where you have time to explore more. Your final night will be in the Sedona Hotel. Day 16: transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Day 17: arrive in the UK. 7

8 Accommodation Stay in comfortable 3 to 5-star hotels, all with en-suite rooms. Most hotels have swimming pools. In the hill station of Kalaw we stay in a simple but clean and comfortable guesthouse. Service can be relaxed but the welcome, warmth and the charm of Myanmar will win you over. Yadanarpon Dynasty (2 nights) Mandalay Comfortable, air-conditioned, en-suite rooms make this hotel a good place where we can relax after our flight. The hotel is centrally located, but on one of the quieter streets, and has a rooftop café with fantastic views. yadanarpondynastyhotel.com Tharabar Gate Hotel (3 nights) Bagan with an oasis of calm in the pinecloaked hillside. The clean, comfortable rooms are simply furnished. The architecture reflects the area s history as a colonial hill station. Ann Heritage Lodge (2 nights) Inle Lake Set right on the lake shore, with comfortable en-suite rooms, this hotel has been lovingly built with attention to even the finest detail. The architecture is the traditional style of the local area and there are stunning views from the restaurant here as you overlook the lake at sunset. Sedona Hotel (1 night) Yangon The 5-star newly renovated Sedona Hotel is in 8 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, and just 20 minutes from the city centre. It is close to the Shwedagon Pagoda and Inya Lake and, with comfortable bedrooms, is an excellent place to relax. The hotel has a swimming pool. The 4-star Tharabar Gate Hotel is located in Old Bagan, and offers airconditioned comfortable rooms, all with telephone, TV, and in-room safe. Pine Hill Resort (2 nights) Kalaw A short walk away from the centre of Kalaw, the Pine Hill Resort provides us 8

9 Before your holiday We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. All details correct at time of writing (July 2016). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel +44 (0) or +44(0) ( from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0) Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call and quote HX031 or book online at Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking sandals/flip flops (shoes that can be easily taken on and off at temples Walking socks Lightweight fleece Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Sun hat Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, plasters, blister kit, painkillers, 9

10 antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars, swimming costume and towel. Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 20kg). Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended departure date. Visas are required for UK, Australian, Canadian and USA passport holders, but e-visas can be obtained before travel. Please go to Current cost of the tourist visa is $50. Other nationals should check with their nearest embassy or consulate for details of entry requirements. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit or Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus vaccinations are recommended. Malaria and Rabies prevention is sometimes recommended too. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/ consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, 10

11 please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport. They will assess the damage and in some cases the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if settlement cannot be reached. In many cases baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Your leader or local leader will assemble the group in the arrivals hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for 11

12 you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0) They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, the leader will retrace their steps to find you Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on 911 or 999. Please then call our emergency number (see page 9) and let us know there is a problem. Tipping Tips have been included in your holiday price for key services such as local guides/ driver/restaurants. Any additional tips are at your own discretion. Tips are not included for the extension to Ngapali. Climate Myanmar s climate can be described as a tropical monsoon climate with three main seasons. The hottest period is between February and May, with little or no rain. Rainy season is generally from May to October, with dry, cooler weather from October to February. Local currency & money matters Kyat (K), pronounced chat. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. ATMs are few and far between but they can be found in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan, accepting Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus cards. In rural areas it is unlikely that credit or debit cards will be accepted. Traveller s cheques are not advised. US dollars are the easiest currency to exchange; please ensure that notes are new, clean and with no tears otherwise they won t be exchanged. Suggested reading and maps 2014 Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) Aung San Suu Kyi Letters from Burma Rory MacLean Under the Dragon Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop 12

13 Electricity 220V, round 2 pin plugs Group size Maximum group size 19 guests plus HFH leader Time difference GMT/UTC +6.5 hrs HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 13