- Myanmar explored, Laterally - Because I ve always wanted to...
KEY A - YANGON B - MANDALAY C - MOUNT POPA D - BAGAN E - INLE LAKE F - NGAPALI BEACH
In a Nutshell... Flights Day 1, - Fly Singapore to Yangon, connect onwards to Mandalay. 2 nights at Mandalay Hill Resort. Day 2, - Exploring Mandalay, Amarapura and Ava. Day 3, - Journey to Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin). 1 night at the Governor s House. Day 4, - Fly to Bagan and drive to Mount Popa. 1 night at Popa Mountain Resort. Day 5, - Drive to Bagan and sightseeing. 2 nights at the Bluebird Hotel (complimentary basis). Day 6, - Sightseeing in Bagan. Day 7, - Fly to Heho, drive to Kalaw and Inle Lake. 2 nights at Myanmar Treasure Resort. Day 8, - Inle Lake sightseeing. Day 9, - Fly to Thandwe and transfer to Ngapali beach. 5 nights at Amata Resort & Spa. Day 10-13, - Days at leisure on Ngapali beach. Day 14, - Fly to Yangon. Afternoon sightseeing. 1 night at The Strand Hotel. Day 15, - Morning sightseeing. Afternoon flight to Singapore. Date Airline & Flight Number From Departs To Arrives Class SQ998 SINGAPORE 0755 YANGON 0920 ECON 6T807 Air Mandalay 6T502 Air Mandalay W9141 Air Bagan W9141 Air Bagan W9011 Air Bagan YANGON 1145 MANDALAY 1310 ECON MANDALAY 1550 BAGAN 1620 ECON BAGAN 0805 HEHO 0845 ECON HEHO 0900 THANDWE 1000 ECON THANDWE 1025 YANGON 1115 ECON SQ997 YANGON 1025 SINGAPORE 1425 ECON
Your Suggested Itinerary... Day 1, - Fly from Singapore to Mandalay, via Yangon. Depart early from Singapore for a direct flight to Yangon. In Yangon you will be welcomed and transferred to the domestic terminal for a connecting flight to Mandalay. You will be welcomed by a laterallife representative at the airport upon arrival in Mandalay and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, the orientation of Mandalay starts with a visit to the Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery) noted for its exquisite wood carvings and Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned as the World s largest book for its 729 stone slabs containing the entire Buddhist scriptures. Late in the afternoon, take the elevator to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and palace under the rays of the setting sun. Return to your hotel in the evening. Relax and enjoy your stay with a drink in Kipling s bar. Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort, Executive Suite. Meals: None. Day 2, - Mandalay, Amarapura & Ava Today sightseeing starts with a visit to the Mahamuni pagoda & its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layer of gold leaf donated by thousands of devout Buddhists over many years. Continue your sightseeing by driving to the 18th century Amarapura. The highlight is the visit to the Mahagandayone monastery - the largest in the country, home to more than a thousand monks. At the same time, learn about the religious atmosphere of the country. It is spectacular and impressive to see the whole monastery taking their one daily meal, in silence. Stroll around the town and visit a silk weaving workshop to observe the ancient techniques, fabrics and traditional patterns which have been used for the royal families for many centuries. From Amarapura, board a short boat ride to Ava, the ancient capital of Northern Myanmar. Here, horse-drawn carriages are still the favoured means of transport which will bring you to Nan Myint Tower (the leaning tower of Ava), Maha Aungmye Bonyan monastery and Bagayar monastery which is famous for its 267 intricately carved teak posts. Continue to U Bein Bridge which is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km is the longest teakwood span in the world. Enjoy the beauty of the place by walking along the bridge or strolling in Sampan. Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort, Executive Suite.
Day 3, - Journey to Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) In the early morning, leave the central plain of Mandalay for a day trip to Pyin U Lwin (a former British Hill Station), 42 miles away from Mandalay. The town was originally named Maymyo after the British Colonel May who established the town s beautiful botanical gardens built by Turkish prisoners of war during WWI. The narrow winding road climbs up the slopes of the fertile Shan plateau. At 1040 meters above sea level, Pyin U Lwin offers a pleasantly cool climate. Around Pyin U Lwin, farmers grow coffee, cotton, fruits, vegetables and flowers of all colours. Highlights are: the morning vegetable market, the Purcell tower, which was a present from Queen Victoria, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Botanical Garden. This evening, stroll around the lake by old fashioned horse drawn carriage to admire the Victorian style houses (this is optional and you can choose to wander on foot). Tonight you stay at the Governor s House on the edge of Maymyo town. Accommodation: The Governor s House, Presidential Suite. Day 4, - Journey to Mount Popa This morning you will be transferred back to Mandalay for a flight to Bagan, the most famous site in Myanmar where thousands of stupas and pahtos (temples) stand. Upon arrival, your journey continues to Mt. Popa, a couple of hours scenic drive away. Mt. Popa is the core of an extinct volcano last active 250,000 years ago and is known to be home to Myanmar s most powerful Nats (Burmese ancient animist spirits). Accommodation: Popa Mountain Resort, Taung Kalat View Room. Day 5, - Mount Popa & Bagan Visit Mt. Popa. The stunning countryside view over the Myingyan Plain from the top of the volcanic cone (Popa Taung Kalat), 1,000 metres above the flatlands, makes a most fascinating trip (climbing to the top is optional! 777 steps). From Popa, you will be driven to Bagan. On the way, observe the natives collecting juices from the palm trees and their palm sugar making technique as well as palm wine. Arrive at Bagan. Your discovery of the most impressive temple complex in the world starts in Old Bagan where the most beautiful temples are revealed. Ananda temple is one of the finest in architecture, size and preservation with its four standing Buddha images and huge carved teak doors. Ananda Ok Kyaung one of the few surviving brick monastery buildings from the Early Bagan period and Dhammayangyi temple where the mortar-less brickwork is best appreciated on the upper terraces.
Later this afternoon, a horse-cart ride will take you through one of the plains to watch the sunset from the upper terraces of one of the temples. Accommodation: Bluebird Hotel, Deluxe Room. Day 6, - Bagan After breakfast at the hotel, visit Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawrahta, later to become a prototype of virtually all later Myanmar stupas. Continue to Wetkyiin- Gubyaukgyi a 13th century caved temple with interesting fine frescoes of scenes from the Jataka, and the refined Htilominlo temple which is known to be the last Myanmar style temple built in Bagan. If time permits, you may like to stop by a lacquer-ware artisan s workshop, which is a traditional craft in Myanmar. After lunch, you will be driven to the jetty to board a private riverboat to journey up river towards Kyauk Gu U Min. This area on the eastern side of the river offers a wonderful insight to life on the water as you observe the fishermen, riverside villages and views of the temples of Bagan. Spend time strolling around the traditional Sae Lan Village, which borders the Irrawaddy River. Continue by boat to Kyauk Gu U Min which is a beautiful temple and cave built against the side of a cliff with exquisite stone carvings depicting religious figures and flowers. Inside the cave, there are several small niches where locals come to practise meditation and legend states that the cave was built during the 13th century for the Burmese to hide from the Mongols. Later this afternoon, return by boat to Bagan and enjoy the sunset from the mighty Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwaddy) River; relax and sip a local tea. Accommodation: Bluebird Hotel, Deluxe Room. Day 7, - Journey to Kalaw & Inle Lake Early this morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Heho in Shan State. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Kalaw, a former British Hill Station which sits high on the Western edge of the Shan Plateau at 1,350 metres above sea level. Kalaw is a calm and charming town and home to 5 major ethnic groups - Pa O, Palaung, Danu, Taungyo and Padaung. In town, visit the old military tombstones before continuing to Inle Lake, passing through picturesque landscapes and observing the Pa- O and Danu women in their traditional dresses. Arriving at Nyaung Shwe village at the northern end of the lake, a traditional longboat will transfer you to Inle Lake and your hotel for the next 2 nights. Accommodation: Myanmar Treasure Resort, Presidential Suite.
Day 8, - Inle Lake Start your unforgettable private boat tour on the Lake taking you to the islands and lakeshore villages to see the floating gardens, water hyacinth, the unique leg-rowing technique of Intha, colourful floating markets and more. Visit the orphanage at the tiny village of Mine Thauk on the Eastern side of the Lake and where the children are keen to greet you and share their stories. From the village, you will be taken to a delightful spot for lunch in the middle of the lake. This afternoon journey to the beautiful Indein Canals which are located in the Southwest of Inle Lake. You will visit the home of a Padaung tribe family and observe the women who wear brass rings around their necks, arms and legs to remind them of their ancestry to the nagas (mystical dragon/snake). Accommodation: Myanmar Treasure Resort, Presidential Suite. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch. Day 9, - Journey to Ngapali Beach Take an early morning flight from Heho to Thandwe and transfer to beautiful white-sand Ngapali Beach, a place to discard your watch and succumb to the natural flow of time as you float in the warm waters of the Bay of Bengal. The beauty of the scenery might inspire you to do nothing more than relax under a shady palm tree. More active options include cycling to the nearby villages of Myabyin and Kyaukkyi, where you can watch fishermen haul their catch to shore (optional). Peaceful evenings can be spent watching the sun go down and the stars come out over the Bay of Bengal as you feast on delicious seafood caught fresh from the ocean. Accommodation: Amata Resort & Spa, Two Cabana Cottages. Day 10-13, - Ngapali at Leisure Enjoy the sea, sun and sand swimming, snorkelling or leisurely strolls along the beach or board a boat to explore the offshore islands or rent a bicycle for a trip to the fishing villages and colourful markets nearby (the services are available locally). Accommodation: Amata Resort & Spa, Two Cabana Cottages. Day 14, - Journey to Yangon In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Yangon. Your sightseeing tour by Elephant Coach of the Garden City of the East begins with a visit to tranquil Kandawgyi Lake and the Karaweik Hall a royal floating barge then onwards to visit Chauk Htat Gyi, the colossal reclining Buddha. If time permits, visit Bogyoke Aung San market (formerly Scott Market), where you can find a wide range of handicraft shops, gems and local jewellery. Continue to the colonial quarters around Sule Pagoda on a walking tour and discover a unique charm of Yangon
with its old colonial architecture and Chinatown district. End your day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda which towers over all of Yangon. It is perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia. It rises 98 metres above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. The pagoda platform holds a dazzling array of shrines where devotees gather to meditate, make offerings and meet friends. It is a vibrant, life-changing atmosphere that illustrates the essence of Buddhist culture in Myanmar - a fitting end prior to your departure flight home. Accommodation: The Strand Hotel, Two Deluxe Suites. Day 15, - Departure to Singapore This morning is at your leisure prior to a transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Singapore. Marina Bay Sands offers a complimentary shuttle transfer to/from the airport. The Bus operates from 0600-2300hr and runs half-hourly. Accommodation: Marina Bay Sands, One Club Room with additional bed. Day 16, - Singapore Day at leisure in Singapore. Accommodation: Marina Bay Sands, One Club Room with additional bed. Day 17, - Departure to the UK Take the hotel shuttle to the airport for your departure flight to the UK. - - - - - - -
Laterally sleeping... Mandalay Hill Resort, Mandalay Mandalay Hill Hotel is located on the edge of Myanmar s small second city, close to the hill of the same name which is an ideal spot to enjoy sunset. Rooms are spacious but standard in décor and although the style inside could do with a little modernising, the staff go out of their way to help all guests and the Kipling Lounge bar is a wonderful place to spend an evening, often complimented by music and a live band. Other facilities include an outdoor pool, garden theatre and Chinese restaurant. www.mandalayhillresorthotel.com Executive Suite: www.mandalayhillresorthotel.com/www/room.php?room_id=14 Governor s House, Maymyo Located 1,000 metres above sea-level, Maymo is a cool hill station retreat from the plains of Mandalay. Here the Governor of Burma chose his getaway from the lowlands and the hotel takes its name from this bygone era. The hotel and grounds is a recreation of the former Governor s Residence and provides a traditional décor in luxurious private bungalows. The stunning presidential suite benefits from a private swimming pool together with a separate lounge. www.aureumpalacehotel.com/index-pyinoolwin.html Presidential Suite: www.aureumpalacehotel.com/pyinoolwin-accomodation.html Mount Popa Resort, Mount Popa Popa Mountain Resort rests on the steep sided peak of Mount Popa, around 50 minutes scenic drive from Bagan Airport. Popa features 30 Deluxe and 20 Superior rooms. All offer great views, either of the garden or of Taungkalat hill and the monastery. Each teak and stone villa blends in with the natural surroundings in a serene environment enjoyed from the private terraces. Sagawa Restaurant makes for a scenic dining experience and provides both local and international fare. http://myanmartreasureresorts.com/index-popa.htm Taungkalat View: http://myanmartreasureresorts.com/accommodation-popa.htm Bluebird Hotel, Bagan The newest boutique hotel in the region, Bluebird is located in the peaceful village of New Bagan, where traditional lifestyles are still the norm. The small town, just a short walk from the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, is also home to a colourful morning market as well as numerous laquerware shops and restaurants. The 24 deluxe rooms and light and spacious with minimalist furnishing and luxurious bathrooms (some with outdoor shower). Facilities include a tranquil pool and the Spice Garden restaurant. www.bluebirdbagan.com Deluxe Room: www.bluebirdbagan.com/room.htm
...sleeping Laterally Myanmar Treasure Resort, Inle Lake Treasure Resort s magical location on the shores of the lake, combined with the traditional architecture and boutique feel ensure a relaxing stay in one of Myanmar s highlight destinations. The air-conditioned cottages offer space and comfort in extensive gardens and the terrace bar is a great place to watch the Inle sunset. www.myanmartreasureresorts.com/index-inle.htm Presidential Suite: www.myanmartreasureresorts.com/accommodation-inle.htm Amata Resort & Spa, Ngapali Beach Amata Beach Resort stretches along the shoreline of beautiful Ngapali Beach, nestled in 5 acres of tropical gardens with panoramic views over the Bay of Bengal. Designed by an established New York architectural firm, Amata Resort is an elegant amalgamation of modern touches with traditional Asian elegance. The 14 Cabana Cottages afford two stories of expansive living space surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. There are plentiful activities from gentle beach walks, plunging into the shallow waters for a refreshing swim or sailing, windsurfing or kayaking. Facilities include a pool, Spa, gym, tennis courts, a lounge bar and restaurant. www.amataresort.com Cabana Cottage: www.amataresort.com/cabana-cottage.html The Strand, Yangon Dating back to 1901, the Strand stands as an iconic landmark building on Strand Road and close to the waterfront. The hotel's Victorian influence is visible from the grand entranceway to the marble floors inlaid with teak and elegant chandeliers. There are 31 spacious suites located on the two upper floors which are attended by a team of butlers. The Strand Grill is one of the city s finest dining venues for Asian and Western cuisine while the Strand Cafe with its large windows looking out onto Strand Road creates an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of the hotel's historic past. www.ghmhotels.com/en/strand-myanmar/home/#home Deluxe Suite: www.ghmhotels.com/en/strand-myanmar/home/#deluxe-suite
Laterally thinking... Bon Appétit Tea Leaf Salad (La Phet Thote) is a traditional Burmese dish. If you order this in a restaurant it will generally be presented with the ingredients separated on the plate and the waiter will mix it at the table, similar to a traditional Caesar salad. In addition to the pickled tea leaves, the salad's other ingredients are usually presented in small, individual piles that surround the tea. Common ingredients include peanuts, lentils, tomatoes, fried garlic and sunflower seeds. Traditions Inle s most unusual feature is its extraordinary 'one-legged fishermen', who have developed an original, eccentric method of rowing with one leg. With the other, they balance precariously on the back of their sampans, leaving their hands free to drop their tall conical nets over passing fish, which they can spot in the shallow lake. Another of Inle s unusual claims to fame is its floating gardens, which are built-up from strips of water hyacinth and mud, dredged from the lake bed, which breaks down into a rich humus; it take 50 years to produce a layer one metre thick. Historically Born in 1945 in Yangon, Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of Aung San who founded the modern Burmese army and negotiated Burma's independence from the British Empire in 1947; he was assassinated by his rivals in the same year. She has spent 15 of the past 21 years under house arrest and on 12 November 2010, days after the juntabacked party Union Solidarity and Development Party won the elections which were conducted after a gap of almost 20 years, the junta finally agreed to sign orders allowing Suu Kyi's release. Her house arrest term came to an end on 13 November 2010. The People Home to various ethnic groups from neighbouring countries, Myanmar is also home to a mix of hill tribes such as the Padaung, Akha, Kayaw and Lisu. The Akha tribe is one of the more frequently seen Burma hill tribes. Most of the people in the tribe indulge in sewing clothes. The Akha tribe s village is well known for their great wooden gates that have been carved with intricate designs and have guardian spirits to look over them. Interestingly, this is one of the only hill tribes that harvest narcotics however they only do so because their ancestors used to harvest them too.