MYANMAR · MYANMAR • BURMA • DISCOVER MYANMAR ... kingdom filled with archaeological sites ......

MYANMAR• B U R M A •

D I S C O V E R MYA N M A R, T H E H I D D E N G E M A N D L A S T F R O N T I E R O F A S I A

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A MIXTURE OF WONDROUS ancient pagodas, stunning

archeological sites, scenic landscapes of Himalayan foothills and pristine islands and beaches, combined with a unique and diverse culture of over 130 distinct ethnic groups are just a few reasons why a rapidly growing number of tourists are hurrying to explore Myanmar, one of the most undiscovered and charming countries in Asia. Due to decades of international sanctions and tourism boycott, which ended only in 2012, Myanmar has not changed

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for generations. Travelling around the country feels like you are going hundreds of years back in time. Most people in Myanmar still live the traditional way as farmers, without access to electricity, using ox carts to cultivate their fields and as a mean of transportation. Best of all, you will encounter different tribes with distinct cultures, customs and languages. No matter where you go, you will meet with friendly, engaging and humorous people that are happy to share their unique way of life with you.

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WHAT WE DOMyanmar continues to amaze us with numerous activities and places to charm both first-time and returning travellers. We have established TripBuilder out of our passion for this unique and off the beaten track country, the gem of Asia as we like to call it. We have been travelling extensively around Myanmar over the years and offer plenty of ways to explore its fascinating destinations. We organise tailor-made journeys designed with an absolute commitment to quality to give you the best and the most personal experience, tailored around your interests, budget and needs. In this brochure, you will find highlights of Myanmar, recommended accommodations and our favourite itineraries. We would be happy to help you experience the beauty of the country and introduce you to its embracing culture. Sunrise view atop a pagoda, Bagan

BAGAN Staggering vast plain filled with over 2000 ancient pagodas and temples

MRAUK UFormer capital of the ancient Arakanese kingdom filled with archaeological sites

NGAPALI BEACHTurquoise water and white sands in the country’s most idyllic palm-lined beach

YANGONDazzling Shwedagon Pagoda, country’s most wondrous structure and grand colonial architecture

MAWLAMYINEColonial-era architecture, islands and distinct Mon culture

GOLDEN ROCKMost sacred boulder covered with gold leaves by devoteesat the Kyaiktiyo Mountain

MYEIK ARCHIPELAGO800 islands of a pristine tropical paradise inhabited by unique Moken tribe

HSIPAWPopular base for hiking and trekking among steep, picturesque hills and tribal villages

INLE LAKEHome to leg rowing fishermen of Intha tribe, stilted houses and floating gardens

KALAWBritish-era hill station and the country’s trekking mecca

PYIN OO LWINFormer British hill town, home to Agape Orphanage

MANDALAYFormer royal capital surrounded by ancient cities

LOW SEASON (MAY-AUG) Monsoon starts at the end of May and lasts until the end of September. Bagan and Mandalay are relatively dry and can be visited all year round, including monsoon season.

SHOULDER (SEP & APR) September is a pleasant time to visit as the subsiding rains change the country to a vibrant green. April is a good time to visit; however, temperatures can reach 40ºC in some locations.

HIGH SEASON (OCT-MAR) The best time to visit with cooler temperatures across the country. Book accommodation and domestic flights well ahead for this busy travel period.

WHEN TO GO

MOUNT ZWEKABIN

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HPA-AN

NGWE SAUNG BEACH

PATHEIN

TWANTE

PYAY

LOIKAWNAYPYIDAW

SITTWE

MOUNT POPA

GOTEIK VIADUCT

MOUNT VICTORIA

MINDAT

KANPETLET

PINDAYA

KYAINGTONG

TACHILEK

TAUNGGYI

L ASHIO

MONYWA

MINGUN

MOGOK

MUSE

MYITKYINA

BHAMO

PUTAO

MOUNT HKAKABO RAZI

KAWTHAUNG

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CHAUNG THA BEACH

HEHO

INDAWGYI L AKE

MYEIK

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A G R E AT V I E W T O S TA R T T H E D AYEnjoy a remarkable bird’s eye view over one of the world’s most highly acclaimed ballooning spots.

HOT-AIR BALLOONING IN BAGAN Drift over thousands of pagodas in the ancient city of Bagan for a truly unique sunrise hot-air ballooning flight. The experience begins early in the morning with observing the crew inflating the giant balloons. A magical 45-minute fight will provide you with an unparalleled perspective over the sprawl of Bagan, from its vast plains filled with endless monuments to Ayeyarwady River and Arakan-Yoma Hills. There are three well-established ballooning companies offering flights in Bagan, of which the pioneer, Balloons over Bagan additionally offers transportation to the site in a pre-WWII Chevrolet buses. The other one, Oriental Ballooning also offers flights in Inle Lake, where you can admire a scenic mountain rigged lake with its stilt villages and leg rowing fishermen, in Mandalay with rides over the city’s iconic Royal Palace and U Bein Bridge, and in Ngapali Beach which allows you to fly over an unspoiled coastline of the Bay of Bengal. All balloons are UK-made and staffed with licensed and experienced pilots from Europe and Australia. The flights operate only in the dry season, from October to March.

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BAGAN, WITH OVER 2,000 ancient pagodas and temples,

is undeniably one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Dotted across arid plains of around 40 square kilometres, the temples were built between 11th and 13th centuries by ancient kings of Bagan who considered building new pagodas as a merit. The best way to explore the area is by taking the spectacular hot air balloon sunrise flight to enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view over the area. On foot, discover the most impressive and renowned Ananda and Dhammayangyi temples and enjoy a magnificent sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda, one of Bagan’s tallest temples. Get introduced to local culture and customs by visiting nearby villages and observing locals

on their daily routines and learn about their customs and way of life, passed down through generations.

MOUNT POPALocated just a short drive away from Bagan, Mount Popa is an extinct volcano rising to over 1,500 meters high. Mount Popa has played a significant role in Myanmar’s culture, religion and history for over 700 years. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. Learn about nats and nat worship with your guide as you climb the stairs of 777 steps to the top. The view over the surrounding plains from the top of the volcanic peak is extraordinary.

MINDATThis charming mountaintop town is a base for picturesque treks and varied hikes to surrounding ethnic villages where you may encounter face-tattooed Chin and Muun tribes. Located in the very heart of Chin State, just a few hours drive west of Bagan, it is one of the remotest, least developed and sparsely populated regions of Myanmar. The nearby Kanpetlet town is a starting point for climbs to Mount Victoria (Nat Ma Taung), Myanmar’s third highest summit of 3,053 meters that stands amid a vast and little-visited national park. The climb is rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and the mountain peak is a prime spot for bird watching. Best visited from November to February when the Chin Hills are covered with lush greenery. •

BAGANPAGAN

Mount PopaInside a temple, Bagan

Sunrise at Bagan

Novice monks collecting alms, Bagan


YANGON, STILL OFTEN known by its colonial name of

Rangoon, is a city of distinct cultures and architecture. It is filled with red-robed monks, gleaming pagodas and grand historical buildings, many of which have faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. The city is well known for its magnificent 2500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most spectacular religious shrine and an impeccable symbol of the country in which Buddhism dominates every aspect of life. Thanks to the diversity of ethnic groups living in the city, Yangon embodies a variety of cultures, cuisines and religions with numerous Hindu and Chinese temples, cathedrals, mosques and a synagogue. The city’s vibrant street life is filled with street-side stalls offering a selection of local and regional dishes, numerous teahouses crowded with chatting locals and open-air markets crammed with fresh produce.

GOLDEN ROCKOne of the most sacred places in the country, Golden Rock, a huge gold-covered boulder that is said to be held in place by a single strand of Buddha’s

hair, attracts large crowds of Buddhist pilgrims. The site also lures significant numbers of non-believers, attracted by the pagoda’s spectacular location high in the Eastern Yoma Mountains, hanged on its ledge above a jungle valley, seemingly about to plunge into the void.

MAWLAMYINE (MOULMEIN) The first capital of British Burma from1826 to1852, known then by its colonial name Moulmein, offers a unique combination of landscape, charm and history. Its stupa-covered hills, coastal port and neglected colonial architecture beautifully coexist with its diverse religious sites. It is no wonder that famous novelists George Orwell and Rudyard Kipling who once visited the city, fell in love with it. Reachable by a day drive from Yangon, the trip can be combined with Hpa-An, the capital of Kayin which is surrounded by picturesque limestone mountains filled with caves and gives you a rare insight into the cultures of Karen and Mon minorities. A nearby Mount Zwegabin offers a stunning view over the surrounding area and an optional overnight stay at a monastery. •Colonial building, YangonCircular train, Yangon

Shwedagon Pagoda at night, Yangon

Golden Rock

YANGONRANGOON


A SCENIC 22 KM LONG AND 11km wide lake, located in the

heart of Shan State and ringed by salient mountains, is one of the most charming places in Myanmar. Inhabited by self-sufficient Intha tribe which mastered a unique technique of leg rowing the lake, Inle is dotted with villages and houses built on stilts in the water and floating gardens that are movable afloat farms anchored to the lake’s bottom with bamboo poles. During your day on the lake, you will explore local villages that produce local crafts, learn about the traditional way of silk weaving, boat carving and cheroot rolling and watch blacksmith and silversmith on their daily routines. Inle Lake’s morning market, which rotates its location around the lake’s villages every five days and

Leg rower, Inle Lake

INLE LAKE A G R E AT WAY T O S P E N D T H E D AYExplore the lush nature of Inle Lake by visiting elephant valley or trekking in the surrounding hills.

GREEN HILL VALLEY Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, nestled in an enchanting natural valley with stunning landscapes, was set up to save and protect retired elephants and provide them with good care. By visiting the camp, you will not only spend a day with elephants in their natural habitat, walk, feed and bath with them but also learn about their daily routine directly from a mahout or elephant keeper. The camp offers a wide range of experiences, all socially responsible, aimed at improving the well-being of these giant animals.

TREKKINGInle Lake provides some of the country’s best trekking trails. As you walk along, you can enjoy scenic landscapes of hills and mountains dotted with rice paddies, cross rivers and pass by waterfalls and local hill tribe villages and observe their unique cultures. You might opt for one or two day trek with an optional overnight stay in a local house or at a monastery.

attracts villagers from surrounding areas, will allow you to encounter hill tribe people dressed in colorful, traditional outfits coming to sell and trade their wares and fresh produce. On the western banks of Inle Lake lies the remarkable Indein Complex, filled with hundreds of stupas and nestled in the hills surrounded by unique Pa-O tribe villages.

KALAWKalaw, a former British hill station located nearby Inle Lake, is an area perfect for walks and treks where you can discover numerous minorities living around the lake. Kalaw is well known for its pleasant climate and stunning landscapes that attracted the British to escape hot summers during their colonial rule. The city blends the influences of cuisines and cultures of Nepali Ghurkas, Indian Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims that arrived in Kalaw together with the British and settled there since then.

PINDAYASet around a picturesque lake, Pindaya is a tranquil town with a bustling market and spectacular views. Most visitors find themselves here for one reason alone - the impressive Shwe Oo Min Cave filled with thousands upon thousands of glossy Buddha statues. Pindaya is inhabited by local tribes of Danu and Pa-O well-known for their traditional colorful headdresses. •Long necked lady

Stilt houses, Inle Lake

Indein Village, Inle Lake


WITH OVER 8,000 KM OF navigable rivers, Myanmar

offers some of Asia’s greatest cruise journeys. Since ancient times, its most important and the legendary Ayeyarwady river has served as an essential route for millions. The country’s most important and historical cities, lush jungles, a wide collection of fascinating villages and archaeological sites are all situated along its banks. A journey by one of luxury cruisers offers a unique perspective on the country. Depending on the length of the trip you can visit both, highlights as well as lesser-known destinations, in five stars, teak-lined vessels. Short and long cruise journeys can be combined with inland itineraries. The cruises operate on a regular basis between October and April.

PAUKAN CRUISESA boutique hotel on the river with its timber-walled cabins and colonial furnishing offers suites, deluxe and superior rooms. There is also a spacious sun deck, observation lounge, restaurant, and massage rooms available on board. Paukan offers one and two nights cruises between Bagan and Mandalay.

BELMOND ROAD TO MANDALAYThe Belmond Road to Mandalay is a luxury cruiser that offers two, three, four and seven-night journeys between Mandalay and Bagan. On the top, you will find a spacious observation deck, dining rooms, bar and spa and also a swimming pool. The air-conditioned cabins are designed to reflect local style, blend tradition with complete luxury.

RIVER CRUISING

Road To MandalayBelmond Orcaella

Paukan Cruise

Sanctuary Ananda

SANCTUARY ANANDAThis luxurious all-suite ship will take you in style to less-visited destinations. On its three decks, you will find a sundeck with an outdoor pool, panorama lounge, spa, library and a fitness club. Sanctuary Ananda offers three, four, seven, ten and eleven-night journeys along Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers.

BELMOND ORCAELLAThe Belmond Orcaella, with its cabin’s floor-to-celling sliding doors and private balconies, provides a luxurious experience while gliding along Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers. The elegant four-deck cruiser offers a wide range of superior facilities including swimming pool, spa and fitness centre during three- to elven-night journeys. •

Paukan Cruise, Interior

U Bein Bridge, AmarapuraMANDALAY

Goteik Viaduct Mahagandayon Monastery, Mandalay


MANDALAY, A FORMER royal capital and Myanmar’s

second largest city, plays a key role as the country’s cultural and religious centre with over half of all Burmese monks living in its surroundings. Famous for its numerous handicraft workshops and art performances, Mandalay is centred around the reconstructed Royal Palace located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. The diversity of must-visit sites in the city includes the Mahamuni Temple, home to the country’s most revered Buddha image, covered daily by worshippers with multiple layers of gold leaves, Shwenandaw Monastery, the sole remnant of 19th century Golden Palace, the Jade Market, source of the world’s finest jades and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the World’s Biggest Book for its 729 text-inscribed marble slabs of Buddhist scripture, each housed in its own small stupa.

AROUND MANDALAYMandalay is just one of the four ancient capitals located a stone’s throw from each other, constituting the country’s densest concentration of historical and cultural sites. Sagaing, the oldest capital in the region, situated on the southern bank

of Ayeyarwady River, is dotted with hundreds of white-painted pagodas and monasteries that homed over 3,000 monks. Just on the opposite bank of the river, on a fortified man-made island, rests another ancient capital, Inwa with its impressive old teakwood Bagaya Monastery and the ruins of the Fort and the Royal Palace. Amarapura, the next Burmese capital that spreads around the Taungthaman Lake, is well known for its iconic U Bein Bridge, the longest and oldest teakwood bridge in the world. The bridge rests on over a thousand wooden piles standing above 6 meters high of the waterline in the dry season but is almost completely submerged during the monsoon.

PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO)Just a two-hour drive away from Mandalay, the former British hill station was established as a refuge from summer heats. Situated high in the hills, Pyin Oo Lwin is renowned for its cooler temperatures, lush greenery and a British feel. Numerous British brick and timber houses, colonial horse carriages roaming around the city, and the magnificent botanic gardens make you feel like Pyin Oo Lwin is still under the British rule. •

Royal Palace, Mandalay

Palm-lined Ngapali Beach


NGAPALI BEACH WITH ITS turquoise water, white sand

and unspoiled stretch of coastline is hailed as one of the world’s most stunning beaches. Tucked away in the western part of Myanmar, you can reach it by land or by air. The peaceful beach of Ngapali is isolated from the rest of the country by mountain ranges and offers a charming vibe of nearby fishing villages.

Ngapali is either the perfect place to cap off your holiday in the country or simply a stand-alone beach holiday. You can either lie on the beach and enjoy your mojito while adoring the palm-lined beach and

NGAPALI BEACH

Ngapali Beach Ngapali Beach

Fishing village, Ngapali Beach

the blue skies, or go island hopping and snorkelling, or simply enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters. If you feel like being adventurous, you can head to Gyeiktaw, the picturesque local fishing village, and feast your eyes on the colorful fishing boats and the vibrant atmosphere.

Last but not least, Ngapali Beach is a place of one of the most magical sunsets that you would ever experience. Tourists and locals alike start flocking to the beach during the golden hour to witness the glorious scene before retiring to either an authentic Burmese massage or fresh local seafood. Best to be visited from October to May. •

Snow-capped mountains, Putao

Kengtung, Golden Triangle


TRAVELLING TO THE OFF the beaten, most isolated

destinations in Myanmar is a once in a lifetime experience, but often requires a government travel permit that can be obtained with the help of our travel specialists.

MRAUK UMrauk U is a former capital of the ancient powerful Kingdom of Arakan that ruled over the surrounding area from 15th to 18th centuries. Its propitious location at the Bay of Bengal made it a regional trading hub and one of the richest cities in Asia. Merchants from all over the world were flocking to Mrauk U to settle there. However, after the Burmese Kingdom sacked the city in 1794, the population fled and Mrauk U fell into ruins. At present, the walls of the ghost-like city are filled with

Mrauk U

impressive ruins of countless stone-made sacral buildings – a sight that is especially striking in the mist early in the morning. The most breathtaking ruins are Shittaung, Htukkanthein and Kothanung temples and the former Arakanese capitals of Dhanyawadi and Waithali. Around Mrauk U, day-excursions along Lemro River offer a rare opportunity to visit Chin villages with its unique face-tattooed tribes. Although Mrauk U is the country’s second most famous archeological site, only a few foreign tourists venture there due to its remote and hardly accessible location. Mrauk U is only reachable by a four- to seven-hour boat ride along the Kaladan River or by road from Sittwe.

PUTAOMyanmar’s northernmost town is a

mountainous outpost reached only by a handful of foreign travellers. Perched in the foothills of the snow-capped Himalayas, Putao is a gateway to the hilly region sparsely populated by Kachin, Rawang and Lisu people. The town is ringed by mountains with its far northern horizon dominated by Mount Hkakabo Razi. Standing at 5,881m, it is Southeast Asia’s highest summit. Excursions from Putao range from two-day treks to close by Kachin villages, waterfalls and local beauty spots to multi-day whitewater rafting trips and the ten day round trip to the peak of Mount Phonkan Razi which is the region’s most accessible trekking summit at 3,630m. Putao is cut off from the rest of Myanmar and can be reached by irregular bi-weekly flights. Foreign tourists can access the area only with a government permit on pre-arranged.

GOLDEN TRIANGLEA hilly region that covers borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand was historically famous as the largest opium producing area in the world. Although the government of Myanmar has launched a vast campaign against poppy farming, small-scale plantations still occupy some mountainous, inaccessible parts of Eastern Shan State inhabited by Wa minority. Despite its poppy farming fame, the area’s peaceful, untouched landscapes, mist-shrouded mountains, lush jungles, scenic trek trails and tranquil views of the Mekong River have made it a major draw to adventurous travellers. The area is best reached by flying to Tachileik or Kengtung city, or by crossing an overland border with Thailand in Mae Sai. •Mekong River, Golden Triangle

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Macleod Island, Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago

A G R E AT C H A N C E F O R A U N I Q U E E N C O U N T E R If you are lucky enough, encounter one of Myanmar’s most isolated and fascinating tribes.

MOKEN SEA GYPSIESMyeik Archipelago is home to a unique indigenous minority who inhabit the islands, the Moken Sea Gypsies, who live a nomadic lifestyle in their handcrafted wooden boats. Around 3,000 Moken Sea Gypsies live off the abundant marine resources of the archipelago traversing between islands and fishing sites. They are best known for their extraordinary ability to free-dive to remarkable depths and hold their breath underwater to spear fish. The Mokens are isolated from the rest of the world, and though the Burmese government has made attempts to assimilate them many of them continue to wander around the islands as they have for centuries.


THE UNEXPLORED MYEIK (Mergui) Archipelago, made

up of more than 800 islands is a pristine tropical paradise and one of Myanmar’s most precious wonders. The islands in the Andaman Sea offer a wide range of gorgeous white-sand beaches as well as numerous water sports activities. No Wi-Fi or phone service in the islands means going off-grid from the hustle of life and is a perfect opportunity to fully experience the grandiose paradise. Due to its remote location and lack of tourism infrastructure, only a few tourists make it here. Located on the Macleod Island, Myanmar Andaman Resort is the only comfortable accommodation option.

SAILING TOURSMost visitors choose to explore the archipelago by yachts and cruises that allow them to visit remote and undiscovered islands with its pristine beaches and lavish snorkeling sites. The sailing tours start in Kawthaung, a port city on the southern tip of Myanmar, a gateway to the paradise. •

Diving at Myeik ArchipelagoMYEIKMERGUI

ARCHIPELAGO

White sand beach, Myeik ArchipelagoYacht dock, Myeik Archipleago


ACCOMMODATION IN MYANMAR

A colonial-style mansion built in 1920’s as a home to the ruler of Burma’s southern states, offers 49 fully restored rooms that combine Burmese tradition with contemporary luxury.

YANGON

BELMOND’S GOVERNOR RESIDENCE

Conveniently situated on the shores of Kandawgyi Lake, just a few minutes walk from Shwedagon Pagoda; the hotel offers colonial style guest rooms with a view over the lake or pagoda.

YANGON

CHATRIUM HOTEL ROYAL LAKE

Built in the Burmese style with beautifully decorated guestrooms, the hotel is located in the heart of Yangon and overlooks lush gardens, the Kandawgyi Lake and the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda.

YANGON

ROSE GARDEN HOTEL

Located in the heart of Bagan Archeological Zone just in front of the legendary Tharabar Gate, the hotel is set in lush gardens and surrounded by dozens of ancient pagodas and temples.

BAGAN

HOTEL@THARABAR GATE

All-bungalow resort with a fusion of classic Burmese design and contemporary decor, the Lodge offers a wide range of luxury facilities including two large and stylish swimming pools.

BAGAN

BAGAN LODGE

Situated on Ayeyarwady riverbank in Old Bagan, the hotel enjoys a beautiful view over the river and surrounding area. One of the oldest hotels in Bagan, which opened in 1922 for the visit of King Edward VIII.

BAGAN

BAGAN THANDE HOTEL


Set peacefully on the Eastern shore of Inle Lake, the resort with a traditional Burmese flair offers rooms decorated with elegant silk textiles, private balconies and impressive views of fields, mountains and the lake.

INLE LAKE

INLE PRINCESS RESORT

Situated on the shore of the lake, the deluxe boutique resort with spacious rooms tastefully decorated in Burmese-Asian style offers picturesque views of the lake from the rooms’ private balconies.

INLE LAKE

INLE LAKE VIEW RESORT

Set at the foot of Mandalay Hill and facing Royal Palace, the hotel offers a relaxed ambience and spectacular views. Its lavishly designed elegant rooms and superior facilities provide a luxurious experience.

MANDALAY

MANDALAY HILL RESORT

Located on the shore of Inle Lake, the resort combines a monastic architecture with a complete luxury. Its spacious top-end rooms and suites offer a great view over the lake and a unique tranquil ambience.

INLE LAKE

SANCTUM INLE RESORT

Facing the pristine Ngapali beach, the resort offers 60 luxury villas and cottages nestled among palms and coconut trees. The designed in traditional Southeast Asian style resort offers a stylish pool and a cinema.

NGAPALI BEACH

SANDOWAY RESORT

Situated in a quiet but central part of the city, the boutique hotel offers 25 cosy suites designed to reflect distinct styles of various ethnic groups and a stylish swimming pool set in pretty gardens.

MANDALAY

HOTEL BY RED CANAL

Situated on the beach in the picturesque garden, the hotel offers 70 elegantly furnished with polished teak and rattan furniture bungalows and rooms. The resort represents great value for money option and provides all modern facilities.

NGAPALI BEACH

THANDE BEACH HOTEL

Set right on the idyllic Ngapali Beach in a beautiful exotic garden, the boutique resort offers spacious rooms with a sea view and a great choice of amenities including swimming pool and a sunset beach bar.

NGAPALI BEACH

BAYVIEW BEACH RESORT

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YOUR HOLIDAY CAN BE CUSTOMIZED THE very way you want it to be, down to the smallest detail

around your taste and needs. The presented itineraries show only a few possible routes and every trip can be tailored depending on your interests and the length of your holiday. You can choose your own pace of travelling and style of accommodation. Get in touch with our travel specialist to start planning your trip.

TAILOR-MADE TRIPS

Yangon and Mandalay by having international airports are the main points of entry for international tourists. There are a few border crossings with Thailand and China, allowing more adventurous travellers to combine their trip to Myanmar with other countries. Border crossings with India and Bangladesh are restricted and require an official government permit.

ARRIVING IN MYANMAR

Poor and overstretched infrastructure and a sizable country make the air transport the most convenient and quickest way to move around. For shorter distances or places where flights are not available, private air-conditioned car is also a reliable option. For luxury travellers, multi-day river cruises are the most comfortable way to visit the highlights of the country.

GETTING AROUND

The best time to visit Myanmar is between October and March during the dry season and while the temperatures are lower. September turns the country green and is usually dry enough to make a pleasant trip. Monsoon season starts in late May and lasts until September however, some parts of Myanmar, particularly Bagan and Mandalay are relatively dry with short, heavy showers and can be visited throughout the year. A growing number of tourists chooses to travel during the raining season when the country is greener, hotel rooms are available and while there is a lower number of visitors at the main attractions.

WHEN TO GO

All foreign nationals (bar a few ASEAN countries) require a visa to visit Myanmar. Note that your passport must be valid for at least six months from your proposed date of arrival. Tourist visa typically lasts for 28 days from the date of entry. The government has recently introduced a tourist e-visa system, allowing visitors to apply for a visa online.

GETTING YOUR VISA

We offer trips in all price ranges depending on the length of the trip and the style of travelling and accommodation. Contact our travel specialists for more details on prices and a tailor-made itinerary.

PRICES

RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES 1 HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR 2 BEST OF MYANMAR

DAY 1 Arrive in Yangon and explore the splendid Shwedagon Pagoda

DAY 2 Fly to Bagan and enjoy sunset over ancient temples of BaganDAY 3 Explore Bagan’s temple complex and nearby villagesDAY 4 Fly to Mandalay and explore the main city’s attractions

including jade market and the Royal PalaceDAY 5 Visit former ancient cities of Inwa and Sagaing and walk

across U Bein Bridge, world’s longest teak wood bridge DAY 6 Arrive in Inle Lake and take a guided boat tour around

the lakeDAY 7 Visit the Indein Village with its stupa complex and observe

leg-rowing fisherman of Intha tribe on the lakeDAY 8 Fly to Yangon and explore colonial faded architecture and

influences of distinct culturesDAY 9 Depart Yangon

THIS TRIP IS A PERFECT INTRODUCTION FOR A FIRST-time visitor to Myanmar. Explore the main highlights of the country including colonial Yangon, ancient pagodas of Bagan,

where you can take a sunrise hot air balloon over the glorious archaeological zone, picturesque Inle Lake with its unique Intha tribe living in silted houses on the lake and ancient Mandalay. Optionally, extend your trip to Ngapali, an unspoilt white-sand idyllic beach on the west coast of the country.

NGAPALI BEACH

EXTEND YOUR TRIPIf time allows, wrap up your trip with a few additional days in pristine palm-lined Ngapali Beach.

INLE L AKE

YANGON

BAGAN

DAY 1 Arrive in Yangon and explore the colonial cityDAY 2 Fly to Inle Lake and take a guided tour around the lakeDAY 3 Visit the Indein Village and stilted villages with its floating

gardens located on the lakeDAY 4 Fly to Mandalay and visit the famous U Bein Bridge and the

ancient capital of InwaDAY 5 Drive to Pyin Oo Lwin, the former British hill station and

enjoy its superb botanic gardensDAY 6 Board the train to cross the scenic Goteik Viaduct and arrive

in HsipawDAY 7 Trek the local villages and observe local tribes and cultureDAY 8 Return to Mandalay and take a boat to MingunDAY 9 Fly to Bagan and enjoy most impressive ancient templesDAY 10 Take a sunrise balloon flight over the archaeological zone

and explore nearby villages on footDAY 11 Fly to Yangon and discover the mixture of its cultural and

religious sitesDAY 12 Depart Yangon

THIS ITINERARY COVERS ALL THE MOST IMPORTANT highlights of Myanmar extended to some undiscovered charms of the country. Explore colonial Yangon, ancient Bagan, picturesque

Inle Lake and Mandalay, as well as British influenced Pyin Oo Lwin and enjoy a scenic train ride in the steep hills across the Goteik Viaduct to Hsipaw. A few short drives are rewarded with fabulous views and close encounters with distinct local tribes.

EXTEND YOUR TRIPFly to Sittwe to discover the lost city of Mrauk U, a former capital of Arakanese Kingdom with its vast archaeological cities, its face-tattooed Chin tribes, and its breathtaking natural landscapes.

MRAUK U INLE L AKE

YANGON

BAGAN

SITTWE

HSIPAW

PYIN OO LWINMANDAL AY GOTEIK VIADUCT

MANDAL AY

M Y A N M A R • B U R M A24

INLE L AKE

YANGON

MINDAT

MOUNT VICTORIA

BAGAN INLE L AKE

YANGON

BAGAN

HPA-AN

GOLDEN ROCK

NGAPALI BEACH

MAWL AMYINE

AGAPE ORPHANAGE IN PYIN OO LWINAgape Orphanage is home to dozens of abandoned and orphaned kids who are well taken care of by its founder, Pastor Richard Khum. The orphanage has been established to give the kids both, a real home and a decent education despite the constant instability of the orphanage’s financial resources. We at TripBuilder decided to support Agape by donating a part of our profit and by encouraging our customers to visit the orphanage to volunteer and learn how they can get involved.

If you would like to learn more on how to help and support the children and the orphanage please contact the Agape Orphanage Children’s Home directly:

Agape Orphanage Children’s HomeNo. 285, Block 17, Lian Yake Ngeik StreetAnisakhan, Pyin Oo Lwin TownMandalay Division, MyanmarTel.: +95 9 4317 1832E-mail: [email protected]

3 ADVENTUROUS MYANMAR 4 SOUTHERN GEMS OF MYANMAR

DAY 1 Arrive in Yangon and visit Shwedagon Pagoda at duskDAY 2 Fly to Bagan and explore the most impressive of 2000

ancient temples and pagodasDAY 3 Transfer to the Chin Hills and admire scenic landscapesDAY 4 Discover Mindat with its distinct ethnic tribes of the

Muun and ChinDAY 5 Admire green valleys and steep mountains on your way to

KanpetletDAY 6 Take a morning climb to the top of Mount Victoria DAY 7 Explore ethnic villages on your way back to Bagan DAY 8 Take a sunrise balloon flight over plains of BaganDAY 9 Fly Inle Lake and transfer to Kalaw, the former British hill

stationDAY 10 Begin your two-day trek to Inle Lake with an overnight at a

native village with a local family or in a monasteryDAY 11 Continue the trek in the hills and villages of Pa-O tribe.

Reach Inle Lake and explore stilted villages and floating gardens

DAY 12 Maneuver by boat through long, scenic channels on the private boat tour around the lake

DAY 13 Return to Yangon and explore the British faded colonial architecture

DAY 14 Depart Yangon

THIS ITINERARY INCLUDES A JOURNEY INTO THE beautiful Chin Hills with picturesque villages, vibrant local

markets and distinct ethnic groups. Learn customs and traditions of the face-tattooed Chin and Muun tribes and enjoy a scenic trek between Kalaw and Inle Lake. A few walks, hikes and treks are rewarded with fabulous views and a chance to discover Myanmar at its most untouched.

EXTEND YOUR TRIPHead to unexplored Myeik (Mergui) Archipelago, located in the south of the country and composed of more than 800 islands. The pristine tropical paradise offers a great choice of unoccupied beaches as well as various water sports activities.

DAY 1 Arrive in Yangon admire the splendid Shwedagon PagodaDAY 2 Drive to the holy Golden Rock in Eastern Yoma

Mountains DAY 3 Arrive in Mawlamyine and explore British-era

architecture and unique Mon cultureDAY 4 Discover Hpa-An and meet various ethnic tribes while

climbing Zwekabin Mountain DAY 5 Return to Yangon and explore Yangon’s colonial sites and

local life on a circular trainDAY 6 Fly to Bagan and climb one of the highest ancient pagodas

for a stunning view over the surrounding plainsDAY 7 Explore the temples of Bagan and nearby villagesDAY 8 Fly to Mandalay and visit world’s oldest teak wood U Bein

BridgeDAY 9 Explore the ancient cities of Sagaing and InwaDAY 10 Arrive in Inle Lake and enjoy a guided boat tour around

the picturesque lakeDAY 11 Discover Indein village with its numerous stupas and

visit stilted villages of Intha tribe DAY 12-14 Fly to pristine Ngapali Beach for some leisure time and

relaxation DAY 15 Return to Yangon and explore influences of distinct

cultures and religionsDAY 16 Depart Yangon

THIS ITINERARY INCLUDES A TOUR OF THE less visited south of the country where you can explore Mon

and Kyin states and the unique way of life of their people. On the top of the country’s highlights, visit the sacred Golden Rock, colonial Mawlamyine and tribal villages of Hpa-An. The combination of culture, history, architecture, and beautiful landscapes makes this tour a very memorable experience.

EXTEND YOUR TRIPTake a three-day luxurious cruise from Bagan to Mandalay along Ayeyarwady river and visit local villages and historical sites along the way.

KANPETLET

MANDAL AY

D I S C O V E R MYA N M A R, T H E H I D D E N G E M A N D L A S T F R O N T I E R O F A S I A

MYANMAR · MYANMAR • BURMA • DISCOVER MYANMAR ... kingdom filled with archaeological sites ......

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Transcript of MYANMAR · MYANMAR • BURMA • DISCOVER MYANMAR ... kingdom filled with archaeological sites ......