Myanmar Volunteer Adventure · Myanmar Volunteer Adventure 19th May - 1st June 2019 Stand in awe at...

Myanmar Volunteer Adventure 19th May - 1st June 2019

Stand in awe at the sight of the glittering

Shwedagon pagoda in the capital Yangon

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Move away from the usual tourist trail

and help with education projects at a

monastic centre and nunnery school

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Explore the canals and communities

around Inle Lake by longboat

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Marvel at U Bein Bridge, Amarapura and

a sunset from Mandalay Hill

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Create your own adventure with an e-

bike exploration of the temples of Bagan

Join us in May 2019 for this unique adventure

into mystical Myanmar.

So, what makes it unique? No e3 Global

Adventure can ever be called ordinary! Every

single adventure is different and we specialise

in offering experiences which you will not find

on any other travel companies itineraries!

Forget the usual tourist experience and see this

amazing country from a different perspective.

You will spend a day helping to improve living

facilities for young Shan monks at a monastic

centre in Twante and another assisting at a

nunnery school in the Hmawbi district. Visit a

women’s empowerment project in Bagan,

support hospitality training centres in Yangon

and Bagan and a community training initiative

in Inle.

You won’t miss out on the stunning must-see

sights either! Make the most of superb sunsets

at U Bein bridge, Mandalay Hill and from the

top one of the breath taking temples of Bagan.

Cruise Inle Lake discovering a different way of

life with lakeside communities and local

markets.

Inspiring….fulfilling….adventure..!

e3 Global ….. …. Adventures..!

Myanmar Volunteer Adventure

Welcome to Yangon. Here we meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we will

enjoy a walking tour of Yangon including a visit to Sule Pagoda, a 2000 year old golden temple which

serves as the city’s primary traffic circle. Then it’s on to experience our first encounter with a Burmese

institution - the nearby Thone Pan Hla teahouse. This evening we will have dinner at charity restaurant

LinkAge (D).

Today we begin our tour in earnest. After breakfast we head to the giant (65m)reclining Buddha at the

Chaukhtatgyi Paya before visiting the jewel in the crown of Yangon temples—the Shwedagon Paya . This

stunning temple is visible from almost anywhere in Yangon and is regarded as one of Buddhism’s most

sacred sites. Of particular note is the 100m high zedi (tower), adorned with 27 tons of gold leaf and

thousands of gemstones. From here it’s time to see more of the sprawling city of Yangon by train! The 32

mile Yangon Circle Line is not the fastest moving locomotive but it does give you the chance to see the

’real’ Yangon! We will hop off at Insein station en route to visit a bustling local market. Here we will have

the chance to pick up some supplies for our projects before enjoying an evening walking tour of the old

part of Yangon. (B)

Today we head to our first volunteer project at the Dama Thu Kha School in Twante - around two hour’s

drive out of Yangon. This school offers education for young monks, ranging in age from 7 to 13 years, as

well as a few lay children but struggles to provide students with adequate facilities. Our role will be to

assist in the building of additional facilities. Here we will work alongside some of the older students

assisting with bricklaying and other building tasks. Whilst we work together we will have the chance to

learn a little about these young men - their beliefs and aspirations. Just before midday we will join the

monks for lunch before leading some sports activities in the afternoon. On the return trip to Yangon we

will visit Twante pottery area and, specifically, the grassroots UNICEF Thirst Aid project. If we have time in

the afternoon we may have the chance to visit China Town and a Tao Temple before enjoying dinner at

one of the many restaurants in the city. (B,L)

Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Heho—gateway to Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake and

transfer to our hotel. This morning we will be working at the Inle Speaks project operated by Norwegian

NGO Partnership for Change. Our role will include supporting English language skills for local

entrepreneurs and business operators and, perhaps, some tree planting for their environmental program

as well. If time permits in the afternoon we have the option of enjoying a bike ride or trek to Maing Thauk

hilltop forest monastery to view a stunning sunset over the Inle area. (B)


Detailed Itinerary and Trip Notes

Day 1 Arrive Yangon, transfer to hotel Sunday 19th May 2019

Day 2 Yangon tour - Shwedagon, Circle Train Monday 20th May

Day 3 Project day - Dama Thu Kha School, Twante Tuesday 21st May

Day 4 Fly to Heho - transfer to Nyaung Shwe for Inle Lake Wednesday 22nd May


Prepare for a full day on Inle Lake today! We transfer to our fastboats which will take us on to the Lake

where we will view the floating vegetable gardens and the world renown leg rowing fishermen, as well as

visiting various cottage industries including weaving collectives. Continuing our journey we visit the

ancient site of Inthein. A narrow canal takes us to the site where over a thousand weather beaten zedi

remain, some leaning at remarkable angles. Other stops on our journey include the Phaung Daw Oo

Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Here five ancient Buddha images have been

transformed into unrecognisable blobs through the addition of multiple layers of gold leaf. (B)

Today is a free day in the charming market town of Nyaung Shwe. There is much to see in this area -

perhaps hire a bike and ride out to the local winery, explore other communities around the lake, enjoy a

hike through the hills or simply enjoy the chance for a quiet day of relaxing in one of the many cafes and

restaurants around the town. The pace is slow and the vibe is relaxed so it’s the perfect place to kick back

and take stock of your adventures so far! (B)

It’s time to say goodbye to Nyaung Shwe as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Mandalay. After

checking into our hotel and enjoying a local lunch we travel by bus to Amarapura where we visit the

sprawling Mahagandayon Monastery of Buddhist studies. At sunset we visit one of Burma’s most

photographed sights - U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. At this time of day the locals

come out in force to enjoy the spectacle as much as the tourists! Hire a boat to get the best angle for

photos or just ponder the moment from a spot on the bridge. An unforgettable sight! (B)

The city of Mandalay awaits today as we prepare for a full day of sightseeing. Over the course of the day

we will visit the Mahamuni Paya - home to a 13 foot tall seated Buddha covered in a 15 cm layer of pure

gold and believed to be over 2000 years old. We will also visit the jade market, tapestry workshops, the

gold-pounders district which produces gold leaf, marble carving workshops and bronze statue foundries.

Other sites visited today include the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery, Kuthodaw Paya (also

known as the World’s Biggest Book), Sulamani Pagoda and the Royal Mandalay Palace. This evening we

enjoy the sunset view of Mandalay from Mandalay Hill along with many locals. Indeed, local students and

young monks head to the Hill each evening to practice their English conversation skills with tourists. (B)



Day 5 Explore Inle Lake by fastboat Thursday 23rd May

Day 6 Free day in Nyaung Shwe Friday 24th May

Day 7 Fly to Mandalay - Amarapura, sunset at U Bein Bridge Saturday 25th May

Day 8 Explore Mandalay Sunday 26th May




Day 9 Fly to Bagan Monday 27th May

Today is an easy day for us as we head to the airport for the short flight to Bagan, home to over 3000

Buddhist temples over a vast plain. After settling in to our hotel we will visit the market at Nyaung U.

There’s lots on offer here from clothes and lacquerware, cast bronze and local foodstuffs - a great

opportunity to pick up some gifts or souvenirs. Now it’s time for a great fun adventure to begin! Those

who are keen can hire an electric bike (e bike) to use as transport between temples. This is a great way to

explore the area and gives you the opportunity to move between the towns of Nyaung U, Old and New

Bagan with ease. Later this afternoon we will visit a local social enterprise M’Boutik which is a womens

empowerment project run by Action Aid. We will visit the shop which displays and sells handicrafts from

local ‘dry zone’ women and hear from one of the volunteers who works there. It is a great chance to learn

a little about the hardships faced by some of the local communities but also what is being done to

support them out of poverty. This evening you are free to explore more of the area or simply enjoy a

relaxing evening and a cocktail by the pool at our hotel. (B)

It’s back on to the e-bikes today and our guide will ensure that we see the best that the Temples of Bagan

have to offer. We will stop at a number of temples including Shwezigon, Htilominlo, Ananda, Thabinnyu,

Dhammayangyi before enjoying sunset at the Shwesandaw Pagoda. We also call in to Myinkaba Village

along the way to observe the making of traditional lacquerware. Feel free to explore the temples as much

as you wish. If you feel like a break simply enjoy a shady spot and a chat to one of the locals! (B)

Today is yours to create! You might like to take part in a cooking school or perhaps the e-bikes are

calling! Explore some of the more remote temples and you will find locals happy to show you around -

just through pure pride in their environment. Take a boat trip on the famous Irrawaddy River, most

beautiful in the evening as you watch the sun slowly setting over the river. This is a stunning and unique

area to explore and today is your opportunity to truly ‘create your own’ adventure! This evening we will

enjoy an optional dinner at Sanon - a training restaurant for local youth. The food is a fantastic fusion of

local Burmese and other influences from around the world and the pomegranate cocktail is out of this

world! (B)

Leaving Bagan we fly back to Yangon. On arrival we will visit the main market in Yangon - the Bogyoke

Market. The range of commodities traded at this market is extensive - from jade and gemstones to art-

work and lacquerware - and with over 2000 stalls there is sure to be something to please. Make the most

of the chance to pick up some authentic souvenirs, explore some of the contemporary art galleries that

are popping up over Yangon or visit the gems market. If we have the opportunity we will also drive past

the house of Aung San Suu Kyi. (B)

Day 10 Bagan - Temple exploration Tuesday 28th May

Day 11 Bagan - Free day Wednesday 29th May


Day 12 Fly to Yangon - Bogyoke market, Aung San Su Chi’s house Thursday 30th May


After an early breakfast we head to our final day of volunteer project work at the Thamidawya Nunnery School in Hmawbi, around 40kms from central Yangon. The school is home to around 160 children ranging in ages from 5 to 11 years. Our role may include some light building or painting - it is great fun working alongside the young nuns with their infectious smiles and cheeky nature. After enjoying lunch with the nuns we will work with the classes leading them in some English language activities and perhaps some singing. Later in the afternoon we will head back to Yangon via the Taukkyan War Cemetary which contains the graves of over 6000 Allied soldiers who died in the Burma and Assam campaigns of WW2. After this it will be back to the hotel in time for a freshen up before our final group dinner at Pansuriya

Restaurant. (B,L,D)

Today is departure day but depending on your flight time there may be an opportunity to take part in a last ‘do it like the locals’ experience! We will board the local ferry to Dala - straight across the river from Yangon city before hiring rickshaws to pedal us around the streets of this intriguing part of the country. This is essentially a shanty town inhabited by locals who display resilience and ingenuity in trying to eek out a living from selling, fixing, re-purposing etc. As we meander through the narrow streets we will stop by at Chu Chu - a fascinating social enterprise established to make something from the piles of plastic waste that collect in the city. Local women manufacture a range of handicrafts, mats, bags, belts - you name it and they make it. The designs are functional with creative flair and you will have the chance to see the processes used to create some of the items. Make a purchase and the profit used will help to continue the fight against waste! Head back to Yangon, enjoy a drink at the famous Strand Hotel on the

Yangon esplanade before your transfer to the airport. (B)


Day 13 Project day - Thamidawya Nunnery School, Hmawbi Friday 31st May

Day 14 Depart Yangon - optional tour to Dala Saturday 1st June


Your Volunteer Experience

Without doubt your volunteer experience will truly be the highlight of your trip! Unlike most volunteer

tour organisers we believe that the local communities are in the best position to identify projects which

are of real value to them. We work closely with organisations in-country to work out how we can best

assist. We do not believe in ’hand outs’ and we certainly don’t promote orphanage tourism with any of

our project trips. However, we do believe that every one of our travellers can help to improve the

education, health care or quality of life of people in the communities that we visit. Your experience will

connect you with these communities and we encourage you to maintain contact and support for these

projects, if you wish. Our work with the Dama Thu Kha School will include assisting with some building

work. No special skills are required as we will be guided by the head monk and local labourers. You can

just enjoy the experience of lending a hand and supporting an organisation well off the regular tourist

radar. This is similar to our work with the Thamidawya Nunnery School where, once again we will be

supporting through helping to improve the facilities at the school but also by assisting with some English

language guidance. In Nyaung Shwe we will connect with the Inle Speaks program run by Partnership for

Change. Here our role will be to lead ‘speed conversation’ sessions with some of the local business

operators and employees. This will help them to connect more easily with English speaking tourists as

they have the chance to improve their language skills in areas relating to tourism and hospitality. At

Nyaung U the M’Boutik Action Aid program provides opportunities for local women and our visit to Chu

Chu will assist both the local people and the environment. Finally, we will visit several hospitality training

centres and support them through patronising their restaurants and cafes.


If you’ve decided that you can’t get enough of a good thing you will be continuing your journey with us to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the home of the iconic Temples of Angkor and their main drawcard - Angkor Wat. As we transfer from the international airport to our guesthouse you will gain an understanding of the impact that tourism has had on the people. Interestingly though, for all the wealth that tourism has brought, very little of that money finds its way to the locals. Welcome to some of the ever present issues in this country! Our guesthouse is close to the central hub of ‘Pub Street’ but still far enough away to be quiet and relaxed. This evening enjoy a swim in the guest house pool and your first Angkor Beer before

you hit the town! (B)

Over the next two days you will be able to see the very best that Siem Reap has to offer! Explore the temples near and far or enjoy a scenic boat trip on Tonle Sap lake - the largest lake in South East Asia - to view the famous ‘floating villages’. View handicrafts being made in traditional workshops, or silk farms which produce the fine thread which is highly sought after in this area to manufacture premium quality silk scarves and garments. Venture further afield and learn about the work of an amazing man, Aki Ra, who is attempting to eradicate land mines in the country. Take a cooking school or ‘rumble through the jungle’ on a 4 wheel motorbike adventure. Hit the National Museum or take to the markets - day or night. There are endless activities to occupy your time. Or, of course, you could just take your time and enjoy a massage (or two) while winding down from your busy two week adventure. Over the course of the two days we will take a tuk tuk to visit the Enkosa River School. This School has been established by Buddhist monks at Wat Preah Enkosa, a short drive from the main centre of Siem Reap. Each evening over one hundred children of all ages flock to the school to make the most of the free English language classes on offer. We will spend an hour or so helping in some of the classes as well as touring through the temple

and benefiting from a short guided meditation practice. (B)

Today we transfer to the airport for our return journey to Australia or our onward journey. (B)


Day 16 & 17 Siem Reap - free time, Enkosa River School Sunday 7th & Monday 8th Oct

Day 18 Siem Reap - departure day Tuesday 9th Oct

e3 Global ….

….

Adventures..!

Our Philosophy Our Tour Group Policy

Our aim is to link travellers with ethical and socially

responsible experiences, opportunities and

organisations. Wherever we can we stay in local

guesthouses, run by local people. We will guide you

to fair trade shops, to cafes run with a social justice

focus as well as link you with opportunities to give

back to the local community you are visiting. At e3

Global Adventures every itinerary we create

incorporates a social justice or community service

project. That’s because we believe that great travel

experiences are created by our (and your) connection

with local people. Indeed, that’s what you will

remember most about your trip!!

We understand that not everyone is looking for the

same experience when travelling in a group. We

believe that our group itineraries give plenty of

flexibility for those who wish to have their own

adventures and experiences. Plenty of free time in

each destination, no compulsion to eat with the

group - it’s your experience to create! All that we ask

is that you commit to the project days detailed in the

itinerary. After all - that’s what is unique about your

trip!

Your Guides

Nic and Pam from e3 Global Adventures will be your guides for this volunteer project trip. Both are experienced travellers

and tour leaders who use their personal connections with local people and communities across South East Asia to make

your travel experience unique. They are also current educators who are experienced in establishing Asian studies and

social justice programs in the Tasmanian school setting. A local guide will also join us for the entire journey, ensuring

you have the best opportunity to gain a wonderful insight into this fascinating country.

Accommodation

The last 5 years has seen the tourism industry go from bust to boom as the country opens it’s arms to

welcome foreign visitors. This has resulted in an increased demand for accommodation and, as you will see

when you visit, there is much progress happening in many of the cities. However, standards still remain a

little unpredictable and, more often than not, you will experience facilities and services which are not what

you may expect including sudden power outages, air-conditioners that are not particularly efficient and

refrigerators that simply don’t work! All hotels we use are well located, have clean comfortable rooms with

private (Western) facilities and great service. Our hotel in Yangon has a rooftop bar and dining area and the

hotel in Bagan also has not one but two swimming pools and is a great place to relax after a day of

exploring. All hotel accommodation is booked on a twin share basis. A single supplement is available if you

are travelling alone, or, when possible, we can arrange a room share with a person of the same gender.

A Culinary Adventure

Although the diversity of food on offer in Myanmar may not be as extensive as in others countries of Asia it

still offers the opportunity for some tasty and memorable experiences! The heart of each meal is rice and

this is accompanied by a variety of Burmese style curries. Although some find these curries a little on the oily

side, they are mild in spice and are nearly always served with a range of accompaniments including soups,

dahl and dips. Green tea is the drink of choice with a dessert of pickled tea leaves and jaggery (palm sugar)

to follow. Eating is conducting using a fork in the left hand, spoon in the right, with the food pushed from

the fork onto the spoon.


If you’ve decided that you can’t get enough of a good thing you will be continuing your journey with us to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the home of the iconic Temples of Angkor and their main drawcard - Angkor Wat. As we transfer from the international airport to our guesthouse you will gain an understanding of the impact that tourism has had on the people. Interestingly though, for all the wealth that tourism has brought, very little of that money finds its way to the locals. Welcome to some of the ever present issues in this country! Our guesthouse is close to the central hub of ‘Pub Street’ but still far enough away to be quiet and relaxed. This evening enjoy a swim in the guest house pool and your first Angkor Beer before

you hit the town! (B)

Over the next two days you will be able to see the very best that Siem Reap has to offer! Explore the temples near and far or enjoy a scenic boat trip on Tonle Sap lake - the largest lake in South East Asia - to view the famous ‘floating villages’. View handicrafts being made in traditional workshops, or silk farms which produce the fine thread which is highly sought after in this area to manufacture premium quality silk scarves and garments. Venture further afield and learn about the work of an amazing man, Aki Ra, who is attempting to eradicate land mines in the country. Take a cooking school or ‘rumble through the jungle’ on a 4 wheel motorbike adventure. Hit the National Museum or take to the markets - day or night. There are endless activities to occupy your time. Or, of course, you could just take your time and enjoy a massage (or two) while winding down from your busy two week adventure. Over the course of the two days we will take a tuk tuk to visit the Enkosa River School. This School has been established by Buddhist monks at Wat Preah Enkosa, a short drive from the main centre of Siem Reap. Each evening over one hundred children of all ages flock to the school to make the most of the free English language classes on offer. We will spend an hour or so helping in some of the classes as well as touring through the temple

and benefiting from a short guided meditation practice. (B)

Today we transfer to the airport for our return journey to Australia or our onward journey. (B)


Day 16 & 17 Siem Reap - free time, Enkosa River School Sunday 7th & Monday 8th Oct

Day 18 Siem Reap - departure day Tuesday 9th Oct

e3 Global ….

….

Adventures..!

Your Project Contribution

Tour Cost & Inclusions

We ask each participant to contribute $300AUD towards our volunteer projects. Every dollar of this amount goes towards

the projects that you will be supporting. Many of our travellers choose to fundraise this amount in their workplace or within

their networks - cake stalls, mini-raffles, flower sales...you name it, our travellers have done it!!

Who Are Our Travellers?

Our travellers come from an enormous range of backgrounds and don’t fit into any particular category aside from their

willingness to take part in an experience which offers the opportunity to help others. Okay, they like their travels a little on

the adventurous side as well, so if the opportunity arises to include something different, unique or unusual on the spur of

the moment the response is usually ‘let’s do it’! Age is no barrier but you will need to be able to carry your own luggage,

cope with rough (sometimes non-existent) pavements and be able to work a little in hot conditions. We do encourage our

travellers to be responsible tourists and therefore always support you to learn about the country before your trip. The

group size for this trip is capped at 15 travellers which allows us to move around quickly and without impacting too greatly

on the local people and communities we visit.

Cost: $3 150AUD (single supplement add $600)

Includes: Tour leaders from Yangon

Local tour guide at each destination

Transfers (if travelling with the group)

All accommodation

All breakfasts, other meals as per itinerary

Yangon City tour & Circle Line train tour

Mandalay, Amarapura, Inle & Bagan tours

as described

Train, bus and boat transport as described

Four domestic flights (Yangon to Heho,

Heho to Mandalay, Mandalay to Bagan,

Bagan to Yangon)

Project organisation

Tour Exclusions

Excludes: Flights to and from Yangon

Visas

Travel insurance

Some meals

Activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Drinks and tips

Project donation $300AUD payable prior to

departure

Need more info….or ready for your adventure…?

Contact us today to book your place on this adventure of a lifetime..!

Email: [email protected] Phone 0448 384 187

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Myanmar Volunteer Adventure · Myanmar Volunteer Adventure 19th May - 1st June 2019 Stand in awe at...

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