Download PDF - Cox & Kings

Luxury EscapadesPrivateJourneyHighlightsThone Zu and Nandamanya Temples (notedfor exquisite 13th century murals) and Kyat KanCave monastery, a famous meditation center inBagan. Also visit farming villages around Bagan.Afternoon excursion to the nostalgic Nat HtaungKyaung, a monastery famous for woodcarvings.Continue to Dhammayangyi, famous for itsinterlocking mortarless brickwork. Next, visitSulamani, one of Bagan’s great two-storied Bamarstyletemples. Late afternoon, observe a sunset inthe vicinity of Bagan’s ancient monuments. Thisevening, enjoy dinner followed by a traditionalpuppet show at Nanda Restaurant. (B, D)Day 4: To MandalayThis morning fly to Mandalay. Continue toAmarapura and visit the famous MahagandayonMonastery where more than a thousand Buddhistmonks live and study. Your visit will be speciallytimed to observe the monks as they line upfor their last meal of the day, taken at mid-day.Also visit picturesque U Bein Wooden Bridge.Stop to visit the workshop of skilled silk weaverswho create formal “longyi’s (sarongs). Next,drive to Mandalay and check into your hotel.Continue your sightseeing with a visit to theMahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay’s holiestBuddha statue. Next visit the area’s renownedCraftsmen’s Quarters, which focus mainly onreligious sculptures. Visit Min Hiha Tea Shop foran afternoon snack.In the afternoon, ride a trishaw to visitKuthodaw Pagoda, which houses the Buddhistscriptures inscribed on marble slabs. At sunsetvisit Mandalay Hill. Red Canal Hotel (Run of theHouse) – 1 night (B)Day 5: To Inle LakeMorning flight to Heho. Upon arrival, you willtravel overland down into the valley to NyaungShew (approximately 1 hour) on the edge of InleLake and board your own local boat to take youto your hotel.Today enjoy a boat trip on Inle Lake. Pass endlesswww.coxandkings.comfloating gardens, where fruit and vegetables aregrown. Visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, oneof the oldest monasteries on the lake. VisitPhaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religioussite in southern Shan State. Lunch today is at theOrchid Restaurant, located in the middle of thelake. Return to your hotel and enjoy the eveningat your leisure. Inle Princess Resort (Lake FrontView Chalet) – 3 nights (B, L)Day 6: Inle LakeToday travel by boat via Nampan to Sagar(approximately 3 hours) and Thakong, a rarelyvisited area south of Inle Lake. Explore the 5-daymarket (on market days only) at Taung To on theway and a Shan village where earthenware potteryis produced. Lunch is at a local restaurant.At Kyainkhan (near Kyauktaing) visit a family whoproduces robes (Phongyi clothes) made fromfabrics woven from thousands of lotus stems.Observe local methods of producing alcohol,which is fermented and extracted from branrice. You will also gain insight into the unspoiledculture and traditional lifestyle of the ethnic Pa-Oand Intha inhabitants around Sagar and Hmawbi.Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. (B, L)Day 7: Inle LakeMorning visit to the village of Ywama to see thefamed colorful floating market (on market dayonly). Next travel to Indaing, at the westernend of the Lake. The boat takes you througha long channel where you watch the farmerscultivate their produce. Follow a stair path linedwith magnificent columns to the top to visit thePagoda Complex. Return to the boat jetty witha leisurely “nature walk”. Lunch will be served atNampan Restaurant.Further visit to weaving village of Inpawkhonand other sights. See traditional handicrafts – silkweaving on wooden handlooms and a blacksmithshop. Enjoy your last evening at Inle Lake witha private dinner in the Inle Princess Resort’ssurprisingly beautiful wine cellar. (B, L, D)• Sunset at the majesticShwedagon Pagoda• Visit a collection of themost important pagodasand temples in Bagan• Hot-air balloon flightover the plains of Bagan• Trishaw ride toKuthodaw Pagoda• Magnificent sunset viewsfrom Mandalay Hill• Boat trip on Inle Lake• Private dinner in the InlePrincess Resort’s beautifulwine cellarDay 8: To YangonThis morning you are transferred back toNyaung Shwe by local boat and then proceed(approximately 1 hour) to the Heho airport foryour flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer toyour hotel.After a chance to freshen-up, take the localferry (10 minutes) across the Yangon River toDalla town, located on the other side of Yangon.Disembark and enjoy a trishaw ride overdusty, bumpy roads, through local villages andplantations to see the “other side” of Yangon.This is a unique opportunity to see local, rural life.Return on the ferry to Yangon, and visit thegilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years.Also visit the Bogyoke (Scott) Market (closedon public holidays), famous for Myanmar’s widerange of handicrafts. The Governor’s Residence(Deluxe Garden View room) - 1 night (B)Day 9: Depart YangonToday you will be transferred to the airport foryour international flight. (B)Note: Whenever possible, we work with localorganisations to ensure that any money or investmentin the country remains at the local level.Asia & Pacific 2011 I 77