12 minute read

Indonesian Paradise

Myanmar

Standing at the crossroads of Asia’s greatest civilizations, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is unlike any other place in the world with a raw and compelling charm and untouched, ancient traditions.

The country has only been truly open to the modern world since 2011 and

although it is becoming more and more accessible for discerning travellers every day, it is still a destination full of wonders that will leave you enchanted. Our Kaleidoscope Tour offers you a sweeping introduction to the life in Myanmar which is characterised by a deep spirituality that can be discovered in hundreds of pagodas and monasteries across lush landscapes and authentic local villages.

HIGHLIGHTS

✤ View the temple plains of Bagan from a hot air balloon ✤ Join an Intha Boat racing team during their training on lnle Lake and enjoy a private floating lunch ✤ Get a first-hand insight into life and Buddhism in Myanmar through various monk interactions

DAY 1 OLD CHARMS OF YANGON On arrival take advantage of our VIP arrival arrangements and be transferred to your hotel in a classical colonial elephant coach. After a short refreshment, follow the traces of Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maughaum during a Colonial Walk through the heart of Downtown Yangon. See some of the best colonial style architecture that Yangon has to offer and witness the glory and style of a bygone era, before giving your taste buds a treat of royalty at Le Planteur Restaurant – Yangon’s prime venue for fine dining. Overnight at the Strand Hotel.

DAY 2 MAGICAL MANDALAY After breakfast fly to Mandalay. Upon arrival visit some highlights of this mesmerizing city including Shwenandaw Monastery, once home to King Mindon, Kuthodaw Pagoda – “the world’s largest book “as well as the Royal Place. Then check-in into your hotel and take some rest. In the afternoon, watch the sun set from the top of Mandalay hill and watch a live performance of the infamous moustache brothers – a comedic trio, known for their mix of screwball comedy, classic Burmese dance, and sharply satirical criticism of the Burmese military regime. Overnight at Hilton Mandalay.

DAY 3–4 AYEYARWADY DOWNSTREAM Embark on a 2-night luxury cruise down the Ayeyarwady River, starting with a welcome breakfast at U-Bein Bridge and a visit to the Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay’s most revered Buddha image. After enjoying lunch aboard, sail to Mingun, one of the country’s former capitals, visiting the unfinished pagoda, as well as the Hsinbyume Pagoda and Mingun bell. On the second day, stop at Ava, one of Myanmar’s ancient imperial capitals, for a delightful horse cart ride through the naturally preserved landscape and key landmarks. 2 Nights onboard the Strand cruise including Full board.

DAY 5 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF BAGAN After a final breakfast onboard the cruise, disembark in Bagan and check-in to your hotel. In the afternoon, you can experience live (or you can even participate yourself!) the popular game of Chin Lone (cane ball) before savouring a private Temple View Dinner, served against a breath-taking backdrop of Bagan’s enchanting skyline dotted with red brick temples. Your exclusive dining experience is accompanied by traditional live music and folk dances. Overnight at the Aureum Palace Hotel for the next two nights. DAY 6 TEMPLE PANORAMAS OF BAGAN Experience the magic spell of Bagan from a bird’s eye perspective in a hot air balloon. After this awe-inspiring highlight, take part in the lunch offering to a monk at a local monastery. After the meal offering, the monk will share a blessing with you, and you can engage in conversation while your guide will serve as an interpreter. Afterwards visit some of the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan. In the late afternoon, ride around the temple area in a horse cart until you reach a special viewpoint, from which you can enjoy magnificent views over Bagan’s vast temple area at sunset.

DAY 7 INLE LAKE IN – DEPTH Morning flight to Heho and transfer to your hotel. Travel by long-tail boat to the western shore of the lake and disembark at Indein. Located on the very shore of the lake, this site consists of dozens of small ancient stupas overgrown by moss and greens in a jungle-like setting and has a very special ambience. Continue to Nga Phe Kyaung, which is a known for its extensive collection of Buddha images made from different materials, in various styles and sizes and enjoy a traditional Shan-style Picnic Lunch at a hidden Bamboo forest. Spend the next two nights at Sofitel Inle Lake Resort

DAY 8 INLE LAKE – YANGON This morning you will get the chance to meet with a local rowing team and join a training session for the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, an annual spectacle with daily boat races and processions on Inle lake. Then visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in the Southern Shan State. Today’s lunch is served on a rice carrier boat in the middle of Inle Lake. The boat will be transformed into an ephemeral restaurant exclusively for you while it is catered by a kitchen boat. Afterwards transfer to Heho Airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda whose golden stupa is considered the ‘heart’ of Buddhist Myanmar. While at the Pagoda you are invited to make an oil lamplighting offer and engage in some rituals along with the local pilgrims. To blend in wear a traditional dress / longyi and watch the world go by during sunset at this truly spiritual place. Overnight at the Strand Hotel

DAY 9 YANGON LIKE A LOCAL Today you can explore Yangon in a very special way: with the slow-moving circle line! The train drives circular of Yangon’s main railway station to the surrounding areas outside the city limits. During your tour you can get off at a local market and savour snacks in a traditional teahouse. Moreover, you will visit one of Yangon’s most renowned meditation centres: Chan Myae Yeik Thar Monastery. Take the opportunity to gain further insight into meditation, Buddhism, and monastic life in Myanmar during an approximately half an hour Q & A session with the monastery’s abbot or his assistant. End your day with a sumptuous farewell dinner at Seeds restaurant – where you will dine in a crafted bird’s nest high above the Inya lake. ✤ Plan your journey around the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (around October) to see the boat races and processions on Inle Lake ✤ Extend your round trip with a beach stay at the Mergui archipelago – Myanmar’s secluded island paradise with barefoot luxury resort options

DAY 10 YANGON DEPARTURE Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your onward/return journey.

Laos

Traditionally regarded as one of Asia’s most charming countries, picturesque Laos is home to a myriad of temples, thousands of brightly robed Buddhist monks, vast jungles and a rich colonial heritage. Although the dominant colour of this great nature travel destination is green, it is a country of many colours united in a spirit of peace. The old French saying: “The Vietnamese plant the rice, the Cambodians watch it grown and the Lao listen to it grow” is certainly not without reason as you will notice yourself after a couple of days in this relaxed and amazingly slow paced country that at the same time is full of life and brimming with adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

✤ Learn more about Laos‘ contemporary art scene from young artists in Vientiane ✤ Enjoy a private dinner in a rice paddy ✤ Discover the hidden treasures of Luang Prabang during an exclusive tour

DAY 1 WELCOME TO VIENTIANE On arrival in Laos’ capital you will be welcomed by your private tour guide. After a short rest and refreshment at your charming hotel Settha Palace meet with your guide again for a brief tour introduction as you enjoy a sunset cocktail at a scenic spot overlooking the Mekong River.

DAY 2 VIENTIANE VIBES Laid back and relaxed, Vientiane is easily explored. Visit the major sights of the capital starting with Wat Si Saket, famous for its cloister walls housing thousands of Buddha images. Then, visit the Royal Temple of Wat Prakeo followed by the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Patuxai Victory Gate. Next head on to see the iconic Golden Pha That Luang Stupa, deemed as the most important national monument in Laos. In the afternoon, visit the M Gallery, a venue showcasing the evolving scene of Laos Contemporary Art. Meet with one the renowned Lao artists exhibiting their collections for a private tour of the gallery.

DAY 3 VIENTIANE TO VANG VIENG After breakfast drive to Vang Vieng. The drive time is around 3.5 hours and along the way you will stop at a local market as well as a fishing village for a quick look around. Later, check in at your hotel located on the bank of the Nam Song River, you will discover Vang Vieng’s beautiful rural surroundings that appear like a scene from an old Asian silk painting. Stroll along the riverside, cross the famous suspension bridge and explore Tam Chan cave, followed by a stunning Sunset Hot Air Balloon Ride. Experience the thrill of seeing the surrounding limestone karsts carved by the mighty Mekong River from a birds eye perspective. See untouched jungles and fields of crops while the people underneath gleefully wave as you pass by. Overnight at the Riverside Boutique Hotel.

DAY 4 VANG VIENG TO LUANG PRABANG Continue your journey to Luang Prabang with several stops along the way to explore local caves and authentic Hmong mountain villages. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang check into your pool villa at the Sofitel Hotel, where you will spend the next four nights. In the evening discover Lao cuisine in a private setting surrounded with vibrant rice paddies and watch an almost theatrical demonstration as your private chef cooks your traditional lao dinner. DAY 5 LUANG PRABANG DISCOVERY Today, meet Mr. Francis Engelmann, a writer and an independent consultant who has been working closely with UNESCO over the past 10 years. He will guide you through the fascinating heritage of Colonial and Laotian architecture hidden in Luang Prabang and teach you about its history. Walk around secret alleyways and charming streets unknown to the usual tourists. Enjoy a fresh coconut before your guide will continue the tour and show you around the city’s major landmark temples Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, and Wat Xien Thong. What better way to end the day than by visiting a traditional Lao home to take part in a Baci, a sacred ceremony performed to give blessings for good health and luck!

DAY 6 FLAVORS OF LAOS Wake up before dawn to observe a long standing sacred Lao tradition and Buddhist ritual “Tak Bat” known as Almsgiving. After breakfast at the hotel meet with a famous local chef SomSak to discover the secrets of Lao Cuisine. Chef SomSak will take you on a tour around the local open-air morning market to source your ingredients for cooking. Learn the tips and tricks behind traditional Lao cooking and afterwards enjoy the delicious lunch that you have prepared. At 14:00 board the iMekong boat for your private trip upstream along the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou caves. Along the way stop at Ban Muang Keo – a village that is well known for its local production of rice whisky as well as for weaving silk textiles on traditional looms. After your discovery of the Pak Ou caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues, continue downstream relaxing and enjoying the sunset with traditional canapés and sparkling wine.

DAY 7 MANDALAO ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE Through its long history, Laos used to be called “Lane Xang”, which can be translated to “The Land of a Million Elephants” Today you will meet some of the remaining 700 animals at the Mandalao Elephant Conservation Centre – one of the leading projects that offers an intimate non-riding experience focused on education and elephant welfare. The tour will give you an in-depth introduction into elephant behaviour and communication. You will meet the elephants within a natural setting by the river and enjoy a spa like bathing experience with them. Afterwards you will go on a trek together passing beautiful Lao gardens before exploring the jungle covered Huay Nok stream. A traditional Lao lunch will be served in banana leaves in the jungle and you will visit the hidden waterfall Tad Kuang Song to take a cool refreshing dip. Walk through a Khmu village and see local life and observe carefully as the mahouts demonstrate how they communicate with their elephants. Use what you have learned to try the same before moving back to the feeding grounds and the elephants’ night-time resting area. ✤ Use a helicopter to fly from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and stop at the mystical Plain of Jars ✤ Enhance your trip with an private luxury overnight cruise on the Mekong (Gypsy Cruise) ✤ Extend your Laos trip to the untouched Southern provinces where 4000 River islands, coffee plateaus , caves and hidden temples are awaiting discovery

DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your onward/return journey.

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