*EXPIRED* Journeys Rediscovered – Culinary Journey of Myanmar
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Culinary Immersion Tour Unique to Journeys Rediscovered
Culinary Journey of Myanmar
Small Group Journey of no more than 8 people
Yangon – Bagan – Ayeryarwadi River – Mandalay – Inle Lake - Yangon
11 days/ 10 nights
- 2 nights accommodation in Yangon – The Strand Hotel
- 2 nights accommodation in Bagan – Anavila Bagan or Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort
- 1 night accommodation Ayeyarwady River – Yandabo Home
- 2 nights accommodation in Mandalay – Rupara Mandalar Resort
- 2 nights accommodation in Inle Lake – Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min
- 1 night accommodation in Yangon – The Strand Hotel
- Breakfast daily at hotels
- Other meals & tastings included as per itinerary at specially selected restaurants and culinary experiences
- Transportation and transfers as listed
- All activities included as per itinerary
- Entrance fees
- Sightseeing and touring with a local English speaking guide
Contact Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 for pricing to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary or REGISTER for our 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journeys (no more the 8 passengers).
4 -5 star Boutique Hotel Twin Share. Single Supplements available.
More Information
Day 1 – Yangon: On arrival to Yangon airport, your local guide will welcome you by the arrivals hall exit with your name signboard. Transfer to your hotel (approx. 1hr) for check-in and freshening up.
Afternoon walking tour of Yangon. Meet your expert guide and explore the quaint old quarter of Yangon with its colonial buildings and heritage. Your guide will share interesting insights to key events and architecture of the city’s landmarks. If you are interested in arts there are several galleries showcasing local artists works where we can stop. Indulge and relax with a signature cocktail at the nostalgic Strand Hotel which was built century ago by Armenian Sarkies brothers like her sister property, the Raffles in Singapore.
Next marvel at Yangon’s old post office and take a rickshaw (bicycle taxi) ride along Yangon’s riverfront.Immerse in rich culture and traditions of the communities in Chinatown and Indian quarters and explore life along hidden back streets, temples and bazaars. Explore the bustling Bogyoke (Scott) market, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of colour.
Dinner tonight will be at Burma Bistro/ Rangoon Tea House one of the best Myanmar cuisine restaurants in the country.
Meals included – L D
Day 2 – Yangon: Early start this morning to witness a magical sunrise at the Shwedagon Pagoda, landmark of Yangon and one of the most revered Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. Enjoy the peaceful and holy atmosphere of meditators sitting around facing the majestic golden stupa rising over 100m tall to the sky. After spending enough time at the Shwedagon your guide will show you the monastic area nearby where monks and nuns live. Observe monks and novices going out on their daily alms circuit barefoot. Participate in alms giving ceremony and then it is time for your first Myanmar breakfast which will be in a popular tea shop in local fashion. Try Shan noodles, Onyh Khao Souay or Mohinga soup - the national dishes, accompanied by Burmese sweet tea or coffee. We will return to hotel for western style breakfast and rest.
After the rest break we visit the national museum show casing the Lion Throne and Royal Regalia captured from last kingdom in Mandalay. To get a feel of local travel we embark on a nostalgic rail journey on circular line train ambling on slow 3hr loop around Yangon. Getting off after 20-30min we will walk or take a bicycle taxi to a lively market where goods from Ayeyarwaddy Delta arrive by river and loaded to trucks. Enjoy a refreshing glass of cold Myanmar beer or Rum in a local bar by the market watching thousands of bananas being carried from the docks and lined up.
For this early evening we have arranged a special treat for you, a private cocktail class with the country's star bartender. You will learn how to make couple all time classics and his award winning cocktail which won international awards. After warm up and some snack and it's time for the challenge of making your own creation. Tonight’s dinner will be in small Shan food restaurant Namsu, with amazing ribs, shaved Shan noodles, yummy salads and their house infused Gin's.
Meals included –B L D
Day 3 – Bagan: Morning airport transfer and flight to Bagan. Upon arrival to Bagan, your guide will meet and greet you at the airport.Over the five centuries of Bagan empire more than 4000 brick temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed on dry plateau by the Irrawaddy River. Despite wars and earthquakes much of this wonder and world heritage has survived to modern day and is now open for visits.
Get ready for an inspiring experience with this Bagan full day tour. Explore the best of Bagan’s history, culture and landscapes with experienced local guide. We start with panoramic view of Bagan’s archaeological wonders from an elevated vantage point and continue with exploring some of the most iconic and amazing temples of Bagan; Ananda, Swezigon, Thatbinnyu, Dhammayangyi and Shwesandaw to name a few. You guide will be happy to share his/her favourites and bring you to more off the beaten trails temples with less visitors.
We cap the day with a horse or ox carriage ride to witness a magical sunset by a pagoda or view point.This evening we will have front table in intimate local restaurant where we can enjoy traditional dance and marionettes performance.
Meals included –B L D
Day 4 – Bagan: One of the best, if not the best way to see Bagan is exploring its hidden trails and tracks by e-bike. These battery-powered electric scooters are a fun and easy way to get around and experience Bagan’s more off the beaten trails temples and local neighbourhoods. Your guide will show you authentic Bagan life and some of the hidden gems that only locals know about. Enjoy a private home cooked lunch by ancient pagodas under a tamarind tree next to a buddhist monastery and learn how food is prepared in villages all over the country. Return to hotel for a swim and rest.
Optional, Morning Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight over Bagan
After the break we visit one of the oldest and most famous lacquerware centres in Bagan, where 1000 year old tradition is passed down generations and where we can see how these amazing pieces are shaped from bamboo, horse hairs and layers of lacquer tree sap and decorated with natural colours and gold. Late afternoon private sunset cruise on Irrawaddy River with rum sours, tea leaf salad and local snacks. We stop at a sand bank island to soak up the atmosphere and to enjoy sunset and have BBQ dinner here. We return back to Bagan for the night.
Meals included –B L D
Day 5 – Ayeryarwady River: We will transfer to Bagan jetty and hop on a boat for Yandabo, a 4.5hr ride . Yandabo is a small and vibrant village which has some 350 houses and gives visitors a chance to travel to neighbouring farmers’ villages. The pottery works is central to Yandabo village life, and you'll notice everyone from tots to old-timers participating in some aspect of their making. Spend the night in charming boutique chalet resort, Yandabo Home.
Meals included –B L D
Day 6 – Mandalay: Morning excursion to unique village of Pan Nyo that can be reached in about 15 min by boat. What makes this village so special is the presence of what are estimated to be 1,000 buffaloes, that each morning at sunset are walked by their farmers to the fields where they cultivate the greatest variety of vegetables. We will continue to Mandalay by boat approx 4.5 hours this afternoon. On arrival transfer to hotel. This evening dinner will be at the hotel.
Meals included –B L D
Day 7 – Mandalay: After breakfast at the hotel, visit to the last surviving royal palace building known as the Golden Palace Monastery and embark on a journey to the Ancient Kingdoms of Myanmar near Mandalay.We transfer 15km to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of Shan and Burmese Kingdoms for over four centuries. Crossing the Myint Nge River by ferry, the small roads of Ava are explored by horse cart. We visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery over three hundred years old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a 300-year old architectural wonder with graceful archways. We continue to the Ancient Kingdom of Sagaing, located across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. From the Sagaing Hill, we enjoy views of the hillside dotted with countless pagodas and pay a special visit to a monastery to learn about the life of Buddhist devotees.
We continue to another beautiful ancient capital Amarapura famous for its textile industries and the Ubein bridge, a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1.2km over Taungtaman Lake, we have the option to be rowed onto the calm waters. Ubein Bridge, silhouetted by the setting sun, is a magical experience and a photographer’s dream.
Recommended evening activity: This evening we'll take a ride with 'tuk tuk' three wheeler taxi and mingle with locals at Mandalay's evening market, street eateries trying some popular dishes and cool down at a popular beer station that fills up in the evening.
Meals included –B L D
Day 8 – Inle Lake: Morning flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. In Heho we stop at artisan family's house to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using the fibres of the mulberry tree.
Next, we take a 1-hour drive to Ayethayar winery, through the Inle Lake valley with views of Shan mountains and rice paddy fields, where German wine makers have been perfecting Myanmar's premier wine estate's produce for nearly 20 years. At Ayethayar we take a walk around the vineyard with local specialist followed by wine tasting and a lunch with sweeping views over rolling vine rows and Inle Lake valley extending below.
In Nyaung Shwe town we change the mode of transport to boat and embark on afternoon explorations of Inle Lake, populated with floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake.
Meals included –B L D
Day 9 – Inle Lake: Today Inle Lake exploration will be with a private motorboat fitted with cushioned wooden chairs, life jackets, umbrellas, blankets and drinking water. We start the day with a visit to Inle Lakes lively morning market to pick up some fresh ingredients with your guide. Enjoy the scenery and ride along canals between floating farms and villages built on stilts over water and views of the lush mountains that surround the broad lake valley. Admire the graceful rowing and fishing technique of the Inntha fishermen who skilfully balance on one foot at the end of small boat and use second leg for paddling and steering the boat while working nets or fish traps with hands.
Learn how floating farm islands are built and moved around and where most Myanmar's tomatoes, and eggplants come from. Next continue to a local village and join Inntha family for food preparation and learn a few regional favourites like tomato, eggplant and tofu salads and Shan noodles and get a feel of local life in a typical Inntha minority village. Bid farewells to your hosts and Inn Thein and continue with some lake highlights if you wish before heading back to your hotel.
Inle Lake markets - The colourful and bustling morning market is one of the highlights of Inle Lake. Local ethnic minority groups come near and far to trade their goods, and this presents an opportunity to observe people in traditional costumes in an authentic market atmosphere. The market rotates five days a week, each day making its base in a different village (though closed on national holidays). Market visits can be included in any tour program if the market location falls within proximity of our travel itinerary.
Meals included –B L
Day 10 – Yangon: Flight to Yangon where we explore the heritage and events independence and democracy heroes. Visit Htaukkyan WWII cemetery a final resting place of allied war heroes who fell fighting the Japanese. Next we drive to town for lunch at House of Memories restaurant, former office of general Aung San father of state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and first leader of Myanmar Army. We continue to recently reopened Rangoon University, site of -88 uprising, protests and brutal crack downs and drive by NLD party office and Aung San Suu Kyi's house where she spent 15yrs under house arrest. Our tour continues to Yangon downtown and Sule Pagoda, focal point of Saffron revolution in 2007. Your guide will share some interesting insights to the more recent events and developments in the country and how things have changed in the past years.
Tonight’s dinner will be at Myanmar's top chef Felix Eppiser's table at the Seeds Restaurant.
Meals included –B L D
Day 11 – Yangon: All good things come to an end! Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport.
Meals included – B
Travel Dates
Valid for travel 01 Oct 2020 - until 31 Dec 2023.
Terms & Conditions
Contact Journeys Rediscovered to register for our 2022 or 2023 Small Group Journey (no more than 8 passengers.) Journeys Rediscovered Small Group - Culinary Journey of Myanmar, will run with a minimum of 6 passengers.
Alternatively, contact Journeys Rediscovered for pricing to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary, which is guaranteed with a minimum of one person.
Land-based itinerary is based per person on twin/double share basis (unless otherwise stated), single supplement is available, contact Journey Rediscovered for this surcharge.
International & domestic airfares are additional, please contact Journeys Rediscovered for international flight options and prices.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and can be arranged for you for an additional cost.
For full pricing, terms and conditions, contact your MTA Travel Expert, Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 or journeysrediscovered@mtatravel.com.au
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