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Temples and Island Retreat

12 Days / 11 Nights

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OVERVIEW

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Temples-and-Island-Retreat
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Anavilla---Luxury---Bagan---High-End

Find yourself drawn in by the allure of one of Asia’s most mysterious countries on this journey into Myanmar. In this Luxury Myanmar package tour, you will discover an enchanting country filled with historic temples, unspoiled lifestyles and friendly people. You will also spend 3 nights at Wa Ale, a private luxury island paradise filled with aquatic and jungle adventures and lined with soft white sand.

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Every detail taken care of
Share this Tour Itinerary from Myanmar Shalom
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Personalised journeys from start to finish
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Every trip helps support Conservation
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Every detail taken care of
Share this Tour Itinerary from Myanmar Shalom
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ITINERARY

Day 1: Yangon Arrival

Arrive in Yangon, where you are met and enjoy arrival service before being transferred to your hotel.  Overnight at The Strand Hotel in Yangon – one of the most iconic 5 star hotels in Yangon. Built in 1901, it remains as awe inspiring as it was in the early 20th Century.

Day 2: Yangon - Sunset at Myanmar's Most Important Pagoda

Upon your arrival in Yangon, welcome by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.  Enjoy private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. Learn about the fascinating history of the city as well as get a taste for the more modern side of the city.

Then visit famous Reclining Buddha Pagoda, 70-meter long, and the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray.  In the late afternoon set off to see the sunset at the breathtaking Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most beautiful sacred sites in all of Myanmar.  The exterior of the stupa is plated with 8,688 solid gold slabs, its tip set with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies, sapphires and topaz. A huge emerald sits in the middle to catch the first and last rays of the sun.   At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.

Day 3: Yangon – Bagan - Exploring the World Heritage Site

Morning flight to Bagan.  Begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples.

This afternoon – visit to the traditional lacquer ware workshop to observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts.  Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples.  Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from one of the elevated viewpoint. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.

Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, a tranquil paradise in the middle of the magical Bagan Archeology zone.

Day 4: Balloon Over Bagan - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan

Today you will have a unique opportunity to see the ancient city of Bagan from a different perspective. From a hot air balloon, we’ll get a magnificent aerial view of thousand-year old pagodas and temples and rural villages nestled along the Irrawaddy River as we glide aloft for about an hour (plenty of photo opportunity). A champagne celebration concludes our adventure. We return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the late afternoon – transfer to jetty where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shwezigon Pagoda. A private boat tour on the river during sunset time will hopefully show you a spectacular sunset. Relax and enjoy the scenery.

Day 5: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake Floating Gardens and Traditional Village Life

Morning flight to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake. From Heho drive about an hour to Nyaung Shwe city Jetty where we pick our wooden boat & transfer to your hotel for check in.   Enjoy the full day tour by private boat across the lake, passing through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most holy religious site in southern Shan State.   Be amazed by the local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden handlooms and traditional blacksmith methods along the way.

Proceed to Inn Paw Khone Village, meeting with residents to witness the traditional silk-weaving techniques with the stems of lotus flowers.  Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages where you interact with locals, immersing yourself in village life.

Day 6: Inle Lake – Indein - Village Markets and Unusual Fishermen

After breakfast begin your day with a visit to the market, which rotates locations every five days and where hill tribe people dressed in colorful, traditional outfits to come and sell local products.   We continue sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels.   We will visit the fascinating village of Indein with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls.  We will visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts.   See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.  Then take late afternoon flight.

Day 7: Inle Lake – Yangon

Continue sightseeing around and villages nearby.  Then in the afternoon transfer to airport for late afternoon flight back to Yangon.  Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

NOTE:  There is only direct flight from Yangon to Kawthaung – that’s why you will need to return back to Yangon and to take Kawthaung Flight.

Day 8: Yangon – Kawthaung - Wa Ale –Private Island Paradise

Transfer to Yangon domestic airport in time for a flight to Kawthaung. On arrival meet with Wa Ale representatives who will transfer you to the jetty.  There is only one boat to Wa Ale and it’s shared (or private if it’s only you). The boat will depart from Jetty 14:00. It will take 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours boat ride to your Private Island Paradise.

This intimate island retreat sits in a beautiful protected cove with luxury tented and treetop villas overlooking a pristine beach and majestic rock formations. Wa Ale is true to its purpose, which is to establish a luxury eco-resort that doesn’t negatively impact the environment in any way.

Day 9: Wa Ale –Private Island Paradise

Day free to relax and explore Wa Ale Island at leisure. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included during your stay at the Island. The resort can arrange for you to explore the archipelago’s hidden underwater caves and coral reefs whilst snorkelling and diving, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding excursions around the island’s mangrove forest and river.

Day 10: Wa Ale –Private Island Paradise

Day free to relax and explore Wa Ale Island at leisure. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included during your stay at the Island.

Day 11: Kawthaung – Yangon - Colonial Beauty in the Old City

Set off from Wa Ale at 08:00 this morning boat transfer to Kawthaung and then flight back to Yangon.  Upon arrival drive through the city and observe the influences of diversity other cultures in the region: St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and over 120 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue.  In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn the Jewish Life in the Pagoda Land.  Then walk around Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.

Day 12: Yangon – Departure

After breakfast – day at leisure until transfer to airport for International departure flight.

NOTE: Complimentary transfers from Kawthaung to Wa Ale operate on Saturdays and Tuesdays only. Outside of these days, a supplementary charge will apply.

Cost Included

  • (8) Nights accommodation with daily breakfast
  • (3) Nights at Private Luxury Island with full boards & activities
  • All transfer and sightseeing by private air conditioned car
  • Experienced English speaking local tour guide in each city
  • 6 Domestic air tickets (Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Inle Lake – Yangon – Kawthaung-Yangon)
  • Private boat ride in Inle Lake & Mingun
  • Sunset Boat ride in Bagan
  • All entrance fees & all zone fees
  • Water and refreshment towel during the tour
  • Full support from your Travel Consultant before, during and after your trip
  • Government tax & Service charges

Not Included

  • International Flights
  • Meals & Drinks (Lunch & Dinner)
  • Visa arrangement and services
  • Tipping to the guides/drivers
  • Other personal expenses
  • Any other items not mentioned

This private tour can be arranged for single traveler, couple, family and group tour. Prices vary according to hotel standard, when you travel, how many people you travel with, the level of private guiding required and the overall arrangements.  We can easily customize the itinerary based on your budget, interests and schedule.  Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements

Media and Reviews

A top agent with long experience in Myanmar

Your leadership role in the Jewish community of Myanmar and your ability to well manage your travel agent is truly amazing. Sammy, it was such an hour to meet you in Yangon as we have been reading about you and the community in newspapers. We had amazing trip. Your guides & office staff took such a good care for us in each city. Please share our thanks & appreciation to them.

An absolutely wonderful experience

They listened carefully to our desires, kept us informed, and developed a perfect itinerary! We were able to make adjustments and suggestions along the way

First-time travelers to Myanmar

As first-time travelers to Myanmar, we were so grateful that we had Myanmar Shalom to help us with the details.  From the amazing hotels to the lovely excursions, we certainly had a memorable trip.

Wonderful Country - amazing service

What a wonderful experience we had during our Myanmar visit, something that we never cease talking about to our friends. We are fortunate to have travelled to many countries in all parts of the world, but nothing even begins to equal the wonder and beauty of our visit to Myanmar, truly an unforgettable experience.   So much of our enjoyment was a result of the care and planning of Myanmar Shalom and of the Samuels, and of their excellent team of guides.  We hope you can manage to look after the synagogue and protect that magnificent Torah.

Highly recommended

We had been warned that in a country like Myanmar we should be prepared for glitches in our travel but our travel was as smooth and problem free as it could have been. I hope to return to Myanmar in the future to see more of your fascinating country and rest assured we will use Myanmar Shalom to plan our trip.

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Nestled on the edge of Southeast Asia, Myanmar is a beautiful, vast country full of rich tradition, delicious food and gorgeous natural sights. Visitors from all walks of life can find reasons to visit and fall in love with this wondrous ancient land
Ballooning in  Myanmar
Some may wonder why hot air ballooning is the method of choice for seeing Bagan and the answer is pretty simple: Imagine . . . floating over thousand year old more than 2,000 temples