itinerary Myanmar 09102013 - alumni.harvard.edu

TRAVELS

EXPLORING MYANMAR: LAND OF THE GOLDEN PAGOGA

MARCH 10-23, 2014

GROUP SIZE: 14-22 GUESTS/ PRICING: $8,595 DOUBLE; $2,095 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Now is an exciting time to visit Myanmar. While this fascinating nation has a long way to go in
terms of reforms, the progress it has made over the past few years has been surprising. Yet
even with the recent developments, when you visit it seems as though you have stepped
back 30 years in time. A treasure trove of cultural wonders undiscovered by the tour-bus
crowd awaits exploration. Tribes nearly untouched by outside influence populate the hills,
stunning empty beaches lie in anticipation of discovery, and the tinkling of temple bells
evokes the ambiance of an earlier age. Indeed, you may hardly believe that such a world
exists outside the works of Kipling.

We are working directly with private guides and privately owned hotels and restaurants as
opposed to government-run agencies. This grassroots approach results in an insightful,
authentic connection to Myanmar’s people and places, and its economics directly benefits
locals.

STUDY LEADER: To be announced.

SCHEDULE BY DAY Start your tour with a visit to Yangon's
Reclining Buddha, one of the largest in the
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner World, followed by a visit to Scott
(Bogyoke) Market, the city's busiest and
MONDAY, MARCH 10 most colorful bazaar. It gives a wonderful
feel for the daily life of Yangon's citizens,
DEPART FROM U.S. TO YANGON and offers a huge variety of everyday
items and souvenirs, such as lacquer ware,
TUESDAY, MARCH 11 gems, gold and gold leaf, textiles, and
marionettes. Lunch today will be at the
EN ROUTE TO YANGON Green Elephant.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 Spend the late afternoon and sunset hours
at the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda.
ARRIVALS / YANGON This glistening golden pagoda, which
stands over 350 feet tall, is the most
Upon arrival this morning, transfer to your revered shrine in the country and is a site
centrally-located luxury hotel. You will that all Burmese Buddhists aspire to visit at
have a few hours to rest and relax. least once in their lifetime. This evening
enjoy a welcome dinner at Monsoon
Restaurant.

Overnight at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel / FRIDAY, MARCH 14

Meals Provided: L D YANGON / MANDALAY

The elegant Kandawgyi Palace enjoys a splendid Early this morning transfer to the airport
location, overlooking tranquil gardens, a for your flight to Mandalay.
beautiful lake, and the fabulous Shwedagon
Pagoda. It is a sanctuary in traditional style that Fly Yangon to Mandalay on Yangon Air YH
excites the senses and soothes the soul. 917, departing 06:15, arriving 08:35
Economy Class
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
Upon arrival, immediately begin exploring
YANGON Mandalay’s main sights such as
Shwenandaw Kyaung Pagoda, the
Today starts with a walk around Yangon's Kuthodaw Pagoda (featuring hundreds of
shaded, tree-lined streets, which were laid marble slabs inscribed with the entire
out by the British in the typical colonial Buddhist canon), and the venerable
grid pattern. Explore the downtown's Mahamuni Pagoda whose Buddha statue is
frenetic markets and fading colonial covered with gold leaf.
buildings aboard a trishaw or on foot. Pass
Buddhist pagodas, Hindu shrines, Chinese Later this afternoon, you have the option
temples, Islamic mosques, Anglican of ascending Mandalay Hill at sunset for
cathedrals, and a Jewish synagogue. spectacular views of the city and the
Irrawaddy River.
Late this morning visit the Kalaywa Tawya
Monastery where over 1,300 monks and Overnight at the Hotel Sedona /
novices reside. Witness the monks
gathering to partake in the midday meal, Meals Provided: B L D
their last of the day.
The lovely Hotel Sedona offers elegant rooms
Later this afternoon enjoy a private music with superb views of the Mandalay Hill and the
recital at the Gitameit Music Center. In Pali Royal Palace. All the rooms are graciously
and Burmese “gita” means music, and designed with an aesthetic eye for both
“meit” means friendship. Gitameit Music contemporary elegance and traditional grace.
Center was started in 2003 by pianist Kit
Young and colleagues from Myanmar in SATURDAY, MARCH 15
order to build a supportive community of
musicians and audiences locally, and to MANDALAY/AMARAPURA
encourage sustained, meaningful contact
with international institutions, teachers and This morning begin the day with a visit to
performers. Gitameit Music Center is a non- the Zegyo Market, with its endless panoply
profit community center and music school of color, hustle, and heady aromas.
in downtown Yangon devoted to music
teaching and nurturing, performing, Next head out to the lovely countryside
offering exchange possibilities for Burmese around Mandalay to explore Amarapura,
students to study abroad, and inviting which has fine pagodas, ruins of the old
international artists and teachers for palace, a Chinese joss house, and shops
performances and workshops in Yangon. specializing in cotton and silk longyis (the
Burmese-style sarong), as well as wood
Overnight at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel / and marble carvings. Also visit local
handicraft villages where paper and
Meals Provided: B L D terracotta pottery is still made using
traditional techniques.

Then proceed to the Sagaing Hills, sitting
above the Irrawaddy and the site of
crumbling pagodas and many active

shrines. When Mandalay was Burma’s MONDAY, MARCH 17
capital, Sagaing was the “annex” town that
housed hundreds of Buddhist monks. IRRAWADDY RIVER
Explore its beautiful pagodas and the
nearby kilometer-long, 16-span Ava Bridge Today enjoy stops in small, remote villages
that was built during British rule. that see few visitors. Meet the locals and
explore their villages and beautiful
En route back to Mandalay, stop at the U pagodas. Encountering the warm,
Bein Bridge, a long meandering structure welcoming people on these stops is a
built of teak, spanning a seasonal lake. At highlight of the journey.
sunset, a stroll here is an absolute delight.
Overnight onboard the Irrawaddy Princess II
Overnight at the Hotel Sedona / (Private Charter) / Meals Provided: B L D

Meals Provided: B L D TUESDAY, MARCH 18

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 BAGAN

MANDALAY / EMBARK IRRAWADDY PRINCESS II Upon arrival this morning in Bagan, embark

Following breakfast, transfer to the on a full-day exploration of ancient
Mandalay Jetty to board your privately monuments and temples. During its golden
charted river boat for a two-night journey age in the 12th century, Bagan was known
down the majestic Irrawaddy (Ayerwaddy) as the "city of four million pagodas." While
River to Bagan. Kublai Khan and several massive
earthquakes have reduced that inflated
The Irrawaddy gives Myanmar its life. number drastically, what remains is quite
Named after the Hindu eravati or "elephant incredible.
river," the river (like the Ganges is to India)
is a spiritual entity and the provider of life, Explore the principal pagodas and temples
happiness and material as well as spiritual of the archeological zone. Built in 1090, the
well-being. Rising in the southern whitewashed and gilded Ananda is among
Himalayas, it dissects the land from north the finest and best preserved of the
to south for 1,350 miles, emptying through temples, with delicate decorations in
a nine-armed delta into the Indian Ocean. glazed tiles along its base and terraces.
In colonial times, before railways and land
roads, the river was known as the "Road to This afternoon you are free to relax or
Mandalay." To follow the Irrawaddy's entire explore the area. You may take a bicycle or
course, from its undiscovered source lost horse cart and lose yourself amidst the
in the Himalayas to the Delta, would be to crumbling spires. Later in the afternoon,
run the gamut of Burma's varied climatic climb to the summit of a tall, serene
zones. structure and watch the sun drop into the
Enjoy the day as you cruise down the distant hills.
mighty Irrawaddy, passing magical scenes
of old Asia—women pounding their laundry Overnight at the Hotel at Tharabar Gate /
on rocks, old paddle steamers churning the
muddy waters, ox carts inching down Meals Provided: B L
rutted roads, and small children waving
gaily at your passing vessel. The Hotel at Tharabar Gate is located in the
most unique Archeological Site of South East
Overnight onboard the Irrawaddy Princess II Asia, the Ancient capital of the Burmese Empire,
(Private Charter) / Meals Provided: B L D Old Bagan. Surrounded by more than 4,000
ancient temples and Pagodas, you will be
enchanted by the breathtaking views.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 transportation to explore this beautiful
area. This afternoon will be spent exploring
BAGAN the breathtaking lake, which is surrounded
on all sides by high hills. Here you will see
This morning depart on another full day the famous Intha fishermen and their
touring Bagan beginning with the village of floating gardens. Stop at a weaving village
Myinkaba, with the opportunity to explore and visit several Shan temples.
the local market. From Myinkaba, head to
the 12th century Gubyaukgyi temple, an Late in the day, check into your deluxe
Indian-style monument that features lakefront resort followed by dinner.
exquisite interior murals. On your way back
to Old Bagan, visit the Shwesandaw, a Overnight at the Inle Resort /
graceful 11th century temple. Climb the
terraces and enjoy panoramic views of the Meals Provided: B L D
surrounding temples, including the 14th
century Shwegugyi temple. This boutique resort is situated on Inle Lake and
is one of the finest in the area. The resort offers
After lunch continue your exploration with quality facilities in custom built, traditional
the beautiful 12th century Suliman pagoda, native style architecture. The Inle Resort is fully
a classic example of Bagan's late, committed to responsible tourism for the
sophisticated temple design. Notice the ecological and cultural protection of the lake
plethora of windows that allowed for environment, while also catering to the most
improved natural lighting. Also, look for discerning visitor.
the monastic niches carved into the temple
walls, a feature unique among Bagan's FRIDAY, MARCH 21
ancient monasteries.
INLE LAKE
At sunset, visit another temple as you
climb high to witness the magnificent During your stay in the Inle Lake area, visit
sunset. the Shan States’ tribal market, which
rotates through towns in this region. It is a
Overnight at the Hotel at Tharabar Gate / fascinating hodgepodge of brightly
colored flowers, flopping fish and tribal
Meals Provided: B L D people, each in their distinctive traditional
dress. It is a feast for the sense and there
THURSDAY, MARCH 20 will be photo opportunities galore.

BAGAN/HEHO/INLE LAKE This afternoon travel by boat to Indein, a
16th-century temple to explore the
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport seldom-visited group of stupas, yet
for your flight to Heho, the airport that another aspect of Burma’s vast cultural
services Inle Lake, Pindaya, Kalaw and wealth. Enjoy lunch at Nam Pan village and
other areas in Southern Shan State. explore the area’s interesting local market.
Visit with silk weavers, boat makers,
Fly Bagan to Heho on Yangon YH 918, cheroot makers and blacksmiths. Then visit
departing 08:35, arriving 09:05 the Mine Thauk Orphanage.
Economy Class
Overnight at the Inle Resort /
Upon arrival in Heho, you will be met and
driven to the town of Nyaung Shwe on the Meals Provided: B L D
shores of spectacular Inle Lake. Notice
instantly how much cooler the air is here. SATURDAY, MARCH 22
Nights in the Shan State at this time of
year can get quite cool so be prepared. INLE LAKE / HEHO / YANGON

In Nyaung Shwe, board a long tail boat
which will be your chief means of

This morning transfer back to Heho for
your late morning flight to Yangon where
you will spend your last day and night in
Burma before returning home or heading
to your next destination.

Fly Heho to Yangon on Yangon Air YH 918,
departing 09:20, arriving 10:30
Economy Class

On arrival in Yangon, transfer back to your
familiar hotel before visiting the National
Museum, housing interesting exhibits on
Burmese history, culture and ethnic
groups. Of great interest in the museum is
the glittering Lion Throne of King Thibaw,
an extraordinary work of art that stands
over twenty feet tall and is covered with
carvings depicting scenes from Burmese
mythology.

Early this evening reconvene for cocktails
before enjoying a farewell dinner at Le
Planteur.

Overnight at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel

Meals Provided: B D

SUNDAY, MARCH 23

DEPART YANGON FOR U.S.

This morning transfer back to the airport
for your flights to Bangkok and Singapore
for connections home.

Meals Provided: B