Trek to meet the Pa-O and Lisu ethnic groups, east of Inle Lake in Shan State, but also the famous Kayan giraffe women, further south, from Kayah state. A two-day hike to the Kyaing Tong region will make you come across many other ethnic groups. Then let yourself be lulled by the prayers of the monks in Yangon and live deep moments into the heart of the kingdom of Bagan, surrounded by lush vegetation.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Yangon Day 2: Yangon tour Day 3: Yangon - flight to Kyaing Tong Day 4: Trekking in Kyaing Tong surroundings Day 5: Trekking in Kyaing Tong surroundings Day 6: Kyaing Tong - flight to Heho - Kalaw Day 7: Kalaw – Pa Tu Bauk Day 8: Pa Tu Bauk – Lac Inle Day 9: Inle Lake boat tour Day 10: Inle – Indein – Inle Day 11: Inle – Bagan Day 12: Bagan tour Day 13: Bagan by electric motorcycle Day 14: Bagan - flight to Yangon, departure
Highlight
Immersion in the life of ethnic minorities: Inthar, Kayah, Akha, Karen, Mon...
4 days trekking in uncharted villages
Homestays or local inns
Archaeological sites and ancient temples
Floating vegetable gardens and lakeside villages
Full itinerary
B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)
Open and close
Arrival in Yangon. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival, you ‘ll have the opportunity to venture into the colonial district, Chinatown and a local market to discover Burmese colors and smells. Overnight at the hotel.
Car: 10km Night: hotel
Explore Bogyoke Aung San Market, a shoe and clothing market (closed on Mondays and holidays). Beautiful fabrics (batiks, silks, and cotton) are sold by the meter. Antiques and souvenirs are along the central alley. Continue your journey and head to the pagoda Chaukhtut Gyi - the tin roof of this pavilion shelters a colossal reclining Buddha of 70 meters long. The morning will end at the National Museum which displays interesting pieces, such as the lion-shaped Simhasana throne where sat Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king. In the afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most famous in the country for its 98 meters high stupa covered with gold. The setting sun darting its last rays on the golden dome offers a magical spectacle. Overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to Yangon airport for a flight to Kyaing Tong. Isolated in a far eastern corner of Shan State, this city is the historical center of Kün culture, an ethnic group that speaks a northern Thai dialect. In the afternoon, visit the city of Kyaing Tong, Wat Pha Jao Lung and Wat Pha That Jom Mon.
After breakfast, take a look at Kyaing Tong Market and depart for Pintauk. The forest and the abundant future harvest of rice paddies give the illusion of a patchwork of mirrors and green sheets. The road that leads to Pintauk is ethnic tribe territory. The vast majority of these tribes still keep their animist practices, in addition to Buddhism and Christianity. In this corner, you will visit villages of the Akha and Ann ethnic group. To discover also, the waterfalls of Pintauk and a distillery of rice alcohol. Weather permitting, visit villages: Palaung, Wan-Pauk on return to Kyaing tong.
Trekking: 5h
After breakfast, head to the village of Loi Mwe, nestled in an idyllic setting at an altitude of 1800 m, where the former governor's house and a British Catholic church over a century old still stand. The climb to the village is delightful, passing by forests, terraced rice fields and a lake. On the way back, visit the village "Ho lap" to discover the life of the tribe Akha.
Trekking: 5h
Transfer to Mong Ping (100 km/2.5 h drive) for a domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival, if time permits, transfer by private car to Pindaya to explore its famous caves and the daily life of its community: the Taung-yo ethnic group. Visit the caves by horse and cart and then on foot. Over the centuries, more than 8,000 Buddha statues have been laid there in different ways. Then, meet local artisans to learn about the manufacture of Shan paper made from mulberry bark, and the umbrellas they’re crafting with it. Overnight at the hotel in Kalaw.
Meet with the team of local guides and take a short drive to La Ma Ing, starting point of a great trek. Cross beautiful terraced rice fields and green vegetable gardens. Make unforgettable encounters of different ethnic groups such as the "golden" Palaung and the Pa-O, sometimes as well the Danu and the Taungyo. Palaung women often wear items from their traditional costume, in particular bamboo belts. Overnight at a homestay in Ba Tu Bauk.
Trekking: 5 – 6h
After breakfast, resume your trek towards Inle Lake, walking through PaO and Palaung villages, admiring beautiful landscapes. 5 hours later, you will arrive at Inle Lake, one of the most important sites of Burma. Located 900 m above sea level, this large lake (15km long by 6-8km wide) emanates an irresistible charm. Villagers grow many varieties of flowers, vegetables and fruits: tomato, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, betel, melon, papaya and banana. Overnight at the hotel.
Trekking: 5h
Hop on a sampan and navigate on the Inle Lake, one of the most important sites of Burma. Located 900 m above sea level, this large lake (15km long by 6-8km wide) has an irresistible charm. Villagers grow many varieties of flowers, vegetables and fruits: tomato, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, betel, melon, papaya and banana. Visit remarkable floating gardens, and lake villages mainly inhabited by Intha. You will be amazed by the unique method used by the fishermen of the lake, and certainly charmed by the peaceful beauty of the lake itself. Venture into Nga Phye Chaung Monastery and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda (5 golden Buddha statues). Stop to find about some craft trades: a traditional cigar factory, a fishing boat factory and a silver jewelry factory.
Boat: 4-5h
Still by local sampan, visit one of the multi-ethnic markets of the region which take place once every 5 days. It could be either Nampan, Indiain, Maingthauk, Phaung Daw Oo or Ywama according to schedule. You will come across vegetables, fresh fish caught in the lake, Shan bags, farm implements, embroidered shirts and longis, tapestries, jewelry and all the usual memories. Then stop at Indein, the former Shan capital, to discover his garden of stupas. Get back to Nyaungshwe in the late afternoon.
Boat: 4-5h
Today, we’ll transfer from Inle to Bagan. This drive will give you the opportunity to admire the Burmese countryside and discover the daily life of villagers. Overnight at the hotel.
Car: 260km / 6h
Bagan (Pagan) is the most amazing site in the country, if not all of Southeast Asia. Today, you will have a big day exploring the Old Bagan, the heart of the archeological area. It contains the most important temples, the walls of the ancient city and a museum. First head to the colorful market of Nyaung U, an essential place in the local life. The journey continues, visit the Shwezigon Pagoda (the most revered in Bagan) and the Ananda Temple (the most beautiful one) originally dedicated to the infinite wisdom of the Buddha, famous for its Indian architecture. In the afternoon, visit the archaeological museum of Bagan which has on display a large number of religious representations and items found in the temples nearby. Next, a stroll in small villages will allow you to discover a typical rural life and some crafts: wickerwork and manufacture of lacquered products. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.
An electric motorcycle is the perfect means of transport to explore Bagan area. Riding on paved roads and sandy paths with little traffic is pleasant and fun. Discover the imposing Dhammayangyi Temples, Htilominlo, Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myingabar with its stunning Jataka murals and create lasting memories. Continue your beautiful journey by venturing into monuments and bring your day to a peaceful end on the terrace of a temple-a perfect spot to admire the sunset.
Moto: 4-5h
Depending on your flight, you’ll be able to enjoy some free time in Bagan. Transfer to Bagan airport and fly to Yangon. Departure flight.
€ 1,190euro/personneUSD
The price includes
þ Accommodation and breakfasts in hotels on the accommodation list
þ Meals clearly mentioned in the program: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
þ The entrance fee to the sites
þ Competent English–speaking guides throughout the trip except the free days when it is mentioned clearly: without a guide
þ Private air – conditioned car for all land transport except free days when it is mentioned clearly: without driver
þ One litre of drinking water per person per day
þ Domestic flight in economy class
þ All logistic services necessary for the program
The price does not include
ý International flights and airport taxes from/to your country
ý Visa fees
ý Means of transport not mentioned in the program
ý Meals not mentioned in the program
ý Tipping for services: local guides, crew members, drivers, porters…
ý Drink, telephone, linen or all personal expenses not mentioned in the "price includes" section
You need to know
Trip price
All prices mentioned in the quotes provided to clients are in US Dollars (USD). Euros are accepted, but the exchange rate will be determined by the international website https://www.xe.com/ on the date the payment is made. iLOTUS TOURS guarantees the rates mentioned in the quotes, invoices, or documents given to the client. Upon payment of the deposit or the full price, we guarantee the price of your trip (excluding changes made by you). However, certain force majeure situations may require us to adjust our prices to meet the travel conditions described in the quote. These force majeure situations may include: • An unpredictable and significant increase in the rate of our local providers (hotels, trains, planes, junks, boats, road vehicles...) • A significant currency fluctuation that has a considerable impact on the exchange rate • The introduction of a new tax imposed by the government Proof of these force majeure events will be provided to the client. In these cases of force majeure, even after the deposit has been paid, the client may refuse these increases and cancel their trip. We commit to refunding the deposit you have paid.
Reservation and Confirmation
All reservations must be sent to iLOTUS TOURS by email at: contact@ilotustours.com • Registration must be accompanied by a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip and 100% of the cost of international flights. • The deposit required for trips lasting less than one week is 50% of the total trip cost. • A larger deposit may be required in the case of last-minute bookings or depending on the specific requests of certain high-category hotels or airlines. • The balance must be paid upon your arrival, without any reminder from our side. • Upon confirmation of the booking, an invoice will be sent to the client by email.
Payment
The trip can be paid for in cash, by bank transfer, by credit card, or through an application (Wise, Revolut, One Pay...): • Cash payments must be made at the iLOTUS TOURS office located in Hanoi, and the client will not be charged any payment fees. • Credit cards: we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. Any bank fees are the responsibility of the client. • Bank transfer in US dollars or euros.
Cancellation by the Client
In the event of trip cancellation, all cancellations must be confirmed by email. The client must pay cancellation fees corresponding to the following rates: • 25% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 30 days before the trip start date. • 50% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 10 days before the trip start date. • 75% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 3 days before the trip start date. • 100% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS 2 days before the trip start date or in case of no-show. For trips to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, your travel advisor will provide you with all the information regarding the deposit and cancellation fees.
Cancellation by iLOTUS TOURS
iLOTUS TOURS reserves the right to cancel trips agreed upon with clients for reasons related to a force majeure situation: war or the threat of war, riots, a natural or nuclear disaster, a port blockade, looting, fires, and any terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, an epidemic, quarantine, or any similar event. In all these cases of cancellation, iLOTUS TOURS will deduct the amount of these penalties from the deposit paid by the client but will refund the remaining amount to the client by bank transfer, with the client covering all bank fees.
