A Journey Beyond Expectations

LUXURY JOURNEY TO MYANMAR

POSTPONED

Extensions to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and throughout Asia individually arranged.
 

EXOTIC MYANMAR... THE SPLENDOR OF OLD ASIA, SEEMINGLY UNTOUCHED BY TIME... THE MAGIC OF MANDALAY, THE MAGNIFICENT TEMPLES OF BAGAN, THE BUSTLE OF YANGON.  MYNMAR IS A CAPTIVATING TRAVEL DESTINATION.

 ASIAN ODYSSEYS has created an itinerary that is rich and rewarding.  Included are major singhtseeing highlights and fascinating cultural experiences.   Colorful markets, talented artisans and beautiful natural scenery await us.  Isolated from modern influence for decades, each element of this journey offers an opportunity for an exciting and fulfilling adventure.  The joy and optimism of today's events make this a perfect journey.

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the spectacular beauty of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
Capture the mystery and romance of Mandalay
Discover the ancient royal temples and shrines of Bagan
Experience a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon adventure
 Explore traditional, dazzling  Tribal markets
Soft trekking in the Shan Hills
Day cruises to off- the-beaten track locales
Explore the waterways of Inle Lake by private boat
Stay in stunning deluxe hotels
Enjoy candle-light dinners at pagoda ruins and gourmet food throughout

With a focus on the culture, people, arts and sights of Myanmar, we will see fairy tale pagodas, fascinating architecture and lively street llife.  We will stay at deluxe boutique hotels and enjoy gourmet cuisine.  Guides are carefully chosen for their wealth of knowledge and their ability to help us understand Myanmar's diverse cultures and sights.  The warmth and hospitality of the local people will make this journey memorable.  This is an ideal time of the year to visit Myanmar, with near perfect weather.  Join with a small group for a trip that is exciting, exotic and fun.

 

Hotels

Strand Hotel 
Yangon

Aureum Palace Resort, Suites
Bagan

InlePrincess  Resort, Lakefront villa
Inle Lake


 

 

CUSTOMIZED EXTENSIONS BEFORE OR AFTER THIS JOURNEY TO MRAUK U, MYANMAR, ANGKOR COMPLEX, CAMBODIA, LAOS, THAILAND, INDIA, AND BEYOND.

                                         
                                      DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1, YANGON
Upon arrival in Yangon, you are met by our Agency representative and tour guide at the airport and transferred to our historic Victorian-era hotel, The Strand, where our luxury suites await.  Formally known as Rangoon, current-day Yangon is a bustling and charming city.  Rest of day at leisure to rest and recover from Jet lag.
Overnight: Strand Hotel, luxury suites, Yangon

Day 2- YANGON

Following breakfast, tour the highlights of the city. 
Enjoy a private tour to visit the key sights of Yangon with its old colonial-style city center, bustling markets and majestic temples. A “heritage” walking tour of downtown includes a visit the Sule Pagoda and the colonial era buildings in city center. Stop for an overview of Scott’s Market (Bogyoke Market). Visit the 100+ years-old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue and meet with Moses Samuels, the trustee of the synagogue.

No visit to Yangon is complete without a visit to the  National Museum, followed by the highlight of our trip: the Shwedagon Pagoda. Nothing will prepare you for majesty of this complex, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda we observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions amidst the dazzling golden spire glowing with the reflection of the setting sun upon its bejeweled crest. 

Reflect on your day and enjoy a gourmet dinner at Agnes - a magnificent French restaurant with outstanding views of the shimmering Shwedagon.
Overnight:  Strand Hotel, Deluxe Suites

Day 3-4.    YANGON- BAGAN
After breakfast this morning, fly from Yangon to Bagan and begin your exploration of the temples.
You will visit a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as Ku Byauk Gyi, with its exquisite murals and Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture. Check in at the hotel in the late morning.     Lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Irrawaddy River.

A visit to lacquer craftsmen and workshops in nearby Myinkaba village includes meeting with Aung Mying, a laquerware artist world-renown for producing pieces of exceptional quality- and written about in the book:  Burmese Laquerware.

Sightseeing continues with visits to Manuha Temple, Nanbaya Temple, and Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple.

In the late afternoon, you’ll explore the villages and temples of Bagan by horse cart, for those who wish, or spend some time enjoying the superb facilities at the Resort. 

Sunset atop one of Bagan’s ancient monuments.  Dinner will be poolside at your magnificent resort.

Overnight at the Aureum Palace Resort (5*), Jasmine or Orchid Villas

Day 5– Bagan
 
Today is a unique opportunity to see the ancient city of Bagan from a different perspective. From a hot air balloon, (optional), get a magnificent aerial view of thousand-year old pagodas and temples and rural villages nestled along the Irrawaddy River as you glide aloft for about an hour.  A champagne celebration concludes the adventure.
We return to the hotel for breakfast.

Day 6-7 Kalaw
A marvelous stop in the hill tribe region of Mayan.  Visits to the local, colorful markets, soft trekking to visit the hill tribe villagers... a unique experience to see the untouristed aspect of Myanmar in full glory.

 Day 8: Kalaw – Inle Lake (B, L, D) 
After breakfast, we will have a scenic drive from Kalaw to Inle Lake.  Known as the most beautiful lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake's calm waters are surrounded by high hills and dotted with floating gardens and stilted villages. You will drive to Nyaung Shwe-, stopping at a magnificent monastery and school outside of town before you reach the jetty where you board your private boat for a 30-minute ride to the hotel, located on the shores of the lake.  Your guide will take you to visit a farm village, time permitting, to visit a family in their house on stilts in the lake and travel by small canoe through the floating farms.
**Special Private Dinner at the Wine Cellar
Overnight at Inle Princess Resort, Lake House Villas
 
Day 9: Inle Lake – Indein (B, L) 
This morning will be spent exploring beautiful Inle Lake.  Begin your sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels.  Visit the fascinating village of Indein, with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls.
 
Following lunch  overlooking the river, take an easy trek thoough the local villages… an “off the beaten track” experience.
 
Visit the “long neck” tribal women, in their workshop and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar.  
Dinner own account at Hotel.
Overnight at Inle Princess Resort, Lake House Villas
 
 
Day 10: Inle Lake – Yangon (B, D) 
Fly back to Yangon – visit an art gallery and enjoy a visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old Market. At the market, you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at
the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere!
Special Dinner at The Seeds: Contemporary Fine Dining Getaway by the Lake
Overnight: Strand Hotel
 
Day 11: Yangon – Departure (B) –
Day at leisure until transfer to international airport
 
             
Extensions can be arranged to meet your individual travel needs throughout all of South East Asia.

•  EXTEND YOUR TRIP!
• Information about flight bookings, extensions to Bali, Borobudur, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, India or other destinations in Asia available upon request. Information about travel insurance purchase and other essential travel information will be sent to travelers upon booking
• www.asian-odysseys.com            818.458.8118                 [email protected]
  
   
  
  Asian Odysseys:   Ellen F. Mayer, Southeast Asia Travel Specialist
  Ellen Mayer, Faculty Emeritus, California State University Northridge, is a specialist in travel and culture in Southeast Asia.  She has been designing journeys for individual and group travel as a consultant for major tour agencies and Consulates. She has been arranging and leading tours for the past 15 years. She is noted for creating meaningful itineraries, specializing in people- to- people contacts.  She designs trips and creates itineraries for individuals and small groups to experience and explore the culture, the arts and the mystical sights of this magical land

Asian Odysseys acts as a consultant for the owners or contractors providing the means of transportation, hotels, and other services. Asian Odysseys helps to plan the itinerary, provide travelers with pertinent information, serve to communicate between the traveler and provider of services, and transmit payment as a courtesy to travelers. No responsibility or liability is assumed for any act, error or omission or for any injury, damage, loss accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicle, or through neglect or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger, or for any proprietor, or for any other person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets or vouchers are issued.  Airlines and other carriers are not responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their planes or conveyances.  Asian Odysseys and or the passenger-associated companies accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in flights, train, or other services; sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, accident or other causes.  Additional expense, if any, shall be borne by the passenger. Your booking and payment constitutes agreement with this policy.




              www.asian-odysseys.com    818.458.8118        [email protected]

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 For your information:
ACCOMMODATIONS:

This trip features luxury, boutique hotels, chosen for their traditional style, comfort and amenities, and architectural features.  These hotels add immensely to the enjoyment of the trip.  Due to the small group size, we have pre-booked the hotels indicated and are assured of our reservation.

GROUP SIZE: Groups are limited to 12 participants, maximum, to create opportunities for experiences not otherwise possible with a larger group.  Departure is guaranteed.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate touring.  Some moderate day walks, excursions in horse carts, trishaws, and small boats.

WEATHER:  At this time of year, the weather is the best in Myanmar:  no rainfall expected, sunny days- with temperatures ranging from 50-60 F at night to 85F during the day.  In Inle lake, early mornings and late nights are chilly.

POLITICAL SITUATION:  The areas covered in this tour have been stable, and warm and receptive to tourists.  The new openness and desire for more Western contact will result in changes, making this the perfect time to visit Myanmar while the combination of new freedoms and old “timelessness” creates an exceptional tourist adventure.

FOOD:  Burmese cuisine consists of fresh vegetables, meat, chicken and fish, “stir fried”.  Special accommodations can be made to accommodate specific dietary requirements with advance notice.

Specific information about packing, a reading list, extensions and optional ballooning, shopping, money issues, visas, etc will be provided in advance of the trip.

 

                                                            TRIP RESERVATION FORM 
 Full name ( as on passport)

Home address

Home phone

Mobile phone

e-mail address

Birthday (MM/DD/YYYY)

Passport number

Date of issue/

Date of expiry

Place of issue

 

Name of Tour:

Dates of Tour:

Sharing Room with _____________________

      Twin or Double Beds Requested  (Please specify)

Food Allergies or Preferences: (Please Specify)

Emergency Contact

 

Name

Phone #

Relationship

 
                                                                      Email Form to 
                                                              [email protected]
                                                                     with your deposit.

                                         For further information or references, please contact Ellen Mayer at:
                                                                        [email protected]  or  1.818.458.8118 

                         Information about flight bookings, extensions to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand or elsewhere
                                                                                in Asia available upon request.


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                                                                                  asian-odysseys.com        
                                                                                                  818.458.8118