A Classic Journey of Myanmar and Bhutan

Arrive in Bangkok on your own. Take a shuttle van to the hotel. 

Our flight from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan, is usually in the morning (6:50 a.m.). Please, take the hotel shuttle van. 

We will pre-process the Bhutan visa, and we will provide you the Visa Letter that you need to present during flight check-in time. Your passport will get the actual visa sticker upon arrival in Paro. After clearing immigration and customs, follow the exit sign to meet your guide and driver outside. Then we’ll drive to Thimphu, about a scenic hour away. After lunch at the hotel, we’ll have a walking tour of Thimphu town, the only capital in the world without any traffic lights. 

You will visit the memorial chorten (shrine) of the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorje Wangchuk and perhaps the Trassichoe Dzong- the capital and the seat of Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Today we truly begin our tour of the Himalayan capital. If it’s the weekend, we can visit the colorful weekend market. Farmers from the villages come here to sell their fresh produce. You will also get dried fish, herbs, yak butter, fermented cheese, and arts and crafts as fabrics and wooden bowls. Usually, archery matches will be underway in the neighboring grounds, and we won’t want to miss that. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and is played by the Bhutanese men with pride and glory.

Then to the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory to see the traditional paper making methods; and the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center, which produces traditional hand-woven textiles and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. During the weekdays, we can visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. This institute provides a six-year course on Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts of painting, wood carving, embroidery, and statue making.

Other attractions of Thimphu are the Folk Heritage Museum, a three-storied rammed mud and timber building, which is a replica of a century-old traditional farmhouse. The National Institute of Traditional Medicine, which prepares and dispenses traditional herbal and other medicines; The Zilukha Nunnery in Drubthob Goemba, a residence of 40-65 nuns. The National Memorial Chorten, a memorial to the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; The National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Bhutan's traditional books and manuscripts. The Textile Museum, where you can learn a bit more about Bhutan's living and national art of weaving. And The Motithang Takin Preserve, where Takin, the national animals, are kept. Depending on your interest and available time, we can visit all or some of those sites.

For hiking enthusiasts, Thimphu has several short hiking destinations. The one we would like to recommend is a hike to Tango Goemba Monastery, which is an easy hike of about 45 minutes or an hour. The Monastery functions as the college for some 280 monks and is the residence of Gyalse Rinpoche, an important reincarnated Lama. At the monastery, you will have a hot cup of tea with the monks, a chance to learn about their monastic life, and the Buddhist religion. We can teach them some English, and maybe even learn some Bhutanese phrases. On the way back, we can stop to visit the impressive Trasichoe Dzong. It is the fortress of the Glorious Religion and is the administrative and religious center of Bhutan. The fortress houses the Royal Throne and Bhutan's National Assembly. We will only have access to the religious section. This is also the venue for Thimphu's Tsechu festivals in September or October.

This morning it is off to Punakha, the former winter capital of Bhutan. We will drive through some picturesque villages and terraced fields. Later, the road winds up through the pine forests and passes by chortens (stupas) and prayer flags before heading up to the Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet. The pass offers panoramic views of snowcapped mountains and valleys on a clear weather day. For another two hours, the road slowly drops into the subtropical lowlands of Punakha and Wangdue.

We’ll settle into the resort. After lunch, we take a gentle, 25-minute hike through paddy fields and the villages to Chimi Lakhang Temple, also known as the Fertility Temple. Or visit the Nalanda Buddhist College, locally known as Dalayna.

After breakfast, we can start the day with a pleasant hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, which is about 30 or 45 minutes from the road, atop a beautiful hillock overlooking the valley. Queen Mother built this chorten and dedicated to the well-being of the kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings. For the return trip, we can descend a different way to the Punakha Dzong Fortress, which is among the most impressive fort architectures of Bhutan. After lunch, check out of the hotel and retrace the drive to Paro via Dhochula pass and Thimphu.

This morning is our hike to the legendary Taktsang Monastery- the legendary Tiger's Nest. Taktsang Monastery is precariously perched on the edge of a 4,000-foot cliff above the valley floor. It creates an impressive sight and is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. A steep, 90-minute uphill hike brings us to a cafeteria located on a ridge across from the monastery. It provides us the first welcome view of the monastery and an opportunity to take a rest and purchase refreshments and snacks. You may take a pony ride up to this point, with prior arrangement. But the rest of the 45-minute hike to the monastery, and a return trip back down, you will be on our own.

Depending on your interest, there is an opportunity for another adventure. You can take a hike to off the beaten track further up to the Zangtopelri temple (Paradise Monastery) on the hilltop above the Tiger's Nest. It is a steep, one-hour hike from the Taktsang Monastery. To go back down, we would follow a different path through the pristine, thick forest of oaks, rhododendrons, and Spanish moss, before rejoining the main trail near the Taktsang Cafeteria.

At the trailhead, we’ll meet our transport and continue on the tour of the day. We will stop at the ancient Kyichu Temple, which is one of the 108 temples. It is believed that Tibetan King Songtsen Gambo had miraculously built this temple over a single night to subdue the demoness!

We can also stop at a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. Bhutanese Farm Houses are colorful, attractive, and built-in a traditional architectural style without the use of any nails. All houses follow more or less the same architectural plan. The houses are picturesque, and the locals are friendly and hospitable. You will have the opportunity to go into the house and meet the family and learn about their lives in Bhutan.

Tonight you may experience Bhutan's traditional Hot Stone Bath (Cost approximately $25 per person and booking is required). This Hot Stone Bath is believed to cure skin ailments, joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorder, arthritis, and many other minor diseases.

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Bangkok or to your next destination. In Bangkok, take the shuttle van to the hotel.

Take the shuttle van to the airport in time for a flight to Yangon.

Upon arrival in Yangon, meet your local guide and driver and transfer to the hotel in the city. After wash up and change, proceed for sightseeing.

Yangon, also known as Rangoon, is situated at the fertile delta of the Yangon River in Southern Myanmar. The city is full of tree-shaded boulevards, and gleaming stupas that rise above the treetops. The capital was moved from Mandalay to Yangon in 1885 by the British.

First, we visit the shimmering octagonal Sule Pagoda that stands in the heart of the city. The pagoda is believed to be 2,000 years old and is said to contain a hair of Buddha.

Next, we will want to visit the National Museum. It is a repository of the ancient Burmese heritage of civilizations. Attractions include the 8-meter-high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by the last Burmese king, and many other fascinating artifacts from Burmese history. Enjoy a break at the Bogyoke (Scott Market), a vibrant covered market selling crafts, jewelry, vegetables, food, fabrics, and more. The market is vibrant but closed on Mondays and public holidays.

In the afternoon, we will visit more of the pagodas, including Botataung Pagoda, which commemorates the 1,000 military leaders who brought the relics of Buddha to Myanmar 2,000 years ago. Ngadatkyipaya, with a giant, seated Buddha image, is also compelling. The final stop of the day will be at Shwedagon Pagoda, which attracts more travelers than any other attraction in Myanmar. This is 2,500-year-old pagoda towering over the city. It houses eight sacred hair relics of the Buddha; it is the most revered shrine in the country. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colors of twilight.

First thing this morning, we will head for the airport for our 80-minute flight to Bagan. It is on a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year-old temple ruins that are among the most astounding archeological wonders in the world. At the Nyaung U airport, our local guide and driver will meet us, with all arrangements made.

After settling into our Bagan hotel, we can set out to explore the land of four million pagodas. Highlights of the day include a visit to Nyaing Oo Local Market. You can take a stroll along with the market stalls offering a variety of fresh farm produce and a range of unique local items and souvenirs to take home. In the early 11th century, King Anawrahta built Schwezigon Pagoda as the first Buddhist monument built in Myanmar style. The Ananda Patho (Temple) has four large Buddha Images in standing position with reliefs depicting the Buddha from his birth to his Enlightenment. It is adjacent to the brick monastery, and you can see the well-preserved murals from the early Bagan era. The Thatbyinnyu Temple is the highest white stucco building in Bagan. We’ll want to drive back to the hotel to avoid the intense noon heat.

Later this afternoon, we'll set out again to see some spectacular and essential sites. The sites include the Manuha Temple built by the exiled King Manuha of Thaton, dating back to 1059 in the Mon Style. And Nanapaya Temple, which is believed to stand at the site where King Manuha has his palace. We will also hope to stop at the Lacquerware Workshop. Here we will learn about the thorough process of lacquerware making and decoration. Toward the end of the day, we can climb on the ideally situated Pyathetgyi Pagoda for its spectacular sunset view over the mountain ranges in the distance.

Excursion to Mount Popa (3 hours)
Visit Mount Popa, a cylindrical hill that rises sharply from the surrounding plain, and is considered to be the home of Myanmar's most important nats (spirits). Ascend the mountain via a winding covered staircase watched by the curious monkeys that populate the area. At the top is a monastery and temple complex with shrines to the 37 nats, along with spectacular views.

Visit a palm village (2 km)
Stop at a typical village, where villages demonstrate how they press palm juice and oils from the native plants, make jaggery from the sugars, and weave baskets from the palm leaves.

This morning, we have a brief, 30-minute flight to Mandalay. The last capital town of royal Burma, Mandalay, is still among the major cities of Myanmar and a cultural and spiritual center.

After we check into the hotel, we will set out to explore the area. First stop: Mahamuni Paya with an image covered with six inches of gold leaf. The image is among the most adored ones in Myanmar. Pious Burmese people swarm to the temple daily at 4 a.m. to observe the unique face-washing ceremony. On the way to the pagoda, you can stop to watch the backbreaking process of gold-leaf-beating. You may also choose to visit the craft workshops specializing in bronze-casting, marble-carving, wood-carving, and puppetry.

The afternoon tour begins from Shwenandaw Kyaung or the Golden Teak Monastery. Built entirely of golden teak, this intricately carved wooden monastery was once a part of the Mandalay Palace used as private apartments by King Mindon and his Chief Queen. Next: Kyaukawgyi Paya, which is known for its large image of seated Buddha, carved out of a single block of marble. Continue to Sandamani Paya, a cluster of slender whitewashed stupas. We can also visit Kuthodaw Paya, which contains the world's most massive book. Picturesque miniature pavilions surround the central stupa, each housing a slab of marble, inscribed with the entire Tripitaka or Buddhist scriptures. In the evening, we can climb the Mandalay Hill to enjoy the view at sunset.

We begin the day with a brief, 30-minute flight to Heho. Our guide and driver will meet us and take us to Pindaya about a 90-minute drive. There we’ll find unique caves where pilgrims placed thousands of Buddha images over many centuries. The images are made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer, and cement. They are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers. Next, a hike to visit the Shwe U Min Paya, which is a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the caves. At the foot of the hill, are small workshops that make the paper parasols.

A multi-modal day: Following breakfast, we travel by car to the Inle Lake, about two and a half hours away, and then board a boat to get to the hotel. Located in Shan State, Inle Lake has tranquil waters dotted with patches of floating vegetation and fishing canoes. The lake is surrounded by hills, with 17 villages on stilts in the islands and along the lakeshore. 

Excursion by boat on Inle Lake to Indein and Sae Ma Village (5 hours).
Travel by boat to the western shore of the lake to a stairway and walk to the hidden Indein temple complex. It is located on the coast of the lake, and this site consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and greens. Continue on foot past rice fields to the village of Sae Ma, stopping to explore the village. In the afternoon, meet the village locals on the lake and travel to one of the monasteries to observe the religious activities.

Inthar Home Cooking (4.5 hours).
After breakfast, transfer to a local home of Inthar and meet with the family in Pauk Par Village. The local family will prepare for you to learn about traditional cuisines. But firstly, the local family will lead you to one of the local rotational markets around Inle Lake. Explore around the local market, where greenish vegetables, fresh meats, colorful fruits, local products, and others. Buy some ingredients which are required for your cooking class and transfer back to the local Inthar home.

Now, it's about time to learn and cook like an Inthar, the local family will explain about the cuisines you are about to cook and show you how to cook step by step. Discover and enjoy how local Inthar people prepare their meals. After finish cooking, enjoy lunch with the traditional cuisines you've made. After lunch, transfer back to the hotel or continue sightseeing for half a day in the lake.

Excursion by boat on Inle Lake.
Enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake and discover its calm serenity, still waters, and colorful brush strokes of floating vegetation and slow-moving fishing canoes. Rolling high hills hug the lake on all sides, as the lake's shore and islands host 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery and meditate on the one of a kind skill of the local fishermen who makes use of their legs in a unique rowing technique to glide them gracefully around the lake. Visit the enchanting floating gardens, a teeming market, and an Intha village around the lake. The day also includes a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village (Lotus and silk weaving villages), and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.

This morning we’ll fly to Yangon. Transfer to the international terminal. Please, book your return flight after 3 p.m.