DAY TOURS
BAGO
This morning your guide and driver will pick you up for a 2-hour drive to Bago, also known as Pegu, was the capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century and is a town steeped in legend. You will be in time to visit one of the largest monasteries in Myanmar and you can see over 1000 monks lining up for their daily meal, which is quite impressive.
The sites in Bago are spread out around the town and you'll spend the day exploring with your guide, learning about the history and myths of the city. Stops include the 55-metre long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha, the four seated Buddhas at Kyaikpun and the old palace of Kambozathadi. The Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda is the most outstanding religious monument in Bago. This golden temple stands at 114 metres tall, higher than Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, and can be seen from around 10 kilometres outside of the city.
Visit the city's local sites, including the town market and a Mon neighborhood where the locals produce beautiful woven textiles. Your guide will show you where to get the best lunch.
Return to Yangon in the afternoon and shortly before Yangon, stop in Htaukkyan township to visit the Allied War Cemetery. This beautifully-landscaped, peaceful area is the final resting place for more than 27,000 Allied Soldiers who perished during the World War II campaign in Myanmar.
US$ 95,-- p.p.
Service: English speaking guide, aircon saloon, entrance fees
Not included: Meals, drinks, etc
SYRIAM
Today explore the quaint town of Syriam. You will be picked up at 9 am for the one-hour drive to Syriam, also called Thanlyin. Syriam’s interesting past started with its port during the 15th century, followed then briefly by falling under Portuguese rule in the 17th century: Syriam served as the base for the French East India company before it joined the British empire. Today Syriam has three universities and still is sleepy town!
Upon arrival explore the little town with its tree-lined streets to see the main sites and get a glimpse of local life. Visit the hilltop pagoda at Kyaik Khauk (4 km outside) which offers a beautiful view from far distance to the Shwedagon Pagoda. Take a little wooden boat and get paddled to the Ye Le Pagoda (also called Kyauktan or catfish Island) built on a small island. Buy some popcorn for the catfish and feed them… one says it brings luck! Have your lunch at a nearby restaurant.You will be back to your hotel around 4 pm.
US$ 80,-- p.p.
Service: English speaking guide, aircon saloon, entrance fees and boat to Yele Pagoda
Not included: Meals, drinks, etc
YANGON FOR FOODIES
Your guide and driver will pick you up around 8 am. Head to one of the colourful morning markets where you can find everything from fresh vegetables, fruits to fish and chicken, beef and pork meat. A certain smell will lead you to the popular Burmese pastes... a mix of chilli and fish paste. Sit on tiny chairs in one of the tea shops and enjoy your local breakfast... be it Mohinga (a delicious fish soup served with noodles) or Onou Khoswe (coconut noodles) which comes with coriander, raw onions, boiled eggs and fried been cakes as a side dish. Most of our clients love this dish, although it is a breakfast...
Continue your market discovery tour and enjoy your desert. May it be pancakes, steamed sticky rice with beans or donuts. Visit another market popular for its palata, but also selling flowers and fruits. Some fruits you might never have seen, try them! Now it's for a real Burmese tea of just Green tea to digest your breakfast a bit and just sit at the tea shop and watch the people.
After your delicious unusual breakfast you will drive to Yangon’s train station (an old colonial building where time still stood still) and board the slow moving circular train. The 20-30 minute ride is another kind of a glimpse into local life with activities inside the train and outside passing small wooden settlements and traditional markets. Your driver will pick you up at Insein station to drive you to one of Yangon's most authentic local restaurants, Feel Myanmar Food. Here you might have difficulties to choose the numerous curries and other tasteful side dishes.
(by 1.30 pm the food is often sold out)
After your lunch drive to Mawtin Jetty and take a trickshaw for a short trip along the Yangon River. Still hungry? Have high tea at the Strand Hotel. Or just a coffee break and then back to your hotel.
US$ 60,-- p.p.
Service: English speaking guide, aircon saloon, lunch, circular train
Not included: Meals, drinks, high tea/coffee high tea at the Strand Hotel, etc.
