Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and you'll venture downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You'll start at the post office - a lovely historic building- and walk to Sule Pagoda in the middle of downtown, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then visit Little India and Chinatown, a colorful cacophony of restaurants, templ es and markets. Reach Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott's Market, where there is time to browse through the dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon's best market for handicrafts and other goods. (Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).
Lunch at local restaurant where delicious Burmese cuisine is served in a clean, comfortable environment. After lunch we'll visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. Continue to a local tea shop for a chance to experience an integral part of Burmese life: drinking tea! Select from an array of snacks and enjoy a coffee or tea. Next, your guided tour goes to Kandawagyi Park, one of central Yangon's greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, and the vast lake with views of Shwedagon in the background. Depending on the day of your visit Kandawgyi may be busy with local families who come here on the weekend to relax in the fresh air.
From here, continue to Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.
This morning guests will meet by their guide and driver for a day spent exploring the best of Yangon’s foods. Start with a visit to one of downtown’s main morning markets. Here vendors gather to sell everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to fish and meats, as well as a variety of dipping sauces and pastes popular in Burmese cooking (including the famous balachung - a mix of fish paste and chili).
Continue past many vendors selling breakfast treats popular with the locals, such as pancakes, steamed sticky rice with beans and fried delights such as donuts and samosas. There are also dozens of noodle stalls in the area where locals gather for a tasty breakfast on their way to work or school. Guests will be able to stop and taste some of these treats as they walk by.
A short drive to Seikkan Tha Street will then allow guests to explore another morning market area, with many stalls selling Roti Prata, flowers and fruits. Try a bite of Roti Prata or an exotic local fruit. Having worked up a thirst, guests will stop at Maung Aye Tea Shop - a local favorite which serves sweet Burmese tea (called le phet yay) and local snacks.
Crossing the street, the next stop is at Shwe Myot Taw, an Indian restaurant with great Roti Prata, and Padauk Yeik. Meaning ‘in the shade of the gum tree’, this stall is a popular place to have le phet thoke, Burmese tea leaf salad. The fermented tea leaves are served with a selection of fried nuts and beans and can be washed down with a fresh fruit juice.
Finally, transfer to Feel Restaurant for lunch. This restaurant is a popular with locals who come for the delicious curries, and by 1.30PM the food is often sold out. Sample an array of local curries all accompanied by dozens of vegetables, some dips and a soup. This is a very traditional, tasty Burmese lunch and the perfect way to complete this day of culinary exploration in Yangon. After lunch transfer back to the hotel.
This special half-day tour will immerse you into the everyday life of Myanmar’s largest city. Board the local ‘circle train’ which runs from Yangon’s main railway station in a circle around various neighborhoods in town and on the outskirts of town. The slowly traveling train gives you unique opportunity to enjoy observing the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people.
Disembark after 45 minutes – 1 hour in Insein Township. One of the city’s best fresh markets is here, filled with vendors and piles of colorful items for sale. Spend time walking amid the stalls examining the fruits, produce and meats on sale as well as chatting with the friendly locals.
Transfer by car back to the city centre of Yangon. Take a short walking tour through Chinatown and Little India, two fabulously diverse and vibrant neighborhoods of Yangon. You’ll see street markets, snack vendors and many places of worship as you walk along the street. Afterwards transfer to your hotel.
Mahasi Monastery, one of the best monasteries in Yangon for meditation training. Mahasi is renowned as an 'Educational Spa' throughout Myanmar and many pilgrims come here to learn, study and practice Vipassana meditation. Mahasi usually requires a minimum of one-week of study for the local yogis however they have granted special permission for our clients for a one-day program.
First you'll meet with the venerable monk who will discuss the importance of meditation in the life of the Burmese Buddhist people (in English). A meditation teacher (monk) will be there to teach you techniques and methods that have been used for centuries. After an hour of instruction and discussion it is time to practice what you have learned.
Move into the meditation hall for your practice session. Slip away into a deep meditative state, relaxing in the quiet, peaceful setting of Mahasi.
Afterwards return to your hotel or continue your spiritual afternoon with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda.
Shwedagon is the most revered temple in Myanmar and, in the late afternoon, many nuns, monks and pilgrims gather there to say their evening prayers. Learn about the history and importance of this site with your local guide and enjoy the magical scene as the setting sun casts gorgeous colors onto the 90-metre tall golden stupa.
Afterwards return to your hotel or continue your spiritual afternoon with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda.
Start with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the country's holiest sites. In the morning hours the pagoda is busy with local pilgrims, monks and nuns coming to pay their respects to the Buddha and say their prayers. Spend time walking around the platform and learning about Burmese beliefs such as the astrological system and its role in the daily life of the locals. The faint tinkling of bells, sounds of chants and early morning light create a serene atmosphere.
After exploring Shwedagon, descend the eastern stairway to find a row of shops at the base of the temple selling various religious items. Here you will find monks robes, alms bowls, offerings, incense and other unique Buddhist objects. As your browse the stalls your guide will explain the use and rituals of Myanmar's Buddhist people.
Next turn down a hidden laneway to discover a busy market tucked amid a labyrinth of small alleys. Fresh produce, rice, noodles and a variety of dry goods are on sale in this atmospheric little market. Having worked up an appetite it's time to head to Modern Tea Shop, an open-air tea shop busy from morning till night with local office workers, businessmen and families who come to enjoy a meal and a chat with their friends.
Sample a cup of sweet tea or local coffee along with some breakfast. The famous mohinga noodles are one of the most popular dishes but more than a dozen other meals are available including mee shay noodles, nan gyi, chappati-style bread with dips, cakes and savory pastries. Then transfer back to your hotel.
Your tour begins at the spiritual heart of Myanmar, Shwedagon pagoda. Delve deeper into the surrounding area with a visit to the tombs of some of the country’s most influential leaders, including U Thant and General Aung San. Five minutes walking distance you will see U Thant Mausoleum (Note: Open on Tue & Thursday- 9 Am to 3 Pm, Sat & Sunday- 11 Pm – 5Pm, the rest of the day can see the only outside area. Afterwards you can see Su Phayar Latt Mausoleum (Wife of the last Burmese King Hsibaw), Daw Khin Kyi Mausoleum (Wife of General Aung San) and Tha Khin Ko Taw Hmine Mausoleum. Just another 5 minutes walking distance to see Bahadur Shah Mausoleum, Emperor of Delhi (Popularly known as Zafar Shah) who died at Yangon 7th November 1868 and his wife Zinath Mahal died at Yangon 17 July 1886. The last tomb is Bo Gyoke Aung San Mausoleum.
Afterwards visit Aung San Old House, the former residence of General Aung San. The home now houses Myanmar’s most fascinating memorabilia of the former independence leader. Lunch at House Of Memories Restaurant to delicious Burmese cuisine served in a historic colonial home filled with relics from Myanmar’s history.
After lunch visit the former U.N. Secretary General’s, U Thant, house, who brought Myanmar to the world’s conscious during his tenure. Next, head to Yangon University’s convocation hall, where the history of bloody student and monk protest contrast with Obama’s historic address in November 2012. After years of being closed Yangon University has reopened to students so clients can only visit the building’s exterior.
Make a photo-stop at Aung Sun Su Kyi’s house. Known as The Lady, Aung Sun Su Kyi has become the symbol for Myanmar’s march towards democracy. End the day with a visit to the National League of Democracy headquarters, the political party that furiously fought for civil liberties for all citizens. Afterwards you have the option of discussing Myanmar’s past, present and future at She Ya Tha tea shop.
With your travel guide and car, depart this morning for the one-hour drive to Syriam. Also referred to as Thanlyin, Syriam has an interesting past first rising to prominence as a port during the 15th century, then briefly falling under Portuguese rule in the 17th century, serving as the base for the French East India company and finally joining the British empire. These days Syriam is home to three universities and, despite its proximity to Yangon, remains a quiet, sleepy town.
Upon arrival in Syriam, take a short visit to the local market and then prepare for the start of your bike ride. The journey covers 25 kilometres in total and we'll pass through many villages where the locals will come out to greet us- excited to see foreigners pedaling by! Along the way we will stop at pottery making villages, tofu-making neighborhoods and pomelo gardens.
Having looped around Syriam's outskirts, we will then reach the wet market at Kyauktan and hop off the bikes. Stop to refuel with lunch at a local restaurant near the boat jetty.Then we will take a ferry across to Island Pagoda. This unique temple is a popular pilgrimage spot for the locals and there are also dozens of river catfish around the island that you can feed.
Return to the Syriam side of the river and transfer to a local tea shop for a cup of tea or coffee. Try some tempura or another snack if you wish. Then resume the return drive to Yangon, arriving at your hotel late this afternoon.
Your day begins with a visit to Kon Zay Dan Street in downtown Yangon. The market here is filled with stalls selling herbs, plants and even sea shells, all of which are used as medicines in Myanmar. Your guide will help explain the usage of the ingredients. The street is also home to shops sell ing other goods such as famous tea leaf salad, thanaka- the yellow paste worn by many Burmese- and an array of religious items.
After visiting the market transfer to the office of U Shein or Sayagyi U Nyan (note: Visit depends on client’s preference and doctor availability). The U Shein clinic is well regarded both in Myanmar and abroad for the usage of gold ash powder combined with local herbs to cure diseases. They use a metal object to detect problems in the patient then concocts a mixture of gold ash and other ingredients for an individual remedy. This method will be explained and provide background on this work and herbal medicines in Myanmar.
The Sayagyi U Nyan clinic is renowned for their holistic diagnostic method and healing with herbs. A combination of four traditional medicine practices (Alchemy, hot/cold balance, astrology and Ayurvedic concepts) are used to heal patients. If you wish, Dr Sayagyi U Nyan himself can perform a health check-up on you by asking a few questions and feeling pulse points. After visiting the clinic, transfer back to your hotel.
Your guide and driver will greet you at the hotel to transfer you to the start point for your 'On The Blessings Trail's walking tour through the downtown streets. Although Myanmar is predominately Buddhist, there are several forms of religion practiced in the country most of which were introduced by immigrant populations. Exploring the diverse religions in downtown Yangon provides insight into the rich tapestry of cultures in Myanmar and unveils a side of the city rarely explored by tourists.
We start at Kheng Hock Keong Temple, Chinatown's largest temple, and continue walking our way through western downtown. Along the way we will visit mosques, churches, Hindu temples and even a synagogue before finishing at Sule Pagoda. Your guide will explain the rich diversity of the religions in Yangon and teach you about offerings and blessings in each place of worship. Beyond the major regions, you'll also discover local Burmese traditions such as ancestor worship, Nat worship, astrology and even the lottery!
While walking through this lively section of town we'll also stumble upon local markets selling everything from fresh produce to temple offerings to traditional medicine. We'll sit and enjoy tea on a leafy side street, sampling local snacks and meet friendly locals.
Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel this morning for a full day of exploring Yangon's art and antiques scene.
We'll start up in the area of Yangon known as 'Golden Valley' at New Treasure Gallery. This art gallery was established by Min Wai Aung, a Burmese artist famous for his paintings of monks. Then visit two antiques shops, Augustine's and Madame Thair. Both shops are filled with curious and some real hidden gems from various periods of Myanmar's history. The exuberant Madame Thair will be sure to entertain you with her charm and 'everything is for sale' pitch. Next it's on to Dhamazedi Road where a row of small shop houses are packed full of antiques. Hidden among the dusty shelves are many treasures from the colonial era and before.
Stop for lunch at House of Memories Restaurant, an old colonial style mansion set in a beautiful garden. Once used as the BIA (Burma Independence Army) and BDA (Burma Defense Army) Head Quarters, the building is full of memories of the people who embarked on the long walk toward gaining independence for Myanmar. Wander through the house looking at the historic remnants on display including a room named after General Aung San, which was once his office and still contains his desk and typewriter.
This afternoon we will head downtown to visit at least three art galleries. (Itinerary may vary depending on opening hours, current exhibits and client's personal interests). We'll start at River Gallery, located adjacent to The Strand Hotel, which aims to bring Myanmar art to a wider audience. River Gallery showcases the city's widest range of contemporary art, representing more than 30 artists at any given time. Next we'll visit Lokanat Gallery, a non-profit gallery that features a small collection of traditional works as well as rotating exhibits of current Burmese artists.
Then we will continue to Pansodan Arts to view works of art covering traditional period up to modern, abstract styles. The knowledgeable curator will show you upstairs to the store room where hundreds of paintings are tucked away, including war-time propaganda, neo-classical works created as European influences began to reach Myanmar and classic line drawings and photographs. Before leaving downtown we'll visit the newest addition to Yangon's arts scene, Sule Eain. Located adjacent to Sule Paya, this loft-style space features rotating exhibitions of contemporary painters. Then it is time to transfer back to your hotel.
Around 4 pm, you will be picked up at your hotel for the start of your Yangon by Night tour. Transfer to the jetty where you will board a boat for a 1.5 hour evening cruise on the Yangon River. Enjoy the scenes of river life- with fishermen, local ferries and seagulls passing by- as the sun begins to set. We will offer a choice of snacks, soft drink or water, local beer and liquor is available on client’s own account.
Returning to dry land, take a local trishaw through the streets toward the illuminated Sule Pagoda. This way of travelling is fabulous in the evening, passing the colorful street stalls and illuminated colonial buildings of downtown.
We’ll arrive to Chinatown. This neighborhood is extremely lively in the evening and we’ll take a short walking tour along 19th Street, famous for its lively barbeque restaurants. Dozens of vendors set up satay stalls and other snack stalls here in the evening and it is a popular spot for locals to gather, have a drink and chat with friends. We’ll enjoy a dinner of delicious grilled meats, seafood and vegetable dishes with traditional dipping sauces and side dishes.
Finally we take you to a live music venue for a post-dinner drink. Depending on your interests or the night of the week we recommend My Garden which has live music, draft beers and is popular with groups of young Burmese. If it is a Wednesday or Friday night and you are seeking something a bit more western, check out 50 th Street- the expat hangout- which has a band on these nights. After your night out on the town, your guide and driver will tra nsfer you back to your hotel. (Please note: guide and driver available until 11PM. After that time we will arrange for taxi transfer at client’s expense)
After breakfast, set off for a full day of ‘living like a local’ in Yangon, observing the lifestyle and culture of the Burmese people.
Transfer to the Yangon train station and board the slow moving circle train. The 20-30 minute ride is a real taste of local life with the scenery and activities inside the train equally entertaining to the outside landscapes of small villages and traditional markets. Disembark at Kyee Myin Dine station, a neighborhood in the northwest part of Yangon. Shrouded in a rural and urban atmosphere, Kyee Myin Dine is home to friendly people. Visit the market where you can see colorful vendors and shopkeepers as the locals go about their daily shopping.
Transfer to downtown’s vibrant Chinatown area. Begin at the 17 th and 18th street markets where you’ll see noodle making and rice paper making. Continue with a walk toward Latha Street, stopping to visit a Chinese temple and local food shops making delicacies such as roasted pork.
At midday, stop for lunch at a local curry shop. Enjoy a range of delicious foods amid the local atmosphere. Continue your ‘local’ exploration with a trip to Nanthida Jetty to board a ferry to cross the Yangon River to Dhala.
The jetty is often buzzing with activity as a mini-street market is there to sell snacks and other items to the ferry passengers. The boat ride to Dhala takes 15 minutes and offers great views of the waterways as well as a fun chance to interact with the curious locals as they make their way across the river.
Upon reaching Dhala, travel by local trishaw through the town. The scenic town is remarkably different from nearby Yangon, with many trees, local neighborhoods and quiet side streets filling the area. Return by boat to Yangon, observing life along the river and reflecting back on your excursion to Dhala. Upon returning to the Yangon jetty, you will be transferred back to your hotel.