Burma The Road to Mandalay September 2016

A monk overlooking the pagoda strewn plain of Bagan Burma – The Road to Mandalay 17 – 30 September 2016 With UK flight package 16 September – 1 Octob...
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A monk overlooking the pagoda strewn plain of Bagan

Burma – The Road to Mandalay 17 – 30 September 2016 With UK flight package 16 September – 1 October 2016

“This has been an outstanding holiday, well planned and managed throughout. It has been enjoyable from beginning to end, so much to see, do and experience. We have had so much fun with our fellow travellers.” John and Helen Griffith, Burma 2015

Delicate pagodas reflected in Lake Inle

Fly into Rangoon and check into your hotel and settle in before a welcome dinner. The following day head for Htaukhyant and visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing of the Burma Campaign. On your return stop at one of the country’s more curious Nat Shrines en route. The spirit (or Nat) inhabiting a Banyan tree is the patron saint of cars and here you may see a car, or your bus, being blessed. Have lunch at the School for the Blind (our supported project – see inside back page) and afterwards stroll along the Yangon River to the local street market. Revive yourself with a colonial style high tea at the magnificent Strand Hotel.

Mahamuni Paya. Stop at a traditional tea shop and visit a selection of Mandalay’s profusion of craft workshops, producing Kalaga embroidery, bronze and marble carving, marionettes and the famous gold leaf which is beaten down with hammers. End the day with wonderful city views from Mandalay Hill at sunset. Head to the enormous Mahagandayon Monastery to see the procession of monks as they queue up to collect alms. Walk along the 200 year old U Bein Teak Bridge - the longest in the world - and take a boat ride on Taung Thaman Lake. Continue to a silk weaving workshop before a boat trip along the Irrawaddy

The following morning fly to Mandalay, the centre of Buddhist learning as well as high art and culture. The city is today home to more than 60% of Burma’s population of Buddhist monks. Upon arrival check into your hotel before visiting the wood and marble carvers and Myotaw Health Clinic. Have lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Golden Palace Monastery, with its intricate teak carvings and elaborate glass mosaics, the Largest Book in the World and Mandalay’s most revered site, U Bein Bridge at sunset

local restaurant with a traditional dance performance. The next morning there is the option to take horse drawn carriages or to ride a bike to watch the sun rise over the temples across the Plain of Bagan. Afterwards drive up to the temples on the mountain with beautiful views over the Bagan plain. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. The next morning fly to Heho and drive to Inle Lake, famed for its cool temperatures and misty horizons. Spend some time exploring the lake. The artisan lake markets attract various ethnic groups in their distinctive traditional costumes from villages all around the lake. Visit the floating gardens and stilt homes of the Intha tribe and see the lake’s distinctive ‘leg rowers’ who row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Check into Villa Inle Resort and continue with visits to Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery and Leshae village. Monks’ procession at Mahagandayon Monastery Girl from the Karen minority (above)

River to Mingun to visit the romantic ruins of a megalomaniac king’s lofty plans for a 550 foot high pagoda. Next day board the lovely RV Pandaw Kindat for an overnight cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Bagan, past teak rafts, fishing boats and perhaps river dolphins. Visit the village of Yandabo with its tradition of pottery making and the site of the signing of the Anglo-Burmese Treaty after the first Anglo-Burmese War. Spend the night on the boat and arrive in Bagan next morning. Check into your hotel and visit the archaeological museum in Bagan.

The next morning explore more of the culture of the ‘Sons of the Lake’ including Indein Pagoda complex, villages and cottage industries. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain scenery, with options to explore the back canals, take an optional cookery class, bike tour or canoe trip. Next day there’s a lovely journey to Shwe Nyaung, starting with a spectacular train journey through jungles, plantations and orchards into the Shan Hills. From Heho visit the

The following day explore the great archaeological site of Bagan, with shrines and temples as ‘thickly strewn as gravestones in a churchyard’ to quote Somerset Maugham. In the afternoon visit one of the nearby workshops, which produce the best lacquer in the country, and end the day watching the sunset from one of the monuments. Have dinner at a A traditional ‘leg fisherman’ on Lake Inle

India China

Travelling in Burma

Burma 2 Mandalay Bagan 3

Bay of Bengal

4

Inle Lake

Thailand Rangoon

1

This beautiful, cultured and welcoming country has long been governed by an oppressive military regime and is going through a period of momentous transition. To ensure that government run hotels and facilities do not benefit from this tour, we use only independent hotels, restaurants and facilities and as always make an effort to get below the surface to meet everyday people and see society as it really is. We also support a local school for the blind.

local market where vegetables are unloaded from boats on the lake. Enjoy lunch with a spectacular view and then drive to the Red Mountain Estate, one of the country’s best vineyards in a stunning setting with lake and mountain views. Take part in wine tasting in an open air bar. The next day fly to Rangoon. Yangon, old Rangoon, is the modern face of a deeply traditional country – a harmonious jumble of different cultures and beliefs. Visit the tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar II, the last Moghul Emperor, and continue onto the ancient Shwedagon Pagoda in time to see the setting sun turn the gilded surface and diamond encrusted roof into a dazzling display before your farewell dinner. Spend your final morning exploring the colonial heart of the city. Visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market) and the Indian quarter before departing for the airport.

“Left with a very good feeling for the whole holiday.” Chris Pearson, Burma, 2014

Girls at the School for the Blind in Rangoon (top); Tour leader John Richardson with local children (above)

Itinerary 17 – 30 September 2016

B = Breakfast

L = Lunch D = Dinner

2 nights Rangoon – 3 nights Mandalay – 1 night overnight cruise 3 nights Bagan - 3 nights Lake Inle - 1 night Rangoon 17 Sept (Sat)

Rangoon

Pm

Arrive Rangoon and transfer to the Hotel Dinner at local restaurant

Eve

18 Sept (Sun) Rangoon Am Pm

Pm

Eve

Pm

Pm

B

L

B D

Visit Mahagandayon monastery to see the monks queue for alms. Walk along the U Bein Teak Bridge and take a short boat ride on the Taung Thaman Lake. Continue to silk weaving workshop Take boat trip along Irrawaddy River to Mingun and explore

21 Sept (Wed) Mandalay Am

L

Fly to Mandalay and check into hotel. Visit the wood and marble carvers and Myotaw Health Clinic Visit the Golden Palace Monastery, the Largest Book in the World and craftsmen including bronze casting and goldsmiths Sunset on Mandalay Hill

20 Sept (Tues) Mandalay Am

B

Bagan

Am

 xplore the great archaeological site of E Bagan Explore local villages and visit a lacquer workshop. See sunset from the terrace of one of the monuments D  inner with local dance performance

Eve

25 Sept (Sun) Bagan Am

Pm Am Pm

Pm

Pm

Am

Am

Cruise to Bagan down the Irrawaddy River. Visit the village of Yandabo with its pottery making and the site of the signing of the Anglo-Burmese Treaty after the first Anglo-Burmese War Overnight on boat

B D

23 Sept (Fri)

Overnight Cruise / Bagan

Am Pm

Arrive Bagan and transfer to hotel. Visit the archaeological museum

Eve

B D

B

L

Transfer to Shwe Nyaung. Take local train through the Shan Hills past jungles, orchards and plantations. From Heho visit the local market where vegetables are unloaded from boats on the lake Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the viewpoint Lodge. Drive up to the Red Mountain Estate for wine tasting with wonderful views

29 Sept (Thurs) Inle Lake / Rangoon

22 Sept (Thu) Mandalay / Overnight Cruise B L D Pm

L

Explore the culture of the “Sons of the Lake” At leisure or optional activities

28 Sept (Wed) Inle Lake Am

B

Fly to Heho. Visit Inle Lake market, a floating village and floating gardens Check into hotel. Visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery and Leshae village

27 Sept (Tues) Inle Lake Am

B D

Optional horse drawn carriages to view temples to see dawn over the Plain of Bagan. Drive up to temples on mountain with views over the plain of Bagan At leisure

26 Sept (Mon) Bagan/ Inle Lake

B D

Depart Mandalay and drive up to the former British hill station of Maymyo. Take horse-drawn carriage tour to see the colonial architecture Visit the botanical gardens. Time at leisure before returning to Mandalay

B D

24 Sept (Sat) Pm

Drive to Hataukhyant and see the CWGC Memorial and cemetery. On return see the Nat Shrine of the Car Lunch at the School for the Blind. Stroll along the Strand Road to Yangon River and onto the street market. Take high tea at Strand Hotel

19 Sept (Mon) Rangoon / Mandalay Am

D

B D

Fly to Rangoon Visit the tomb of Bahadur Shah Zafar II, the last Moghul Emperor Onto Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset Farewell dinner B

L

30 Sept (Fri)

Rangoon

Am

Visit colonial Rangoon, Indian Quarter and Scott’s Market Transfer to airport for return flight

Pm

Please note all itineraries in Burma are subject to change according to local conditions.

Hotels Yangon - Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake This lakeside hotel has spacious and elegant rooms with contemporary décor and excellent friendly service. The facilities include a beautiful outdoor pool, massage service and a gym. Mandalay - Mandalay Hill Resort Set within lush gardens containing an attractive pool, this imposing resort offers a peaceful location out of the bustle of Mandalay, with superb views of the nearby pagodas and the Royal Palace. There is also a gym and spa. Irrawaddy River Cruise - RV Kindat Pandaw An elegant and very comfortable river boat that offers a peaceful and relaxing experience. The cabins are spacious and comfortable and the excellent service is relaxed yet attentive. Bagan - Tharabar Gate A classy and luxurious hotel with spacious rooms featuring teak floors and typical Burmese furniture, the hotel is set within beautiful tropical gardens with a pool and bar. There are also very good restaurants and a spa. Inle Lake - Villa Inle Resort & Spa This brand new boutique spa resort is situated on Inle Lake, spread over more than 20 acres. All villas at the luxurious resort are designed to harmoniously blend in with the natural environment, featuring local paintings, high wooden ceilings and spacious living areas and bathrooms.

Mandalay Hill Resort pool by night (top); Relax on the deck of the Rindat Pandaw; The lobby of Tharabar Gate Hotel, Bagan; Inside a villa at Villa Inle Resort & Spa (above)

Inle Lake

The fully inclusive cost of the tour is £3,550 per person Ground only cost (excludes international flights and transfers) is £2,750 / AUD $6,600 The fully inclusive cost includes:

Golden Palace, Mandalay

Tour Leader Dr John Richardson is Emeritus Defence Professor of Primary Care and General Practice. He has travelled worldwide leading study tours and was a medical escort to parties of veterans on journeys of remembrance for the Royal British Legion. He has also run many history of medicine battlefield tours. He has visited 80 countries and worked in 41 of them as a doctor. John has previously led tours for Jon Baines to China, Central Asia, India, Turkey, Central America, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Namibia, Ethiopia, Indo-China and Burma. He has also given lectures on cruises.

• Economy flights on Singapore Airlines between London Heathrow and Yangon (Rangoon) via Singapore PE and Business class fares available on request • UK airport tax • Comprehensive briefing notes • The services of a tour leader (Dr John Richardson)

In Burma the cost includes:

• 12 nights’ accommodation in twin or doublebedded rooms with private facilities in first class to medium grade hotels The single supplement is £620 / AUD $1,480 • Half board throughout the tour (breakfast and lunch or dinner) • A full programme of professional and cultural visits as per the itinerary • Admission fees where applicable • Experienced national guide throughout Burma • All transport and airport taxes in Burma • All tips • Mineral water throughout tour • Donation to the School for the Blind

The cost excludes:

Project Details The School for the Blind in Rangoon teaches its 170 children vocational skills as well as trying to integrate as many pupils into regular schools as possible. It also provides rehabilitation and job placement training, produces Braille literature and teaches parents how to raise a blind child.

• All personal tips and extras such as porterage, laundry, inoculation fees and drinks • All optional excursions, tours and visits • Travel insurance • Visas

Due to the nature of the tour places are strictly limited.

“Visits were all excellent – very thorough. Everything was excellent.” Dr Catherine Alison, Burma 2013 Staff waiting to greet guests at the Villa Inle Resort

About Jon Baines Tours To travel with us is to dig below the surface, revealing the deeper destination. Of course, you will visit the great historical sites; marvel at the wonders of architecture and engineering; be moved by the riches of culture and art; and experience the most spectacular landscapes in the world. What we also do is make sure that you see the country as it is today, giving you privileged access that independent travel and other tour companies rarely get close to. We give you a variety of experiences, from the sublime to the humble, in the company of intelligent, curious, like-minded people. And while we can be worthy, we also make sure that you have a lot of fun.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

Jon Baines Tours (London) 1A Salcott Road, London, SW11 6DQ Tel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485/ 5618 Fax: +44 (0) 207 228 7290 Email: [email protected] www.jonbainestours.co.uk Jon Baines Tours (Melbourne) PO Box 68, South Brunswick, Victoria 3055 Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367 Fax: +61 (0) 3 9012 4228 Email: [email protected] www.jonbainestours.com

Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon (top); Ox cart to Mandalay; Inside a temple in Mandalay; Two novice monks near Lake Inle (above)