Myanmar culinary delights 8 days tour

Destination: Yangon/Bagan/Mandalay/Heho/Inle Lake 

Highlights: This Culinary Delights of Myanmar Tour embarks on an in-depth introduction to Burmese cuisine and the various environments in which to enjoy it. A unique program that will reveal the cultural pastimes of the country alongside ubiquitous sights and sceneries, this 8-day tour promises a real taste of ‘The Golden Land’, perfect for the experience thirsty.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Yangon arrival (D, G)

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. Embark on a sightseeing tour of the city visiting temples, parks and admiring the colonial architecture. Enjoy a traditional Burmese style lunch at a local teashop to enjoy Burmese-style tea and an assortment of noodles and snacks.

After lunch,  you will visit to the Mawtin Jetty to see the busy riverside activities at Yangon River, before heading to the late afternoon market at China Town. 19th Street at China Town is also popular to have draught Myanmar Beer, together with vegetable and meat sa-tays (BBQ). Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon/Bagan (B, L, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for the flight. Start your exploration of Bagan by visiting Shwezigon Pagoda, the cave temple Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi and Htilominlo Temple. Enjoy lunch at Shwe Myanmar Burmese restaurant, which is popular with local pilgrims.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple and Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period.

From Thatbyinnyu Temple, depart for a horse and carriage tour passing temples through the traditional village of Taungbi. Enjoy the sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces of a temple.This evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Bagan

Day 3: Bagan (B, L, G)

Optional: From October to March, an optional hot air balloon ride over the plain of Bagan is available in the early morning. An unforgettable and unique experience!

After breakfast, you’ll visit the colorful Nyaung Oo Market followed by a Pone Yay Gyi shop where you will learn the steps for making this paste Bagan’s most famous food treat. You will learn the steps for making this paste. Visit another cottage industry where Pe Chaung, another local famous brittle snack is made. Next we head out of town to a palm garden and visit a family of toddy palm climber. Enjoy your village local lunch, which is prepared by the family.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Bagan to visit to a lacquer ware house, and witness the skills of artists who amazingly draw decorative figures and patterns by free hand. Then you will drive to Irrawaddy River to have a boat ride along this famous estuary. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 4: Bagan/Mandalay (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll catch a the flight to Mandalay. On arrival, embark on a sightseeing tour of Mandalay the country’s cultural capital, long known as the centre of skilled craftsmanship. Take a break from sightseeing to discover another uniquely Burmese culinary treat: La Phat Thoke. Stop at Min Thiha tea shop, a popular tea house in Mandalay serving two of the city’s most famous dishes: Mandalay Monte and Khotaung Monte.This afternoon, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world’s biggest book) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving.

Enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill to end the day. This evening is free at your leisure. A stroll through the night market is recommended. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay/Heho/Inle Lake (B, L, G)

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Heho. From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Start with a visit to the market, and then hop on a trishaw to through town to the canal. Continue to the edge of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat and head out on to one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. First visit a tomato garden and meet the farmers. Continue to a traditional Inthar House at Tharlay village where you will spend time preparing a meal such as Inlestyle Tomato Salad and other regional dishes with the family.

This afternoon, visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its ‘jumping cats’! Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary,   before exploring the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village and cheroot factory.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 6: Inle Lake/Heho/Yangon (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll visit the daily market on the lake, which rotates in a 5-day rhythm around villages on the lake itself and on the shores of the lake. From the market, we continue by boat to Khaung Daing village on the northwest coast of the lake. This village is famous for its traditional Shan tofu – fried tofu crackers and folded, triangular tofu treats. Proceed to Nyaung Shwe and visit Red Mountain Estate Vineyards and Winery, which is located at the north eastern part of Inle Lake. Enjoy magnificent view of Inle Lake and its stilt villages while you taste Red Mountain Estate wines. Drive back to Nyaung Shwe where you will have lunch at View Point Restaurant which features some of the best Shan food in the country. After lunch, you will visit 150 years old Shwe Yan Pyay monastery with its unusual oval shaped windows. Transfer to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 7: Yangon (B, L, G)

This morning, you will start with a visit to a local market with an experienced chef. Here you will learn about the various spices, vegetables and other ingredients used in Burmese cuisine and select and buy the necessary items for your personal cooking lesson. Return to Monsoon Restaurant where your qualified chef will guide you through the preparation of several popular Myanmar dishes.

This afternoon, have a bit of a rest at your hotel and then continue with a visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha.

Late this afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar.  From Shwedagon continue Kandawgyi Park, which is busy in the evening with locals who come to enjoy the fresh air and dine at the many restaurants in the park. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 8: Yangon departure (B, G)

Free at your own leisure, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.