Compare Exotic Myanmar: Ancient Kingdoms and Hidden Temples on the Irrawaddy River by Road Scholar

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
En Route
In Flight

Day 3
Arrive Yangon, Check-In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Yangon D Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
Activity note: Hotel check-in available 2:00 p.m. Arrivals throughout the day. Transfer time from the airport to the hotel will be approximately 50 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. For the group arrival, a separate vehicle will transfer the luggage from the airport to the program hotel.

Afternoon: Arrivals throughout the day and the late afternoon. Check-In at Chatrium Hotel located by the Royal Lake. Please label your luggage so staff can send your luggage to your room. Early Evening: Meet in the hotel conference room for a brief Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Our 'Welcome Dinner' at the hotel features Asian and Western selections plus coffee, tea, water and one can of local beer or a glass of house wine.

Evening: At leisure. Settle in, relax and get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow

Day 4
National Museum, Shwedagon Paya
Yangon B,L,D Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
Activity note: Cameras and any bags are not allowed in The National Museum. Walking approximately 1.5 miles (2 kilometers); mostly even terrain; watch out for occasional potholes; one bridge with 25-30 steps. Visitors to Shwedagon Paya are required to dress modestly and enter barefoot (no shoes or socks).There are many steps to the top of the Pagoda. There is an elevator, but it may not be reliable.

Breakfast: Our breakfast buffet at the hotel features Asian and Western selections including noodle soup, bread/toast, eggs, cold meat, fruits, cereal, juices, milk, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: Begin to understand Myanmar with a presentation on the Current Political Climate with a local expert. The focus is on the recent history. The Burmese steadfastly resisted European colonization, but after many conflicts during the 19th Century, the British East India Company became the dominant force. Burma was eventually annexed to India, later declared a self-governing British colony in 1937, and independence in 1948. Throughout its turbulent history, Burma (renamed Myanmar in 1989) has retained many cultural and religious landmarks and traditions that are little different from centuries ago. Next we will visit the National Museum to learn about the culture and civilization of Burmese people. The museum offers an interesting sample of Burmese archaeological items, as well as a nice exhibit of Burmese musical instruments.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, Asian cuisine plus coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: In the late afternoon, we will explore Shwedagon Paya (Pagoda), Burma’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and a true wonder of the religious world. The complex contains hundreds of stupas, statues, and temples spanning more than 2,000 years of religious art and architecture. The central tower is covered with hundreds of solid gold plates, while the top is adorned with thousands of diamonds. Relatively few tourists visit here and it is primarily a gathering place for monks, worshippers, and local families.

Dinner: This evening’s dinner provides another opportunity to savor the local flavor at a local restaurant with Asian cuisine plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Fly to Inle Lake, Floating Gardens, Monastery
Inle Lake B,L,D Pristine Lotus Spa Resort
Activity note: Early morning flight from Yangon to Heho (near Inle Lake) is 1 hour. Coach transfer from airport to lakefront town of Nyuang Shwe is approximately 1 hour. Inle Lake field trips involve getting into/out of small motorboats.

Breakfast: Boxed breakfast from the hotel, due to early morning flight.

Morning: We take an early morning flight to the city of Heho, located near Inle Lake. On arrival in Heho, we transfer by motorcoach to Nyaung Shwe (approximate an hour drive). We explore Shweyanpyay Old Teak Monastery en route.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Nyuang Shwe with coffee, tea and water included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: At the lake, one of Myanmar's most spectacular sights, explore via private motorboats. This highland lake of about 45 square miles, situated at nearly 3,000 feet (900 meters) above sea level, is the center of life for local Intha people and different ethnic minorities. Floating gardens of fruits and vegetables cover about 25% of the surface area. In addition to these floating gardens, you will also see “leg rower” fishermen on their traditional boats and villages on stilts. A special highlight is visiting NgaPheChaung, a Buddhist monastery built on stilts. We then proceed to our hotel for check-in, where we will have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel with water, coffee and tea included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Long Tail Boats, Village Market, Silk Weaving Village
Inle Lake B,L,D Pristine Lotus Spa Resort
Activity note: Early departure for full day field trip away from the resort. Morning departure on the lake that involves walking across planks and getting into/out of small wooden boats. After our visit, we return to the lake, board boats and travel back to the resort.

Breakfast: At the resort. Our breakfast includes eggs, toast, butter, jams, and juices plus coffee, tea, water.

Morning: The community market on Inle Lake is held in five locations that rotate on a daily basis. Depart the hotel early and board private longtail boats to watch as villagers buy and sell their produce. Goods for sale typically include textiles, tools, carved wooden objects, and cheroots -- cigars with the ends cut off and stuffed with a blend of sweet ingredients -- from the local factory. Continue through narrow canals, observing villages and houses on stilts, to Innthein, a hillside village dotted with small stupas dating back to the 15th century. Take a guided walk through the village, visit the local school, meet villagers, and see some of the more than 1,000 Shan style stupas on the lush hills. With many of them showing centuries of wear, you will feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Lunch: Asian cuisine plus coffee, tea, water at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue our exploration of life on Inle Lake at another stilted community, Inn Paw Khone, a “silk village” notable for its weavers who work on looms made of bamboo poles to produce beautiful fabrics to make longyi -- the traditional waist to feet cloths worn by both men and women -- and other items. In addition to silk and cotton, the weavers produce special fabrics made with strands from the stems of lotus flowers. At the conclusion of the field trip, return to the hotel where you will have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: Asian cuisine plus coffee, tea, and water at the resort.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7
Inle Lake, fly to Mandalay, Embark Ship, Classical Ballet
Mandalay B,L,D Paukan 2012
Activity note: Late afternoon flight from Heho to Mandalay; approximately 40 minute flight. 1 hour transfer by motor coach from Mandalay airport to jetty to board the ship.

Breakfast: At the resort. Our breakfast includes eggs, toast, butter, jams, and juices plus coffee, tea, water.

Morning: This morning enjoy a walking discovery of Khaung Daing Village, located just 15 minutes from the hotel. We observe and learn the villagers working on their cottage industries such as “dried tofu making and peanut and sesame brittle making."

Lunch: At the resort, enjoy a traditional noodle meal with coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: After lunch, we board our motorcoach towards Heho for our afternoon flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival in Mandalay, we transfer to the jetty and board our ship. We are welcomed by the staff and enjoy a welcome cocktail in the saloon with some time to settle into our cabin. Then we meet with the cruise director in the Lounge Bar and review some emergency procedures before dinner.

Dinner: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes with bottled water, coffee and tea included; additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Enjoy a Classical ballet performance on the sun deck.

Day 8
Mandalay Discovery, Amarapura, U-Bein Bridge
Sagaing B,L,D Paukan 2012
Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Depart by motor coach towards Mandalay Hill where spiraling staircases lead to sweeping views of the city and its temples and the nearby Kuthodaw Paya, which contains the world's biggest book. View the Golden Palace Monastery, once the royal residence of Mandalay. Continue to visit a worship of gold leaf making and learn the importance of this trade.

Lunch: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Afternoon: Then continue by coach to ancient capital of Amarapura, “the city of immortality." Amarapura today is a township of Mandalay due to urban sprawl, but it was twice a royal capital. The town is a center of traditional arts and crafts, especially silk weaving and bronze casting. Continue by coach to the famous “U Bein” bridge, it is about 1.2 km long and is said to be the world’s longest teak wood bridge and enjoy sunset there. Afterwards, we return by motorcoach to our ship and have our daily meeting with our cruise director in the Lounge Bar before dinner.

Dinner: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Evening: Enjoy a presentation by your group leader on the Past, present and future of Mandalay.

Day 9
River Cruise, Mingun, Sagaing
River village B,L,D Paukan 2012
Activity note: Board a motorcoach to drive to the base of Sagaing Hills and then board open air trucks with wooden benches to drive up to the top of the hill.

Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Ship cruise towards Mingun. Upon arrival, disembark the ship. We take a walking discovery of Mingun. Mingun is an ancient site that is home to what King Bodawpaya (c. 1740-1819) intended to be the largest pagoda in the world. Had it been completed, the stupa would have been taller than the Great Pyramid of Egypt, but the king’s massive -- and massively unpopular -- building project, undertaken with slave labor, put a serious strain on resources and was eventually left unfinished. Its 12-foot high bronze bell weighs more than 200,000 pounds. After it was cast, Bodawpaya had the master craftsman killed so he could produce nothing greater! It lacks a ringing mechanism because the entire project was abandoned as soon as the king died. Also, explore the Mingun home for the aged and meet the people there.

Lunch: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Afternoon: We depart by motorcoach towards the Sagaing hills dotted with Pagodas and monasteries. At the bottom of the hill, we will board open air trucks and drive to the top to visit the Soon Oo Ponyashin Pagoda and enjoy the panoramic view of the Irrawaddy River and Sagaing Hills dotted with temples and monasteries. Sagaing is a center for Buddhist belief and the center of meditation in Myanmar. Over 5000 monks and nuns live here and there are over 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries. Next we will board the open-air trucks and travel down the hill to board the motorcoach and drive a short distance to visit a nunnery and offer a donation of rice. Then we will travel nearby to visit a charity school where internally displaced children are given an education. Then we return to the ship and meet with the cruise director in the Lounge Bar.

Dinner: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Evening: At leisure or enjoy a movie in the ship lounge after dinner.

Day 10
Cruise Downstream, Lathapyin Village
Yandabo B,L,D Paukan 2012
Activity note: Ship cruises downstream from Sagaing towards Yandabo; approximately 60 miles.

Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Enjoy a presentation by your group leader on Modern Technology vs. Traditional Culture of Myanmar. Then continue with a presentation on Longyi wearing and Thanakha, a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark Next, we explore the village of Lathapyin. Here we meet the villagers, visit their school (only weekdays) and learn about the cottage industry of wheat straw hat making.

Lunch: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Afternoon: This afternoon continue sailing towards Yandabo village. Join the cruise director for our daily meeting at the Lounge Bar.

Dinner: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Evening: At leisure or enjoy a movie in the ship lounge after dinner.

Day 11
Cruise towards Yandabo, School and Village Visit
River village B,L,D Paukan 2012
Activity note: Cruise downstream from Yandabo towards Bagan. Tonight we moor overnight north of Bagan.

Breakfast: For early risers, coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Ship cruise casts off for Yandabo. Upon arrival in Yandabo, disembark the ship for a morning walking expedition in this village. This village is famous for its production of terracotta pottery from the riverbank clay. See pottery making process at different stages and we will also visit a local school. Historically, Yandabo is well-known for the signing of the Yandabo treaty that ended the first Anglo-Burmese war. Return to the ship and join in a presentation on Bagan History and Temples by our Group Leader.

Lunch: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Afternoon: This afternoon, we take a walking discovery of the Shwe Pyi Thar Village for a chance to interact with the local villagers and learn about their lives. Then we return to the ship and meet with the cruise director in the Lounge Bar.

Dinner: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Evening: At leisure or enjoy a movie in the ship lounge after dinner.

Day 12
Bagan Discovery, Puppet Show
Bagan B,L,D Paukan 2012
Activity note: Optional, sunrise balloon ride for an additional fee. Cost is not included in your program fee. Information about balloon ride listed in the mailings, under free time options in Bagan. The field trip to the temples involves walking up to 2 miles. Visitors must be barefoot to enter the temples.

Breakfast: For early risers an optional excursion is offered for an additional fee for a sunrise balloon ride. Reference "Free Time" suggestions in the First Mailing Packet for Bagan. Coffee and tea is served on the sun deck. Buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Begin with the most famous, Shwezigon Paya. Shwezigon was completed in 1058 C.E. as the most important reliquary shrine in Bagan, a center of prayer and reflection for King Anawarahta of the new Theravada faith. We will learn about the Burmese belief in “nats” (spirits), officially replaced by Buddhism, though the belief continues among many people today. Then continue by coach to explore Temple of Gubyaukgyi of Myingaba Village, with its well preserved colored paintings inside that date back to its construction in 1113. The temple is typical of the Mon style in that the interior is dimly lit by perforated rather than open windows.Then we continue to Ananda Temple -- considered the most beautiful in Bagan -- a repository of traditional Burmese arts from architecture to blacksmithing, glazing, sculpture, wood carving, and more. As we walk, you will be able to see evidence of the innovative building techniques that allowed it to survive through ages and earthquakes.

Lunch: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes.

Afternoon: After lunch we go by motorcoach to explore a lacquerware factory and learn about this nearly extinct art and craft, and what it takes to create masterpieces. Later in the afternoon, take a horse cart ride to a group of temples, where you can view the beautiful sunset light over these ancient temples. Then we return to the ship and meet with the cruise director in the Lounge Bar.

Dinner: On board served in the dining room on the main deck - 3 course seated meal with a section of Asian and Western Dishes

Evening: Enjoy a traditional puppet show on the main deck.

Day 13
Village Visits, Sunset view of Temples
Bagan B,L,D Paukan 2012
Activity note: Village visits are a short 10-30 minute drive outside of the Bagan zone by private motorcoach. Tonight we moor overnight at Aye Yar Jetty in Bagan.

Breakfast: Buffet on board the ship.

Morning: This morning we will drive by motorcoach, on a short drive outside the Bagan zone to a small village where villagers live on a toddy palm farm. We will see how they climb the toddy tree to collect the toddy juice with which they cook raw-sugar, make jams, brew toddy wine and alcohol and see how they pressure the peanut oil in traditional way. We will have green tea and taste the jaggery and if you are adventurous, taste Burmese tea leaf salad which is made and found only in Burma. The salad is the mixture of roasted peanut, roasted sesame, deep fried beans and lentils, garlic, chillies, and fermented tea leaf, salt and peanut oil. We will drive back to Bagan after the visit.

Lunch: On board the ship.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will drive to Phwasaw Village. We will spend time in the village and meet the villagers, visit their houses, learn their daily life and visit the midwife clinic. We wil make some medication donation to the midwife clinic. Then just before sunset time, we drive 10 minutes to Minanthu temples complex and enjoy the sunset light on the red brick temples, and learn the stories of the last days of Bagan Dynasty from our Group Leader. Then we return to the ship and have our 'Farewell Party' with the cruise director in the Lounge Bar.

Dinner: On board the ship plus coffee, tea, water.

Evening: At leisure or enjoy a movie in the ship lounge after dinner. Pack and prepare to disembark ship tomorrow morning.

Day 14
Disembark Ship, Fly to Yangon, City Discovery with Students
Yangon B,D Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon
Activity note: Morning flight from Bagan to Yangon; approximately 1.5 hours.

Breakfast: On board the ship

Morning: We disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for our flight to Yangon. Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to town. Then check into our hotel.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: Free time until 3:30, when we depart by motorcoach on a Yangon City Discovery excursion. We will traverse Pansodan Street, passing by St. Mary’s Cathedral, the old parliament building, and the Strand Hotel. We will meet a few University students and together take a walking field trip to experience the cultural and ethic diversity of Yangon City, formerly known as Rangoon. We will walk past colonial era buildings and the magnificent , golden Sule Paya (Pagoda), a Burmese stupa more than 2,000 years old. Continuing our walk in Little India, we will see daily life with people of many different ancestries living and working amid a hodge-podge of buildings where wires crisscross the streets like vines. Be careful not to step in the displays of food!

Dinner: 'Farewell Dinner' at the hotel, enjoy an “international” buffet plus ice cream and cake, a complimentary glass of wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water.

Evening: At leisure. Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends and prepare for departures in the morning.

Day 15
Program Concludes
In Flight B
Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: Airport transfers to Yangon International Airport (RGN). Refer to your personal air itinerary for flight information. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!