Myanmar is a whole realm of wonder. Until recently, it had remained closed to outsiders. There are a million little things to discover, precious treasures, centuries-old artforms, temples and pagodas to spare, and a the unique flavour of a culture with very deep roots. Myanmar is on the brink of a renaissance, and you are about to witness it all.
Your journey begins with a heritage walk around Yangon’s old colonial areas. Some of the buildings have been purposefully restored, others lie there in ruins, all of them tell a long, complicated story. Myanmese puppet shows are a traditional art that keeps the memory of a nation alive. The complexity of Burmese puppets and the skill necessary to bring them to life is simply astonishing. After the show, you meet the mastermind behind this revival. As night falls, you head to Shwedagon Pagona where you assist with the lighting of 1000 oil lamps, a magical ceremony that asks for wisdom and, fittingly, enlightenment.
Yangon has a vibrant art scene and there are many contemporary galleries where you can meet the owners and some of the artists themselves. You could spend all day enjoying the art but you have an important appointment to keep. Ma Thanegi is one of Myanmar’s most prominent writers. She is one of the country’s foremost intellectuals and her prolific work includes such titles as Nor Iron Bars a Cage . After the stimulating conversation, close the evening at a Michelin star restaurant.
You fly to Bagan and upon arrival, your guide takes you on a sightseeing tour of the city. We usually don’t advocate sightseeing as a proper way to discover a place but there is simply too much to see in Bagan you need to somehow get your bearings. Afterwards, you join an archaeologist in one of the city’s main temples to discover the history and significance of the site. By night, you explore some of Bagan’s least know temples and enjoy a food-tour as you go from pagoda to pagoda, uncovering the most genuine and adventurous side of the city.
Sunrise in Bagan is best experienced on a heavenly disposition. On a hot-air balloon, you realise just how many pagodas and temples there are in Bagan: too many to count. Upon landing, your guide whisks you away to the Creative Quarter, a part of the city practically off-limits to tourists, where Myanmar’s artists and writers congregate. Of course, with our connections, you can meet some of the minds behind this cultural Myanmese rebirth.
Enjoy a free morning in the city. Your guide can point you to the best shopping in town or you can simply wander around. In the evening, your private driver will take you to the airport to catch your international flight.
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