Burma: Wonders of the Golden Land

The images of Burma are startling in their simple beauty—bullock carts moving slowly across dazzling green rice terraces, saffron-robed monks walking silently in single file, gold-spired pagodas glinting like jewels on faraway hills. Our journey explores nostalgic Rangoon, with its magnificent Shwedagon temple bustling with monks and pilgrims, and Mandalay, still the cultural heart of Burma, and Pagan, where we watch a golden sunset over a thousand temples. We meet remote hilltribes on our day hikes from Kyaing Tong, a lovely old town  in the heart of Shan country, and we enjoy a three-night stay on beautiful Inle Lake to explore its diverse hilltribe villages and markets. Along the way, we learn about the complex world of nats, the spirit-gods that intertwine peacefully with Burma’s strong Buddhist faith. This tropical nation abounds with visual delights, but it is the encounter with Burma’s people—graceful and deeply spiritual—that lingers in the traveler’s mind long after journey’s end.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Rangoon and Shwedagon

In Rangoon we walk among Buddhist pilgrims at Shwedagon, a golden, jewel-encrusted temple that Rudyard Kipling called a “beautiful, winking wonder that blazed in the sun”—a magical sight in the early morning light and at twilight. We also visit the huge reclining Buddha at Kyaukthatgyi, the eight-sided Sule Pagoda, and the lively Bogyoke Market, where goods and handicrafts of all descriptions are sold.

Days 3-5
Temples of Pagan

We enjoy two full days to explore remarkable Pagan, Burma’s first World Heritage Site, where 2,000 pagodas and temples are scattered across 24 square miles of countryside. Pagan is one of the most extraordinary sights in Burma, if not in all of Southeast Asia. At sunset, the views from atop the temples are absolutely entrancing. We also set out for a private boat trip on the Irrawaddy River, visiting Tune Thiri Island for a walk to a small village that offers us a glimpse of rural Burmese life.

Days 6-7
Mandalay’s Ancient Cities

Journeying by local boat down the Irrawaddy River, we visit 14th century Sagaing with its array of picturesque white hillside pagodas. We then travel by horse-cart to the ruins of Ava, the Burmese capital from the 14th to the 19th centuries, and “make merit” at the Maha Muni Pagoda, with its huge Buddha image that devotees have covered with countless layers of gold leaf.

Days 8-14
Hilltribe Country and Inle Lake

Built around a small lake and dotted with aging Buddhist temples and crumbling British colonial architecture, Kyaing Tong is probably the most scenic town in the Shan State. In the mountains surrounding the town are numerous hilltribe villages including those of the Akha, Lahu, Ann, Palaung, and Wa—all who still wear traditional dress, and we explore their villages and markets on foot along mountain trails. Flying to Heho, we drive to vast and beautiful Inle Lake, “mystical, magical, outrageously picturesque.” Exploring by longboat, we visit several fascinating lakeside villages, including that of the famous long-neck Palaung tribe, a subgroup of the Karen, best known for the women’s extensive brass rings covering their necks. We also disembark for walks to caves filled with ancient Buddha images and to a traditional Pa-O village where we visit local homes. Fly to Rangoon on Day 13 and depart on Day 14.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 2, or Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Although not physically demanding, the trip will yield greater rewards if you are in good physical condition and able to stay on your feet for 6-7 hours per day. There is much to see each day, and a fair amount of walking is necessary to take it all in.  Day 9 has a hike of four hours and Day 12 has a hike of 2 hours as we visit hilltribe people in their villages. The hikes are optional but very rewarding.

All the hotels we use are privately owned and operated (not government-run). Our hotels in Rangoon, Pagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake will be good to very good. We will have porters to carry our luggage in most places. However there may be times when we need to carry our own luggage, so luggage with rollers work best.

Our two nights in Kyaing Tong are one of the highlights of the trip—the hill people we see are some of the most fascinating anywhere in the world. That said, Kyaing Tong is not on the main tourist route and facilities for tourists are marginal. Our Kyaing Tong hotel is adequate but basic (hot water, electricity, private toilets, etc.). Electricity at the hotel is variable and will be turned off at times, usually from about 10 pm to 6 am, so you will need a flashlight with extra batteries for Kyaing Tong.

Explanation of Trip Levels