Burma Touring & Ananda Cruising

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Why You Should Go

100 years ago, Rudyard Kipling visited Burma and “thought it quite unlike any land you know about.” We truly agree! Based on the 2013 political reforms, including the release and ascendancy of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma has opened up dramatically. Due in part to Burma’s self-imposed isolation, Western influence—particularly the grittier commercial aspects—are not to be found here. You will see few Burmese dressed in Western garb and you will see no Starbucks or McDonalds here (yet!). Irrawaddy river cruising, the sprawling temple complex of Bagan, lush, green, Inle Lake and historical Yangon are among the reasons why Burma is Bev’s favorite Southeast Asia destination.

Best Travel Time: Fall Winter

*The average cost of our fully comprehensive itineraries ranges from USD $4,000 – $6,000 per COUPLE per DAY. All of our private tour itineraries are inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver throughout, meals as specified, INTERNAL air flights/rail /private transfers, & all taxes/service fees.

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Dhammayangyi Temple

Sample Itinerary

12 Days

Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.

1

Day 1

Fly to Yangon
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.

Meals:
Accommodations:

burma-ananda-yangon
Yangon
2

Day 2

Arrive Yangon
Upon arrival at Yangon and clearing immigration, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to The Governor’s Residence.

Meals:
Accommodations: The Governor’s Residence

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Governor's Residence
3

Day 3

Yangon
After breakfast, you will begin your private touring of Yangon in Burma. Botataung will be one of your first stops, with a stunning golden interior. You will continue your tour with the following stopovers: Scott Market with outstanding local crafts, Musmeah Yeshua (the city’s only synagogue), the famed Shwedagon Pagoda, and The Last Mughal’s Tomb in Yangon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: The Governor’s Residence

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Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon
4

Day 4

Fly Yangon/Bagan
Upon arrival in Bagan, you will be privately transferred to Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort and have the balance of the evening to enjoy the amenities of this place.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: The Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort

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Thiripyitsaya Resort
5

Day 5

Bagan
The sunrise hot air balloon ride is an experience that is not to be missed! We feel this sunrise balloon experience is among the best in Asia. Due to its high popularity, this must be booked many months in advance. Following your hot air balloon ride and breakfast, you will journey to the Nyaung Oo local market for a taste of Burmese commerce culture as well as visit the imposing Dhammayangyi Pahto Temple. You will later board the Sanctuary Ananda River Cruiser for your three-night Sanctuary Ananda River Cruise.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Sanctuary Ananda Cruise

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Temples of Bagan
6

Day 6

Irrawaddy River Cruise
For those who wish, a visit to the Sanctuary-adopted village of Sin Kyun can be arranged. This wonderful community will show you the typical life of the villagers, a way of life seldom viewed by outsiders. The RV Ananda will then sail to Mingun, a journey that will give you a wonderful glimpse into river life on the Irrawaddy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Sanctuary Ananda Cruise

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Irrawaddy River Cruise
7

Day 7

Irrawaddy River Cruise
Early in the morning, you will proceed downstream to Bagan. After breakfast (if time permits) you will visit another river village. Bagan is one of the richest archeological sites in Asia—over 2,000 pagodas, stupas, temples, and monasteries were built during the Bagan Dynasty in 1044 AD.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Sanctuary Ananda Cruise

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Htilominlo Temple, Bagan
8

Day 8

Arrive Mandalay
Upon arrival in Mandalay, you will check-in to the Sedona Hotel and freshen up. Mandalay stands as one of the country’s major cultural centers – nearly 60 percent of all monks in Myanmar reside in Mandalay. You will have the opportunity to visit the Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay Hill, and end with the truly unique Ubein Teak Bridge.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Sedona Hotel Mandalay

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Mandalay Hill
9

Day 9

Fly Mandalay/Heho-Inle Lake
Upon arrival to Heho, you will be transferred to Nyaung Shwe Village where you will take a thirty-minute long boat ride (this is most fun!) to Inle Princess Resort. Situated on Inle Lake and surrounded by the Shan Hill, this place is a picturesque region surrounded by floating gardens and stilt houses.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Inle Princess Resort

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Tonle Sap Lake
10

Day 10

Heho (Inle Lake)
You will begin your day with a visit to the Five-Day Market (Mine Thauk Market)—a rotating market that changes locations every five days and is where the local hill tribes come to buy and sell their goods, and Nampan Village. In the afternoon you will cruise through a lushly forested river to visit a collection of ancient Shan style stupas.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Inle Princess Resort

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Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake
11

Day 11

Sagar
Today you will set out on a full-day tour of Sagar, a lush relatively unexplored area that many of us consider the “real” Inle Lake. With few tourists venturing this far out, you may look back on this day as your truly authentic Burmese outdoor experience. Of special note here are the many sunken stupas (over 100) creating a serene, somewhat spiritual atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Inle Princess Resort

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Inle Lake
12

Day 12

Fly Heho/Home

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Shwe Inn Dein

Hotels

Similar to the other “luxury” hotels throughout Burma, the Governor’s Residence is in need of renovation from the many years of economic sanctions levied on the country. That being said, this Victorian (teak) boutique former mansion is our favorite hotel in Yangon. Located in the leafy embassy district of the city, the rooms have a nice aesthetic with local Burmese wares displayed throughout. The Governor’s Residence is a particularly special place in the evening, with the property and lush grounds illuminated.

Governor’s Residence

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Similar to the other “luxury” hotels throughout Burma, the Governor’s Residence is in need of renovation from the many years of economic sanctions levied on the country. That being said, this Victorian (teak) boutique former mansion is our favorite hotel in Yangon. Located in the leafy embassy district of the city, the rooms have a nice aesthetic with local Burmese wares displayed throughout. The Governor’s Residence is a particularly special place in the evening, with the property and lush grounds illuminated.

The Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort is located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River overlooking 800 years of history. Once a Government VIP guest hotel, the Thiripyitsaya is now a collection of 70 bungalow rooms amid a beautiful setting of tropical gardens. Although we feel this is the very best nongovernment hotel in Bagan, the rooms are dated and not really deserving of a 5 star status. Nevertheless, as with other hotels in Burma, the service here is heartfelt and sincere.

Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort

View More Info >>

The Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort is located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River overlooking 800 years of history. Once a Government VIP guest hotel, the Thiripyitsaya is now a collection of 70 bungalow rooms amid a beautiful setting of tropical gardens. Although we feel this is the very best nongovernment hotel in Bagan, the rooms are dated and not really deserving of a 5 star status. Nevertheless, as with other hotels in Burma, the service here is heartfelt and sincere.

The Sanctuary Ananda is a 21 all-suite vessel that will surely lift Burma river cruising to a whole new high-touch, luxury level. Limited to 41 passengers, the Ananda will offer many nice amenities, including its own spa and gym, and all cabins offering individually controlled air conditioning (a real blessing given Burma’s stifling heat)!

The luxury suites offer private butler service, “monsoon” showers and L’Occitane en Provence bathroom amenities (yes, our beloved Provence on the Irrawaddy). Similar to the Paukan vessels, the new Ananda’s shallow draft will allow village stopovers along the river which makes the cruising so much more culturally compelling. This is the big drawback for the large, ponderous Road to Mandalay luxury vessel.

Sanctuary Ananda River Cruise

View More Info >>

The Sanctuary Ananda is a 21 all-suite vessel that will surely lift Burma river cruising to a whole new high-touch, luxury level. Limited to 41 passengers, the Ananda will offer many nice amenities, including its own spa and gym, and all cabins offering individually controlled air conditioning (a real blessing given Burma’s stifling heat)!

The luxury suites offer private butler service, “monsoon” showers and L’Occitane en Provence bathroom amenities (yes, our beloved Provence on the Irrawaddy). Similar to the Paukan vessels, the new Ananda’s shallow draft will allow village stopovers along the river which makes the cruising so much more culturally compelling. This is the big drawback for the large, ponderous Road to Mandalay luxury vessel.

This is the largest hotel (over 240 rooms) you will experience during your Burma private tour. Although registered as a 5 star hotel, the amenities and service here more closely resemble that of a 4 star property (as in the case for nearly all 5-star designated hotels in Myanmar.) That being said, we feel that the Sedona Hotel’s clean and comfortable atmosphere makes it the best hotel option in Mandalay. Another plus for the Sedona is that it is a short walk to the vast moat that surrounds the Mandalay Palace. Although not as culturally or historically significant, the Palace seems similar in layout to the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Sedona Hotel Mandalay

View More Info >>

This is the largest hotel (over 240 rooms) you will experience during your Burma private tour. Although registered as a 5 star hotel, the amenities and service here more closely resemble that of a 4 star property (as in the case for nearly all 5-star designated hotels in Myanmar.) That being said, we feel that the Sedona Hotel’s clean and comfortable atmosphere makes it the best hotel option in Mandalay. Another plus for the Sedona is that it is a short walk to the vast moat that surrounds the Mandalay Palace. Although not as culturally or historically significant, the Palace seems similar in layout to the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Although somewhat dated, Bev, Zen and I feel the Inle Princess Resort is the finest resort in the area. Made up of 46 Shan-style wooden chalets, the staff and service here is most heartwarming. The resort’s gardens and surrounding islands are lush, green and most welcoming. We felt we had our best Burmese massage at the small spa here. The sunsets here are beyond beautiful!

 

Inle Princess Resort

View More Info >>

Although somewhat dated, Bev, Zen and I feel the Inle Princess Resort is the finest resort in the area. Made up of 46 Shan-style wooden chalets, the staff and service here is most heartwarming. The resort’s gardens and surrounding islands are lush, green and most welcoming. We felt we had our best Burmese massage at the small spa here. The sunsets here are beyond beautiful!

Request Custom Itinerary

1

Thank you for your interest in Kipling & Clark. We look forward to serving you!


Please note we specialize in global private luxury travel, including private guides and drivers throughout,

high-quality accommodations, inclusive of safari lodges and ryokans, in-country rail/air, and all taxes/service fees.


Dependent on destination and seasonality, our comprehensive private tour costs are upward of USD 5K-6K per couple per day.

                                         (312) 351-3121

                            rlynch@kiplingandclark.com



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Location

Overview

Temperature
Highs: Mid 90’s
Lows: High 70’s
Area
676,552 SQ KM
261,218 SQ MILES
Capital
Nay Pyi Taw
Population
54.4 Million
Language
Burmese
Currency
Kyat

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