Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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Long hidden from the outside world, Myanmar
is “quite unlike any land you know about,”
as Rudyard Kipling famously wrote. Its
ancient history, deep cultural traditions, and
extraordinary landscapes are utterly captivating.
We’ll explore Yangon, where towering
Shwedagon Pagoda glints in the sun, watch
a magical sunset over a thousand splendid
temples in Bagan, and journey along the
peaceful waters of the great Irrawaddy River
in Mandalay. In Shan country, our visits to
remote hilltribe villages are fascinating, and
we travel by boat to see bustling markets on
the shores of Inle Lake. From one exquisite
destination to another, along with excellent
cuisine and friendly, deeply spiritual people,
our cultural adventure is as enchanting to
the eyes as it is to the soul.
Days 1-2 Yangon In Yangon, we join Buddhist
pilgrims at the immense Shwedagon Pagoda, a
golden, jewel-encrusted temple, and view the
magnificent reclining Buddha at Kyaukhtatgyi,
stretching some 230 feet and surrounded by
offerings of incense and flowers. We’ll also stroll
alongside shoppers in the lively Bogyoke Market
and the fascinating Chinese street market.
Days 3-5 Bagan Once the capital of ancient
kingdoms, Bagan is absolutely extraordinary—
two thousand pagodas and temples rise
majestically here above emerald fields. The
views from atop the temples are undeniably
entrancing, especially at sunset. We explore the
best of them, then take a private boat up the
Irrawaddy River to visit a remote village not
frequented by other travelers for a glimpse of
rural Burmese life.
Days 6-7 Mandalay After “making merit” at
the Maha Muni Pagoda, with its huge Buddha
image covered with countless layers of
gold leaf, we journey by local boat down the
Irrawaddy to visit 14th century Sagaing, with
its picturesque white hillside pagodas. After
traveling by horse-cart to the ruins of Ava,
the ancient Burmese capital from the 14th to
the 19th centuries, we capture sunset photos
at 200-year-old U Bein Bridge.
Days 8-14 Hilltribe Country / Inle Lake
In Shan country we walk village to village,
meeting hilltribe people on the trails as they
head to their fields and visiting an animist
Ann village in the company of a local shaman.
At vast Inle Lake, famous for its leg-rowers,
we explore lakeside communities by longboat,
visit a hilltribe market and silk weaving
village, walk to caves filled with ancient
Buddha images, and learn about Myanmar’s deep
spiritual beliefs from the abbot of a Buddhist
monastery. Our waterfront hotel—complete
with spa—is a great place to unwind and savor
the beauty of the setting. Depart on Day 15
via Yangon.
The full magic, enchantment, and serenity of
Myanmar come to life on our extraordinary
journey. PHOTO: SEAN PAVONE
HIGHLIGHTS
• The golden spires of magical Shwedagon
Pagoda, sunset at Bagan
• Meet fascinating hilltribe people in
traditional villages
• Boat along the great Irrawaddy River
• Ethereal Inle Lake, with its stilt villages,
floating gardens, and fascinating
leg-rowers
DETAILS
• 14-day trip begins and ends in Yangon
• 13 nights hotels
• All meals included except 3 dinners
DATES
Nov 7-20, 2016 Dec 20, 2017-Jan 2, 2018
Jan 9-22, 2017 Jan 6-19, 2018
Feb 1-14 Feb 13-26
Nov 4-17
TRIP COST
FALL 2016 / SPRING 2017
$6195 (15-16 members)
$6495 (11-14 members)
$6795 (8-10 members)
Single supplement: $1450
Internal airfare: $670 (subject to change)
Holiday surcharge (Dec): $200
Optional balloon ride in Bagan: $380
(subject to change)
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Cultural explorations, optional hikes of
2-4 hours