Our Burma Jungle and Birding Tour begins on the Irrawaddy plains to the north of the capital Yangon. Over 4,000 temples and pagodas in Bagan dot this breathtaking landscape, testimony to the region’s rich history as the last independent Burmese kingdom and centre of Buddhist learning. Key sites here hold important populations of declining waterbirds, as well as supporting no less than four birds endemic to this unique dry zone habitat.
The bulk of our time will be spent exploring the moss-draped forests of the Chin Hills in the vicinity of Mount Victoria. These mountains form part of the Eastern Himalayas, an endemic-rich bird region where several species seen only by a handful of intrepid birders occur. These include the endemic White-browed Nuthatch, Mount Victoria Babax, Chin Hills Wren-Babbler and a chance for the mythical Blyth’s Tragopan. Our final destination will be the southern Shan State situated in the hills of central Burma. Here we visit the sparkling Inle Lake to search for the endemic Collared Myna, Black-headed Greenfinch and other specialties. After birding the deciduous forests around Kalaw for Burmese Yuhina, another highly localized species, plus a good selection of other hill forest birds, our exploration of this fascinating land will come to a close.
Tour length: 14 days / 13 nights
Tour Type: Birding, Adventure, Trekking
Cities: Yangon, Bagan, Mount Victoria, Mindut, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Kalaw
Price: From US$ 2400/person
Activity Level: Regular itinerary
Day 01: Yangon arrival
Welcome to the golden land of Myanmar !
Our tour guide and driver will meet and greet you for your hotel transfer. Enjoy your tour of Yangon with a walk from Sule pagoda to Strand Hotel where you will encounter numerous of British colonial buildings and Emmanuel Church. You will have chance to observe the local life on Yangon river side. The visit to Shwedagon, the most outstanding pagoda, dominating the skyline of Yangon with a magical golden flash will highlight your day.
Day 02: Yangon – Pyay (Prome)
After breakfast, drive (280 km- 6 hours) to Pyay.
Pyay is situated near the ancient capital of Sriksetra, where extensive archaeological excavations were located. Upon your arrival, pay a visit to the Shwesandaw Pagoda, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is one of the most scenically beautiful spots in the country. Overnight in Pyay.
Day 03: Pyay (Prome) – Bagan
After breakfast, full day of sightseeing by local ferry to Akaungtaung to see Buddha images carved into rocks overlooking the Ayeyarwaddy River. Along the way see villages and typical rural life.
Day 04: Bagan sightseeing
On arrival, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing, starting with busy Nyaung U market, Shwezigon pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupa, Kyansitthaumin, a tunnel with attractive mural paintings; Bu paya, the oldest pagoda in Bagan; Ananda temple, the architectural masterpiece of a millennium.
After lunch continue sightseeing starting with Htilomilo temple, a double storeyed building with artistic stucco works; Gawdawpalin temple, famous for its colourful glazes plaques and enjoy the sunset from Shwesandaw pagoda.
Day 05: Bagan – Nat Ma Taung National Park
Drive from Bagan to Natmataung National Park (Mt. Victoria) for bird watching. Birding stop on the way to see again Jerdon’s Minivet and Hooded Treepie, together with near-endemic White-rumped Falcon, White-eyed Buzzard, various species of Woodpeckers, five species of Parakeet which are Alexandrine, Rose-ringed, Blossom-headed, Grey-headed and Red-breasted Parakeets, Small, Scarlet and Rosy Minivets, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch and others.
Overnight at the guesthouse.
Day 06: Nat Ma Taung National Park
Birding at Natmataung (Mt. Victoria) National Park. This site is a major focal point of the tour. Here we can able to see White- browed Nuthatch and Burmese Tit, Myanmar’s fifth and sixth endemics which are known only in here. Other speciality birds that could be seen on this area are near-endemics – Mount Victoria Babax, Chin Hills Wren-babbler, Assam, Stripe and Brown-capped Laughingthrushes, Green Shrike-babbler, Buff-breasted Parrotbill, Bar-tailed and Hume’s Treecreepers, Black-throated Prinia and Whistler’s Warbler, together with rare and shy Blyth’s Tragopan, rare Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Grey-sided Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Forktail and many other species.
Day 07: Nat Ma Taung National Park – Monywa – Mandalay
Today, we will cross the mighty Irrawaddy River in Pakkoku to Mandalay via Monywa. Arrive in Mandalay in the late afternoon. Free at leisure. If you would like to experience something different, you can enjoy Mandalay night market.
Day 08: Sagaing – Pyin Oo Lwin – Botanical Garden – Anisakan Fall
After visiting Sagaing with Buddha cave and U Min Thonze Pagoda, Soon U Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, Tupayon temple where you can enjoy the great view of Mandalay, depart for a scenic two hour drive to the former British hill station of Maymyo, now called Pyin Oo Lwin. Many reminders of the colonial era are still present in Pyin Oo Lwin, including brick and timber houses. Enjoy a traditional horse and carriage ride through the town and walk around the beautiful recently renovated Botanical Gardens. Visit the local market in the center of the town near to the clock tower.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to the impressive Anisakan waterfalls, north of Pyin Oo Lwin. Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Day 09: Mingun – Mandalay Royal Ancient Palace
Return to Mandalay in the morning. Start your sightseeing today with a boat ride upstream to Mingun, home to Uncomplete Wall, Sandamuni pagoda and Mingun ringing bell. Our local expert will be pleased to introduce you the life of people who live on the banks of Irrawaddy River.
This afternoon, we will travel to Ava, Amarapura to discover the Maha Aungmye Bonzan, Gabaya Monastery, Leaning Nam Myint Tower and the nearby attractions. Enjoy a walk over U Bein bridge, the longest teak wood bridge in Myanmar.
Day 10: Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake (by Flight)
Embark on a morning flight to Heho. Skimming along the waterways in a long-tail boat, catch a first glimpse of floating gardens, stilt houses, and fishermen propelling their skiffs with one leg wrapped around an oar. Embark on an afternoon excursion, beginning with a visit to the
Phaung Daw U Pagoda, which enshrines five Buddha images believed to have been carried to this area by the widely-traveled 12th-century King Alaungsithu. Spend our time to know about local traditional work such as making boat, black smith, silk weaving and enjoy the uniqueness of Jumping Cat pagoda. After lunch, pay a visit to the Indein, situated on the southwestern corner of the lake. Here you can wander through a typical lakeside village and observe local people in their daily activities. From the top of old Shwe Inn Dein, an impressive collection of ancient and unrestored Shan style stupas, enjoy a stunning view out across the lake and beyond.
Day 11: Inle Lake – Kalaw
Today, we travel by car toward Kalaw, the beautiful hill station with numerous British houses which reflects vividly the colonial era. En route excursion includes tea leaf plantations and scenic beauty of mountain region to conclude this unique experience.
Upon your arrival in Kalaw, enjoy a pleasant walk to Kalaw train station and nearby botanical garden.
Day 12: Kalaw
Spend the day with a car journey through the most spectacular landscapes stuffed with green forest, secluded hamlets, verdant palm plantation. Here you can see the ethnic tribes on the colorful attires.
Day 13: Kalaw – Yangon ( by Flight)
Board a flight back to Yangon. Visit Scott’s market to buy some souvenirs. Free at leisure.
Day 14: Yangon departure
After breakfast at hotel, rest and unwind until our driver arrives and picks you up for a departure flight.
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Passports and Visas
- Go to Myanmar Embassies and Consulates in your home country and you will be guided procedure. You may want to check the list of countries where Myanmar has embassies and consulate offices by clicking here.
- Obtain VISA On Arrival (VOA). For tourists coming from countries has no Myanmar Diplomatic Rep offices, you can obtain VOA online via www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm – the official portal for VOA by Myanmar government. The portal launched in Sep 01, 2014 and took its pilot operation for a month. Providing you encounter any issue, please contact us for support.
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Cards and Currency
- The US$ notes must be new.
- The US$ notes torn, marked, folded will not be accepted.
- The US$ notes having series before 2003 backward may not accepted.
Trip Preparation
- Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you.
- Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order.
- We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement.
- You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names.
- We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock.
- Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage.
