Beyond the Last Village in Burma

Upon arrival in Yangon, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Yangon (formerly Rangoon) has been the capital of Myanmar since the British transformed it into their administrative center of future India. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. The highlights of your afternoon exploration of Yangon will include the downtown, with its faded colonial atmosphere, and Shwedagon Pagoda, which claims to be the world’s richest golden stupa. The 2,500 year old dome rises 98 meters above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold, as well as precious stones like jade, rubies, sapphires and diamonds, one of which is 76-carats! We will visit the historically important areas where, in September 2007, Buddhist monks led protest marches, as well as the home where internationally famed passivist dissident Aung Sun Su Kyii was detained for many years.

Meals: Dinner

The beautiful city of Mandalay will be your destination today. After a short flight from Yangon, spend your day discovering this historic city, exploring old palaces and marketplaces, as well as other historic and scenic sites. Overnight in a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your adventure begins today after a three hour flight to Putao. After lunch in a local restaurant, walk about two hours to Majaw Lisu village, exploring vast paddy fields. Enjoy the village’s beautiful backdrop of snow covered Mt. Slimatdin. Upon return, you will meet with our local staff for a briefing about the coming trek. Dinner will be at a local restaurant or at your hotel. Overnight at a local guest house in Putao.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, leave by jeep or truck for Naungkan village (14 miles, 1 hour). Cross a suspension bridge (on foot) to reach the picturesque village of Machanbaw. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and return to Putao. In the afternoon, visit Mulashidi village (Lisu tribe), which has a beautiful suspension bridge across the Mula River and is situated against a dense forest. Meet the local people and observe river activities such as washing, buffalo swimming, fishing, and children playing. Dinner and overnight at local guesthouse in Putao.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reach the upper Shangaung by jeep or truck. Visit the nearby village, which has members of both the Lisu and Rawan tribes (16 km, approx. 1 hour). Trek to the tiny village of Wasandum (approx. 6 hours) through Mt. Shangaung (1460 meters) by the shoulder of Mt. Slimatdin (1834 meters). Today’s journey is a wonderful warm up for the upcoming trek. You ascend to 1460 meters and then descend back to 914 meters, within a distance of 12 miles. Wasandum is a small Rawan village situated by Namlan Creek. We will have a packed lunch on the way, but you can look forward to a freshly cooked dinner to be served local style upon your return. Overnight will be at a unique guesthouse with a traditional central fireplace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a refreshing hike to Ziyadum after breakfast. Today, the journey will be much easier since we will be walking on relatively flat land. We will have the chance to visit Awadum village, inhabited by the Lisu tribe, by crossing Namro Creek (approx. 2 hours). Then, we will cross a suspension bridge over Namlang Creek, arriving in Kalang, where the Rawan tribe resides (approx. 2 hours). On a sunny day, you will be amazed at the massive panorama of Mt. Phonyin Razi in front of you. We will enjoy a simple local lunch in this village and then continue our trek through deep evergreen forests, arriving in Ziyadum, which is the most northwestern and last frontier village in Myanmar (approx. 2 hours). You can observe the sun setting over the beautiful Snow Mountains from Ziya creek. After watching the sunset, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at Ziya trekking house. Overnight will be in a cozy Rawan style guest house with a center fireplace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day relaxing in the Ziya village or take a day trip to Chaungzone. Simply sit by the Ziya river and enjoy the mountain views and listen to the birds call. The peaceful atmosphere is a rejuventor for the trekking ahead. Or, take a day trip to Chaungzone (8 km, approx. 3 hours). Chaungzone is a breathtaking place with deep evergreen forests and an abundance of bird life. We will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with local hunters, medicine seekers, etc. on the way. After a picnic lunch in Chaungzone, we will return to Ziyadum. Dinner at Ziya trekking house and overnight in a traditional Rawan style guest house with a center fireplace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will have a tranquil morning, as the trek today is relatively easy and short. After an early lunch, we bid farewell to the blazing mountains and head back to Awadum. The walk is easy but beautiful, as you will cross suspension bridges and trek down breathtaking evergreen avenues. After the walk back, enjoy a home-cooked dinner and overnight at our designated guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Having left the wilderness behind and returning to the clutches of human civilization, trek uphill to the plateau of Mount Shangaung, before continuing rapidly downhill to Shangaung village. Our jeep or truck will meet us at Shangaung and take us back to Putao. After checking into our guesthouse and freshening up, we will go out for a farewell dinner with our local staff. Overnight at a local guest house in Putao.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, bid farewell to your team and transfer to the airport for your Air Bagan flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Your afternoon will be free for you to explore the city at your leisure. A great place to buy some last-minute souvenirs is the Bogyoke market, formally know as Scott Market. It is a sprawling 75 year old shopping complex noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items, which provide an excellent opportunity for a shopping spree. Overnight at a hotel in Yangon.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or add an extension to another Asian destination.

Meals: Breakfast