« MYANMAR FAMILY TRAVEL

BEACHES, ELEPHANTS & ICE CREAM

10 Days/ Rangoon – Bagan – Lake Inle – Elephant Camp – Silver Beach

Myanmar is one of those very few special places remaining where families can enjoy a truly authentic holiday that doubles as a learning experience that both you and your children will always be thankful for. The locals are warm, fun loving and genuinely welcoming of travelers, and most especially children!

This extended Family Fantastic allows for a somewhat more leisurely pace while adding a two day relaxer on the “endless silver beach” of Ngwe Saung. The nearby Ngwe Saung Elephant Camp is built for half day visits, as the elephants are let loose in the jungle every afternoon, returning only early the next morning to say hello to you! Do not expect to see many tourists, this is not Thailand yet!

In Bagan, in addition to what has already been described in the above Family Fantastic journeys, we’d be happy to take your kids to a local village to visit children their age attending school with a chance to interact.

For sample itinerary please click Itinerary above. For more destination details, see Myanmar Destinations.

Day 1: Yangon Arrival

Luminous Journeys will meet you at the airport to assist with your luggage and currency exchange needs. The new bank kiosks offer the same rate as in the city, and are more convenient. It’s approximately a 25-minute drive to your hotel near Shwedagon Pagoda. We will assist with check-in and when you are ready — perhaps after a delicious lunch and ice cream at Sharkey’s — we’ll show your family the highlights of this very welcoming city.

Dinner aboard the Karaweik Palace on Royal Lake, which has a wonderful cultural show to get you into a Burmese state of mind.

Day 2: Yangon – Bagan

After breakfast it’s off through time and back into ancient history to see one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, the 4,000 pagodas and temples of Bagan. Have one of kids count them. Actually about 2,000 remain in good standing, with the other 2,000 lying in ruin much as Kublai Khan and his marauding hordes left them almost eight centuries ago.

You’ll take in the temples by horse & carriage for a good half-day of Indiana Jones exploration. Then, from on top of Shwesandaw Pagoda, the family will stand in awe looking over the most exotic, surreal sunset you have ever seen.

Day 3: Bagan Dawn – Hot Air Balloons!

If you have so chosen, an exhilarating aerial adventure aboard a hot air balloon over one of the most exotic landscapes on the planet awaits. The balloons are built to the highest standards of the British aerospace industry by Cameron Balloons Limited, UK, the world’s largest manufacturer, and the highly skilled pilots are British as well. Each balloon and it’s passengers is insured for USD 3,000,000, but in 15 years and tens of thousands of flights, there has never been an accident.

Finish the temple tour begun yesterday, then return to the hotel for a midday swim and lunch by the pool. Cool & refreshed, the afternoon will include visits to local market and crafts villages. Bagan is world famous for its extraordinary laquerware designs, no doubt due to centuries of ongoing family craftsmanship. Dinner this evening features a traditional and very entertaining Burmese puppet show.

Day 4: Bagan – Inle Lake

Your morning flight to the Shan Plateau and magical Lake Inle is a short one. The drive from the airport at Heho to the lake is a bit longer. Before reaching the jetty at Naungshwe, you’ll have a chance to stop to visit the adorable novice monks at a teak monastery on stilts. Your kids are welcome to wander inside to see them at study or work, and see their living quarters. Posing for pictures with them is always great fun. Lunch in one of Naungswhe’s excellent Shan style pasta restaurants before hitting the lake.

Your charming staff at your floating hotel will be out to greet you as your private boat arrives at the dock. Settle into the hotel and have a rest before your boatman takes you out for an afternoon of wonder on the water. You’ll see floating pagodas, floating gardens, and visit with the monks at the Jumping Cat Monastery, among other things.

Day 5: Inle Lake – Indein – Mysterious Ruins of Nyaung Oak

The 5-day market at Indein is the largest and most colorful. You’ll cross the lake in a private boat and then cruise a narrow channel through beautiful pastoral settings of living on the water’s edge as if it were 100 years ago. At Indein market you’ll see various tribal groups coming from the hills and the lake, all gathering to buy and sell their produce, wares, textiles and trinkets. It’s a wonderful scene loaded with personality.

From the market it’s a short walk to Nyaung Oak, where 1054 zedi’s slump in partial ruin, half reclaimed by the forest. From there a climb to the old monastery on top of the hill offers fantastic panoramas. Return in time to glide gently through a floating village, take tea with an Intha family and see how they live & work. Enjoy the sunset from your hotel veranda overlooking the lake.

Day 6: Lake Inle – Endless Silver Beach on the Bay of Bengal

Ngwe Saung means Silver Beach, and it isn’t exactly endless, but it may as well be. Maybe the kids will be up for exploring all 14-kilometers along the Bay of Bengal, but not many parents will! “This is a vacation, not boot camp!”

Day 7: Silver Beach – Elephant Camp – Ngwe Saung Jungle
It’s less than an hour to the Elephant Camp, but you’ll have to get up early. The elephants are released every night to go out and feed in the rainforest, and they return early each morning to report for work. After a half day of learning & play capped by a mini-safari, you’ll be back at your beach front hotel by mid-afternoon.

Day 8: Silver Beach – Yangon

After a morning of relaxation, it’s time pack up the mugwumps and head back to Yangon. Tonight will be a special farewell dinner at the House of Memories, which once housed the office of General Aung San, father of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. His office is much as he left it, on the second floor. This is best Burmese food in the city, and also serves excellent Thai dishes. Their Western menu is just average.

Day 9: Yangon Departure

In the city center near the Yangon River, Sule Pagoda, and the 2,000 shops of Scott Market, is perfect for some serious last minute shopping! If there is time we could take you on a walking tour of British Colonial Rangoon, or for a ride on the Circle Train.

When you’re ready, we will drive you to the airport and see you off with traditional parting gifts for your kids. You’ll miss this place, but you’ll be back!

BEACHES, ELEPHANTS & ICE CREAM

Starting at $1395 per person, double occupancy

10 Days / 9 Nights

Deposit required to secure reservation

Price Includes: