Burma with Charles Babault

All photos by Charles Babault

Kenya-born Babault has led safaris by boat and sea kayak in Australia, and now organizes custom safaris for private groups and families to Africa and Asia. Burma is the subject of his recent photo book. Charles� love of nature has taken him off the beaten path in southern Sudan, Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Zanzibar.

9 days / 8 nights in Myanmar, through Bagan, Kyaungdawyar, the Irrawaddy River, Inle lake and Yangon; Bagan (2 Nights) � Kyaung Daw Yar (1) � Amara Riverboat Charter (2) - Inle lake (2) � Yangon (1)

Day 1 Bangkok / Bagan
Arrive Bagan Nyaung Oo International Airport direct from Bangkok (9Q/TG3194) at 1430. Arrangements can be made for private aircraft to enter Myanmar at Bagan (now an international airport). Transfer to the Thiripyitsaya Hotel through the archaeological zone. After a short rest, take a horse cart ride passed temples to visit Shwegugyi temple famous for Bagan style Buddha Image, sunset view from Khinminkha temple situated in the middle of the archaeological zone. Dinner and overnight at Thiripyitsaya Sakura hotel (River Villas).

Day 2 Bagan
Breakfast at Thiripyitsaya Hotel on the terrace. Then embark on a full day guided visit of the archaeological zone. In the morning visit Nyaung Oo market and Shwezigon � proto type of Myanmar Stupa. Also the elegant Htilominlo Temple famous for fine stucco works. Phayar Thonezu temple and Nandamanya temple also have fine mural paintings, and if time allows Tayoke Pyay temple for the best panoramic view of Bagan. Lunch at Sunset Garden restaurant teak pavilion situated on the Ayeyarwaddy riverbank. In the afternoon visit Ananda Temple � the most beautiful in Bagan, Ananda Okkaung, Mingabar Gubyaukgyi � for its most beautiful mural paintings. Then take a horse-cart ride past temples to sunset from a temple terrace. Special candle-lit dinner and a traditional dance in the archaeological zone, and overnight at Thiripyitsaya Sakura hotel (River Villa).

Day 3 Bagan / Kyaung Daw Yar
Optional early morning balloon ride over the Bagan Archaeological Zone, and return to the hotel. Breakfast at Thiripyitsaya Hotel on the terrace, then start the drive to the remote Kyaungdawyar Monastery. Picnic lunch en route at Nga Myat Na Monastery with its splendid view across rice paddy, and continue the journey stopping often to walk across antique bridges, through in traditional villages and in pagodas along the way. Evening arrival in the Kyaungdawyar Monastery complex and short rest in the monastery. Audience with the chief monk and tour of the most important Buddhist shrine in upper Myanmar (reputedly visited by the Lord Gautama Buddha himself!). Dinner under candlelight on the temple terrace and Kathein Robe Donation to the four images on each face of the temples main stupa. Overnight under mosquito nets on mattresses as pilgrims to the monastery.


Day 4 Kyaungdawyar / River Boat
Early morning transfer to the banks of the Mone River by horsecart for a traditional Burmese breakfast at the Fish Calling Shrine. Then cross the river by traditional ferry, and continue by bullock carts to Min Zan Village and walk through the village. Tea with people in the village, then return to Kyaungdawyar for a short rest before continuing for lunch and the money tree or Initiation Ceremony at Barwut teak Monastery built some 200 years ago. In the afternoon return to the Irrawaddy River by small boats on the Mon River. Board the restored paddle steamer the RV Pandaw (or the restored steamer the Amara depending on availability). Cruise upstream on the Pandaw. Evening arrival in Taung Balu Village and visit the village, its school and temple. Dinner and overnight on board the Pandaw moored near Taung Balu.

Day 5 River Boat to Bagan
The boat leaves its overnight mooring at first light and cruises past sandstone cliffs on the bank of on the Irrawaddy River for an arrival at Salay just after breakfast. In Salay take an excursion by willy�s jeep to the remote and seldom visited Shin Pin Sa Kyo Monastery, and return to the Pandaw for lunch and a continuation of the upstream cruise. Afternoon optional excursion to Thant Kyi Taung Mountain and drive up in willy� jeeps (again) then return to the boat. Alternatives for the Bagan Archaeological Zone will be prepared. Evening arrival in Bagan. Dinner and overnight on board the Pandaw (or Amara).

Day 6 Bagan / Inle Lake
Breakfast on board the Pandaw (or Amara). Morning half day guided visit of the archaeological zone. Shwezigon � proto type of Myanmar Stupa, Ananda temple - the most beautiful in Bagan, Gubyaukgyi � for its most beautiful mural paintings, also the elegant Htilominlo Temple - famous for fine stucco works. Transfer to Bagan Airport for the flight to Heho in Shan State by 6T453 at 1240. Transfer to Nyaung Shwe by road and continue by boat to Inle Princess hotel for lunch and an afternoon rest. Afternoon excursion on the lake to see the ways of the Intha people, beautiful landscapes, villages with monasteries on stilts, and floating gardens. Dinner and night at Inle Princess hotel.

Day 7 Inle Lake / Yangon
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to Taung To village to visit its market. Visit lotus and silk weaving workshop, blacksmiths and cigar factory. Lunch at a floating residential house. Afternoon see fishing techniques, and spend the afternoon paddle yourself through a remote lake bound village to see their floating islands, farms and small cottage industries. Evening return to Inle Princess for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Inle Lake / Yangon
Breakfast at hotel and leisurely departure through Linkin Village and it�s beautiful Monastery to Heho Airport to catch the midday flight to Yangon. On arrival Yangon, transfer to Pansea hotel for a late lunch. Afternoon visit to Shwedagon Pagoda and evening walk in Chinatown. Special dinner on the lawn, and overnight at Pansea hotel.

Day 9 Yangon / Bangkok / Europe
Breakfast at hotel. Full day with optional shopping or cultural excursions. Visit the Spice and Bogyoke markets and the Yangon Harbour. Or take walk in downtown Yangon with your guide. Depart by TG306 ETD 1950 to Bangkok, or Private Aircraft.

For information please email [email protected]