Mogok, the Ruby Valley and “Hidden Burma”
Go in the footsteps of Joseph Kessel, direction north of Mandalay to discover Mogok, also called “the valley of rubies”. We discover of course the open or closed gemstone mines, the stone markets but also an amazing melting pot including different minorities…. the rest of the stay will allow you to discover a “hidden Burma”, outside the tourist circuits including among other things a portion of train to Kakku, the descent by pirogue from Sagar to Pekon before discovering Loikaw and of these tribes.
Day 1 : ARRIVE TO MANDALAY
You will be met at Mandalay airport by Gulliver. Transfer to your hotel (1 hour drive). End of the day free.
Day 2 : MANDALAY - MOGOK by road
From Mandalay, there will be approximately 6 hours of mountain road to reach Mogok, and its famous valley of rubies. Breaks on the way.
Day 3 : MOGOK
You will visit Mogok, and its famous ruby valley, and its surroundings (small mines according to the guide’s information, stone markets, etc.).
Day 4 : MOGOK - SINGU by road
About 4 hours drive you will reach to the region of Singu and more particularly the village of Hsithe, located on the banks of the river. This area is open for eco tourism allowing travelers to enjoy the surrounding nature. You will spend the night at the dolphin eco lodge.
Day 5 : SINGU - MANDALAY by road
In the morning you can carry out activities offered by the Cbt (possibly go fishing and observe the dolphins of the Irrawaddy) then in the afternoon return to Mandalay by road (take about 3 hours by road).
Day 6 : MANDALAY - HEHO - TAUNGYI - KAKKU ( )
You will take a flight in the morning to Heho and then there will be an hour’s drive to reach Taungyi, capital of the Shan State. You will take the 2:30 p.m. train serving small mountain villages. The journey takes just over 2 hours. Overnight in Kakku.
Day 7 : KAKKU - SAGAR by road
You will discover in the morning the site of Kakku, superb set of stupas. To be there in the morning is a privilege, to enjoy the calm of the site. There will then be 1 hour drive to descend to Inle Lake, then another hour drive to reach the village of Sagar. Small canoe ride opposite the village of Sagar.
Day 8 : Boat to PEKON and road to LOIKAW
You will descend the 2nd lake for about 3 hours and arrive at the 3rd lake, that of Pekhon. You will then reach Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State. First discovery of the city.
Day 9 : LOIKAW
You will visit the village of Hta Nee La Leh, known for its animist totems. You will hear stories of hunters, the village being famous for that. You can try the small local catapults. Then you will go and see a fortune teller using chicken bones.
Jour 10 : LOIKAW
You will discover the village of Demawso, then a village of the Lisu ethnic group. You will spend the day there, before returning to Loikaw.
Jour 11 : LOIKAW - YANGON( )
You will take a flight to reach Yangon. In the colonial district, you can stroll on foot to observe various buildings, more or less in good condition, some under renovation. The most impressive are “Yangon Region Court Building”, “Supreme Court of Burma Building”, “Port Authority Building”, and especially “The Secretariat”, in which General Aung San was assassinated on July 19, 1947.
At the end of the afternoon, when the sun begins to set, you will discover the majestic Shwedagon pagoda, symbol of Myanmar and the highest place of pilgrimage in the country. The site is permanently visited by the locals, as a family or as a couple, to pray or simply rest.
Jour 12 : DEPART INTERNATIONAL
You will be taken to the airport for your international flight.
