Eco Tour Adventures & Challenges
 

• Remote Places
• Natural Wonders
• Nature Walks & Waterfalls
• White Water River Rafting
• Pineapple Plantations
• Harvest Seasons
• Soft Safaris
• Tribal Traditions of Ethnic Minorities

Through Ecotourism we offer direct involvement and benefits to the local village communities we visit throughout Myanmar. Tour Mandalay strongly promotes the use of local services, guides in order to support and enrich the local economy. We are very mindful of local cultures and tradition. We want to offer a very personal and rewarding travel experience to all our clients.
Travel through remote regions is still new and full of adventure – by foot, ox cart, motor bike, and pick up truck, 4WD, bicycle, and riverboat - even sedan chairs! This year we have expanded our adventure destinations. Many of these locations are just beginning to open for the foreign traveller to Myanmar. Travel conditions and accommodations may be less than ideal so travellers should bring along a spirit of exploration when visiting these places. Seasonal weather conditions, maximum group size and restricted travel requirements and services may apply. Please contact our office for the latest information and pricing for these itineraries.

BALLOONS OVER BAGAN

Imagine floating over thousand year old pagodas and the might Ayeyarwaddy River, as the sun sinks slowly behind distant mountains. The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for centuries. One of most remarkable sights in Asia, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Now “Balloons over Bagan” affords visitors a unique opportunity to see this ancient kingdom, as it has never been seen before. Our sunrise and sunset champagne flights take off daily from October through to the end of March. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 15 mph, allowing passengers a serene and peaceful bird’s –eye view of ancient temples drifting by. Using his skill the pilot is able to guide the balloon to a gentle landing where our friendly crew and a celebratory glass of champagne will be on hand. On average, flights last between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Commercial passenger ballooning has the best safety record of all forms of air transport. “Balloons over Bagan’s” pilots and technicians are qualified and registered in the UK. Our balloon, which are built to the hightest standards of the British aerospace industry, are provided by Cameron Balloons Limited, the world’s largest manufacturer of high quality balloons. Our balloons are insured for two million dollars, third party, and passenger liability. “Balloons over Bagan” is committed to the preservation of Bagan and its environment. A small contribution from each flight will be denoted to community programs that directly benefit the local population. Truly the adventure of a lifetime, no visit to Myanmar could be complete without a balloon flight over the fabulous jewel that is Bagan.

TMDY # ECO- 1
KAK KU & the Pa-O Countryside

Day journey by road from Inle Lake, two hour drive from Taunggyi (capital of Shan State) through a landscape dotted with clusters of villages, brings you to Kakku. Kakku is a unique temple complex of more than 2500 stupas has lied hidden in the Pa-O heartland of Southern Shan State for centuries. It is a rare discovery in a land known for its hidden treasures. Unknown to the outside world and to most of Myanmar until recently, these exquisite monuments can now be visited.

TMDY # ECO- 2
Yasagyi Village of the Palaung Tribe (2 Days / 1 Nights)

Journey by foot from Pindaya up through the countryside & villages of the Danu & Pa-O tribes reaching Yasagyi at 6020 feet. Overnight accommodation at the Yasagyi Monastery with a pre-dawn trek to the 7030 Foot Yasagyi summit for sunrise.
Returning to Pindaya through farm fields and meadowlands.

TMDY # ECO- 3
Kalaw & Pindaya Hill Villages and Plantations

Day treks from Kalaw and Pindaya visiting local hill tribes and farmers. We tailor the program these treks so beginners as well as advanced hikers will have an enjoyable experience.

TMDY # ECO- 4
Kyaingtong, the Golden Triangle & Hill Tribes of Eastern Shan State
Minimum (3 Days / 2 Nights )

Kyaingtong, an old colonial town, lies 456 km north-east of Taunggyi in eastern Shan State. It is surrounded by the villages of the Khun, Wa, Anh, Akha, Akhu, Palaung and Lahu hill tribes. The forests and mountains of this region offer a peaceful setting of natural beauty. Depart Yangon or Heho by air to Kyaingtong. Highlights: Yan-Gone Pottery Village, Kyaingtong Lacquer ware workshop, trekking to nearby tribal villages, morning market to meet the local hill tribes. This area is rapidly becoming a “must-see”. The hill tribes offer a simplistic view of traditional village life where foreigners are a true curiosity. Travellers will certainly be richly rewarded – a unique opportunity to get to know a seldom seen region of Myanmar. Border entry into Myanmar at Tachilek from Mae Sai, Thailand can be arranged in advance.

TMDY # ECO-5
MYITKYINA, BHAMO & KACHIN STATE

Myanma Airways, trains, local river boats connect Mandalay with Bhamo and Myitkyina, capital of the Kachin State. Seasonal weather conditions and special travel restrictions apply Tour Highlights Include Jade mines of Hpakant, local tribes of mountain villages of Haungpa, Tawmaw & Lone Khin, Indawgyi Lake, Hopin, Hsahmaw, Mogaung, Namti and the World War II Memorial on Mogaung River at Nam Kawn village.
Bhamo Tour Highlights include -the 5th century trading city - Sampanago and hill tribe villages of the Lisu and Kachin people.

TMDY# ECO-6
WHITE WATER RAFTING EXPEDITIONS

Commencing October 2006, the nature and adventure loving visitors will have the golden opportunity to experience overnight rafting expeditions on the headwaters of the Ayeyarwaddy River to the north of Putao, as well as a variety of day excursions by raft, kayak, and mountain bike or on foot. This area is situated in the foothill of the Himalayas in the far north of Myanmar, which contains one of the last great areas of subtropical and rainforest in the Himalayas, and is Home to both Lisu and Rawang hill tribes

Malikha Cruise : Full Day

This full day excursion combines a scenic river gorge cruise with a visit to the picturesque village of Manchanbaw. From there we venture downstream by long tail boat onto the Malikha River through forested hills and past white river beaches, where villagers may often be seen panning for gold. A picnic lunch is prepared in a spectacular riverside beach inside the gorge, before our return by vehicle to the Lisu in time for sunset.

TMDY #ECO-7
THE SOUTHERN CHIN HILLS
Minimum (4 Days / 3 Nights)

Seasonal weather conditions, minimum group size and special travel restrictions may apply explore the hill villages of the Myo (Khami) and Thet tribes reached by river boat from Mrauk-U. This is still a remote destination for the true explorer. Special permission is needed for travel into this region.

TMDY # ECO-8
NAGA NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

The Naga are a tribe living in the mountains, valleys, and plains of the most remote places on earth. Their region is in the northwest corner of Myanmar, close to Indian border. In the middle of January every year, Naga New Year Festival was held in one of the townships in their region. Visitors had flown from Mandalay to Homalin, drove to Pinnma village (55 miles), crossed the Chindwin River by Z craft to Tamanthi and then drove to Layshi by 4WD trucks (41 miles), really an adventurous journey. The accommodation there was very basic and number of visitors had been limited accordingly.
At the New Year celebrations, endless cup of rice wine are drunk, bison and wild boar meat roasted and eaten, tribal dances performed with loud drums. If the stranger joined in their celebrations, they are welcomed; it is good to share the happiness.
Kindly contact Tour Mandalay for dates and details of Naga New Year Festival for coming year.