Myanmar Culinary Tour

Meet on arrival at Yangon International Airport and transfer to hotel. Late afternoon, transfer to one of Yangon’s finest restaurant located on the edge of the Inya Lake where you will enjoy a delightful welcome dinner.

Mid-morning, transfer to a private home where Mrs. Bina will introduce you to a Burmese-Indian cooking delight. First, Bina will go with you to the local down town market and guide you through the bustling morning market and later to the spice market where you learn all about local and Asian spices. Back at her home, you will prepare a sumptuous Asian lunch (mix of Indian and Burmese). Bina’s kitchen overlooks the Westside of the Shwedagon, one of the best view you can get.
In the afternoon, enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, famous worldwide - its golden stupa is the 'heart' of Buddhist Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. It is always full of people praying and making offerings, and is a fascinating place to spend time watching the world go by.

Transfer to Yangon Airport for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, proceed on a sightseeing tour, starting with the busy local market and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. See 13th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha 'Cave' Temple. Continue to Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi In village), another 'cave' temple with fine frescoes of the 'Jataka Tales'. Next stop is Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes. Visit the Taungphi village to see old monasteries, which have beautiful Khone Baung dynasty frescoes.

In the afternoon, continue visit to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the early Bagan era with well-preserved murals.  Make a photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 meters - Thatbyinnyu known as 'temple of omniscience' and dating from 1144. Continue to Mingalazedi, the last of the large Pagodas built in the 13th Century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. Enjoy sunset at one of the monuments along Ayeyarwady River.

Today, under the guidance of the hotel chef, you will learn how to cook Myanmar dishes, Soup: Roselle Sour Soup Salad: Tomato and Peanut Salad, Side dish: Balachaung Gyaw with condiments (Stir fried dry shrimp with chili), Main dish: Traditional Myanmar Curry in Lemon Grass Scented Gravy with Steamed Rice which you will enjoy your own preparations after the class. 

In the afternoon, an excursion to the nostalgic Nat Htaung Kyaung, a monastery famous for woodcarvings, built in 1781 by a group of monks. Admire the monastery's collection of ancient Buddha statues and lacquer boxes. Return by boat on the Ayeyarwaddy River at sunset. 

Transfer to Nyaung Oo (Bagan) Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Arrive Heho airport and drive to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake, stopping on the way to visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery.

In the afternoon, drive to the Red Mountain Estate vineyard and winery. Located near the Inle Lake, The Red Mountain Estate produces the best wines of the country. You will bike up to the vineyard and sat down for wine tasting.  The small outdoor tasting room provides a commanding view over the terraced vineyard as well as a wonderful breeze.  Beyond the rolling green hills you can see glistening Inle Lake and on a clear day you can also enjoy the surrounding mountain landscape.  Rest of the afternoon, time to stroll around the charming village of Nyaung shwe or enjoy bicycle tour on the edge of the lake.

Today start with Shan cooking class. At 0830hr, depart hotel to discover the fresh market and purchase fresh vegetables, fruits, spices and necessary ingredients for cooking class. Start cooking class, you will get recipes book and aprons to participate in the cooking lesson. Drinks will be offered and you will enjoy your own cooked lunch at the open balcony.

After lunch, leave Nyaung Shwe and board a local boat to take you to the hotel on Inle Lake. Then, enjoy boat trip on Inle Lake - a photographer’s dream. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake’s unique ‘leg rowers’ - Intha fishermen who row standing up with one leg wrapped around a single oar, leaving their hands free to manipulate the conical fishing net. Stop at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State.
Visit a traditional silk-weaving workshop which uses wooden handlooms, and a blacksmith’s forge. Pass endless floating gardens, where Intha lake dwellers grow fruit and vegetables. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest on the lake, where you can see exquisite Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old.  Return to hotel.

Early morning, explore a 5-day rotating market (if your visit coincides with the schedule) which offers an insight into the life of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha people who come to these markets to sell and buy goods. Your guide will arrange for a local breakfast on the market which gives you the best insight of local life. Proceed to Inle Heritage house and do our last cooking challenge at the school before your transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Yangon.
Arrive Yangon and farewell dinner at Rangoon Tea House. 

This morning, walk along the busy harbour area before we take a one hour journey on the busy shuttle train which goes round the city. Tour guide and car remain at the clients’ disposal for further sightseeing or shopping until transfer back to Yangon International Airport for departure flight.