Below is a message from Vipassana teacher Jeff Oliver, who many of you will know. There are some spaces to join a dhamma tour to Myanmar .. looks like a very nice trip. Please book soon if you intend to join as it all takes a lot of organising. Received information is as follows:
I am pleased to inform you that I will be leading another tour for Turkish friends, this time to Myanmar. The tour is open for anyone to join, the more the merrier. Our tour includes commentary by myself and a Myanmar guide. We are not professionals and are not aligned with any company, it is entirely a private tour, friends traveling with friends.
This is not a 5 star tour, costs have been kept to a minimum without compromising comfort, safety or cleanliness. However, you do travel with us completely at your own risk, we will not be held responsible for any injury or loss to your person or property.
Early mornings will include an optional group yoga and meditation session, guided by myself. Our previous tours in Thailand and Cambodia have been a great success and even called, “The trip of a lifetime!”
Naturally, all tours in Myanmar are of a Buddhist nature. It is inextricably woven into the fabric of their culture and daily life, thats why we are going! I personally was a Buddhist monk in the Burmese tradition for about 8 years and speak the language. I also speak Thai and encourage any Thai friends to join us too.
Please find the basic itinerary below. Don’t worry, there will be lots of time for shopping and doing your own thing too :-))
The cost will be 24,000 Baht inclusive of airfare to and from Bangkok (Myanmar Airways), all meals except last night dinner, all domestic flights and transport in Myanmar, some entry fees and 3-4 star accommodation.
The cost excludes, last night dinner, some entry fees, Myanmar Visa (approx. 1000 baht), donations to monasteries etc, guide and driver tips.
I know it is short notice but it is best to book before Jan 19th 2011, thanks!
Anyone wishing to join our Myanmar tour may email to me directly;
Jeff Oliver
udhamma@yahoo.com.au
Six Days and Nights
Myanmar Turkish Friendship Tour
GOOD people in Good places doing GOOD things for GOOD reasons!
February 2011
19 Transfer to airport for Yangon Myanmar / Burma.
Day 1 in Burma
Meet at the airport
Lunch donation at Chanmyay Myaing monastery and talk with Monastery Abbott
Shwe Oo Mim Monastery talk with monastery Abbott
Shwe Baw Kyun Monastery
Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda (Reclining Buddha)
Hotel Yuzana
Dinner and dancing show at Karaweik Palace
20 Day 2 Yangon to ancient city of Bagan (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner BLD)
Check out at 5 am, breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for Bagan
Nyaung Oo Market sightseeing
Lunch at restaurant
Sightseeing
Dinner at restaurant
Overnight at Kaytumadi Hotel
21 Day 3 Bagan (BLD)
Breakfast at hotel
Sightseeing in Bagan
Lunch
Sightseeing
Dinner and puppet show at Nanda Restaurant
Overnight at Kaytumadi Hotel
22 Day 4 Bagan to Mandalay (BLD)
Breakfast at the hotel, Check out at 6 am, transfer to airport for Mandalay
Sightseeing in Mandalay
Lunch
Sightseeing in Sagaing Hills covered in monasteries and pagodas
Amarapura Monastery, about 1,000 monks in residence
Sunset at U Bein Bridge
Dinner at restaurant or China town (not included)
Overnight at Treasure Hotel
23 Day 5 Mandalay (BLD)
Breakfast at hotel
To Mingun by boat
Lunch at restaurant
Gold leaf factory visit
Market
Back to hotel and leave for Yangon
Dinner at restaurant in Yangon
Overnight at Yuzana Hotel
24 Day 6 Yangon City tour (BL)
Pre-dawn visit to the beautiful Shwedagon Pagoda, Breakfast at hotel
Walking tour in Bahan Township, visiting monks and nuns hospital and girls orphanage, market, suburban life of Myanmar
Lunch at restaurant
The famous Bogyoke (Scott) Market
Bodataung & Yangon Port
Dinner at China Town (not included)
Evening visit to Shwedagon Pagoda
Overnight at Yuzana Hotel
25 Day 7 Yangon – Bangkok
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for Bangkok