19 Days
Tribes likely to meet are: Tattooed Mru, Munn, M’kan & Dai Chin, Pa O, Metal-belted Palaung, Aeng, Black-turbaned Wa, Akha, White Lahu, Kwe, Hispaw, Likaw

Yangon * Bagan * Mindat * Mandalay * Kakku * Inle Lake

This one-of-a-kind trip visits the recently opened tribal areas of Burma and can be combined with Bangladesh and Kengtung to complete the tribal experience. Burma with its 45 million plus population, 21 major ethnic groups, over 100 languages is probably the most ethnically diverse nation in the world! This trip focuses on the animist cultures, tribal life, festivals, and the great cities of Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay.

Cross the Irrawaddy river by boat and drive along some dusty, rough roads to arrive in the seldom-visited Mindat Mountains deep in the Chin country. The Chin, who inhabit a vast mountain chain running up western Burma into north-east India, are highly regarded as skilled fishermen, hunters and weavers. Due to the rugged terrain and near isolation, these tribes and villages have remained fairly untouched. Meet the gorgeous Chin women with their distinctive facial tattoos, museum quality hand woven textiles, silver belts and amber beads. While the men play their amazing nose flutes, visitors may join the Mun, M'kan and Dai Chins in their songs and dances which have retained deep spiritual meanings to this day.

Drive across pine forests and freshwater lakes to Inle Lake, the serene home of the predominantly Buddhist Intha people. They are known for their unique leg rowing, floating vegetable, flower and herb gardens, villages of silk and cotton weavers and colorful tribal markets. Participate in the LunYu Festival in a remote village with cow sacrifices, singing, dancing and drinking of rice wine, all organized by local villages. Explore the Kakku ruins with over 2000 pagodas and a multitude of centuries old Buddhist stupas that was closed to tourism until very recently. This scenic area with its mountains and forests is home to the Pa O tribes with their colorful checkered turbans and unique lifestyle.


Special permits required – book early – call for details.

TOUR CODE: TTT
TOUR DATES:
2008: Feb 15-Mar 4 , Nov 3-21
2009: Feb 27-Mar 17 , Nov 3-21

2008 TOUR PRICES:
Land Package: $4390 (6+ members)
+$370 (4-5 members)
$4390 (2-3 members, with local guides)
Single Supplement: $890

Approx. International Air: $1340 (Los Angeles/Yangon/Los Angeles)

More Info

4-Day Tribal Kengtung ext. available