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TREK
MYANMAR
Ancient Bagan &
The Tattooed Tribes of Chin
9 Days
Ancient Bagan & The Tattooed Tribes of Chin
Yangon - Bagan - Kanpetlet - Home Stay - Mindat
Moderate
& Challenging
Itineraries
for
Chin State
DESCRIPTION
Start your journey exploring with your guide, an 'off the map' view of Myanmar's largest city, Yangon. Lane-ways framed by decaying colonial building facades and side-street markets abuzz with local activity.
Following a short flight, spend the next days exploring the vast landscape of Bagan. An ancient royal capital whose foundations were first laid way-back in the 9th Century. The primeval plain is both inspiring and overwhelming with over 1,000 pagodas and temples dotting the vista as far as the eye can see.
Trek a remote area of one of Myanmar's last frontiers. Known as 'Chin Land' by locals, it's a culturally unique location and home to the Chin women with their tattooed faces. An area that's been visited by few outsiders. - What a finale to your Myanmar adventure!
HOLIDAY TYPE: Guided, Private Tour
DEPARTS: October thru May ONLY
HIGHLIGHTS
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Yangon City walks and a short pilgrimage stair climb to delight in the majestic presence of the golden Shwedagon Pagoda at dusk.
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Travel by local boat across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River and trek the stepped hill climb to Tant Kyi Taung Pagoda and take in the awesome view over Bagan.
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A hot-air balloon flight at dawn over Bagan's ancient plain. (Optional & Seasonal).
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Mountainous, guided trekking over the 'Chin Hills' with an overnight at a remote, mountain-topped home-stay. - With a hearty home-cooked dinner served up around a cozy campfire.
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Trek along a route linking remote villages frequented by locals living much as they have done for centuries.
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Spend some 1st hand time with Chin lady elders with tattooed faces. A cultural custom that's no longer practiced, evidence of the tradition will die out with the passing of these women.
9
days
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Private Hotel / Airport transfers
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Domestic flights
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8 Breakfasts
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4 Lunches (Chin State Trek)
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1 Dinner (Overnight home-stay, Chin State)
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Genuine 3 star accommodation in Yangon and Bagan.
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Simple, private accommodation, Chin State.
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Private and air-conditioned transportation throughout.
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The accompaniment of an English speaking, professional guide indigenous to each area of travel
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Entrance Fees
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In-country itinerary manager just a phone call away 24 hours a day
WHAT'S NOT
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International flights
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Visas
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Travel insurance
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Other meals & drinks
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Hot-air Balloon flight over Bagan
Though an official ethnic group in Myanmar, the Chin people are more like a diverse collection of tribes with over 50 sub-groups sharing the same regional origins and common customs, but forever separated by a vast quantity of distinct dialects.
The word ‘Chin’ is a Burmese word signifying ‘a bamboo basket for carrying items’ and it’s common to see these still, while traveling rural Chin State. Women of all ages labor under the weight of these baskets that are secured only by broad straps bearing down on their foreheads.
Traditionally, Chin women's faces were tattooed to protect them from abduction by warring tribes. No longer practiced, the tattoos are disappearing with the older generation.