Small Group Tour Myanmar Through Local Eyes, Myanmar, Myanmar Cultural Experience

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The best way to see any destination is on foot and after a short transfer, you'll start with an insider's walking trip designed by Yangon-based Backyard Travel experts. The tour provides a great introduction to the country and its people and is an area rarely explored or seen by tourists.

The tour begins in the heart of the Chinatown district at 'Kheng Hock Keong' temple. Continue walking through the heart of downtown Yangon. En-route you will visit the city's diverse religious structures. Visit churches, mosques, pagodas, Hindu temples and Myanmar's only synagogue which dates back to 1893.

While walking, your guide will explain the rich diversity of the religions of this fascinating country, and teach you about offerings and blessings in each place of worship, as well as explaining lesser-known local traditions such as ancestor worship, astrology and even the influence of the lottery in everyday society! This walking tour through Yangon will also take you past local markets offering everything from traditional medicine and fresh produce to temple offerings.

Join the locals at a café to drink tea or coffee and have some snacks. The tea shop is a central element of social life in Myanmar and you'll see all types of people gathered here; from business people conducting meetings, to families and friends enjoying time together.

In the afternoon you'll take a one-hour flight to Heho in the center of the country. On arrival at this sleepy airport, you will then be taken on a two-hour drive through the scenic hills of Myanmar's Shan State to the small town of Pindaya, a much less-visited area of the county which still possesses a genuine charm and charisma.

On arrival in Pindaya you'll visit the 'Shwe U Min' caves. As you wind your way through the labyrinth-like paths you'll explore caves containing thousands of Buddha images of various shapes and sizes, the first of which were sculpted in the 11th century.

Finish up the day with a visit to some handicraft workshops. Here skilled artisans can be seen busy at work as they produce traditional Shan Paper, made from mulberry bark, as well as traditional wooden 'monk' parasols.

In the evening, you will check into your hotel then enjoy dinner at a restaurant serving fantastic Shan dishes - some of the best cuisine in Myanmar!

The boutique hotels you'll stay in throughout your tour are in the three- to four-star category and will be confirmed at time of booking.

Overnight in Pindaya at Inle Inn hotel (or similar)

Meals included on this day: Breakfast and Dinner