Burma – The Wild Frontier
Global Drift continues to remain on the frontline of adventure travel. We have pioneered a very interesting off the beaten track adventure being the first group into the newly opened Naga region of northern Burma and the mystical remote Chin state. For those of you who have experienced this country with us you will know it holds a special place in our own journey and we have always wanted to visit the regions on this tour. Up until recently this has been impossible to do.
This new tour takes us deep into the remote and mysterious Naga region and journeys south along the upper waters of the Chindwin River into the elusive Chin state, home to the legendary tattooed ladies.
"This was a great cultural journey for the traveller interested in the more remote areas of Myanmar well away from the mainstream. Global Drift has excellent local connections on the ground and did its homework well when planning this trip. A rewarding experience with an wonderful bunch of Drifters and guides"
Rolf & Monika Herrmann, Melbourne, Australia
Day 1 - arrive Yangon Arrival day (no group activities planned). You are free today to explore Yangon if arriving early enough. There is the bustling Bogyoke Market and the Sule Pagoda downtown area. We enjoy our first dinner together after our group meeting Day 2 - Yangon to Mandalay A short flight this morning to the cultural capital where we settle in and enjoy some of the sites. There is the deeply significant Mahamuni Buddha image as well as the short climb to the top of Mandalay hill Day 3 - Mandalay to Khamti We fly from Mandalay to the remote town of Khamti in far northwestern Burma. On arrival we plan lunch at a local restaurant. We will have time today to stroll through this small regional town and in the evening we plan to visit Zee Phyu Gone Naga village. We enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before retiring to our simple guest house accommodation Day 4 - Khamti to Lahe We take a boat this morning across the Chindwin to Sin Thay village and catch 4WD's to Lahe. An adventurous journey passing through tribal villages and mountain ranges. On the way we plan to visit some Naga villages stopping at Long Nyat village for lunch. In the late afternoon we arrive in Lahe in the Naga Hills and have time to enjoy the atmosphere in town. We are over 1100 metres up in the mountains. This evening we have the privilege of staying in a local Naga house Day 5 - Lahe In the morning we visit Ma Kyan Gone an old Naga village taking a scenic drive along forest mountain ranges for about one hour. We enjoy time with some Naga families in their traditional homes. After lunch we walk through Karlan and Myoma villages near Lahe. We dine and stay in a Naga traditional house Day 6 - Lahe to Khamti This morning after breakfast we sadly depart Lahe and head back to Khamti by 4WD's. We will stop for breaks in small villages on the return journey. This evening we can enjoy sunset on the bank of the Chindwin River on our last night in Khamti Day 7 - Khamti to Homalin (on Chindwin River) We head out on the fabled Chindwin River in our privately hired river ferry. The journey will allow us to see and visit some of the many Naga villages along the river. We plan to take lunch in the village of Htan Mathi. The region is an area of particularly unspoiled villages that have seen very few travellers over the eons. We spend the night in the port of Homalin and enjoy dinner with locals in a street side restaurant Day 8 - depart Homalin (on Chindwin River) We continue on the river with our private boat as the river is ever broadening, stopping on the way at some remote villages on the Chindwin. Lunch may be taken in the village of Maw Leik. Late afternoon we stop at the township of Kalewa gaining recent significance as a staging point for trade between Burma and India. We take dinner in a local restaurant in the village of Min King before continuing on downstream and cruise into the riverside for our night’s sleep on our boat. The stars are out and the river has a timeless sleep inducing quality Day 9 - arrive Monywa We arrive into Monywa and have some respite before journeying back across the mighty Chindwin River to a sandstone cave system in the Po Win Hills. These caves are named after the famous ‘Zawgyi’ (alchemist) who once lived here and number more than 100. They are full of Buddhist statues and murals and some date from the 14th Century Day 10 - Monywa A day to catch our breath, get some laundry done and maybe put the feet up. Still time for a visit to the incredibly ornate Thanboddhay Pagoda built from the dream designs of a noted monk and the giant Standing and Reclining Buddha’s of Maha Bodhi Tahtaung Day 11 - Monywa to Bagan We drive to Bagan and have time to visit the most significant pagodas and temples of this amazing archaeological zone. We may choose the glittering Ananda temple with four giant standing Buddha images or perhaps the Myinkaba Gu Byauk Gyi Pagoda noteworthy for its mural painting under the protection of UNESCO. To round off the day we enjoy an unforgettable sunset atop one of the stunning monuments before an evening meal under the starry skies Day 12 - Bagan to Kanpetlet Taking private 4WD’s this morning we begin our journey to Kanpetlet. We travel along the Ayeyarwaddy River to Chauk and stop in the morning market. We then cross the river to the village of Seikphyu and continue on to a bigger village of Kazunma. Then drive through drier regions and arrive at Saw village for a tea break. Finally we travel on to the rural Chin centre of Kanpetlet Day 13 - Kanpetlet We are visiting more remote Chin villages in the area such as Yelaungban, Hlalaung or Makyaukah. We can observe and immerse ourselves in the way of life of the Chin tribes. We will see the Chin women adorned with various patterns of facial tattoos as well as their unique amber necklaces Day 14 - Kanpetlet (Natmataung/Mt Victoria) Today is a memorable day and after breakfast we collect a packed lunch and begin our trek to Natmataung National Park. Depending on the weather and trail conditions we will combine 4WD’s and a wonderful short trek to the summit. We should have time for further village visits in the afternoon before returning to Kanpetlet Day 15 - Kanpetlet to Aye Village We drive this morning from Kanpetlet on a back country road to Aye village for a stay in a local guest house. *Should road conditions be adverse we will take a circuitous route and arrive into the Chin town of Mindat a night earlier Day 16 - Aye Village to Mindat We can enjoy a morning sunrise and explore the Chin village of Aye. We continue on to Shame village by car and then a short 45 minute trek to Kyedoe village. The way of life here is very different to the Burmans. We can see that every house in the village is decorated with the skulls of bulls, goats and wild animals that come from the forest and are part of ritual sacrifice. The villages have a sense of pride regarding the decorations in their houses with these skulls reflecting their power, wealth and prestige. They record how many animals they have sacrificed by decorating a large wooden spike with different carvings for different meanings. We also visit the Lote-Bell and Pukwan villages and see the string bridge built across the Makee creek. Crossing the creek we are met by our vehicle and return to Mindat Day 17 - Mindat We wind back a little today and explore the region around Mindat hopefully meeting different tribes of Moon, Makaan and Dai each with different shapes and styles of tattoo. In the morning we visit the small town market and on to a small village where we can enjoy a nose-flute performance by Makaan ladies. We also have a chance to enjoy a small ‘house museum’ where antique and traditional costumes are displayed Day 18 - Mindat to Bagan We depart Mindat in the morning for our drive to Pakokku passing through the townships of Kyauk-Htu and Pauk. We then cross the Pakokku Bridge, the longest in Myanmar, and arrive in Bagan Day 19 - Bagan to Yangon A short flight from Bagan takes us back to Yangon. We will have time today for some more exploration of this vibrant city or a visit to the huge Bogyoke Market to rid yourself of any leftover Kyats. A final dinner celebrates our amazing journey Day 20 - depart Yangon You are free to depart any time today |  |
Local Payment
Your Local Payment is collected by your group leader in cash at your group meeting on Day 1 of the trip and is part of your tour price. The money is spent locally on your tour.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Extra Accommodation
Pre and post trip accommodation is offered on most journeys pending availability. Please indicate in your enquiry if you require any rooms before or after your tour and the amount of nights requested.
Single Traveller
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
However, for those that would prefer a single room for the tour we do offer a single supplement.
It must be stated however that on many of our tours we stay in small family owned guesthouse accommodation. In certain instances with full groups the passenger combinations may not always allow you to enjoy a single room. Please keep this in mind when booking your single supplement. We will however, always do our best to accommodate you.
Please make your request for this service a minimum of 3 months prior to your journey.
The quoted extra payment is for the entire trip.
Single Travellers
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
Due to the exploratory nature of this journey no single supplement is offered.
Airport Arrival Transfer
Global Drift offers an optional arrival transfer to your hotel at the quoted fee.
In your trip dossier you will receive directions on how to make your way to your starting point hotel. It is quite easy and possibly cheaper than we are able to offer it.
Should you require this service please advise us at the time of your booking.