Shinbyumei Paya photo by Roger Price — Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

“This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.” (Rudyard Kipling)

Trip cost is $6995 including all taxes, fuel surcharges, and air fare from either New York, London, Tel Aviv or Los Angeles (INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL!!!)

Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.

When Rudyard Kipling visited Burma a hundred years ago he described it as “quite unlike any land you know about.” In the ensuing century little has changed, having been isolated for so many years, it is one of the few untouched, unspoiled destinations in the world today that can truly bring you back in time and experience to the Asia of old.

THURSDAY, January 21, 2010/Arrival in Yangon
Arrive Rangoon and welcome by our TAL Tours guide at the airport.

FRIDAY, January 22, 2010/Tour of Yangon
Enjoy our private tour to explore the colonial heritage of one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive capitals. Drive through the city — downtown area and see colonial buildings, Independent monument and visit neighborhoods that reflect Yangon’s Burmese, British, Indian, Bangladeshi and indigenous influences. Drive through the city and stop at China town and India quarter to take a stroll to get a sense of the city. Stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares — some familiar, some exotic. In the late afternoon check in at the Hotel and prepare for Shabbat. Take a walk to the Yangon Synagogue for Friday night service and meet with Trustee of the Synagogue and some members of local community and make quiet Rangoon Synagogue with song and joy. Shabbat dinner and overnight at the Traders Hotel

SHABBAT, January 23, 2010
Enjoy tefillla at the Rangon Synagogue. After lunch our tour guide will take us on a neighborhood walking tour (Sandwith Road, York Road) where many Jews from Rangoon used to live. (The Jewish School building in that area where once over 200 Jewish students attended is now changed to government High School building. Most of the houses in that area are now renovated to new buildings.) Havdala and Seudat Shlishit at the Hotel. After Havdala, “Searching for Baghdad — Iraqi Jews in Southeast Asia: A Daughter’s Journey” documentary film (Histories & Stories about Iraqi Jews in Burma, Singapore & Hong Kong) will show at small theater room at the Hotel. (That documentary was shown in many Jewish Film festivals.)

SUNDAY, January 24, 2010
Early morning fly to Bagan, considered one of the greatest sights of Asia! Hundreds of temples and pagodas from simple to magnificent, spread over 40 square kilometers. Begin our exploration of Bagan by visiting a busy local market to see the vast variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. Visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples Mid-afternoon enjoy lunch by the pool before venturing out again for our afternoon tour. Late afternoon, you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan. We end our tour for today by climbing to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.

MONDAY, January 25, 2010
Today continue our Myanmar Tour with a flight to legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. It was the last Burmese capital before the British took over and moved the capital to Yangon. Upon arrive in Mandalay set out to discover three of Myanmar’s ancient capitals: Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. Before ending the day with twilight stroll across a 200-year-old teak bridge — the most photographed sight in Myanmar. Overnight in Mandalay.

TUESDAY, January 26, 2010
We cannot leave this enchanting country without getting to know its heart and soul – the magical Irrawaddy River. Enjoy a private boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun is about one hour and visit the Mingun Bell (the world’s largest intact bronze bell) and the unfinished Mingun Pagoda (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda). If time permit visit Mandalay Palace & Golden Palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. In the late afternoon return to Mandalay.

WEDNESDAY, January 27, 2010
Today we fly to Heho, the gateway for our excursion to the idyllic Inle Lake. From Heho Airport drive for a stunning drive (approximately 1-hour drive) and arrive at the dock to find a private boat awaiting our arrival to launch us to our hotel. Enjoy the tour by boat — visit a village where a 5-day market is held to witness Shan ethnic tribes who come to buy and sell a variety of goods. Enjoy a boat ride to floating villages and see the lake’s unique “leg rowers” — the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Inle is a peaceful and tranquil place. Late afternoon, return to Inle Lake and transfer back to Hotel.

THURSDAY, January 28, 2010
We fly back to Yangon this morning. Here we will visit the over 100-year old Rangoon Synagogue for a photo opportunity. We then visit the 130 year-old Jewish Cemetery with over 600 graves. We later enjoy a visit to the Scott Market (Bogyoke Aung San Market) — a sprawling 80 year-old market. At the market we’ll find a wide variety of Burmese souvenirs, from laquerware to gems and jewelry. Be certain to bargain with the storekeepers for a true Burmese experience! Our tour continues to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments. It’s beauty is breath-taking! We’ll see local pilgrims and saffron-robed monks offering their devotions as we enjoy the spectacular architecture and design as the sun sets. We are then transferred to the airport for our flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival in Bangkok we are transferred to our hotel.

FRIDAY, January 29, 2010
We get up early this morning and have a tour to the floating market at Damnoen Saduak. We witness the old traditional way of selling vegatables, fruits, etc from small boat. An exhilarating narrow long-tailed speed ride through this unique market.This picturesque trip takes us to another well known floating market at klong Damnern Saduak in Ratchaburi province, about two hour drive from Bangkok, An exhilarating narrow long-tailed speed ride through the marshes and “stilt” houses prepares us for this unique market. Thai style canoes laden with colorful, succulent fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats, gently ply their way through the canal. On our return we’ll see some of Bangkok’s famous sites. Shabbat services and dinner will be had this evening at the Beit Elisheva Synagogue in Bangkok.

SHABBAT, January 30, 2010
Enjoy Shabbat services at Beit Elisheva. A kiddush lunch follows. Afternoon is enjoyed at leisure. Mincha and Seudat Shlishit will be had at Beit Elisheva. This evening enjoy the night markets or if departing on an overnight flight you will be transferred to the airport after Shabbat.

SUNDAY, January 31, 2010
Morning transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.

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