Mandalay in the Morning
Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
From EUR 36.21
Office phone number: +95 1 656259
Mandalay in the Morning
Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Join us on this morning tour of Mandalay, covering monasteries, pagodas, and a revered Buddha statue that locals and tourists like to shower in gold. This adventure is a great introduction to the sights, sounds, and people of Mandalay.
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Highlights
- Meet local artisans and learn the ancient secrets of stone carving and gold leaf making
- Add more bling to Buddha and place your gold leaf on his body for good luck
- Get away from all the gold for a brief moment and visit Shwe Inn Pin, a remarkable wooden monastery that houses an incredible art collection
- Channel the spirit of the Da Vinci Code as you try to read the ancient scriptures of Theravada Buddhism
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Schedule details
- Duration: 5 hours
- Meeting point:
Oway Grand Hotel, No.624, 78th Street. Between 30th & 31st Street, Central Mandalay. Phone: +95 2 72395
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- Starting time: 8.00 AM
- Ending point:
Oway Grand Hotel, No. 624, 78th Street, between 30th and 31st streets, Central Mandalay. Phone: +95 2 72395
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, transportation, tea and water.
Exclusions: Food and additional drinks, entrance fees, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
We will meet at 8am and take a drive through Mandalay, an attractive, low-rise centre that still feels like more of a big village than a city. Our first stop will be the old teak monastery of Shwe Inn Pin, which stands out in this area unusually because it is NOT made from gold. Housing over 30 monks, here you will admire impressive works of Burmese art and intricate wood carvings.
After viewing images of Buddha at Shwe Inn Pin, prepare to meet the God himself. Well, almost. Mahanyatmuni is the grandest pagoda in town and home to one of only five Buddha likenesses that were made during his lifetime. The Buddha statue is covered in gold and locals are encouraged to add a gold leaf for luck. He is now so overloaded with the stuff that he is starting to lose his shape. Once you’re done covering the deity in gold, we will head off to a gold leaf making factory to find out how it is made.
There are lots of kiosks leading up to the main shrine, where you can stop for souvenirs like incense and rosary beads and sample some of the tasty street food snacks before we leave for the factory.
More incredible architecture and scenery abounds as we take you to the royal palace sitting in the middle of a lake. Then it’s on to famous Kuthodaw, where you can gaze in wonder at a series of stunning stupas built to house a vast library of tablets inscribed with the sacred scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. You will feel like a 21st-century Indiana Jones, solving ancient riddles on the marble tablets.
Then it’s back to the city, where your guide can recommend the very best places in town to sample scented broths and spicy noodles.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, transportation, tea and water.
Exclusions: Food and additional drinks, entrance fees, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: As we will visit a religious pagoda, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +95 1 656259
Email address: info@mandalayurbanadventures.com
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