Morning in Yangon

In the morning, you will be picked up at 08.00 at your hotel.

Your first stop is at Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the holiest sites of this country. In the morning hours, you can see the pagoda really busy with local nuns, monks and pilgrims coming to pay their respects to the Buddha as well as pray. Here, you will take time to walk around the platform and learn more about Burmese beliefs including: the astrological system and its role in the daily life of the locals. What create a serene atmosphere are the early morning light, sounds of chants and faint tinkling of bells.

After exploring Shwedagon, you will descend the eastern stairway to find a large number of shops at the base of the temple, where you can find various religious items. Here you can find monks robes, offerings, incense, alms bowls and other unique Buddhist objects. As browsing the stalls, you will be explained about the use and rituals of Myanmar's Buddhist people.

After that, you will turn down a hidden laneway to explore a busy and colorful market tucked amid a labyrinth of small yet lovely alleys. In this atmospheric little market, fresh produce, noodles, rice together with a wide variety of dry goods are on sale.

It’s time to head to Modern Tea Shop, which is an open-air tea shop busy from morning until night with local office families, businessmen and workers, who come to enjoy a meal and an exciting chat with their friends after having worked up an appetite. Along with breakfast, you can sample a cup of sweet tea or local coffee. One of the most popular dishes is the famous mohinga noodles but more than a dozen other meals including mee shay noodles, nangyi, chappati-style bread with dips, cakes and savory pastries are also available.

Finally, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

(Time: 0800-1100)

NOTE: Optional supplement: depart at 05.30 and join the locals in the park for Tai Chi. Every morning as the sun comes up, dozens of Yangon residents gather in a park near Shwedagon to practice Tai Chi. Join a group or request a private session with a local instructor. Supplement will apply for car/guide service at this hour.