Show in other currencies
[close]
Unknown Asia - Volcanoes of Myanmar
12 days exploring the volcanoes of Myanmar with a geologist
The Bagan temples
Popa stratovolcano
Visiting a ruby mine in Mogok
View of Mogok
Temples of Bagan
Monywa caldera
View of Popa volcano (photo: Ljuba Brank)
Collected rubies from a mine in Mogok
View of Popa volcano
Aerial view over the Bagan temples
Collecting rubies
Working in a Mogok ruby mine
Part of the Bagan temple complex
Welcome arch in the Mogok area
Myanmar rubies
Myanmar (Burma) is one of Asia's most mysterious and unknown countries that only recently opened its borders for tourism.
It also has a few active volcanoes related to the subduction of the Indo-Pacific under the Eurasian tectonic plate, most notably the Singu Plateau near the city of Mandalay and Mt. Popa volcano, a large stratovolcano in central Myanmar, which last erupted around 442 BC, leaving its traces in local legends.
We plan to organize a pilot tour to discover the volcanic history of this relatively unknown country when the political situation has stabilized. The tour will be organised and guided by a geologist from our team (Dr. Evelyne Pradal) who speaks French and English.
It also has a few active volcanoes related to the subduction of the Indo-Pacific under the Eurasian tectonic plate, most notably the Singu Plateau near the city of Mandalay and Mt. Popa volcano, a large stratovolcano in central Myanmar, which last erupted around 442 BC, leaving its traces in local legends.
We plan to organize a pilot tour to discover the volcanic history of this relatively unknown country when the political situation has stabilized. The tour will be organised and guided by a geologist from our team (Dr. Evelyne Pradal) who speaks French and English.
- Discover the volcanic history of one of Asia's most unknown countries
- Exotic culture
- Po Win Taung caves (some of the oldest inhabited by humans)
- Bagan - the richest archeological site of Asia
- Mokok and its ruby mines (opportunity to collect and buy)
- Accompanying geologist
- Small group
Itinerary 12 days
Note:
As it is a pilot tour, only a rough itinerary is given that can undergo modifications on location if necessary due to various conditions.
As it is a pilot tour, only a rough itinerary is given that can undergo modifications on location if necessary due to various conditions.
Day 1: Arrival in Mandalay
Pick-up from Mandalay airport and transfer to a hotel in the city center. Rest of day is free, the group meets at a welcome dinner where you will get a briefing from your tour guide.
Pick-up from Mandalay airport and transfer to a hotel in the city center. Rest of day is free, the group meets at a welcome dinner where you will get a briefing from your tour guide.
Day 2: Transfer to Mogok
Transfer in private minibus to Mogok in the north of the country (approx. 7 hours).
Transfer in private minibus to Mogok in the north of the country (approx. 7 hours).
Day 3: Mogok and its ruby mines
Day to visit ruby mines in Mogok with opportunity to collect and buy gemstones.
Day to visit ruby mines in Mogok with opportunity to collect and buy gemstones.
Day 4: Drive to Shwebo
You will leave Mogok and go west in the direction of Shwebo and Letha Taung where you will discover the area near Singu with a huge deposit of young, approx. 100 m thick fluid lava flows.
You will leave Mogok and go west in the direction of Shwebo and Letha Taung where you will discover the area near Singu with a huge deposit of young, approx. 100 m thick fluid lava flows.
Day 5: Trachy-basaltic lavas of Singu Plateau (Letha Taung)
Day for excursions to interesting geologic outcrops in the area.
Day for excursions to interesting geologic outcrops in the area.
Day 6: Monywa and Po Win Taung caves
Transfer to Monywa, visit Po Win Taung caves, likely inhabited at the beginning of the human era.
Transfer to Monywa, visit Po Win Taung caves, likely inhabited at the beginning of the human era.
Day 7: Monywa & Thanbuddhay pagoda
A full day to continue exploring the area and its interesting geology as well as the town of Monywa and its Buddhist monuments.
A full day to continue exploring the area and its interesting geology as well as the town of Monywa and its Buddhist monuments.
Day 8: Transfer and boat tour to Pakokku, Bagan and Mount Popa
From Monywa, it takes around 3 h of driving to reach the town of Pakokku. We visit the town and its market before taking a private boat on the Irrawaddy River, the main river of Myanmar. The trip down the river to Bagan takes about 2 hours. On arrival, you will continue to Mount Popa (1 hour drive).
From Monywa, it takes around 3 h of driving to reach the town of Pakokku. We visit the town and its market before taking a private boat on the Irrawaddy River, the main river of Myanmar. The trip down the river to Bagan takes about 2 hours. On arrival, you will continue to Mount Popa (1 hour drive).
Day 9: Mount Popa stratovolcano - Taung Kalatt temple
Day to explore the youngest active volcano of Myanmar. Observation of pyroclastic and effusive deposits, lava domes and many other geologic features.
Climb the Taung Kalatt temple at the top of a volcanic neck with an amazing view.
Day to explore the youngest active volcano of Myanmar. Observation of pyroclastic and effusive deposits, lava domes and many other geologic features.
Climb the Taung Kalatt temple at the top of a volcanic neck with an amazing view.
Day 10: Mount Popa - Bagan
Morning visits around Mount Popa and transfer to Bagan in the afternoon. Free time in Bagan.
Morning visits around Mount Popa and transfer to Bagan in the afternoon. Free time in Bagan.
Day 11: Bagan - Asia's richest temple complex
Full day to visit the huge temple complex of Bagan with its more than 3000 stupas and temples. Sunset from the top of a century-old temple.
Full day to visit the huge temple complex of Bagan with its more than 3000 stupas and temples. Sunset from the top of a century-old temple.
Day 12: Flight to Yangon and international departure
Morning flight to Yangon and international departure.
Morning flight to Yangon and international departure.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Group size: 4-8
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Dates:
open
Price (per person): open (approx 3000 EUR)
Included:
- All accommodation in hotels as indicated
- Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on last day
- All transfers in private minibus, boat, domestic flight
- Local guides
- Entry fees
- Accompanying geologist from our team