Archive of Past Programs

Note: This program is no longer available. Please see Domestic Trips and International Trips for currently available programs.

Burma-Myanmar: Past and Present

Discover the art, archaeology, and peoples of this fascinating land of contrasts

Oct. 29–Nov. 10, 2012

 

$6,795 (member*)
$6,995 (nonmember)

Deposit: $1,000
Balance due: Aug. 1, 2012

*Minimum $100 level
(see Membership)

Optional Extension to Cambodia:

November 10–16, 2012

Tuition: $3,395
Deposit: $500

With optional post-trip extension to Cambodia (November 10–16)

More than 100 years after Rudyard Kipling described its wonders to a Western audience, Burma—also known as Myanmar—remains a unique and intriguing destination.

It is a land of contrasts, where past, present, and hope for the future exist side-by side: simple thatched huts and golden-domed temples, traditional villages and urban development, a fledging democracy movement in a nation of military rule.

Join Asian-art historian Dr. Donald Stadtner and scholar-interpreter Moe Aung Lwin as we discover the country's rich natural and cultural heritage. Traveling by coach, boat, and aircraft, we visit magnificent golden pagodas, fascinating cave temples, and remote villages. And, throughout, we meet the hospitable people of Burma, living much as they have for centuries—tangible links to the past in a nation destined for change.

Tour world-renowned cultural and historic sites in Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, and Monywa—including temples, monasteries, pagodas, and the National Museum

Travel via traditional "longtail boats" to explore beautiful Inlé Lake and some of the numerous stilt villages located along its shores

Discover the magnificent ancient capital of Bagan (Pagan), which boasts more than 4,400 temples in a 16-square-mile area

Meet local artists, and shop for textiles and other indigenous crafts at open-air markets and in local shops

Learn how recent history has shaped political and economic life in Myanmar today

Scholars

Dr. Donald Stadtner is an art historian specializing in Burmese and Indian art and culture. This former recipient of two Smithsonian Institution study grants has authored several books on Asian art and architecture, most recently Ancient Pagan (2006) and The Sacred Sites of Burma (2010). Don has also led numerous tours of Southeast Asia and is an occasional lecturer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Moe Aung Lwin, former English professor at the University of Rangoon (today known as University of Yangon) and outstanding Myanmar guide, will accompany us as resident scholar and interpreter. Moe's gentle, articulate manner and willingness to share personal experiences of life in his homeland make him a favorite scholar and traveling companion.

Summary Itinerary

A detailed itinerary is available in the program brochure (PDF). Itinerary subject to change.

Monday, October 29
Arrival in Yangon, Myanmar; introduction; lodging at Savoy Hotel (D)

Tuesday, October 30
Yangon: Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, National Museum, meet with Ma Thanegi (former aide to pro-democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi), Shwedagon Pagoda; lodging at Savoy Hotel (B, L)

Wednesday, October 31
Yangon to Inlé Lake: Flight to Heho, followed by drive to Inlé Lake; "longtail boat" ride among stilt villages and floating gardens; visit silk workshop, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery; lodging at Inlé Lake View Resort (B, L, D)

Thursday, November 1
Inlé Lake, by longtail boat: Open-air crafts market, Thar Kaung ruins; lodging at Inlé Lake View Resort (B, L, D)

For larger map, click here.

Friday, November 2
Inlé Lake to Mandalay (flight); Mahamuni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda, repoussé silversmith factory and shop; lodging in Mandalay (B, L)

Saturday, November 3
Mandalay and vicinity: Mingun, Mingun Paya and Bell, Hsinbyume Paya, woodcarving shop and silk-making shop in Amarapura, Taungthaman Lake, Kyauktawgyi Paya; lodging in Mandalay (B, L)

Sunday, November 4
Mandalay to Monywa (Sagaing District): Sambodhi Kat Kyaw Pagoda; lodging at Win Unity Resort (B, L, D)

Monday, November 5
Monywa area: Hpo Win Daung mountain and cave temples; lodging at Win Unity Resort (B, L)

Tuesday, November 6
Monywa to Bagan: A Neint (Thone Pan Hla), market town of Pakkoku, ancient city of Bagan (also called Pagan); lodging at Thande Hotel (B, L, D)

Wednesday, November 7
Bagan: Myinkaga, Ananda Temple; meeting with area archaeologists; lacquerware workshop (late afternoon: optional pony cart rides among ruins); lodging at Thande Hotel (B, L)

Thursday, November 8
Bagan to Mount Popa: Optional sunrise balloon ride over ancient Bagan; Lawkananda Garden ruins, Hpeitleik Temples, Mount Popa shrines, stupas, and monasteries; lodging at Popa Mountain Resort (B, L, D)

Friday, November 9
Return to Bagan for flight to Yangon; farewell dinner; lodging at Strand Hotel (B, L, D)

Saturday, November 10
Departure from Yangon (B)

Optional Post-Trip Extension to Cambodia:

Modern Cambodia is the successor-state of the powerful Khmer Empire, whose highly advanced civilization had an enormous influence on the cultural and artistic development of mainland Southeast Asia.

The extension will be accompanied by a Crow Canyon representative and an excellent guide who has worked extensively with archaeological expeditions in Cambodia. We will also meet with a number of archaeologists and conservators and take special tours of sites and collections.

Saturday, November 10
Morning flight from Yangon to Siem Reap; tours of Angkor temple of Ta Som and Banteay Kdei Temple; lodging in Siem Reap (L)

Sunday, November 11
Srah Srang, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Angkor Thom, Bayon; lodging in Siem Reap (B, L)

Monday, November 12
Jungle exploration of Angkor-era temples: Prasat Thom, Prasat Balang, Prasat Neang Khmau, Prasat Pram, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea; lodging in Siem Reap (B, L)

Tuesday, November 13
Angkor Wat temple; meet fishing family in Kompong Khleang; boat ride to see floating villages; Preah Ko and Bakong temples; water-blessing ceremony; lodging in Siem Reap (L)

Wednesday, November 14
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, tour ruins of pre-Angkor Ishanapura en route; lodging in Phnom Penh (B, L)

Thursday, November 15
Phnom Penh and vicinity: Killing Fields, Tuol Sieng, National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda; cruise and final dinner on the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers; lodging in Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Friday, November 16
Departure from Phnom Penh (B)

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

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