Itinerary

1. Activities & excursions in Loikaw

   • First is a visit to Taung Kwe Pagoda (Broken Mountain). The most famous religious landmark of Loikaw is the Thiri Mingalar Taung Kwe Pagoda. Taung Kwe means broken mountain. You can enjoy great views of the marvellous landscape of Loikaw from the top.

   • Then, the Haw Nan Monastery. The Haw Nan Monastery, known as Kandarawwady Haw Nan, one of the most ancient buildings in Kayah. It was built during the First World War (1912-1916) by Zaw Bwa Saw Pyar Du Sat Khun Li, the Chief of Kayah. Three stairways lead up to the monastery. 

   • Afterwards, Naung Yah lake. The Naung Yah lake is a trendy spot for local people to enjoy a stroll in the morning and evening or a picnic with family and friends. Some paddle boats are available, and some people also enjoy fishing. In the evening, local people enjoy eating tasty food at local restaurants on the lakeside.

   • Then, we visit the Loikaw cultural museum. Loikaw museum has an interesting collection of historical artefacts, including sacred frog drums, which are a symbol of Kayah identity. Other exhibits include a colourful collection of traditional costumes worn by Kayah’s different ethnic groups. English language media is under development. 

   • After that, we visit the local, fresh markets in Loikaw. Thiri Mingalar market has a good variety of items, local foods, vegetables, fruits and spices with wonderful contrasting colours and fragrances. Visitors can also find household goods and clothing, which make special mementoes of a visit to Kayah. 

   • The Baho Zay market on Daw Na Street has plenty of tasty, local food and typical Myanmar tea shops. It is possible to buy hot, fresh food. However, use your discretion.

   • Naung Yah market is a small market, just outside Loikaw, which is opened from 5:30 am to 11 am. Most vendors sell local foods.  The market is not open every day, so it is best to check with a local hotel or tour operator before visiting.

   • After that, we will enjoy activities & excursions outside Loikaw  Kayah Community Tourism Programmes.

   • Hta Nee La Leh, Kayah community These community-based, cultural tour programmes offer fascinating, fun insights into the local life and culture in Hta Nee La Leh, Kayah community. Activities were developed based on special elements of local life, culture and nature, which community members feel proud and comfortable to share with guests. 

    Option A :

   • Welcome guests to the community centre.  Proceed to the “Kaehtoebo” site and hunting shrine to learn about local beliefs and spiritual life.  Besides, guests visit the Lotus Pond. This is a sacred and scenic site. Here, visitors listen to the local legend of Tsudanu, a prince and princess who finally ascend to heaven as mythical Kinaree birds.

   Option B :

   • Visit the “Kaehtoebo”  site and hunting shrine to learn about local beliefs and spiritual life.  Besides, enjoy a fun ox cart ride via the Lotus Pond to the scenic 7 Lakes. Relax by the lake and enjoy the forested mountain scenery.  

   Option C:

   • Next to the  “Kaehtoebo”  site and hunting shrine, learn about local beliefs and spiritual life.  Besides, enjoy an ox cart ride via the Lotus Pond to the scenic 7 Lakes. Here, guests enjoy a delicious Kayah barbecue with cultural exchange. 

   Option D:  

   • During this programme, guests will visit two homes. First, a local musician’s house to listen to traditional instruments and try their hand playing them. Then on to another house to learn about traditional Kayah dress.

   • Pan Pet, Kayan community

   • These tour programmes offer fascinating, fun insights into the local life and culture in Pan Pet, Kayan community. Activities were developed based on special elements of local life, culture and nature, which community members feel proud and comfortable to share with guests. Option A: Half day trip guests arrive at Pemsong village. On arrival, guests are welcomed in a local home where you will enjoy a hot drink and a simple, local snack. After this, you will head off on a short trek of 1.5-2 hours, lead by local community tour guides. Along the way, your local guides will stop and explain special cultural and natural sites, which are important to local people and their way of life. These include the village monument and pagoda. A highlight is a breathtaking, 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy a packed lunch or a special “jungle picnic.”Difficulty grade: Easy trek, with moderately steep sections.

   • Following the short trek, guests can also visit the Salong Kana hamlet to meet a local Kayan artisan and enjoy a hands-on demonstration about making traditional Kayan bracelets. Guests can also have a go at making a bracelet themselves.

   • Finally, the trip ends in Rang Ku hamlet, where guests can visit small craft shops run by the famous Kayan people (popularly known as Long Neck Karen). Enjoy learning a few words of Kayan language and interacting with these fun-loving and artistic people. There are also opportunities to buy local handicrafts.

   • Option B: Full day trekking trip: Trail of the Ancestors On arrival at Pemsong village, visitors are welcomed in a local home where they will enjoy a hot drink and a simple, local snack. Next, guests will set off on a moderately challenging trek through a lush, shady forest. After quite a steep climb (approximately 40-60 minutes), guests will enjoy over 3 hours of continual, great views. En route, local guides will show participants various edible plants and herbal medicines used by community members in their “jungle larder.” A highlight of the trip is learning about different, ancient settlements, as the villagers have gradually moved down the mountain over several hundred years. This is particularly interesting because Pan Pet is considered one of the first Kayan settlements of Kayah State. Guests also enjoy a packed lunch or jungle picnic. The trek ends in Rang Ku hamlet, where guests meet the famous Kayan people (also known as Long Neck Karen), a symbol of Kayah State. Enjoy learning a few words of Kayan language and interacting with these fun-loving and artistic people. There are also opportunities to buy local handicrafts. 

   • Jungle picnic includes at least 3 dishes. Difficulty grade:  Moderately challenging (approx. 4-4.5 hours) with steep sections (30-40 minutes).

   Option C: 

   • The Artisan’s Trail in Salong Kana hamlet community based cultural tour programmes offer fascinating, fun insights into local life elements and culture, which community members feel proud and comfortable to share with visitors. Salong Kana is one of the five hamlets of the Pan Pet community, a homeland of Kayan, or ‘Long Neck Karen’ culture. Our programme gives guests the chance to go ‘behind the scenes’ by visiting local artisans' homes and seeing crafts being made. Other highlights of the trail include visiting the village’s Clan Monument and the spiritual site of Ker Kwang (a Bird Totem), where your local village local guide will explain about the village’s clans and ancestors. Guests can taste traditional Kayan rice wine on request (optional). The trail takes approximately 2.5 hours. It is also possible to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local home. The food is prepared by a women’s group who have had training in food hygiene.