 I have the opportunities to explore Yangon, the capital of Myanmar. There are wonderful places to visit in Yangon. I had the time to go not only for sightseeing but also for nature atmosphere. I visited some ecotourism sites, such as "Moeyingyi Wet land", "Hlawga wildlife park", "U-to" paddy field and recreation centre. I could enjoy observing the birds at the sanctuaries and elephant camp at the "Myaing Hay Won" elephant camp. Later, I am tired of watching natural surrounding. So, I would like to change my interest. My wife, she'd love to see cultural activities. Mandalay is the largest city and also the centre of Myanmar Culture.
We stayed in "Bagan Goft Resort Hotel" in which all rooms are furnished with ancient influence and modern decoration. In Bagan, I am not tired of seeing in ancient pagodas, temples. I could experience the art of stone sculpture. Our trip is 3 nights and 4 days trip. We flied to Yangon and overnight stay there. We went to "Bogyoke" market. There, we bought Myanmar traditional souvenirs. I absolutely believed that I never forget that culture places and I don't want to leave immediately from Golden Land Myanmar. | |
Monday, November 30, 2009
Special Interest In Myanmar !
My guide is very patient and can provide any information necessary. We departed Yangon by Air Mandalay flight and it took only one hour to reach Mandalay. I was very interested in Mandalay Palace, with its brick walls, gates. From "Mandalay Hill", I took a photograph of the whole city. My wife was very pleased for taking photograph of silk industry which produces distinctive design "Pa So" for man and "lun-taya gyeik longyi" for ladies. We spent only one day in Mandalay but we could see all ten kinds of Myanmar arts and crafts. We experienced a genuine and unique culture in all its original charm.
Next day, flied to Bagan. I was surprised when I saw over 2,000 abandoned temples and pagodas, built between 11th and 13th century. It becomes the richest archaeological and historical site in Myanmar. I also dropped in Lacquer ware shop after sight seeing. I was satisfied to experience Myanmar culture.
Union Ethnic Of Myanmar !!.
For administration, the government of Myanmar arranged of 7 states and 7 Divisions in the country. But for the tribe peoples, they lived spread to all of the country. For example, at Kachin State, there are not only Kachin peoples are living there, others nationals such Bamas, Rakhine, Shan, so and so and living with harmony.
The Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Bama, Rakhine and Shan are the main nationals of Myanmar. Each nationals they have minority group of ethnic sub-group.
In Kachin tribe
Lisu, Rawan, Tarong, Jainphaw, Maru, Azii, Kakku, Yawyin, Nuyin, Lazi, Lacheik and Lawwaw (12 sub-groups)
In Kayah tribe
Padaung, Gaykho, Gayba, Zayein, Pret, Yinbaw, Yinta Let, Kayah and Kayaphu. (9 sub-groups)
In Kayin tribe
Kayin Phyu, Mopwa, Palaki, Monepwa, Talepwa, Bwe, Po-kayin and Sagaw Kayin. (8 sub-groups)
In Chin tribe
There are more than 50 sub-groups, among of them Saline, Naga, Haka Chin, Falan Chin, Tidim Chin and Mindat Chin are easy to know.
In Mon tribe
Mon peoples have long history in Myanmar. They occupied lower Myanmar in centuries. They are the earliest civilization in Mon Kingdom. But no sub-group in Mon nationals.
In Bamar tribe
Htawei, Myaik, Haw, Rabain, Kadu, Kanan, Salon, Bama and Phun (9 sub-groups)
In Rakhine tribe
Rakhine, Thet, Baramagyi, Dynet, Kami, Mro and Kamar (7 sub-groups)
In Shan tribe
There are more than 34 sub-groups. Among of then, Palong, Danu, Intha, Pa-O, Shan, Akha, Lahu, Enn, Kokant, Wa, Yin Kya, Yinnet and Lwela are well known.
The tribes are live in the whole country but mostly at the border areas of Bangladesh, India, China and Thailand.
" BUTTERFLY OF MYANMAR "
If you interest on Butterfly watching / observation in Myanmar ecotourism and other sites we can arrange for Butterfly watching / observation.o Parnassius imperator (only recorded in Putao Region and Hkakaborazi National park), Bhutan Glory Bhutanitis ledderdalei (Putao Region, Hkakaborazi National park and Natmataung (Mt Victoria) National Park), Common Birdwing Triodes helena (only recorded in Popa Mountain Park), Golden Birdwing Triodes aeacus praecox(recorded in Hkakaborazi National Park, Popa Mountain Park and Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary) and Golden Birdwing Triodes aeacus thomsoni(only recorded in Hlawga Wildlife Park). Commonest butterfly species in Myanmar are Common Rose, Common Mime, Lime Butterfly, Common Mormon, Great Mormon, Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Blue Tiger, Glassy Tiger, Violet Tipped Crow, Striped Blue Crow, Magpie Crow, Common Palmfly, Common Evening Brown, Dark Evening Brown, Striped Albatross, Chocolate Albatross, Lemon Emigrant, Orange Emigrant, Painted Jezebel, Great Orange Tip, Yellow Orange Tip, Wanderer, Common Sergeant, Leopard Lacewing, Baron, Great Eggfly, Commander, Clipper, Pallid Nawab, Common Nawab, Yellow Pansy and Painted Lady.
If you interest on Butterfly watching / observation in Myanmar ecotourism and other sites we can arrange for Butterfly watching / observation.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Elephant Riding Tour in Pho Kyar Camp !
This Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching, birding and elepheants riding tours site is located on the Bago (Pegu) Yoma mountain range in the Southern Myanmar. Vegetation is characterized by moist upper mixed deciduoes forest, dry upper mixed deciduous forest and lower mixed deciduous forest. These forests are home for Wild Elephant, Leopard, Barking Deer, Sambhar Deer, Guar, Banteng and other mammals. In this site only 157 bird species have been recorded but it is believed that others are get to be discovered. Hightligh would be Oriental Pied Hornbill, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Golden-fronted Leafbird, White-rumped Shama and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch.
In this elephant camp, elephant riding in the forest at mountian range, watching the elephant shows and study of the demonstrations of logging with elephants can be made.
In addition one can also trek in the forest at mountain range. Besides teak forest , plant, butterfly, and life of the elephant keepers( mahouts ) and local people can be observed in this Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching, birding and elepheants riding tours site.
Recommand to visit all the year round but the best time for bird watching is form October to May.
http://www.sstmyanmar.com/ecotourism/ecotour_elephant.htm
Crocodile Watching Tour !!
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Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary !
Location
Between 10'05' N and 95'18' E in Bogalay Township of Ayeyawaddy Division.
Area
52.79 square miles.
Establishment
Established in 1986.
Access
Yangon to Bogalay, 99 miles by river launch and Bogalay to Meinmahla Kyun, 12 miles by small motorboat.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><>Yangon- Bogalay-Mainmahlakyun-Yangon
( 6 days / 5 Nights )
- 1st Day
Arrive Yangon Airport. Transfer to hotel, Sightseeing Yangon - 2nd Day
Yangon to Bogalay by ship. Overnight at Guest House. - 3rd Day
Bogalay to Mainmahlakyun by small boat. - 4th Day
Sightseeing around Mainmahlakyun and Kadonkanikyun. - 5th Day
Back to Bogalay and to Yangon by cruise. - 6th Day
Arrive Yangon. Evening departure.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Myanmar Birds Watching / Birding Tour Itinerary :
16 Days Birding Tour to South Myanmar, Central Myanmar, Chin Hills (Mt. Victoria) and East Myanmar (Shan State).
Expect more than 350 species of bird !
Day 1: Yangon (Myanmar) arrival day
Arrive at Yangon (formerly Rangoon) international airport. Transfer and check in the hotel for one night stay. If we have time we will do Yangon City birding where Little Grebe, Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Lesser Whistling Duck, Common Moorhen, Oriental Darter, Little cormorant, Coppersmith Barbet, Mynas, Bee-eaters, Bulbuls, Tailorbird, Prinia and others will be seen. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon.
Day 2: Hlawga Wildlife Park
In the morning, we will drive to Hlawga Wildlife Park to do birding. Here we will be able to see the rare Pale-capped Pigeon, Racket-tailed Treepie, Red Junglefowl, Green, Blue-tailed and Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters, Green-billed Malkoha, Lesser Racket-tailed and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, White-rumped Shama, Black-headed, Black-crested, Red-vented, Red-whiskered, Stripe-throated with red eyes and near-endemic Streak-eared Bulbuls, White-crested and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Puff-throated and Chestnut-capped Babblers, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Ruby-cheeked, Olive-backed and Purple Sunbirds, some water bird species such as Oriental Darter, Spot-billed and Lesser Whistling Ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Common Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, Red-wattled Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover and others. We can also see wintering bird species such as Osprey, Black-naped Oriole, Spotted Redshank, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-naped Oriole, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Oriental Reed, Greenish and Yellow-browed Warblers and Forest Wagtail. Late afternoon we will drive back to Yangon. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon.
Early in the morning, we will take a short flight to Bagan (formally Pagan) for a two night stay. We will spend the remainder of the morning exploring the area and we can see our first Myanmar endemic birds White-throated Babbler and Burmese Bushlark.
In the afternoon we will be birding by wooden boat along the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River to see White-tailed Stonechat, Sand Lark, Long-billed Pipit, Spot-billed Duck, River Lapwing, Great Thick-knee, Small Pratincole, Pied Kingfisher, thousands of Plain and Sand Martins, Indian Skimmer, River and Black-bellied Terns, Laggar Falcon and others. We can also see wintering bird species such as Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Temminck’s Stint, rare Greater Spotted Eagle, Harriers, Common Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon. Overnight will be at hotel in Bagan.
Day 4: Bagan
We will be birding the whole day in and around Bagan. Here we can see another two Myanmar’s endemic birds which are Jerdon’s Minivet (recently split from White-bellied Minivet) and rare Hooded Treepie, together with Myanmar near-endemic birds - Vinous-breasted Starling and Plain-backed Sparrow, Chinese Francolin, Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Rain Quail, Burmese Shrike, Spotted Owlet, Indian Nightjar, House Martin, Red Collared and Eurasian Collared Doves, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Brown Prinia and many more. We can also see wintering bird species such as Eurasian Wryneck, Brown Shrike, Red-throated Flycatcher, Siberian Rubythroat, Daurian Redstart and Yellow-streaked Warbler. Overnight will be at hotel in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan – Mt. Victoria (Natmataung) National Park
In the early morning, we will drive south and across the Ayeyarwaddy River by car, before continuing westwards. After crossing the river we will travel throughout hilly semi desert and dry deciduous forests. Birding stops en-route. Here we can see again Jerdon’s Minivet, Hooded Treepie and Long-billed Pipit, together with near-endemic bird White-rumped Falcon, White-eyed Buzzard, Collared Falconet, various species of Woodpeckers, Blue-throated and Lineated Barbets, Asian Barred Owlet, Alexandrine, Rose-ringed, Blossom-headed, Grey-headed and Red-breasted Parakeets, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Small, Scarlet and Rosy Minivets, Common and Large Woodshrikes, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush and others. In the late afternoon we will arrive at Mountain Oasis Resort, on the lower slope of Mt. Victoria where we will stay for six nights.
Days 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10: Mt. Victoria (Natmataung) National Park
We will be birding five full days at Mt. Victoria (Natmataung National Park).
Natmataung (Mt. Victoria) National Park is a major focal point of the tour. It holds a great variety of eastern Himalayan bird species together with some Myanmar endemic bird and near-endemic bird species.
The habitat type of higher altitude of Mt. Victoria is characterized by pine, oak, rhododendron and evergreen forests with shot grassland.
Here we can able to see White- browed Nuthatch, Myanmar’s fifth and most irresistible Myanmar endemic bird which is known only in this site. Other speciality birds that could be seen on this area are Myanmar near-endemic birds - Mount Victoria Babax (recently split from Chinese Babax), Brown-capped Laughingthrush and Whistler’s Warbler, rare and shy Blyth’s Tragopan, Hill Partridge, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Slaty-backed and Rufous-gorgetted Flycatchers, White-browed Shortwing, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Yellow-browned and Black-browned Tits, Striated Bulbul, Brown Bush, Ashy-throated and Black-faced Warblers, Slender-billed Scimitar, Scaly-breasted Wren, Pygmy Wren, and Green Shrike Babblers, White-browed Fulvetta, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Sunbird and others.
At mid altitude of Mt. Victoria is covered by pine and evergreen forests. Dwarf bamboo also occurs in the understory and in thickes open area.
Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic bird Black-throated Prinia (recently split from Hill Prinia), rare Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Grey-chined, Long-tailed and Short-billed Minivets, Long-tailed and Black-breasted Thrushes, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Forktail, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-bibbed Tit, Broad-billed and Aberrant Bush Warblers, Red-faced Liocichla, Cutia, Streak-throated Barwings, Blue-winged and Red-tailed Minlas, Black-throated Parrotbill, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Spot-winged Grosbeak and others.
At the lower altitude of mountain has pine and deciduous forests.
Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic Stripe Laughingthrush, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Scaly Thrush, Yellow-cheeked and Black-throated Tits, Crested Finchbill, Striated Prinia, Brownish-flanked Bush, Russet Bush, Grey-hooded and Grey-crowned Warblers, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Spot-throated and Spot-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Nepal and Rusty-capped Fulvettas, Silver-eared Mesia, Mrs Gould’s and Green-tailed Sunbirds and many more.
At all altitude zones where we can see Myanmar near-endemic bird species - Chin Hills Wren Babbler (recently split from Long-tailed Wren Babbler) and Assam Laughingthrush (recently split from Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush), Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Crimson-breasted and Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Great and Golden-throated Barbets, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Green-backed Tit, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler and Grey Sibia
Many raptors such as Black Baza, Oriental Honey and Common Buzzards, Changeable Hawk, Mountain Hawk, Crested Serpent and Black Eagles, Besra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kesterl and Oriental Hobby can be also seen.
We can also able to see wintering species such as Chestnut, Grey-sided and Eyebrowed Thrushes, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Black Redstart, Buff-throated, Hume’s, Radde’s and Tickell’s Leaf Warblers, Common Rosefinch, Chestnut and Little Buntings.
Day 11: Mt. Victoria (Natmataung National Park) – Bagan
Morning, return to Bagan for one night stay. Birding stops en-route. Overnight will be at hotel in Bagan.
Day 12: Bagan – Kalaw
Today we will take a short flight to Heho and make a short drive to Kalaw for a two night stay. Birding stops en-route. Overnight will be at hotel in Kalaw.
Day 13: Kalaw
After a shot drive to evergreen forest area, we will birding the whole day at here. Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic birds - Burmese Yuhina, Dark-backed Sibia and Indochinese Cuckooshrike, White-browed Laughingthrush, Streaked Wren, Golden, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar, White-browed Scimitar, White-browed Shrike and Rufous-fronted Babblers, Silver-eared Mesia, Rusty-capped and Grey-cheeked Fulvettas, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Sooty-headed, Mountain, Black, Ashy and Brown-breasted Bulbuls, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sliver-breasted and Long-tailed Broadbills, Black-breasted Thrush, Vivid Niltava, White-crowned Forktail, White-capped Water Redstart, Bianchi’s and White-tailed Leaf Warblers, Black-throated Sunbird, Black-headed Greenfinch, Crested Bunting and many more.
We can also see wintering bird such as Grey-backed Shrike, Daurian Redstart, Chestnut-flanked and Japanese White-eyes, Spotted Bush Warbler and Chestnut Bunting.
Overnight will be at hotel in Kalaw.
Day 14: Kalaw – Inle Lake
We will drive a shot distant to Nyaung Shwe and then make boat ride and birding on Inle Lake.
Here we can see rare Jerdon’s Bushchat, very rare Sarus Crane, Collared Myna, Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Ruddy-breasted and Black-tailed Crakes, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Black-winged Stilt, Oriental Pratincole, Cinnamon and Yellow Bitterns, Lesser Whistling and Spot-billed Ducks, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Plaintive Cuckoo, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Plain and Yellow-bellied Prinias and Striated Grassbird. We can also see migrant bird species such as very rare Baer’s, Ferruginous, Red-crested and Common Pochards, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Common Coot, Grey-headed Lapwing, Marsh Sandpiper, Brown-headed Gull, Harriers, Steppe Eagle, Bluethroat, Dusky and Black-browed Reed Warblers and Yellow-breasted Bunting.
And also breeding or roosting colony of Little, Cattle and Intermediate Egrets, Indian Pond, Chinese Pond and Black-crowned Night Herons, Little Cormorant, Vinous-breasted, Chestnut-tailed, Black-collared and Asian Pied Starlings, Common, Jungle, White-vented and Collared Mynas can be seen in the evening. Overnight will be at hotel on Inle Lake.
Day 15: Inle Lake – Yangon
We have a final morning birding on Inle Lake and drive to Heho for flight to Yangon. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon
Day 16: Departure
City tour or visit to famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the city's primary Landmark, with its magnificent golden stupa. Transfer to Yangon international airport for the departure flight at your flight time.
Nature Based Tourism !!
Ecotourism of Myanmar
Himalayan species are found in the mountains in the north and west, and tropical Malayan species inhabit the south of Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching / birding site. In fact new species of animals are still being discovered in Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching / birding sites. A recent example is the Naung Mung Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia naungmungensis a species of Babbler that was discovered in northern Myanmar during February of 2004. It is also widely believed by ornithologists that, if the critically endangered Pink-headed Duck still survive, it could be found in North of Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching / birding site. And, also wintering Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus was rediscovered in January 2008, after a gap of almost 131 years, wintering Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer was in 2006, after a gap of almost 129 years and Gurney's Pitta Pitta gurneyi was rediscovered in 2003, after a gap of almost 90 years.
Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching / birding site have 1,067 bird species, five of which are endemic bird to Myanmar; 114 bird species are globally threatened and near-threatened. About 300 species of Mammal, 92 species of bats of which some species inhabit in natural cave, which include the world's smallest mammal (Craseonycteris thonglongyi), 32 species of turtles, 6 of which are endemic, 5 species of crocodile, over 1,169 butterfly species and over 11,000 species of flora, are in Myanmar (Burma) ecotourism, birds watching / birding site.