OVERVIEW

Partake in the morning activities of Mandalay's residents with this unique half day guided tour. Join Buddhist worshipers as they partake in an early morning ritual at a local temple, witness the timeless procession of monks collecting alms and venture through the colorful, busy morning market. And before the end of the tour, tuck into a bowl of fresh noodles while rubbing shoulders with the locals.

PROGRAM DETAILS

It's an early morning start today with your guide and driver picking you up at your hotel at 4.00. Transfer first to Maha Muni Pagoda, Mandalay's most important religious sites. The main Buddha image here is more than 3.5 metres high and is coated with golf leaf applied by the local pilgrims- in fact, so much gold leaf has been applied over the years that the image is now distorted and appears lumpy in texture. Every morning at 4.30 the monks and locals gather at Mahamuni to wash the statue's face with scented water and clean his teeth with a soft brush. This bizarre yet beautiful ceremony is worth getting out of bed for!

Next we continue to a local neighborhood to witness the daily alms collection of the monks. Clothed in red robes and carrying their alms bowls, a solemn line of barefoot monks walks along the streets to collect offerings from the locals. The morning alms collection is an important part of daily life for the monks and for the Burmese people as it symbolizes 'making merit' and also reminds to Buddhist of their mutual inter-dependence.

After these beautiful ceremonies it's time to head to the morning market in central Mandalay. Covering several city blocks the market is a hive of activity in the early morning hours with vendors selling mounds of fresh produce, meats, flowers and other items and shoppers arriving by trishaw or motorbike. You may even see monks and nuns walking through the market to collect alms or purchase items for the monastery. The setting is incredibly colourful and as you walk through the market you are likely to see things you have never seen before- from exotic fruits and spices to dried meats and prepared sweets.

Finally it's time for breakfast! We'll visit a local tea shop- a busy meeting place throughout the day and an integral part of Burmese life. Sip a hot cup of coffee or try the local tea, a strong brew mixed with sweetened condensed milk. You'll sample a bowl of local noodles- Mandalay is famous for its mee shay (noodles with pork or chicken, bean sprouts, toasted chickpea flour, rice flour gel, soy sauce and various herbs) and nan gyi toke or mont di (rice noodle with a chicken curry- the difference is the size of the noodles). You can also have mohinga or Shan noodles if you wish other dishes such as curries, rice and chappati are also available.

Then transfer back to your hotel to freshen up before the day's other sightseeing.

Time: 04.00-08.30/09.00

PRICING: in US Dollars per person

Rates are valid until 30 Apr 2013

*NOTE: Price is for stand-alone tour only; price will be lower when combined with other sightseeing programs on the same day.

*NOTE: Due to daily fluctuations in the local currency exchange rate, Exotissimo Myanmar cannot guarantee this tariff rate. Please contact your travel consultant for the current pricing.

Our services include:

• English-speaking guide
• Private air-conditioned car with driver
• Entrance fees for Mahamuni Pagoda
• Breakfast with tea/coffee
• Water and refreshing towel

Our services do not include:

• Meals other than mentioned
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Any other items not mentioned