Aung Naing's Myanmar

We asked Aung Naing, MD of EPG Travel

"What I love most about my country ?

That's easy, it’s our people. Ask anyone who has visited this country for the first time what they liked most about their experience. And they will begin by enthusiastically describing the extraordinary sights they visited, the unparalleled Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the other-worldly temples of Bagan, and the beauty and serenity of Inle Lake with its leg-rowing fisherman,. But they will always end their answer by saying that it wasn’t all of these sights that moved them the most, rather it was the intrinsic kindness and genuine warmth of the Myanmar people-something these travelers will say they rarely experience to this degree anywhere else they may go."

Must Do - Been there, done that ?

- Hot Air Balloon ride over Bagan - Trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake with overnights at villages and monasteries on the way - Cooking classes at Inle Lake – learn to cook Myanmar food, Myanmar style - Visit the remote Malikha Lodge in Putao. Isolated luxury in the scenic shadows of the Himalayas with biking, trekking, and village visits available - Relax at beautiful unspoiled Ngapali beach - A special walking tour of Yangon’s historical buildings conducted by a member of Yangon’s Heritage Trust - Take a trishaw ride to a teashop and mingle with the locals in this popular venue for meetings and gossip

Best Kept Secrets - Done this yet ?

On the way from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin – a beautiful waterfall trek down to the pools and soak in the scenic view over the hills and falls during lunch Pyin Oo Lwin ( Maymyo) - A morning trek from a park across scenic rural farm land seeing remote monasteries, a hermit monks cave and a spirit inhabited forest with a true legend story behind it Inle Lake - Not many have taken a hot air balloon ride here. Get off the beaten path to the far south villages, traditional homes and old temple area - about 3 - 4 hours down the lake by traditional style boat Exquisite trekking and overnight with a Palaung family, from Hsipaw, travel to nearby Namsan village, the Tea Capital of the Shan State Take the train from north of Inle Lake to a local station, relish the scenic beauty of the Shan Hills and the stops at traditional old style stations amidst the local hustle and bustle Witness and be invited to a local wedding Sleep in an old monastery and join the local ways of life as you enjoy the evening and meal preparations In Bagan – A bike ride to remote cave temple, unique for its isolation and its many tunnel/cave walkways inside. Board our private boat along Ayeyarwady River and sail back down river to the main area of Bagan

Visit the Kayah State – just opening up, it is home to the Karenni tribe and the Padaung (long neck) villages and the Taung Kwe Pagoda uniquely positioned on a rocky outcrops

Stunning holidays in the far south islands with a live aboard cruise or elegant yacht

Some Extraordinary Hotels

Sule ShangriLa, Yangon Aureum Resort, Inle Lake Bagan Lodge, Bagan Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa, Ngapali Beach Some Extraordinary Boutique Hotels

Governor's Residence, Yangon The Strand Hotel, Yangon Sanctum Inle Resort, Inle Lake Inle Viewpoint Eco Lodge, Inle Lake Inle Princess Resort, Inle Lake