ABOUT THE LEADER

Gary Wintz is a citizen of the world, having traveled to or worked in more than 200 different countries. He is a widely recognized expert on Asia and was one of the first westerners to actually reside in Tibet after the Chinese occupation. He has met with the Dalai Lama many times. By profession Gary is a lecturer, photographer, writer, and hugely popular trip leader.

Sponsored by the Institute of Noetic Sciences


Trip Date
January 12-29, 2007

Trip Cost
$4,890 from Bangkok

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Golden Burma

Step back in time, experience the Asia
of old, the land of the Raj...the land of
thousands of dazzling gold and sparkling white pagodas...reminiscent of a gentler, more courtly time of devotion to Buddha. We begin our journey in Bangkok. Together we will fly to Rangoon, with a morning visit to the Shwedegon Pagoda. After a short to flight to Heho, stopping to visit the Pindaya limestone caves, we cross Inye Lake by boat to our hotel. The next days we leisurely explore this sublimely beautiful region and lake, known for the Intha leg rower fishermen who stand in the front of their boats on one leg and wrap the other around the oar to propel the boat. It is also known for the floating gardens, stilt houses, colorful rural weaving and craft villages we will visit.

Next to Mandalay where the Mahamuni temple holds the highly venerated image of the Mahamuni Buddha. According to legend this big statue is one of a handful cast when Buddha was still alive. Just out of Mandalay we visit Amarapura, the ancient capital, and take a pleasant stroll across the U Bein Bridge. This simple 200 year-old bridge stretches across the calm lake and is the longest teak structure in the world.

A short flight finds us at Bagan (Pagan), located in the dry central plains of the country on the western banks of the Irrawaddy River. Formerly called Pagan, this was the ancient capital of several kingdoms in Burmese history. The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles with thousands of temples built in the 11th to 13th centuries. In 1287 the kingdom fell to the Mongols, the city was ransacked and many religious relics were stolen. We take a fascinating tour of the major remaining standing temples and ruins reflecting the glory of the past.

On to a refreshing visit to the evergreen Mt. Popa, this extinct volcano covered with trees is venerated as the dwelling place of the gods. A hike to the monastery perching on top offers a spectacular view of the area.

Ngapali beach gives us time to reflect on all we have seen and done, with time to journal, meditate, swim, visit the small fishing villages and local markets, explore the countryside by bicycle, or just relax under palm trees fringing this beautiful seaside resort.

Note: We are working through a small, privately owned travel company while in Burma, not the state military regime. It is our opinion that it is important to continue to visit Burma in order that the people of Burma, which we go to visit, know that they are not forgotten by the outside world.