Tamarind’s Signature Tour. We at Tamarind are confident that Magnificent Myanmar will rank as one of your most unforgettable. We have handpicked our most serene and historically rich locales for sight seeing pleasure.

From the quiet, sandy beaches of Ngapali, where the sway of the palms and ocean breeze will lull you into another realm; to the ancient temples of Bagan, where the sunrises and sunsets literally hush the magical landscape.

You will rest well knowing that the next day’s itinerary will afford you enchanting destinations-such as a viewing the awe inspiring city of Mandalay, atop Mandalay Hill, as the Irrawaddy River carves its beauty into the landscape-a literal lifeline for Burmese-providing not only trade routes, but fish or nga, a staple in our country.

Tamarind recognizes the importance of culture and lifestyle. In our heterogeneous world, lifestyles and cultures seem to be diminishing. We are proud of our lifestyle in Burma-and with 8 main ethnic groups, comprising of 135 different tribes, we proudly offer our Lifestyle of Burma tour.

Observe monks receiving alms, as locals wait as the dawn breaks for the telltale sound of the kyayze giving advance notice of the soon to arrive Buddhists. We will see the legendary Padaung tribe whose females are oft called the “giraffe women”; there is reported less than 7000 Padaung left in Myanmar.

Rest assured that our lifestyle tour will leave you in awe, as you observe customs and culture that will forever be etched in your memory.

Tamarind’s Festive Inle was designed for guests who want to experience one of Myanmar’s cultural festivals. We have selected the most endearing festival that is steeped in culture and tradition.

The Phaung Daw Oo festival is 15 days in duration and takes place on Myanmar’s famous Inle Lake. To observe the Intha residents compete in leg rowing competitions is unforgettable. Their infectious friendly competitive spirits are sure to leave you with an everlasting impression of this wonderful lake style living.

Phaung Daw Oo Festival also involves a decorated mythical bird (boat) called a Karaweik Phaung, that carries 4 Buddha Images to 19 different Inle Lake villages. The Karaweik is followed by a flotilla of boats filled with families and friends, as these sacred images make their rounds on Inle Lake. 

Festive Inle requires three months advance bookings due to the popularity of this tour. Tamarind has 30 slots available-so to ensure a seat, please book early.

Our Historical Burma tour takes us to Mandalay-the last capital of the Myanmar King Thibaw. Mandalay is renowned for its skillful artisans that produce beautiful tapestries, silk and cotton weaving, hand carved silver, gold-leaf producers, and marionettes.

As the sunsets across Mandalay we will observe from Mandalay Hill the Ayarwaddy River as she carves her niche through the beautiful landscape-providing transportation and commercial routes for water vessels, as well as supplying fish, or nga, a staple for the Burmese.

Tamarind has chosen Bagan as part of our Historical Burma program because of its historical, religious and architectural significance. The awe inspiring ancient temples that dot the Bagan skyline make this magical wonderland one of the most photogenic landscapes in Asia. Additionally Bagan is renowned for its lacquerware-each lacquerware piece is handmade with thin bamboo strips that are painstakingly melded together. A lacquerware piece from Bagan can take months to produce, and would certainly add to the décor of any home. In Bagan you will observe the process of making lacquerware by traditional methods that have been unchanged for decades.

Let us not underestimate the romanticism of the Monsoon rains.

Tamarind feels it important to experience Burma in its entirety-you really have not visited Burma until you have experienced a Monsoon rain. The tourist crowds are smaller during the Monsoon rains. Because of the diverse topography of Burma-we have selected a few destinations that are not affected by the Monsoon for this tour. We have included ancient Bagan as one of our Monsoon destinations-unequalled in culture and architectural history.

Tamarind has created an exclusive For Her Tour. Our For Her Tour incorporates two of Burma 's most historical and stunning destinations-Mandalay and Bagan. In addition to exploring our most memorable sites, be prepared to be indulged with a pampering that will stimulate your senses, and satiate your appetite for precious moments.

Sight : The Temples of Bagan, with the famed Ayarwaddy River as her backdrop, rival any-and at sunrise and sunset, a hush envelops the area as you absorb the serenity that is difficult to describe-but ethereal immediately comes to mind……

Sound: To tantalize our sense of sound, we will listen to an evening of Burmese traditional music and dance that incorporates instruments that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Touch: We recognize that our guests arrive from all around the world-we want to ensure that you feel your best so once you have settled in-you will indulge in a luxurious spa treatment-that will melt away your inhibitions and leave you ready to tackle all that Burma has to offer.

Smell: “Old leaves shaken off the stems. The New Year's odors rise. The wind comes in puffs. Gangaw flowers spread their pollens. Fragrance everywhere” (The Twelve Seasons Poems by Phouthuto U Min) We will visit the evening flower market, where Burmese women vendors peddle fragrant and colorful fresh jasmine, yellow ginger lilies, and other exotic flora.

Taste: We will have the opportunity to indulge in traditional Burmese fare; which consists of a vegetable soup; salad, fish or meat curry, and rice. A staple for Burman's whose meals are typically shared-each person offering others at the table-samples from their home-cooked food.

Shopping: Tamarind recognizes that though not one of the five senses, shopping is therapeutic, and in Burma we posses unique gemstones-such as our world-renowned rubies, sapphires, jade and pearls. You will find jewelry vendors who incorporate these stones into both traditional and modern styles. Additionally, our laquerware is unequalled -and in Bagan we will observe the painstaking process of hand crafting laquerware. We will also visit a traditional silversmith where the tradition of creating silver products by hand is passed down from generation to generation. And finally, we will visit a tapestry workplace where attention to detail are paramount and the results are stunning.