In the morning, transfer to Mandalay Airport for a short flight to Heho (Approx.: 30 mins). Once, leisurely drive to Pindaya through varied agricultural landscapes, villages and panoramic views of Shan Plateau.
Pindaya is a charming town inhabited by the Pa Oh, Danu and Shan ethnic groups, famous for its limestone caves, traditional Shan paper umbrellas that are manufactured here.
Visit Pindaya Caves, a unique site housing 6000 various sizes of bronze, marble and coated with gold leaf placed there by pilgrims and devotees over the centuries. Continue exploration to Hsin Khaung Taung Kyaung, a gorgeous temple with its carved teak panels dating back to the 19th century.
Afterward, visit a local family-run workshop to observe paper making for the production of traditional Shan parasols.
The last in Pindaya, stop at Banyan trees complex, the beautiful centuries-old trees at a cave complex in Pindaya create the perfect stop for excellent photos.
Optional Activity: Tea Plantation Visit
Myanmar has one of the longest histories of cultivating tea in the world where tea leaves are eaten as well as used to make a hot beverage (hot tea with plain boil water). And tea is still one of the major products of the country; the pickled tea produced in Shan State is used for a special dish called tea leaf salad. This pickled tea leaves salad is a signature snack throughout Myanmar. The best tea in Myanmar is known to be produced in the mountain ranges of Shan State where the tea leaf plantations extend from the rugged mountain-sides to the terraced farms. Today, a great opportunity to visit a local family tea plantation near Pindaya!
On the way back to Kalaw, head to a local family tea plantation, and enjoy a walking tour through the emerald scenery of Shan hills where tea plantations carpet the landscape. Firstly the family will serve the tea from their tea plantation and you will also have the opportunity to learn how to prepare tea leaf salad, one of the most popular snacks in Myanmar. From here, you will have a view across the nearby tea plantations. Hopefully get to see the tea pickers at work, learning the process for tea leaves production.
The journey continues on a narrow, winding, and bumpy road through the Shan Hills. In the late afternoon reach Kalaw, a fresh and delightful hill station, on the rim of the Shan Plateau which is a market center for ethnic minorities from surrounding regions.
After the check-in, the rest of the day is leisure. Overnight in Kalaw.
Breakfast included
Overnight