Expendition through Nagaland

This 10-day itinerary gives you an unusual insight into beautifully-preserved ancient cultures in the Northwestern rolling hills of Myanmar. The trip takes you from Yangon through the Lashi region, with plenty of days trekking and getting to know the seemingly secretive Naga tribes. Cruise down the Chindwin River and view Myanmar’s lush countryside from above as you embark on your adventure.

Learn about a completely different way of life true to traditional times as you visit the Naga tribes in the Lashi region
See 200-year-old teak carvings at the Grand Palace in Mandalay
Observe women with tattooed faces as you tour traditional houses in the Kuki village
Trek across the lush forested hills in Northwestern Myanmar as you travel between small ethnic villages affected little by the outside world

Day 1: Mandalay

Transfer from Yangon to Mandalay. A cultural and spiritual hub in Myanmar, Mandalay is the second-largest city and former capital of the country. Marvel at 200-year-old teak carvings as you visit the Grand Palace. Learn about Myanmar’s spiritual history as you visit the massive 12-foot bronze Buddha at the Mahamuni Pagoda. See the world’s largest book at the golden Buddhist Stupa, Kuthodaw Pagoda. The pagoda is made up of 729 marble slabs. After an eye-opening day of sightseeing in the last royal capital, retire to your hotel for some shut-eye.
Day 2: Homalin

Fly to Homalin via Monywa and enjoy an aerial view of the Burmese countryside. View the gorgeous winding Chindwin River and the densely-forested mountains from above. Spend the night at a cozy local guesthouse in the small town and rest up for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
Day 3: Wartaw

Rise early and travel from Homalin to Htamanthi on an exciting boat ride down the picturesque, winding Chindwin River. Enjoy the natural sights along the way: buffalos grazing alongside the river, wild goats trotting by, and swans diving for fresh fish. Wave to the locals as you pass several fishermen huts and winter plantations. Arrive in Htamanthi and transfer to the nearby little town of Lashi. Feel like a local as you spend the night at a nearby house in the quiet village of Wartaw. This Makuri Naga village is one of 12 unique ethnic villages located on the way to Lashi.
Day 4: Lashi

Visit the 12 exotic Lashi villages and see how the Makura Naga people lead their daily lives in much of the same manner as their people have for centuries. Notice the distinct dialectal differences between each village on your tour. You may even see evidence of headhunting (where they collect enemies’ heads as trophies), a practice still used by the tribes today. Trek to Peingnegone, where Para Naga tribes stay, and observe their traditional practices before returning to your accommodation at a local house in Lashi.
Day 5: Maniyupi

From Lashi, hike up to the Namiyupi village. The trek will take you about 3.5 hours atop the lush hills and provides incredible views of the Naga scenery. You will travel up 2,592 feet and back down 2,510 feet, as you become familiar with the rolling hills. Spend the night in Maniyupi at a local house.
Day 6: Kuki

Wake early and trek from Mamiyupi to the Kuki village and learn about a fascinating culture resistant to modern times. Missionaries were strongly rejected by the widespread Chittagong Hill tribe. See women with faces covered in tattoos as you visit traditional houses and learn about the ethnic tribes’ way of life. Spend the evening at a local house to rest up for more trekking the next day.
Day 7: Konkailon

Set out from Kuki and travel on foot to a village famous for the local moonshine - Konkailon. Learn about the procedure used to create the local liquor and taste its unique flavour. After your three-hour trek and afternoon alcohol refresher, spend the night at a local house owned by the Tangkhul Naga’s tribes people.
Day 8: Lashi

Take your time as you make the seven-hour trek back to Lashi from the Kuki village. Revel in the rolling hills and wildlife. After an active day, spend the evening at a local Lashi house.
Day 9: Homalin

Rest your legs as you take a truck ride from Lashi back to Htmanti. Step aboard a boat and look for the grazing buffalo and vegetable plantations along the Chindwin River. Overnight in Homalin.
Day 10: Mandalay

Transfer to the airport and fly into Mandalay, onward to Yangon. Spend your final evening in one of Myanmar’s former capitals before your return flight home the next day.