Description

Highlights

• Travel by electric scooter to a village where the locals collect toddy juice.
• Visit social enterprises that help build a better future for women and young people
• See endangered Burmese Star Tortoises in a hidden riverside wildlife sanctuary.

Bagan – Community Connection

Travel in eco-friendly style to meet inventive local communities, industrious craftswomen and young aspiring chefs.

After breakfast meet your guide and then hop onto your eco-friendly electric scooter. Set off to Thae Pyin Taw, a small village just outside Bagan. Arriving at the village, you will see the toddy trees line-up at the entrance and observed the local inhabitants collect toddy juice, also known as sky beer, and brown sugar called jaggery. The local women also weave textiles on traditional looms using techniques that have changed little over the centuries. Chat with the villagers and if you have a chance watch them collecting the toddy juice at outside of the village. Your visit to their village contributes to the local community’s sustainable development.
Next sit down to a delicious lunch at Sanon Restaurant, established by the Myanmar Youth Development Institute in partnership with Friends International. The restaurant offers training for disadvantaged youths and prepares them for a career in the hospitality industry. Relax in the lush garden and enjoy the traditional Myanmar food prepared by the talented young chefs.

From here, ride to MBoutik, a social enterprise that helps women by training them in weaving, sewing and crafting traditional Myanmar handicrafts. Shop for beautiful, high quality products including clothes, jewellery and rattan goods. Your purchases will help to empower women and provide an income for their families.
The final stop is at the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary, hidden amongst the temples and pagodas of Bagan. Along with many animals and tropical plants, the sanctuary is also home to over 4,000 endangered Burmese Star Tortoises.