Heho

Because Heho is the gateway to the main sights of Myanmar, you can take various vehicles such as taxis, private cars, and buses to other famous sights that are located nearby Heho such as Inle Lake, Myanmar’s second largest freshwater lake, which is also one of the most famous places where you must include on your trip travel Myanmar.

When visiting Inle Lake, tourists will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as taking a boat trip around the lake to learn about the daily lives as well as the customs and habits of the locals who live in the lake and enjoying the local and traditional dishes that are prepared directly by the locals.

Aside from that, you should participate in the morning market, where all local products are sold; they are very cheap and unique to this area; you could buy these as souvenirs of Myanmar to give to your friends and family after your trip to this unique and beautiful country.

From Heho, you should not miss exploring Pindaya Caves in Pindaya Town; these caves contain a large number of different big and small Buddhist statues, which are displayed with different meanings and are very important to not only the locals but also the Myanmar people.

The best time to visit Heho and the nearby destinations is during the festival season, such as the Buddhist Orders Festival in Heho, which is organized by the locals and serves the purpose of admitting the sons of some families to become formal monks.

Aside from the Buddhist Orders Festival in Heho, you should not miss the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in Inle Lake, Shan State, which is held from the 2nd to the 19th of October, the Thadingyut, Festival of Lights, which is held throughout Myanmar from the 15th to the 16th of October, or the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which is held in Taunggyi from the 20th to the 26th of November…

The Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the most worthwhile festivals that you should participate in and experience; during this festival, you can easily take many special photos as well as view the beautiful entire sight of Taunggyi while sitting on a balloon; it is very mighty and wonderful.

Day 1: Arrival to Yangon

Your Myanmar holiday begins by discovering Yangon, the country’s largest city.

Explore downtown’s eclectic mix of cultures and colonial buildings. Highlights include vibrant street markets, the Indian quarter and a vast array of colonial vestiges and religious monuments.

Day 2: Exploring Yangon

Get to know the ‘real’ Yangon with a fascinating morning excursion through the city and its suburbs. Start with a ride on the commuter train. Referred to as the ‘Circular Train’, the train travels slowly and stops often allowing travelers and vendors to hop on and off throughout the journey.

Enjoy watching the activity on the train as well as outside as it passes through local neighborhoods and alongside markets. (Train ride is 20-30 minutes; basic carriage with no air conditioning). Continue to see the massive 72-meter long Buddha image at Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda then mingle with the locals at Kandawgyi Park.

As the sun begins to set, head to Shwedagon Pagoda where you will join Buddhist devotees at the country’s holiest shrine. Cap off the night with a visit to the vibrant Chinatown, walking amid the neighborhood’s bustling food stalls and local bars.

Day 3: Flight to Bagan, Irrawaddy River Cruise

Awake early this morning for a flight to Bagan. Touch down in one of Asia’s most remarkable architectural sites. Spend a full day exploring the temple plains, stopping in at famous monuments and some lesser-known sites.

After a visit to the famous lacquerware workshops of Bagan, board a wooden motorboat for a cruise on the Irrawaddy River. Watch the sun set over the town’s mighty ruins and riverside villages. This is the perfect end to a busy day of sightseeing in Bagan.

Day 4: Bagan’s Temples, Villages, and a hot air Balloon Ride

Awake early for an optional hot-air balloon flight over the temples of Bagan or grab a few extra hours of shut-eye and start touring after breakfast.

Start the day like a local, with a visit to the vibrant morning market. Then continue to Shwezigon pagoda, Bagan’s holiest site. The rest of the day is spent exploring temples and villages, getting a closer look at the local ways of life in central Myanmar. As the day comes to a close, climb aboard a horse-drawn cart for a scenic ride through the plains.

Day 5: Bagan to Mandalay

Take an early morning flight to Mandalay for an exciting excursion around this historic city. Start with a visit to the top of Mandalay Hill for an orientation to the city’s history and layout. Then explore the many sites located at the base of the hill, including the giant marble Buddha image at Kyauktawgyi and the ‘World’s Biggest Book’. The final stop of the morning is Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building of the Royal Palace.

After lunch, continue exploring the sprawling city with a trip to Mahamuni Pagoda. This magnificent Buddha image is one of the country’s most revered statues and is covered in layer upon layer of gold leaf. The day comes to a close with a memorable trip to Amarapura, the former royal capital. Visit Mahagandayon Monastery, home to hundreds of monks, followed by a short walk to U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge. Watch as the sun sets over this beautiful site then return to town for the evening.

Day 6: Day Trip to Sagaing and Ava

Start the day with a trip to Sagaing. With more than 100 meditation shrines and 600 other religious buildings, it is no wonder why Sagaing is considered the spiritual center of Myanmar. Explore some of the most important sites and, if you are lucky, meet monks or nuns and learn more about their life.

Continue the day with a visit to the historic sites of Ava, also known as Inwa. Travel by horse cart along the dirt roads of the town which served as Myanmar’s capital several times between the 14th and 19th centuries. See relics of Ava’s former glory such as its watchtower and several beautiful religious buildings.

Day 7: Flight to Heho, scenic drive to Pindaya & the caves

Leave the flatlands of Mandalay this morning and travel to the hills of the Shan State. A short flight will take you to Heho where a car will be waiting for a scenic drive to Pindaya. Pass through fertile fields growing cabbages, pumpkins and other seasonal crops and keep an eye out for members of the Pa-Oh and Danu ethnic groups in their distinctive traditional dress.

Upon reaching Pindaya, head straight to the market. Mingle with the locals as you browse the stalls selling everything from fresh produce to dried fish. After checking in to your hotel, venture to the outskirts of town and meet with a local family at their tea plantation. Take a short walk, learning how to identify fresh leaves ready for harvest. Walk to the family’s house where they will serve tea and local treats. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to prepare tea leaf salad, one of Myanmar’s most beloved snacks.

The final visit of the afternoon is the renowned Pindaya caves. Arrive in the late afternoon, long after the day tour buses have left, and wander through the massive cave to admire then thousands of Buddha images found inside.

Day 8: Pindaya to Inle Lake

Continue your excursion through the Shan State with a beautiful drive to Nyaung Shwe. Upon arrival take a short tour of this charming town before hopping into a long-tail boat for a trip on Inle Lake. Spend the day cruising around the calm waters, soaking up the splendid mountainous landscape that surrounds the lake.

Explore villages built on stilts and floating gardens, getting a chance to learn about the life and culture of the lake’s residents. Stop in at workshops making incredible hand-woven silks and fabrics created from the fibers of the lotus flower. You will also visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda where you can join local devotees as they come to pay homage to this sacred site. If time allows, there will also be a stop at Nge Phe Chaung, a wooden monastery with a remarkable collection of Buddha images.

Day 9: Boat trip to Indein

Depending on the day, there may be a chance to visit one of the lake’s morning markets to see members of various ethnic groups coming to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods. Then take a morning boat trip down a jungle-covered canal to reach the Indein jetty.

Take a leisurely walk around Indein, a village inhabited by the Pa-Oh ethnic group. Climb to the top of a hill where hundreds of small stupas cover the land. Enjoy mesmerizing views of Inle Lake from this elevated viewpoint and relax in the tranquil surroundings, a perfect way to end your exploration of Inle Lake.

Day 10: Flight to Yangon & Departure

Your Myanmar adventure concludes today with a flight to Yangon. Should time allow, head downtown to Scott’s Market (also known as Bogyoke Market) for some last-minute souvenir shopping or relax at one of Yangon’s many tea shops.

A driver will pick you up in time for a transfer to the international airport for your onward flight.Thank you for traveling with AsiaTourAdvisor & we wish to see you in the next trips

1. Mohinga

Mohinga is the most popular and famous breakfast in Myanmar. It is served with the crispy fried bean fritters, boiled eggs, onions, the sliced tender core of banana-steam. You can add drops of lime juice, fish sauce, dry chili powder, coriander or beans if you like for your preferable taste. You can also choose boiled eggs ( oe bal ou ), fried fish cake (nga hpe) and fritters (akyaw) with your favourite. Mohinga is not only an essential breakfast for Myanmar people but also taken as a snack throughout the day.

2. Nan Gyi Thote

Nan Gyi Thote is one of the most popular trademarks of Myanmar breakfast and you shouldn’t miss it. It’s a noodle salad made with thick round rice noodles mixed with flavourful chicken curry. Nan Gyi Thote is often garnished with a slice of boiled egg, onions, coriander, slice of lime and with crispy fritters. The taste of the noodles is a combination of sweet, sour, salty and fresh and you can eat in almost all the local tea shops and even street vendors in the early morning.

3. Tea Leaf Salad (La Phat Thoke)

Tea Leaf Salad (La Phat Thoke) is a traditional Myanmar food which is a kind of salad made from tea leaves and mixed with shredded small cabbage, sliced tomatoes, nuts and peas, sliced filets, spicy pepper and garlic. The texture of the salad is unique, the taste is a combination of soft, bitter, sour and also spicy. Burmese people have Tea Leaf Salad just a snack, an appetizer or paired with a plate of rice as a meal. You can try it in restaurants as well as streetside stalls. Once you try it, you will understand why Burmese people love it.

4. Burmese Tempura (Akyaw Sone)

Burmese Tempura (Akyaw Sone) is essential for Burmese’s people breakfast and favourite of all and love to enjoy with steamed rice. Sometimes burmese people enjoy Akyaw Sone just as a snack. Burmese Tempura includes a variety of things which are deep fried like onion, potato, peas, bananas, shrimp and so on. Burmese Tempura (Akyaw Sone) cannot be perfect without its sauce. Enjoy Burmese Tempura street food with a cup of plain tea just like a local when you are in Myanmar.

5. Myanmar staple food rice and curry

It will not be complete when talking about Myanmar traditional food without mentioning Myanmar staple food rice and curry. Rice is the Myanmar staple food and a typical Myanmar meal includes a plate of steam-rice as the main dish and accompanying dishes with different curries of fish, chicken or pork, salad, a bowl of light soup and a curried sauce of pickle fish (ngapi yay). Burmese people always eat with the right hand of the fingers and dishes are provided with serving spoons to be handled with the left hand. After the meal, Burmese people eat pickled tea leaves, green tea and palm sugar as a dessert. If you truly want to experience Myanmar local life, you shouldn’t miss it.

6. Shan Noodle

It will not be complete when talking about Myanmar traditional food without mentioning Shan Noodle. It is one of the most famous foods in Myanmar. You can have Shan Noodles either as a soup or as a salad. The thick and round rice noodles are prepared with marinated chicken or pork, juicy tomatoes, garnished with toasted sesame or garlic oil. Most Myanmar people like it and commonly eat it as breakfast, lunch or a kind of snack.

7. Shan Style Rice

Shan rice or Nga Htamin is originally a traditional food of the Shan ethnic group but it is popular throughout Myanmar. It is the most typical Myanmar food, rice mixed with tomato, potato and fish kneaded into round balls, then topped with crisp fried onion, garlic, tamarind sauce, coriander.

8. Coconut Noodle

If you are a big fan of coconut milk based soups, you shouldn’t miss coconut noodles when you are visiting Myanmar. Coconut Noodle is Burmese noodle dish which consists of wheat noodles with creamy spiced chicken coconut broth. And you can garnished with fritters, hard-boiled egg and choose your favourite with lime, chillies or fish sauce. The flavors will be wonderful with creamy coconut chicken noodle soup.

9. Si Htamin ( Yellow Sticky Rice)

Myanmar people have the habit of consuming relishes and savory snacks. In the early morning, Myanmar people usually have warm or hot snacks as their breakfast. Si Htamin ( Yellow Sticky Rice) is one of the popular local breakfast items. Si Htamin is made of glutinous rice cooked with turmeric, salt, onions and served with roasted sesame seeds, boiled yellow peas and garnished with freshly grated coconut, salted fish. Enjoy this simple breakfast with a cup of coffee or burmese tea.

10. Tea shop and snack

Burmese people have the habit of having breakfast at the tea shop and sitting in teahouses during their leisure time for business meetings, hanging out with friends, discussing politics, and reading newspapers. Tea shops are the most populated and frequented places in Yangon. In the morning, the tea shops are busy and most Myanmar people enjoy their breakfast before going to the office. Burmese cups of tea usually combine black tea leaves and condensed milk. And also try samosa, ei kyar kway, pa lar tar and nan pyar. If you want to exchange culture, you should go to a tea shop in the early morning.

Being the connecting place between the other famous sights of Myanmar such as Inle Lake, Shan State, Taunggyi, Heho is the important destination of Myanmar not only attracts travelers for a cool template and very pleasant weather all year around but also is very known for the neglected charm of a small, peaceful and lovely town. A visit to Heho will give travelers an amazing chance to experience and participate in the traditional festivals of the locals, a special fun.

As Heho is the gateway of the main sights of Myanmar, it is possible to catch one of several vehicles such as bus, private car and taxi from here to go to other famous sights located nearby Heho such as Inle Lake which is the Myanmar’s second largest freshwater lake as well as one of the most famous places must be included on your trip in Myanmar.

Paying a visit to the Inle Lake, you can experience many different activities such as joining a boat trip around the lake to know more about the daily life as well as the habits and customs of the locals living in the lake, sampling some mouthwatering local and traditional dishes directly prepared by the locals. The Inle Lake is such a special and different destination from other places in the world. In addition, another place to visit is the morning market, where all the local products are sold at reasonable price, and especially, it’s time to buy some as the souvenirs of Myanmar to present your friends and family after the trip.

The festivals season such as the Buddhist Orders Festival in Heho, the famous festival held to mark the time to admit the sons of some families to become a formal monk is the best time for you to visit Heho as well as the closed destinations with Heho. Beside Buddhist Orders Festival in Heho, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in Inle Lake, Shan State, held from the 2nd to the 19th October, the Thadingyut, Festival of Lights held throughout Myanmar from the 15th to the 16th October, or the Hot Air Balloon Festival held in Taunggyi from the 20th to the 26th November are some festivals you should not miss.

One of the most worthwhile festivals that you should take part in is the Hot Air Balloon Festival, when you can have many special photos as well as catch an eye on the exceptional whole sight of Taunggyi when your balloon is rising. It is really mighty and wonderful experience.

Throughout this article, we wish you to have an idea of how to travel to Heho for your best experience. In case you are looking for your own travel agent, who can offer a wonderful and hassle-free trip to Heho, please feel free to let us know. We always commit our best to make it your once-in-a-lifetime journey.