Dates: Year Round
Duration: 10-14 days
Costs: From $2,900

Imagine yourself an explorer wandering through Asia 200 years ago when borders between countries were abstract concepts, rarely posing obstacles to travelers. Today it is possible once again to cross borders between the great countries of inner Asia-Myanmar , China and India . Such border crossing offer travelers amazing opportunities to experience extremely diverse cultures and peoples on one trip. Woodland 's has designed journeys that begin in China 's Yunnan province and end in Myanmar 's capital Yangon . Our trip starts in Kunming , capital of Yunnan province, we then fly to Lijiang and spend a day exploring the mountain villages of the Naxi people-a group of people very similar to Tibetans that practice an unusual form of Shamanism. From Lijiang we drive to Dali and explore Lake Erhai as well as Dali's traditional town that remains today much as it did centuries ago.

Entering monkhood. (Photo: 'Bill')

We then depart Dali and begin heading towards Myanmar along the Old Burma Road (built by Americans, Burmese, Chinese and Indians in WWII). Our destination is the border crossing at Muse. As soon as we enter Myanmar we enter a slower pace of life as seen in the rhythms of the markets and in the villages we pass through. This is part of Myanmar is know as Shan state. The Shan are one of Myanmar 's larger ethnic groups. Here we visit the historical towns of Lashio and Hsipaw. Once in the old British hill station of Maymyo (aka: Pyin Oo Lwin), we put up in Woodland 's own Kandawgyi Lodge-an old British bungalow tastefully restored with separate bungalows behind. At Maymyo we explore the National Botanical Gardens-( restored by High Asia sister company Woodland Travels )-and then depart for Mandalay and the pagodas of Bagan on the banks of the Ayerwaaddy River .  Our trip finishes in the  city of Yangon , where we wander with monks, nuns and pilgrims around the grounds of stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, rejuvenate our palettes at some of Yangon 's fine local and international restaurants and shop for Burmese antiques in the many open-air markets.

Please note that this tour can be customized to include Tibetan areas in Yunnan (in the town of Shangri-la ) and include other destinations in Myanmar that follow the Old Burma Road through northern Myanmar to the border with India . For customized options, please contact us.