
Local Charm Unveiled at Pakkoku
Local Charm Unveiled
at Pakkoku
Pakkoku is one of Myanmar’s best kept secrets, filled with untrodden paths and human encounters
of the friendly kind. From unique arts and crafts to a colourful market and pagodas with
jaw-dropping Irrawaddy vistas, you have no idea what’s in store.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Ever heard of Pakkoku? It may not be a standard must-see on most travel itineraries through the Golden Land, but its hospitality, its pulsating local handicraft industry, and its historical values are perhaps amongst some of Myanmar’s best-hidden secrets. Also known as Pakhan-Gyi, its town borders are a leisurely boat ride away from Bagan, upstream the Irrawaddy River.
As Bagan progresses and gets the world’s attention for its immense collection of pagodas and temples, the time has basically stood still here, to the advantage of preservation of its ancient walls, pagodas and particularly its arts and craft traditions. Combined by using different means of transportation, a varied day awaits, filled with authenticity and honouring generations-long kept traditions.



TRAIL ITINERARY
08:30 - 17:00
Your day away for a break from the temples of Bagan starts with a transfer from your hotel to our exploratory grounds for the day. The short ride from either Old or New Bagan to the satellite town of Bagan moves through a slowly wakening up Myanmar, ready to welcome another day. Destined to leave visitors in awe, with new photo-genetic moments around every bend in the road, the path towards this chapter of authentic trailing cannot take off in a better way. Upon arrival, we follow the contours of the river banks along the eastern side of the Irrawaddy before taking the final turn towards Pakkoku. Unhurried with a healthy dose of authenticity flows throughout this part of Myanmar’s Magway region. Nothing beats a local breakfast, and the one at Moe Kaung Kin’s tea shop is a refreshing stop after a great start of the day.
The morning is reserved gaining an insight into the thriving industries, still present in Pakkoku. Home-based businesses lined up the streets with tin smiths, slipper makers and meeting avid traders at the Thanaka market making a living in selling fresh fruit and vegetables, household good and more. The best way to meet the locals on their home turf is simply walked from place to place with your camera at the ready. Your guide for the day will explain how life has not changed much here over the past decennia. A great viewing point is right next to the Shwe Muddaw Pagoda, worth the walk and located right along the Irrawaddy. Lunch is included during this day.
It is time to head back to Bagan and with the river right in front of us, what better means than to sail downstream for the next 2 hours to Bagan’s jetty an a short transfer to your hotel.