Bagan Family Tour with Sand Painting Class

Thank you Thandar (our guide), Ian (founder) and Three Treasures Tours for your exceptional commitment to the people and communities of Bagan. I could list the many wonderful things we did on this 12-hour tour - from the sunrise over the templed landscape, the delicious South Asian samosas and Chinese-style doughnuts for breakfast, the sand-painting (I had no idea what it was either, but all will be explained, and it is both relaxing and fun - and in a temple, no less), a visit to a local farm, a ride in an ox-cart (arranged last minute at our child's request), wandering the sandstone caves of a local monastery, the sunset boat ride down the Irrawaddy river - but in fact the most wonderful aspect of this tour was our guide Thandar and the company she works for. Thandar was flexible and arranged our day so that it unfolded seamlessly. She knew exactly when to share information and when to let our little family explore things for ourselves. Thandar trained in Law and has a million other qualifications to her name, including speaking Japanese (and English), being a social justice advocate, and taking beautiful photographs. Three Treasures Tours was established only a few years ago as a way of strengthening existing engagement with locals, especially in education and agriculture, reflecting Ian's background in permaculture. The depth of these relationships was apparent everywhere we went. Our post-sunrise breakfast, for example, was prepared by a family living adjacent to a quiet and lovely temple we had visited, whose income is supplemented by Three Treasures Tours. You could spend your money on a purely commercial enterprise when you visit Bagan/Myanmar, or you could give something back by choosing to spend you money with organisations like Three Treasures Tour. I definitely recommend the latter - you won't regret it.

This was an incredible, authentic, enriching, wonderful experience. We started the day at 5:45am, when we were collected at our hotel by our guide. She took us to an incredible viewing location to watch the sunrise over the plains, and the balloons rising out over the mist and pagodas. We were then taken to a secluded pagoda, where we were able to walk around the catacombs, and observe a morning prayer. Breakfast was an incredible feast of local delicacies. We then visited a local village, it’s school, and enjoyed an ox and cart ride around the village. We observed local farming techniques, and a range of commercial activities (sewing, sesame seed sieving etc.). It was a humbling experience observing the daily lives of the local villagers. We were then taken to a local lunch venue, which served an incredible range of local dishes. After lunch we did some sand painting, and then visited another secluded monastery and pagodas, climbed the nearby hill and ascended the hilltop pagoda to take in breathtaking river, mountain, valley views — it was an incredible panorama. We finished the day with a boat ride downstream and saw an incredible double sunset through the clouds and then over the mountain range. We returned home at 6:30pm. They were able to pack so much in to the day, it was truly incredible. I honestly would give this tour six stars if I could. The guide was knowledgeable, helpful and engaged in sharing her understanding of the area. We avoided the crowds, while still being able to see most of the significant monuments. Our guide’s knowledge of the UNESCO process was incredible, and we shared a conversation about the challenges the sites face. We had our daughter (9yo) with us and grandma (70yo) and we everyone got something out of the day. Couldn’t recommend this tour and this company more highly. It’s also clear how this company works with local people. We were able to visit local people, who happily and comfortably welcomed us in to their homes, showed us their daily activities. It was evident the support that this tour company provides to local communities.