Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival in Myanmar

Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival 2014

This October, Myanmar holds a fanciful festival named Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival. This festival is both unique and eccentric for people participated in the festival dance while wearing an elephant figure made of paper and bamboo. The participants of Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival decorate the elephant’s dummy as pretty as possible to win the competition deciding the best elephant’s costume is held during the festival. Not only participants with the best elephant’s costume but also participants with the best dance performance will receive a prize from the local committee of the festival.

When is Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival 2014?
Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival 2014 will be held for 2 days starting from 07 October 2014 until 09 October 2014.

The Elephant’s Dance Performance
It is quite difficult to dance in harmony with the music of Dobat and Drums while the dancer is inside a huge and heavy elephant’s figure. People inside the figure can hardly see anything outside, so they are more likely to use feeling and instinct while moving rather than sighting. A good balance and physical endurance are needed in order to keep the dummy stands sturdily. This elephant’s dance performance in Kyaukse is quite similar with the Lion Dance from Chinese, the difference lies on the figure utilized in both festival. While the Chinese Lion Dance wears Lion costume, the Kyaukse Elephant’s Dance use the elephant’s dummy as a costume for the dance.

Rules of the Elephant’s Dance Competition
Certain rules are carried out to give marks to the participants of Elephant’s Dance Competition in Kyaukse Elephant Dance. First, there are three types of the Elephant’s Dance and the participants should choose which type of dance they are eager to enter. Each participant is not supposed to take part in the other type of dance, once they’ve chosen which the kind of dance they enter. Second, before the competition starts, the participants wearing the elephant’s dummies have to walk around the market place to show their costumes and decorations to the spectators for three times. The last one, the judges will rate the dance performance, back sound music, harmony between dance and music, and teamwork.

The festival usually takes place for a whole day, and the announcement of the Elephant’s Dance Competition winner will be held at night.

Happy Kyaukse Festival 2014!

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Ecotourism sites cannot be missed in Burma (Myanmar)

National Botanical Garden
It is located in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Division. It larges 13792 hectares and established in 1915. You can study about 344 species of forest tree, 42 spices of orchid, and 25 species of Rose. There are inland indigenous birds (resident forest birds), reptiles, small mammal species and insects are present.

Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Bago and Waw Townships of Bago Division, 112 km from Yangon along the Yangon -Bago- Pyinpongyi Highway. It is 104 square kilometers large and Established in 1986. you can see more then twenty species of aquatic and herb ( Emergent macrophytes ) including kaing grass and water are present in the sanctuary and Notsaba ( Oxyza officinalis) grow particular in shallow area of the sanctuary. Especially Kaing grassland are the most suitable breeding ground for water birds.

Nat Ma Taung National Park
Located in Kanpetlet, Mindut and Matupi Townships of Chin State. It has 723 square kilometers and established in 1994. There are 4 kinds of Forest such as: Hill Evergreen Forests, moist Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests, Pine Forests (above 2700 m) and Hill Savannah. You can study mammals such as tiger, bear wild board, leopard, goar, serow, gibbon, etc. and 159 bird species, reptiles and butterfly.

Popa Mountain
Located in Kyaukpadaung Township of Mandalay Division and only 1 hour drive from Bagan. It is 129 square kilometers and Established in 1983 and opened as Park in 1989. You can see Monkey, barking deer, wild pig; jungle cat; wild dog and about 140 avifauna species inhabit the Popa area. The dusky leaf monkey is a scarce animal and about 150 monkeys live in the Popa Mountain Park. About 40 medicinal plants and some climbers are growing in the Popa Mountain Park. These plants and climbers are being explored through filed research works.

Hkakaborazi National Park
Located in Naungmung Township of Kachin State. Its area is 3816 square kilometers and Established in 1996. There lies Evergreen Forests, Hill Pine Forests and Moist Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests. In addition to rare species such as Takin, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Black Barking Deer, Phet Gyi (Muntiaus putaoensis), mammal species and insects such as butterflies are present.

Inle Wetland
Located in Naung Shwe, Pinlaung and Peh Kon Townships of Southern Shan State. Its area is 1665 square kilometers and established in 1985. You can study Otyza granulata , Dalbergia spinosa, Hypericm prunizolium, Coladium spp.., Desmodium oblongum, Enhydra zluctuans, Panicum sarmentosum grow on the natura floating islets. Salix tetrasperma , Ficus spp. Crataexa nurvala , Mitragyna parvizolia Salmalia malabarica syn.., Bombax malabaricum are found in shallow water or on the shores. There is a residence of 37 species of birds, 27 species of wetland birds, 14 species of migratory birds, 40 species of freshwater fishes, otter and turtle.

Sein Ye Forest Camp
Located in Oaktwin Township of Bago Division with the area of 40 hectares. It is established in 1996 and you can reach there by car from Yangon to Oaktwin , 268km and Oaktwin to Sein-Ye camp, 32 km along Bago Yoma crossing. It is a home of Asia elephant tiger , leopard ,guar banteng or wild cow, sun bear, wild boar, sambur, sneeze and resident birds.

Yangon Zoological Garden
It is 27.7 hectares large and Established in 1906. It is situated in close proximity of the Great Shwedagon Pagoda, Royal Lake, Aquarium, Karaweik Hall and Yangon Railway station. There are about 300 tree species, totaling over 15,000 trees, are planted and 59 species of mammals, 60 species of birds and 18 species of reptiles, amounting to over 1300 species are kept in additional, elephant, rhinoceros, tapir, hippopotamus, camel, tiger, lion, deer, various species of monkey, snake, tortoise, crocodile and various species of birds, a pair of tusks, of the white elephant which died in 1219 during the region of King Thibaw, skeleton of a whale 21.6 meters in length and a statue of Stegosaurus are exhibited.

Myaing Hay Wun Elephant Camp
It is located in Taikkyi Township of Yangon Division and larges 4 hectares. It is established in 1986. You can see Elephant, Gaur, Banteng, Barking deer, Wild boar, Hare Wild cat, Green Peafowl, Ruddy sheld duck, Butterflies, Moths, Snakes, Monitar lizard, Ground lizard, Grass lizard and Chameleon.

Hlawga Park
Located in Htaukkyant Model Village, Mingaladon Township, Yangon Division with 216 hectares, comprising a wildlife park (327 hectares), a mini-zoo (25 hectares) and a buffer zone (264 hectares). It is established on 30 September 1982. There are Thamin, hog deer, barking deer, sambar deer, rhesus monkey, pythons, pangolin, mythun, all have in the fenced wildlife park. In the mini-zoo small mammals, birds, tigers, leopards, bears and estuarine crocodiles are being displayed more freely in large in spacious cages, aviaries and moated enclosures, built with modern zoo concept.

Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Bogalay Township of Ayeyawaddy Division. Its area is 137 square kilometers and established in 1986. There is of Otter, sambar, hog deer, wild boar, crab-eating kra, wild dog, turtles and tortoiseds, estuarine crocodiles, fish, prawn, crab and 34 bird species are known to occur in the area and Ayeyawaddy Dolphin is said to occur occasionally in the area.

Alaungdaw Kathapha National Park
Located in Mingin Township of Sagaing Division its area is 1608 square kilometers. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1941 and opened as a nation park in 1984.Type of the forests are Moist Upper Mixed Deciduous Forest, Dry Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests, Lower Mixed Deciduous Forests, Indaing Forests, Pine Forests. Wild life: Elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, banteng, sambur, barking deer, jungle goat, mountain goat, bear, wild boar, jungle cat many kinds of birds inhabit Alungdaw Kathapa.

Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Kanbula Township of Sagaing Division, larges 268 square kilometers. It was established in 1941. There are 5 kinds of Forest such as: Low Indaing Forests, High Indaing Forests, Flooded Indaing Forests, Upper Mixed Deciduous Forests and Grass Savanna Matric Forests. It hosted Macaca species, barking deer, wild dog leopard cat species, bat and Guano species, amphibian species and 158 of birds and approximately 1530 number of Thamin reside in the park.

Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sancturay
Located in Mohnyin Township of Kachin State with area of 776 square kilometers and Established in 1999. It has an annual year round raining season with an average 1440 mm rainfall. In summer, average temperature is 27.9 C and in the cold season 17.2 C. There are Leopard, golden cat, the Malaya sun bear, gaur, banteng or wild cow, serow , goral, sport-billed pelican, vulture, other water birds,120 species of forest birds Myanmar peacock and Soft-shell turle in this sanctuary.

Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Minbu, Setote-taya, Saku and Ngapeh Townships of Magwe Division. Its area is 553 square kilometers. It was establishment as Wildlife Sanctuary in 1940 and strengthened with more staff in 1985. There are 3 kinds of forest Such as: Than-dahat Forest, Low ‘Indaing’(Dry Dipterocarp) Forest, Dry Deciduous Forest. There are Bear, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Eld’s deer, Wild boar and various types of wild cats, wild dogs and birds live in this area. In accordance with 1998 inventory, the population of thamin is increasing by (1088 ฑ 269) and the rare star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) is also present.

Reference:
Burma Adventure Tours
Burma Ecotourism
Burma Ngapali Beach Extension Tour

Chin State, hidden jewel of Mrauk U

Home to stunning geographical landscapes and friendly people, Myanmar offers some of the world’s best trekking and hiking trails. Explore this alluring region with the local operator. From light day hikes in the hilltribes of Myanmar to some relaxation in the resort, we can offer the itineraries to suit your needs. Our expert adventure teams know the best routes and hidden paths in the unspoiled wilderness of the region for your trekking adventure holiday.

Some useful information:
Chin State, Mrauk U is really magnificent both for landscape and ethnic culture. T
o visit this place, you need to have Myanmar Visa then start your trip either in Mandalay or Yangon with a short flight o Bagan. From Bagan, you head west to explore Chin rugged area.
Burma Tour Operator offers this tour only from November to April.

Day 01: Bagan - Ponetaung Ponenyar - Mindut

Crossed the mighty Ayeyarwaddy as dawn smashes, start to drive to Mindut. The stops around small stupas and nat shrines at the summit for photography will create breathtaking emotion inside our hearts. Our delicious lunch will be in a village namely Paut. Arrive at Mindut, in the evening, for check-in at a small hotel before strolling around the town. Take pleasure in dinner at a restaurant and spend night stay at hotel.

Day 02: Mindut - Khone Eai village

Drive first for 14 miles to the west of the town by jeep in the light of the early morning. It is pursued by the pine forest trekking to the target, Hilaung Village situated on the valley of the pine forest mountain with about 400 villagers, for about one hour. The dense forest there is a sort of factor generating the cold weather. It is Helong Village on the way and one site worthy for sightseeing in it is a Buddhist stupa donated by King Alaungsithu of Bagan by the time of making a trip to Chin State. A memorable trek to Khone Eai Village is the next one in order for evening sightseeing and all will end up with charming dinner and night span at a traditional house.

Day 03: Khone Eai village - Amlong village

Have a delightful Chin Hill morning together with a pleasurable trekking enjoying the natural beauty – birding, wildlife nature and scenic vista – of the forest along the mountain range to Htwe Village. The next one hour trekking after Htwe Village is to Htal Pan Village for tasty lunch. The way up walking on the pine forested mountain range is an easy, an hour long trek. The evening sightseeing will be at Amlong Village having about 20 houses. Enchanting dinner and memorable night stay at a small Buddhist monastery on the hill.

Day 04: Amlong village - Kyar Aie Nu village

Commence the full day tour with the down trekking to Chake Chaung River for one and a half hour. A suspension bridge is excellent to experience while crossing the river for the two hour up trekking to Htwe Inn Village populated by animists looked like the people in stone age. Go and see their shaman’s house to observe their beliefs and customs. After lunch, continue to Lee Shee for sightseeing of traditional huts. Arrival at Kyar Aie Nu Village, a big village on the height of 1600 m, will be in the evening and the sightseeing includes Chin traditional hand-made smoking pipe workshops. Have dinner and stay for night at a house.

Day 05: Kyar Aie Nu village - Madat village

Begin with an interesting trek along the hill side of Chin Mountain to villages: Turdo Village, Htay Pan Village and Masan Village. The evening sightseeing will be in Madat Village, the biggest one during our trekking with about 800 populations having a small primary school. The Nat shrine in the middle of the village, a nice one as a garden beside the famous Mt. Victoria, is the most interesting. Charming dinner and cool night stay at the village leader’s house.

Day 06: Madat village - Kyardo village

Morning leisure made us pleased is followed by the trekking and sightseeing in villages of the hill tribes and lunch at Loat Pe Village, there only traditional ways can be viewed, as in their holy wooden poles and stone tombs. Kyardo Village lied on the hill side of the valley of the green mountain range will offer us a lovely evening by their traditional means of life such as in their ancient-styled huts made of wood and bamboo. Tattoo faced women wearing traditional costumes can be watched whilst they are celebrating their authentic Chin traditional dancing there they will serve their traditional wine, Khaungye, as showing their hospitality. Enjoy dinner and overnight at a village house.

Day 07: Kyardo village - Aye village

The full day tour will have a commencement, trekking on the hill of the river valley and cross the river to trek over the mountain range where enjoy bird calls and forests’ natural beauty. After lunch at Khelonethat village, proceed to Aye Village, a small Chin village on the hill side of the forest mountain in Natmataung national park. Having a fascinating beauty as a once British’s hill-camp with some old colonial constructions, the weather there is quite cold. Also there, taking photos of tattoo-faced women and their ways of living is valuable for the use of time. Aye Village will give each and all of us pleasing experience of dinner and night stay.

Day 08: Aye village - Mt. Victorial - Kanpalat

To the base camp of Mt. Victoria by jeep for 10 miles along the scenic forest full of pine trees with the whirling of bird calls is the first program of the day. Take some snacks and water for our trekking and hiking during the time of passing the most famos birding area in Myanmar. Within the 3 hour-trekking to the top of the mountain, 10200 ft above sea level, from the base camp, 6500 ft in height, the first 45 minutes will give us a new experience of the steep and difficult portion of the path. All exhaust, however, will go away by the time of seeing the panoramic view from the summit. After a sufficient rest at the apex, come back to our jeep and it takes for about 2 hours. The relaxing dinner and memorable night stay at a hotel in Kanpalat.

Day 09: Kanpalat - Bagan

The morning after breakfast is programmed with jeep ride to Bagan including a short rest in Saw Village as well as the incident of driving in the pine forest. Lunch at a small local restaurant in Kazunma Village, one of the big Myanmar villages in Magwe Division, has a new sort of taste along the connection between central and western Myanmar. Upon arrival at Bagan, enjoy dinner at a hotel.

Reference:

Myanmar Trekking tour

Burma Cruise