Teen Tours in Burma
RUSTIC PATHWAYS IN BURMA
Rustic Pathways began trips into the border areas of Burma in the late 1990s and started nationwide tours in 2002. One of the largest organizations bringing students, groups, and families to the Golden Land, Rustic Pathways has eight full-time Burmese staff and is deeply committed to sharing the wonders of Burma with international visitors. The Chairman of Rustic Pathways – David Venning – acts as the Global Director for all Burma programs.
AIRLINE INFORMATION and PROGRAM CONNECTIVITY
Weekly escorted flights for Rustic Pathways students from New York and Los Angeles to Southeast Asia run throughout the summer. U.S. students meet in New York or Los Angeles and travel together with their flight leader to and from Southeast Asia. Please see rusticpathways.com/flights for details. All Burma programs connect seamlessly and directly to programs in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, India and Mongolia. All departure dates show physical departures from the United States.
| FACT FILE | |
| Population | 48.1 million |
| Capital City | Naypyidaw |
| Currency | Kyat – 1 U.S. dollar buys about 900 kyats (as of September 2010) |
| Language | Burmese is the official language, although there are dozens of other languages spoken in the country's tribal areas. |
| Well-Known Attractions | Shwedagon Pagoda – one of the world's most spectacular temples Inle Lake – a magical lake surrounded by mountains in Central Burma The Temples of Bagan – over 3,000 temples in sixteen square miles |
LOCAL LINGO
| Mingalabar (Burmese); Mai sung ka (Shan) | Hello |
| Jay zoo bay (Burmese); Thablu (Karen) | Thank you |
| Ley see low yamala? (Burmese) Quai ongdon nyee nung lor la nay? (Pa-O) | Can I hitch a ride on your ox-cart? |
DID YOU KNOW?
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is one of the most beautiful and exotic countries in the world. Closed to tourism for many years, Burma has emerged over the last decade as a showcase of old-world Southeast Asian life and hospitality. Spanning over 1,300 miles from the Andaman Sea to the Himalayas, Burma is extraordinarily diverse, extremely welcoming, and largely untouched. The country is famous for jade, teak, elephants, and a refined cuisine that centers around fresh vegetables and herbs. The first Asian Secretary General of the United Nations – U Thant – was Burmese. Importantly, about 40 percent of the country's population is made up of more than 100 distinct ethnic minorities.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
