The intensity of the Buddhist faith exhibited by the Burmese, as well as the worship of nats, or pre-Buddhist, animist spirits always moves visitors to Burma. This new adventure takes us right around the south of Myanmar and incorporates many pilgrimage sites of the country, rural towns, beach.
Highlight:
Yangon - Bago - Kyaikhtiyo - Mawlamyine - Pa An - Thaton - Yangon
Inclusions:
Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver + Open truck to climb the Golden Rock from the base camp + Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotels or similar one + English speaking guide + Entrance fees to indicated sights - Yangon : Shwedagon Pagoda, National Museum - Kyaikhtiyo: zone fee and Bago: zone fee + Meal as indicated : B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Enclusions:
Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in / out of Myanmar, any optional additional tours or activities during free time + Surcharge for peak season, local holiday days and gala dinner
Accommodation:
Hotels.
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Arrival - Yangon
Day 2: Yangon - Bagan
Day 3: Mandalay - Road to Mandalay
Day 4: Mandalay - Bagan - Road to Mandalay
Day 5: Bagan - Road to Mandalay
Day 6: Bagan - Yangon - Departure
Day 7: Yangon - Departure
Day 8: Yangon - Departure
Detail Itinerary
Day1: Arrival - Yangon
On arrival at Yangon airport , you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon has been the capital city only since 1885 although some settlements in this site date back about 2,500 years. This colorful metropolis features an intriguing mix of the scenes from a bygone era and the modern tempo of bustling streets punctuated by serene temples and impressive colonial edifices. After checking into hotel, we start our city tour, seeing the old colonial styled city center, the gilded Sule Pagoda and the impressive Karaweik Hall on the Royal Lake. We follow these with a visit to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, which dominates the skyline of city. This masterpiece houses an intricate complex of smaller pagodas and Buddha images. O/N in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon
Today we spend a full day exploring Yangon. The enormous reclining Buddha of Chaukhtatgyi in a quiet, open air pavilion and the National Museum with a display of treasures and artefacts reflecting the richness of Burmese culture, are not to be missed. We visit these sights before continuing on to Mahabandoola Park where the colonial courthouse and the city hall are standing. Upon leaving this landmark, we enjoy a rickshaw excursion through the colonial area and the famous Strand road to the bustling harbour, giving us a chance to explore the town close up. We follow it with a visit to the oldest Chinese temple of Kheng Hock Keong in China Town and a walk around the lively Bogyoke Aung San Market, formerly Scott's market where everything and anything is for sale! O/N in Yangon (B)
Day 3: Yangon - Bago - Kyaiktiyo
Heading out of the town, we make our way to Bago. This royal capital of a former Mon Kingdom still maintains considerable legacies of glorious past, some of which are the colossal reclining Buddha of Shwethalyaung, the sacred pagoda of Shwemawdaw and the four giant Buddha images at Kyaikpon Pagoda. We visit these landmarks and continue travelling by roads to Kyaitiyo, passing through the scenic countryside dominated by colourful towers. On arrival at the base camp of Kinpun, we board an open truck for a rugged drive to the summit. After checking into hotel we soak up the fresh climate on a walk around and admire the beautiful sunset from the mountain top. O/N in Kyaitiyo. (B)
Day 4: Kyaiktiyo - Mawlamyine
The impressive Golden Rock is one of the great pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. This huge boulder covered by gilded leaves and delicately perched on the cliff has a very interesting history. Today we embark on a walk to conquer the Golden Rock and catch the spectacular view from the summit to the surrounding areas. Upon leaving this site, we drive through the beautiful tropical landscape to Martaban where the mighty Salween River joins the gulf of Martaban. At this small village, we board a public ferry to the riverside town of Mawlamyine , the capital of Mon Sate. The many preserved colonial architectures create an atmosphere of the colonial yesterday and the pagodas crown the mountains around the town. O/N in Mawlamyine. (B)
Day 5: Mawlamyine - Seste Beach - Mawlamyine
The sightseeing tour begins with a walk around the downtown of Mawlamyine past the impressive Kaladan Mosque. We make stop to visit the magnificent wooden monastery of Seindon Mibaya, the Kyaikthanlan Pagoda with dominant stupa and the beautiful Mahamuni Pagoda, which was built in traditional Mon style. Heading out of town we can soak up the sea and sun as much as we want by spending our time on the Seste Beach ,a former bustling holiday center during the British colonial period. By mid afternoon we drive back to Mawlamyine, stopping at Yankin Hill to enjoy a fantastic view over the harbour and the spectacular rolling countryside. O/N in Mawlamyine. (B)
Day 6: Mawlamyine - Pa An
The following destination of our trip is Pa An , the capital of Kayin State. Today we make our way past the beautiful countryside, stopping en route to explore the magnificent cave of Saddan. The interior of this grotto is adorned with the beautiful carvings and decorations copied from Jataka, the pageants of Buddha's life. We continue our journey through the lush plantations and rolling hills to a Karen Hputaki village, which is located nearby the significant Zwekabin Mount. The hill tribe people in place still maintains the old age cultural traditions as they wear ear ornaments on both sides, keep long hair and wear head bands. O/N at Pa An. (B)
Day 7: Pa An - Thaton - Yangon
Today we enjoy a short walk around Cha Am Town to explore the different local way of life. Upon leaving Cha Am we make our way back to Yangon. The journey is long and roads conditions are very poor; however the breathtaking scenery makes for an interesting day. En route we can make stop as we please, to stretch our legs and visit Thaton, the former capital of Mon State. The next stops are the Commonwealth War Cemetery near Htaukkyan and the woven bamboo factory. We arrive in Yangon by mid or late afternoon depending on road and traffic conditions. O/N in Yangon. (B)
Day 8: Yangon - Departure
There is free time for your own exploration of the city or catching up on some shopping areas. The trip ends after transfer to Mingaladon airport for departure. (B)