MYANMAR MARVEL

GOLDEN ROCK PAGODA & A TYPICAL TOWN IN THE SOUTHERN MYANMAR
YANGON - BAGO - KYAIKHTIYO - MAWLAMYINE – YANGON

Day 1 Yangon-Bago-Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock)

You will be picked up at your hotel in Yangon and drive to Kyaikhtiyo or Golden Rock Pagoda (195 km - 5 hours). En route, visit the Allied War Graves cemetery near Htauk Kyan, and a handicraft village that produces woven bamboo wares. After lunch at a simple local restaurant in KIN PUN "base camp", continue onward to Kyaikhtiyo (the "Golden Rock"), a huge boulder weighing 600 tons, precariously balanced at the edge of a crag of Paung Laung Mountain Chain. From Kin Pun Base Camp, a steep and rough 11-km dirt road leads to the middle point, also known as Rashee Hill Camp, where the journey in open trucks terminate. From the "middle point", travelers must walk the final stage (about 4 kilometers) up steep paths, which ascend some 500 meters to the "Golden Rock". As an easier alternative to walking, there are some porters who carry visitors in sedan chairs at an extra cost of approximately US$ 10 per person per way. On arrival, enjoy the fabulous sunset at this marvellous pilgrimage site. Enjoy the dinner and overnight near Kyaikhtiyo. (L, D)

DAY 2 Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) – Thaton – Hpa-An – Mawlamyine – Yangon

Depart from Kyaikhtiyo for Mawlamyine (Moulmein) (115 km - 6 hours). En route, stop in Thaton, former capital of the Mon Kingdom. Lunch is served at a simple local restaurant en route. Continue, passing the bridge across the Thanlwin River, to Hpa-An, the capital of Kayin State. Make a brief stop in Hpa-An before proceeding on the last stretch (about 1 hour) to Mawlamyine. Arrive in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, late in the afternoon. Enjoy the dinner at hotel and overnight in Mawlamyine. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Mawlamyine

Today, you will have a full day of sightseeing in and around Mawlamyine. Visit the local Zaygyi market in the morning before leaving Mawlamyine for a visit to the small town of MUDON (20 km - 1 hour) to witness the culture and lifestyle of Mon tribe in this region. Return to Mawlamyine for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Mon State National Museum where traditional music instruments, clothes and old Mon language scripts are displayed. Sightseeing continues with the Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyaikthanlan Pagoda (also known as the Kipling Pagoda as it is said to be where Rudyard Kipling caught the inspiration for his poem "on the Road To Mandalay") and Seindon Mibaya Kyaung Monastery, where King Mindon's wife sought refuge. These religious buildings are all situated on a mountain range from where beautiful sunsets can be observed. Enjoy the dinner at hotel and overnight in Mawlamyine. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 Mawlamyine – Bago – Yangon

Rise early for the return to Yangon (300 km – approximately 7 driving hours). A stop is made in Bago for lunch at a local restaurant. In Bago, sightseeing includes the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old. Its spire is even taller than that of the great Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon. En route to Yangon (80 km – 1½ hours), stop at KYAIK PUN PAGODA, famous for its four giant seated Buddha images. Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to hotel. (B, L)

Important note: The region around Kyaikhtiyo and Mawlamyine is still undeveloped for most aspects of tourism. We will make every possible effort to obtain the best available accommodation, transport and facilities for guests, but would ask for their understanding for any practical aspects that do not come up to expectations and for delays or changes in the itinerary. Due to road conditions, travel in this region is not recommended during the monsoon season (June - September).


Hotels to be used for this tour:
Golden Rock Hotel or Kyaikhto Hotel – (***** superior room) at Golden Rock Pagoda
Attran Hotel or Ngwe Moe Hotel (** superior room) in Mawlamyine