Odysseys around Yangon

Highlights of tour:

You discover the treasures of Myanmar with the ten-day trip. The route you will discover will bring strong mystic cultural destinations in Myanmar: from Yangon the capital to Mon State and Karen State through the rock gold and Bago. Discover landscapes and life of this region less touristic and visit one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage in Asia.

Day 1: Arrive in Yangon (D)

Upon arrival at airport, welcome by our guide and he will be held on placard with your name on it. And then transfer to hotel for check-in. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South-East Asia.

Morning sightseeing starts: Swe Taw Myat Zedi (Buddha’s Replica Tooth Relic Pagoda, Kaba Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda) built for memorial of the 1954-56 sixth Buddhist Synod, is located on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangon Township. And then proceed to Mahapasana Guha: “Great Cave“, built close to the Kaba Aye Pagoda. After check in the hotel, take some relax for a while.

Afternoon sightseeing Chaukhtatkyi Reclining Buddha Image: 230 ft (70 m) long in the pose of rest and then Karaweik Hall Royal barge on the Royal Lake for photo shop. Late afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda: world famous glistening gold stupa towering over the city with spearing to height of 326 ft. Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Thaton – Mawlamyine (B,L,D)

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Thaton (72 km). There are many legends about Thaton, the first capital of Mon Empire. In 1057 king Anawrahta of Bagan conquered Thaton, because king Manuha of Thaton refused to send him the holy Buddhist scriptures “Tripitaka”. Through this incident, the king Anawrahta founded the first united empire. Nowadays is not much left from the old glorious Mon Kingdom. Visit Shwe Zayan Paya, built during the early Mon era.

Afterwards continue via Mottama (62 km) and cross by ferry to Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State. Mottama (Martaban) is situated at the mouth of Thanlwin River and used to be a very important seaport in the 16th Century. On the opposite side of Thanlwin River is Mawlamyine or Moulmein, nowadays the 4th biggest city in Myanmar. Overnight at Hotel in Mawlamyine.

Day 3: Mawlamyine – Mudon – Kyaikkami – Kyeik Khmai Setse Beach (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive to Mudon (30 km) and visit the newly built world’s biggest reclining Buddha statue (160 m). Afterwards continue to the coastal resort Kyaikkami, also known as Amherst during colonial days. Visit Yele Paya, famous for the Buddha Statue that was brought from Sri Lanka in ancient time. Then continue to Setse Beach at the Gulf of Martaban, which is still very well known. Enjoy a stroll over the brown sand beach before you will return back to Mawlawyine. Stay overnight at Hotel in Mawlamyine.

Day 4: Mawlamyine – Thanbyu Zayat (B,L,D)

After breakfast drive to Thanbyuzayat, Comnon wealth War (Cemetery). During World War II Thanbyuzayat was the western terminus of the Thailand–Burma Railway linking up with the pre-war coastal railway between Ye and Rangoon. Thanbyuzayat was also the site of a Japanese Prisoner of war camp for the prisoners who worked on building the railway, and over 3,000 allied servicemen are buried there in the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery. Today a clock tower stands at the central road junction with roads headed north to Mawlamyine, south to Ye`, and west to Kyaikkami and Setse. Drive back to Mawlamying. Overnight in Mawlamying.

Day 5: Mawlamying – Bilu Kyan Island – Mawlamying (B,L,D)

After breakfast, make a short sightseeing including Mahamuni Pagoda, the ancient Queen Sein Don Monastery where king Mindon’s queen sought refuge, an old church established by British and the Market. Then proceed to Bilu Island by boat, upon arrival, with a car visit around on the Island where you can enjoy the serenity of rural area with paddy fields and numbers of cottage industry making walking sticks, products from coconut fibres and shells, folks and spoons, accessory for golf players etc. Come back to Mawlamyaing in the late afternoon and then enjoy the sunset from KyaikThanLan Pagoda which was known as Kipling Pagoda for book readers. Overnight at Hotel in Mawlamyine.

Day 6: Mawlamyine – Hpa An (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive to Hpa An (49 km), the capital of Kayin state by passing scenic road. Today’s excursion includes: Hpa An Market and other famous sightseeing in Town Area (Vendor Street, Hawker, ways of life of Myanmar People). Rest of the day, you are free at own leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hpa An.

Day 7: Hpa An Sightseeing (B,L,D)

After breakfast at hotel, we do sightseeing tour: Proceed to the foothill of the 722 m high Mt. Zwe Kabin. This sacred mountain has several thousand identical Buddha statues lined up at its base; Saddon Cave within Hpa-an township nearby Eindu Village (about 2 miles), Kawtgon Cave, also known as the ‘Cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas near by Hpakup village.

After that visit to Bayinnyi Cave hot Spring about 10miles of Hpa An between Hpa An and Thantong. The visit continues at Shweyin Hmyaw Pagoda near the clock tower and middle part of Hpa An, on the river bank of Thanlwin River. Overnight in Hpa An.

Day 8: Hpa An – Golden Rock (B,L,D)

After morning breakfast, check out to Hotel. Go to the Golden rock. Overland driving to Golden Rock (280km/6hrs). Arrive at pilgrim-village is a starting point to the famous Golden Rock. From starting point take a truck and then enjoy the trekking to Golden Rock, it will take about 1 hour up the hill to enjoy the sunset at the Golden Rock.

The famous ’Golden Rock’ is a sacred, massive gold-leafed boulder delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff near the top of Mt. Kyaikhtiyo and it is one of the most revered Buddhist shrines. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kyaikhtiyo.

Day 9: Kyaikhtiyo – Bago – Yangon (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer and go back to Yangon. On the way visit to Bago sightseeing, to the ancient city Bago which lies about 80 Km away from Yangon. Bago city sightseeing to the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Shwethalyaung Image, Kyaik Pun Pagoda, Bago market and its shopping center. In the afternoon return back to Yangon, and check-in to the hotel. Free time for your own pleasure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 10: Yangon departure (B,L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today sightseeing shopping at Bogyoke (Scott) Market and visit some Yangon’s famous Shopping Mall. And then transfer to Yangon airport, on the way visit Kyauktawgyi (Marble Buddha) Pagoda and white Elephants at Mindama Hill. We continue to Yangon International Airport and proceedings your onward departure.