Impressing Myanmar Culture Overland

Day 1: Welcome to golden land Myanmar                                                    

Mingalarbar and welcome to Myanmar! Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, our tour guide will welcome you and drive to your hotel for check-in. After a short break at the hotel, your day starts with a downtown trip to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites filled with historical buildings.  Most of the buildings have a faded colonial charm which you cannot see elsewhere in Asia, the post office – a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel and Independence Monument inside the Mahabandoola Garden. Then, visit the famous Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda, one of the famous reclining Buddha images in Myanmar donated by Sir Pho Thar Gyi in 1907.  Go on to Bogyoke (Scotts) Market  (closed every Monday and on public holidays), the finest place for shopping in Yangon being a one-stop shopping location for both locals and foreigners where you can find all local products (Myanmar souvenirs, lacquer ware, tapestry, gems & jewelry and etc.). In the evening, you will visit the 2,500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda which enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and other holy relics. It is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of Myanmar. You can also observe the local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions. At the same time, you can enjoy the amazing sunset view from Shwedagon pagoda. Enjoy your night at a hotel in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Bago – Golden Rock                                                                                    

 After breakfast at hotel, around 8:00 am, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and you will proceed to Bago, (approximately 2 hours’ drive) which is one of the richest archeological sites in Myanmar. According to history, Mons were the first to settle down in this region since Buddha times. The highlights of Bago city tour include Shwemawdaw Pagoda –114 meters in height and the tallest pagoda on record in Myanmar. Shwethahlaung reclining Buddha, it is believed that Mons built the Buddha in 994AD  and rediscovered it in 1880AD. 55 meters in length and 16 meters in height the reclining Buddha is well known in Bago and beyond.  Kanbawza Thadi – The heart of ancient Hanthaweddy was the Kanbawza Thadi and the original Palace was built by King Bayintnaung in 1556. It is said that the original palace had 76 apartments. It was burnt down in 1599.  Kyaik Pun Pagoda, known for its four towering images sitting back to back with slightly different facial expressions and being visible from far away in the open air without shelter. You will continue to a local restaurant for lunch and from there drive directly to Kimpun base camp in Kyaik-Hto Mon State to climb up the Golden Rock. On arrival at the base camp, special trucks customized for steep climbs will take you on a thrilling ride up numerous hills to your final destination – the Golden Rock. Check-in at your hotel and wander around the pagoda precincts. Enjoy the sunset and your stay at the Golden Rock. 

Day 3:  Golden Rock – Mawlamyine                                                                                      

 After breakfast at hotel, check out and, with your guide, take the cable car half way down the hill, change to a truck and continue down to the base camp. Our waiting vehicle will take you to Mawlamyine (approximately 3 hours drive), the capital of Mon state, situated at the mouth of the Thanlwin River (Salween River). Stop for a while to take photos en route across Than Lwin River. Visit religious monuments and places, Mahamuni Pagoda, a major temple site and Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, known as the Kipling Pagoda and watch the beauty of sunset at Uzina Pagoda. Mawlamyine viewpoint just a short walk away will provide you with a breathtaking panorama of the city and its environ. Enjoy your night in Mawlamyine. 

Day 4 : Mawlamyine                                                                                            

After breakfast at hotel, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and visit morning local markets before driving to Kyaikkhami Yale Pagoda, which is an interesting pagoda located on a rocky beach. It is a well-known fact that sea water never submerges even base of the Pagoda area during high tides in the rainy season. Continue to Setse Beach resort on the Gulf of Martaban of the Andaman Sea in Thanbyuzayat Township. Its vast expanse of brown sand on the beach continues toward tidal flats when the shallow surf-line recedes at low tide. In the late afternoon, drive back to Mawlamyine and stop on the way to Mudon and visit to Win Sein Taw Ya Giant Pagoda, this is the world’s largest reclining Buddha. Enjoy your night in Mawlamyine.

Day 5 : Mawlamyine – Hpa An                                                                                        

After breakfast at hotel, around 8:00 am, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and drive to Hpa-An, Kayin State’s scruffy riverside capital,  56 km from Mawlamyine (it takes approximately an hour). The people are friendly, and the city is the logical base from where exploration of caves – often adorned with Buddhist art, sacred mountains and rivers and lakes of the stunning surrounding countryside. The sightseeing will start with Bayin Nyi Cave, famous for its hot springs nearby and its beautiful history. Continue to explore Kawt Goon Cave, a natural lime stone cave, where visitors enter to see the gallery of terra-cotta consisting of thousands of clay Buddhas all over the roof and the walls of the caves. Have lunch at a local restaurant and proceed to Sadan Cave, upon entry, a large number of Buddha statues and a lineup of monk statues can be seen on the cave walls. It will take about an hour to visit the interiors and return by a small canoe. Drive back to Hpa-An. It is now time to take beautiful sunset photo at Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda, situated on the eastern bank of Than Lwin River. You can see statue of giant Frog and Dragon at the Pagoda. Enjoy your night in Hpa-an

Day 6: Hpa An – Yangon                                                                                                         

After breakfast at hotel, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and drive back to Yangon -289 km (6hr drive) and check-in to your hotel. Enjoy your free time at a hotel in Yangon.

Day 7: Yangon – Departure                                                                                                    

After breakfast, transfer to Yangon international airport to take your flight.