5 DAY YANGON – GOLDEN ROCK – HPA AN – MAWLAMYINE

Yangon - Golden Rock (110 miles)

Start the 5-day trip to the south of Myanmar with a drive about five hour to Kyaikhtiyo for a visit to the famous site of Buddhist pilgrimage in Mon State, Golden Rock.

Along the way, stop en route in Bago to visit Kyakhat Wine Monastery to know more about the life of young monks who live in the Monastery and study Buddha’s literature. Also visit Kyauk Pun Pagoda with four mammoth Buddha images seated in the open-air.

When reach the base camp in Kyaikhtiyo, we will left the car and take a local open-air truck to the junction camp and then to Golden Rock. The local truck only go if it is full of local people, so we kindly ask you to be patient for this. (From the junction camp, the Buddhist pilgrimage often spend 45 minutes walking to the Golden Rock. If you wish you can stop to open truck and take a walk).

After finishing the open truck, it’s about 10 minutes walking to the Golden Rock Pagoda, special known to be built at the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees.

Lunch and dinner on your own account. Overnight near Golden Rock.
Important Notes for visits to Golden Rock

What to Pack:

• Sturdy shoes as the way up to Golden Rock is very steep.
• A pullover, light weight jacket and/or scarf as it gets quite cold in the evening.
• Backpack: Leave your main luggage in Yangon and just bring a backpack or small overnight back.

Porters: If you decide to bring along your suitcases, you can hire porters on spot (on own account). The porter fee is not included on tour services.

Golden Rock - Hpa An (B)

Optional to wake up early this morning and visit the Golden Rock again for the fresh air, amazing sunrise view and memorable time of local pilgrims gather near the rock to make offerings early before dawn.

After breakfast at your hotel, go back to the Kinpun camp by open truck again to take the car driving about 3 hours to Hpa An, the capital of Kayin State and home to Kayin ethnic people.

Along the way, stop en route at Thaton, the former capital of the Monique Kingdom and the Bayinnyi cave with a lake of hot springs, a magnificent view of a temple complex and an unforgettable cave.

Arrived at Hpa An and visit the fascinating Kaw Gun cave with more than 2000 stone tablets with Mon inscriptions and hundreds of Buddha statues. Also visit the interesting Kyauk Ka Lap monastery. This monastery is known for its shape and its location on a small island (access by bridge).

Walk on the road along the Thanlyin river or visit the Shwe Yin Myaw pagoda, the ideal place to admire the sunset over the river.

Lunch & Dinner on your own account. Overnight in Hpa An.

Note: The mentioned tourist sites can be adjusted according to the time available (today or the next day).

Hpa An (B)

After breakfast, visit the town of Hpa An, with its local market selling all kinds of products, the Lumbini garden, Lake Kantharyar, etc.

Then going to the outskirts of city to discover the Thamanya monastery, in honor of his former abbot “Thamanya Sayardaw”, the very great monk who died in 2003. This great monk was an abbot who had great support to the hero of Burmese democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi and help many people by his charitable work and Burmese education advice.

To learn about the way local people live, we will visit the Ein Du, famous for its unique traditional weaving of Kayin dress made by clever women. Walking around the typical Kayin village of Lakanar and enjoy the pure, quiet atmosphere here. Continue the trip with scenic mountainous view to Shaung Tone village where the villager are vegetarians and wear their authentic Kayin costumes.

Lunch & Dinner on your own account. Overnight in Hpa-An.

Optional: hike to Mount Zwekabin, the highest of the limestone mountains that surround Hpa-an (average 4 hours ascent / descent) Hike to the top is demanding – but once you are at the top, the rewards are numerous .

Hpa An - Mawlamyine (B)

Today, we will depart about 1 hour and 30 minutes driving with picturesque view to the Mawlamyine, the port city along Thanlin River in Mon State.

Along the way, we will visit U Nar Ouk village (village of Kadoe Kanat). During the colonial period, U Nar Ouk help local trading with his famous local ferry company as well as donated and built a monastery with many ancient arts and crafts for decoration.

Here we come, Mawlamyine. We will have a city tour, including Kyaik Ma Yaw pagoda by the palm road; Mahamuni pagoda; Seindon Mibaya Kyaung, where the Queen of King Mindon sought refuge and the first Baptist church.

If the weather permit, sunset view along Thanlin River is the perfect way to conclude this day.

Lunch & Dinner on your own account. Overnight at hotel in Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine - Bago - Yangon (B) (177 miles)

After breakfast, we will transfer back to Yangon (299 km, around 6-7 hours), enjoying the spectacular landscapes and local life. Along the way, stop to visit Bago with Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda and Shwe Thahlayung Pagoda.

Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to the hotel in Yangon. (Hotel in Yangon today is not included on tour price.)

Arrive in Yangon in the late afternoon. Lunch & Dinner on your own account.

End of the tour!