Arrive Yangon

Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, you will be met and greeted by your guide who will accompany you to your pre-booked hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Yangon’s city center. Start with a visit to the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a colossal reclining Buddha. Then, see the Karaweik Hall, a majestic royal barge on the Royal Lake. Explore the Botahtaung Pagoda and take a walk through the downtown area, admiring the colonial architecture and vibrant street life.

End the day with a visit to the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered place of worship in Southeast Asia. Witness the golden dome light up with the setting sun, creating a breathtaking view.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Yangon.

Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo (Drive)

Breakfast at the Hotel and Check Out

Later, proceed to Bago by car (1½ hours), an ancient Mon capital. In Bago, visit the bustling market and Kyakatwaing Buddhist Monastery to observe the lifestyle of thousands of Buddhist monks. Continue your journey to Kyaikhtiyo (190 km, approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival at Kim Pun base camp, board an open truck for a steep but well-paved 15 km road (approximately 1 hour) to the upper staging point of the renowned Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda site, which is 1,180 meters above sea level.

Optional: You can alight from the truck at the middle camp called Rathae Taung and walk up approximately 4 km (45 minutes), or, for an easier alternative, you can be carried in a sedan chair by four porters at an extra cost.

The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, standing 7.3 meters high, is built on a gold-gilded boulder, 25 meters in circumference, and appears to be precariously balanced on a tabular rock jutting out from a ridge in the Eastern Yoma Mountains. Kyaikhtiyo is one of Myanmar’s most spiritual experiences. Spend the afternoon at this sacred place and return to Kin Pun camp on the latest truck at 18:00 hrs.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Kyaiktiyo.

Optional Activities:

• If you wish to walk from the upper area (Ya-The-Taung, the final stage) to the Golden Rock, it is a 4 km steep path ascending approximately 500 meters. This can be arranged by speaking with your guide.
• The tour cost includes the truck fare from Kinpun camp to the Golden Rock Pagoda platform, sitting together with locals. If you prefer a seat at the front or wish to hire the entire truck for yourself, please check prices and pay extra directly at the truck station.
• Clients can also take a cable car from Ya-The-Taung to the Golden Rock and back. The cost is approximately USD 5 or Myanmar Kyat 10,000 per person per way (note that cable car costs are subject to change).

Kyaikhtiyo – Thahton – Hpa An (Drive)

Breakfast at the Hotel and Check Out

Later, take a walk around the base camp of Kin Pun and its village. Continue the journey to Thahton (approximately 42 miles, a 1-hour and 15-minute drive). Thahton, known as Suvhanabumi, was the capital of the Mon Kingdom before Bagan. It is historically significant as the place where Bagan King Anawratha brought the “Three Repositories of Buddhist Scriptures.”

Visit Kawgun Cave, which provides insight into the Thahton Kingdom and is situated just before crossing the Thanlwin Bridge (Hpa-An). The cave is adorned with millions of Buddha images and stucco depictions of Buddha’s stories. After exploring the cave, cross the Thanlwin Bridge and arrive in Hpa-An (from Thahton to Hpa-An: 28 miles, 1 hour). This charming city is the capital of Kayin State and is known for its stunning limestone caves and mountains, such as Zwegabin Mountain.

Check in at your hotel and embark on a sightseeing tour of the highlights, including a visit to Kyaikkalat Pagoda, a small stupa perched on a boulder. You can also visit a village of small groups settled at the foot of Mt. Zwegabin, each with its unique beliefs and culture. End the day by enjoying the sunset at Shweyinmyaw Pagoda, located on the bank of the Thanlwin River.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Hpa-An.

Hpa-An – Mawlamyaing (Drive)

Start your day with a visit to Kaw Ka Thaung Gu, a large limestone cave filled with Buddha statues. After exploring the cave, take a short walk to a roadside restaurant where your kayaking adventure begins. Kayaking through the paddy fields is a unique experience. Surrounded by nature, the calm water, lush paddy fields, paddy birds, and majestic mountains create an enchanting atmosphere in Hpa-An.

After kayaking, explore a local village where they make rice alcohol. Wander around the village, visit the rice wine brewery, and meet and chat with the friendly locals, most of whom are of the Karen ethnicity.

Afternoon: Later in the afternoon, check out from your hotel and drive toward Mawlamyine (approximately 24 miles, a 1-hour drive). Mawlamyine, the city of Mon State, is famously mentioned in Rudyard Kipling’s poem and was once a major exporter of teak wood worldwide. This capital city of Mon State is an attractive tropical town. A hilly ridge above the city offers stunning views over the harbor and the lush coconut tree-shrouded countryside. The ridge is topped with five fine monasteries and shrines.

Overnight Stay: Stay overnight at the hotel in Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine

Start your day with a visit to the local market of Mawlamyine.

Drive to Mudon, renowned for its textiles. Visit Kyauktalone and Winsein Tawya, a significant site for Buddhist devotees featuring a large reclining Buddha. Explore the Hpa-Out Tawya meditation center and continue to Kyaik-Khami Yele Paya before returning to Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine still boasts beautiful teak wood buildings and monasteries from its golden days. In the evening, tour the city and visit the teak wood monastery donated by Queen Sein Don of Mandalay. End your day with a breathtaking sunset view from Kyaikthanlan Hill.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine – Bago – Yangon (By Train / Drive)

Early in the morning, transfer to the train station to take a train with an Upper Class seat to Thaton. Upon arrival in Thaton, you will be picked up and driven to Bago (approximately 144 miles from Mawlamyine to Bago).

In Bago, visit the SHWEMAWDAW Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old and whose spire is even taller than that of the SHWEDAGON Pagoda. See the 55-meter-long reclining SHWE THALYAUNG Buddha image, one of the country’s most revered.

Then, drive back to Yangon (84 km, approximately 1½ hours). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Yangon.

Yangon – Thandwe (Flight) & Thandwe – Ngapali Beach (Drive)

Breakfast at the Hotel and Check Out

Later, transfer to Yangon Airport to board your flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival at Thandwe Airport, you will be met and transferred to Ngapali Beach. Check in at your pre-booked hotel upon arrival in Ngapali Beach.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Ngapali Beach

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a leisurely day on the beach at Ngapali.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Ngapali Beach

Breakfast at the Hotel

Spend a relaxing day at leisure on the beautiful Ngapali Beach.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Ngapali Beach.

NgapaliBeach – Thandwe (Drive) & Thandwe – Yangon (By Flight)

Breakfast at the Hotel and Check Out

Later, you will be transferred to Thandwe Airport to board your flight for Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, connect to your onward flight.