Yangon Cycling To Bago Mawlamyine Pa An Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock 8 Days

After breakfast, drive to Bago, approx; 2 hours, the ancient Mon Kingdom as well as the seat of second Myanmar Dynasty. On the way, you can stop and visit Htauk Kyant Allied War Cemetery, the biggest war cemetery in the country maintained by the Commomwealth War Grave Commission.

Visit, Kyaik Pun pagoda with four Giant Buddhas sitting in back-to-back position, Bago Central Market, Shwe Thar Lyaung(Reclining Buddha) which dates back to centuries and which has the astounding history of its recovery from the bushes, and finally visit Shwe Maw Daw pagoda, the biggest and tallest Pagoda in Southern Myanmar.

Then drive to Mawlamyine, the first British Burma Capital City called at that time known as Molmein.

Overnight at Mawlamyine.

Day3: Mawlamyine - Win Sein Tawya - Phar Auk Tawya - Kyaikhami - Setse Beach - Mawlamyine (B , L , D )

After breakfast, drive to the further south of the city to visit the Giant Reclining Buddha, the biggest reclining Buddha ever built in the world. If you wish you may explore interior part of the Buddha which forms with 7-storey maze, each storey explains the Stories of Budda’s life time and other related Buddhist History. Nearby is the man-made water fall where you will see a lot of locals enjoying picnic and water feast. Then, drive to Kyaikhami Pagoda. The pagoda in which many Buddha Images are housed is situated in the shrine jutting out into the sea, and one of the images is, according to history, sent floating onto the ocean by the most Pious Buddhist King, Asoka from India. There are wonders to be told about the pagoda and no wonder that the pagoda is the famed pilgrimage spot for the Myanmar Buddhists. Then drive to Setse Beach to enjoy the sea breeze. If the water was clear, the beach would be as popular as Phukhet!!

In the afternoon, drive back to Mawlamying, on the way visit most tranquil Phar Auk Meditation Center which lies in the deep forest. If you desire to learn meditation, that is a good place to carry out the plan. Peace and tranquility reign over the center except the chirping sound of birds and rippling spring that flows through the Meditators’ cottages. After exploring around the center, drive back to Mawlamying.

Overnight in Mawlamyine

After breakfast, visit Mawlamyaine Market. You will see a lot of seasonal fruits and vegetables and also foreign products mostly from Thailand. As the city lies on the trading trail to Thai Border, Thai products can be seen. The town is very prosperous from trading and smuggling too. Then drive to the jetty to take a boat to Bilu Kyun Island or Ogre Island.

After about half an hour boat cruising, you will arrive the Kalwee Jetty of Ogre Island and welcome by many Sea Ogres. Explore the island in a horse-cart to the villages where they make their living by home industries such as Smoking Pipes, Ballpoint Pens, Rubber Bands, Coconut-fiber Ropes and many other items. You may stop at some houses and tea shops to meet with the locals and talk with them about their daily life. Then drive back on a horse-cart to the jetty and transfer back to Mawlamying.

Overnight in Mawlamyine.

After breakfast, visit Kyaik Than Lan pagoda that overlooks the city. Nearby is the Famous Queen Sein Done’s Monastery where you will see very fine and delicate wood-carvings on the ceilings. Then drive to viewpoint where you can enjoy the looks to the Than Lwin river delta filled with many small islands and the old Molmein City with Colonial Buildings scattering here and there inside the town.

And then transfer to Mawlamyine-Pa An Ferry Jetty (The Ferry Departure Time may vary!) to take a boat ride to Pa An. The cruising on the Than Lwin River is best recommended in Myanmar. Among many sweet water rivers of Myanmar, Than Lwin river is the second longest and it has most clear water with the color of blue-green. Along the 5-6 hour boat ride you will feel like you are in the middle of the deep jungle. On the both side of river banks sometimes you will see the lime-stone mountains coming out to the sky like stalactites or skyscrapers. After the peaceful ferrying on the historic river Than Lwin, you will arrive Pa An, the capital city of Karen State. Karen is one of the major ethnic majorities of Myanmar Ethnic Groups and most friendly people. Upon arrival at Pa An Jetty, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

(If the ferry boat is not available on your departure day to Pha An, you can drive to Pha An by car and on the way, you may visit Kadoe Village where you can see the most beautiful Teak Wood Carvings on the single Teak Planks and colorful little figures explaining the Buddhist Stories. The monastery is donated by U Na Oak, the legendarily wealthy merchant who competed with the British Era Irrawaddy Floatilla Steam-ship Company that ran the River Transport.)

Overnight at Pa An

After breakfast, visit Zwekabin Mountain which is the symbol of Karen People on the top is the pagoda with the Buddha’s hair relic. You may go up to the mountain top approximately one hour to enjoy the panoramic view. Visit Kyauk Ka Lak Mountain Monastery where you can take the beautiful pictures. You can also visit Lumbini Park with 1000 Buddha’s images at the base of Mt. Zwekabin. A visit to Kawkon Cave should not be missed where you can see the terra-cottas on the walls of the natural limestone cave. The Cave is supposed to have been found out since 7th Century and the Buddhas in Terracotta are dating back to approximately 16th to 17th Century.

In the afternoon, drive to Kyaik Hto, the junction town to go up the Golden Rock. On the way you can stop at Bayintnyi Cave, also known as the younger brother of the king cave. You can explore the cave whose inner part is filled with many Buddha Images and natural sparkling stupas; Ruby Stupa, Sapphire Stupa. There is thermal whose stream flows from underneath the cave. You can take a hot shower at the hot spring right in front of the cave pagoda.

Then continue your drive to Kyaik Hto. Upon arrival at Kin Pun Base Camp, transfer by open-truck up to Hermit Hill. From there, wail about one hour to reach the Golden Rock. The trekking from Hermit Hill to the top is not very difficult meeting with Myanmar pilgrims on the way, encouraging each other.

After check-in at the hotel, walk to Golden Rock. Enjoy the marvel of the situation of the Rock and view the evening activities of many Myanmar Buddhist pilgrims. After sunset on the Golden Rock, walk back to your hotel.

Overnight at Golden Rock.

After breakfast, walk down to Hermit Hill and by open truck transfer to Kin Pun Base Camp. From there, drive to Kyaik Hto. You can visit Kyaik Hto Morning market where you can see a lot of local foods, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fish and prawns. Walk around in the market and take pictures. Talk to the vendors who are very friendly and not accustomed to the visits of foreigners.

Then, transfer to Kyaik Hto Train Station to enjoy the whole day train ride back to Yangon. The trains don’t go on a normal and punctual schedule, therefore if you like to go back to Yangon by your car, the car will be ready at standby at the station. Upon arrival at Yangon, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to International airport for the flight back home. End The Tour