5-Day Distinctive Southeastern Myanmar with Elephant Coach

Downloaded on: 9 Oct 2021

Tour code: PKRADSED Tour type

( Private )

Tour Level: Relaxed / Easy Tour Comfort: Luxury Tour Period: 5 Days

Spanish,English,French,German,Russian Yangon, Bago, Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock), Hpa An, Mawlamyine highlights tour details

Travel in style with Luxurious Elephant Coach Unique way of traveling in Myanmar with the lavishly restored post- Overland drive to the scenic south-eastern Myanmar Colonial Chevrolet passenger bus, combining old carriage fashion and Visit the famous pilgrimage site of Golden Rock on Kyaikhtiyo modern comfort interior. Easily overlooked by tourists in the rush to mountain head north from Yangon, south-eastern Myanmar more than justifies Explore the beautiful religious caves in Hpa-An a diversion. This tour to Kayin and Mon State will offer a wonderful Observe the ancient art and rich culture at U Nar Auk Monastery experience to visit the picturesque and inspiring destinations in Exploring Mawlamyaing's streets to observe the colonial heritages Myanmar. and religious sites Visit the famous death railway at Thanbyuzayat and imagine the old colonial days in Myanmar why choose this tour?

Transportation with lavishly restored post-Colonial Chevrolet, Elephant Coach, to the most scenic southeastern part of Myanmar An opportunity to explore the majestic Golden Rock, exotic Hpa-An and Mawlamyaing area Visit to Hpa-An and its most important religious caves Observing the stunning architectures and admirable historic background of U Nar Auk Monastery Stepping back in time at the memorial Allied War Graves cemetery near Htauk Kyant

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com

tour description

Day 1 : YANGON - BAGO - KYAIKHTIYO (GOLDEN ROCK) (-/L/-)

Pick up from your Yangon hotel by the luxurious Chevrolet bus, Elephant Coach and drive to Bago (84 km, 1 'bd hours). En route, visit a tree shrine dedicated to legendary animist spirits known as 'nats'. Then visit the impressive Allied War Graves cemetery near Htauk Kyant, the last resting place of over 6300 Allied soldiers and home to a memorial of 27,000 more. A stop is made in the handicraft village that produces woven bamboo wares. Arrive Bago with a brief stop at Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four giant Buddha images before you visit the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old, and whose tip is even taller than that of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda. Continue to the 55-metre-long reclining Shwe Thalyaung Buddha image, one of the country's most revered objects. Visit the Maha Kalayani Sima (ordination hall) and Mahazedi (Great Stupa), offering panoramic views. Lunch at Khaing Khaing Kyaw Restaurant. After lunch, continue to Kin Pun (110 km, 3 'bd hours) from where you will leave the Elephant Coach and take a truck to get to the top of the mountain, The Golden Rock. Accommodation at Mountain Top Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, near Kyaikhtiyo

Day 2 : KYAIKHTIYO - THAHTON - HPA-AN (B/L/-)

Departure from Kyaiktiyo and return to the base camp to hop in the Elephant Coach for Hpa-An (115 km - 6 hours). On the way, make a stop in Thaton, former capital of the Mon Kingdom. Lunch is served at a simple local restaurant. Arrive into Hpa-An and visit Bayintnyi Caves. Just about 30minutes drive outside Thaton, lies this famous monastery known for its natural hot springs and a cave up in the rocks full of Buddha statues. The cave itself is not very big, but houses some interesting Buddha Statues. Nice view from the entrance over the plains full of paddy fields. Then, visit to Kawh Goon Cave. This cave is by far the most interesting. The entrance to the cave is covered with hundreds of small terracotta votive tablets which are plastered up to the ceiling - some are tiny, some are big. Just outside Hpa-An lies the interesting Kyauktalat Monastery. This monastery is known for its unique shape and location on a tiny island (access via a bridge). Very peaceful atmosphere. Evening stroll along the Thanlwin river in Hpa-An. Accommodation at Hpa - An Lodge (Kayin Cottage) or similar, Hpa-An

Day 3 : HPA-AN - MAWLAMYINE (B/L/-)

This morning, you will be taken by the boat along the Thanlwin River to Mawlamyaing. This is one the highlights of the trip: the tour takes 2 hours. Beautiful river scenery and hardly any other boats to be seen during the journey. Half-way stop in the village of Kadow. This sleeping village offers great opportunities to discover simple rural life. Stroll through the narrow main lane of the village, talk and laugh with the local community. Visit the U Nar Auk Monastery which houses fantastic reliefs displaying the history of Buddha's life. Alternatively, you can hire motorbike taxis. Arrival in Mawlamyaing, the capital of Mon State.

HPA-AN - MAWLAMYINE BY CAR (May to September) This morning, drive out from Hpa-An to Mawlamyaing (Approximately 1 'bd hours), the capital city of Mon state. With its colonial buildings and its leafy tropical coastal setting, Mawlamyaing has a charm of its own distinct from any other town or city. On the way, stop by the U Nar Auk Monastery which houses fantastic reliefs displaying the history of Buddha's life. Alternatively, you can hire motorbike taxis.

Afternoon sightseeing in and around Mawlamyaing starts after lunch. Visit the Mon State National Museum where traditional music instruments, clothes and old Mon language scripts are displayed. Sightseeing continues with the Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyaikthanlan

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Pagoda (known as the Kipling Pagoda) and Seindon Mibaya Kyaung, where King Mindon's wife sought refuge. These religious buildings are all situated on a mountain range from where beautiful sunsets can be observed. Transfer to your hotel afterwards. Accommodation at Hotel Suggati (Deluxe City View) or similar, Mawlamyine

Day 4 : MAWLAMYINIE - THANBYUZAYAT - KYAIKKAMI - MAWLAMYINE (B/L/-)

In the morning, visit the local Zegyi market. Before leaving Mawlamyaing, visit the small town of Mudon (20 km - 1 hour). The area between Mawlamyaing and Mudon is very fertile and well known for its rubber plantations and the numerous seasonal fruits. A huge reclining Buddha can be seen en route. Stop at Kyaukdalone, a Buddhist Stupa and a Hindu temple facing each other. Depart Mawlamyaing and drive south to Win Sein Toya, where the largest reclining Buddha in the world can be discovered. Stop at Thanbyuzayat, formerly the western terminus of the infamous 'Death Railway' on which Allied Prisoners of War were forced to work by the Japanese military. An estimated 16000 prisoners died, of which 3771 have graves in immaculately maintained Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery. Continue driving to Kyaikkami, a small seaside resort known as Amherst during the British era. You will visit Ye-le Pagoda, which is perched over the sea and reached by a two level bridge (the lower level is submerged at high tide). This shrine is said to house a Buddha image which floated on a raft from Sri Lanka and landed at this spot near Kyaikkami. Look out for the shrine built in the shape of a boat. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return to Mawlamyaing and visit the small museum (if open) and the local market. There will be photo opportunities on the way, at some interesting old colonial-style houses, a mosque and churches. Accommodation at Hotel Suggati (Deluxe City View) or similar, Mawlamyine

Day 5 : MAWLAMYINE - YANGON (B/L/-)

Optional train from Mawlamyine to Yangon: You have the possibility to return by train from Mawlamyine to Yangon. The train departs at 08.30 hrs and arrives Yangon at 18.00 hrs (approximately). Train journeys have to be considered as 'adventurous' as the wagons have little comfort. The trail is bumpy and the train runs at slow speed. Some wagons have air-condition, but not all. However, these journeys are a wonderful experience to see more of the local life.

Full day drive back to Yangon. (Approximately 6 - 7 hours). Lunch at local Restaurant (or packed lunch for train option). Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to hotel. customise the tour

Combine with Yangon excursions Take a cable ride from Yathetaung to earn a panoramic view of hazy mountain ranges Unlimited photos opportunity throughout the trip includes excludes

All sightseeing tour and transfer services with luxurious private Myanmar visa fee Elephant Coach as detailed in the itinerary Optional train tickets from Mawlamyine to Yangon Join-in transfer on truck from the base camp to the upper camp Accommodation at hotel in Yangon Meals as specified in the itinerary (5 lunches and breakfast) Surcharges for language guides

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(B=Breakfast and L=Lunch) The use of a sedan chair to go up or down the mountain All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the programme Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, Transfers and tours with English-speaking guide camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. Boat service from Hpa-An to Mawlamyine Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme Service charges, room tax and baggage handling Drinks with meals Accommodation at hotels as above mentioned or similar Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak Filtered drinking water and wet towels during the tour season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking (Peak season in general is between 15 December to 15 January and 13-17 April Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness) notes

Hotel prices for packages are quoted bases on hotels as mentioned or similar. Higher or lower categories can be requested and the price will be adjusted. The hotels featured in the package tour are subject to availabilities at the time of booking. Meals at respective hotels are also included in the hotel prices if the itineraries mention lunch or dinner at hotel. Additional charges during Festive Season: Christmas, New Year and the Water festival period may apply. Supplements for compulsory Gala Dinners will be advised at the time of booking. All hotels have special booking and deposit conditions and will be indicated at the time of booking. Nonrefundable deposits may be required.

Important Notes for Golden Rock: The road from the base camp up to the Golden Rock has to be done by special dedicated trucks. You are not allowed to drive up there with your own vehicle. These open trucks are equipped with narrow benches on the back. During the raining season, the platform around the Pagoda can be slippery due to rain or mist. It is advisable to carry a torch light as there are frequent power cuts. You are advised to only carry a light duffle bag or hand carry as your big luggage will stay in the car/bus at the base camp. The Golden Rock Pagoda does regular gilding in a three year cycle. During this time, the rock will be covered in bamboo scaffolding. Prior notice is not given and exact schedule for the work are not really available. Accommodation: The Mountain Top Hotel is located on the top of the mountain, whereas the Golden Rock Hotel is located near the upper camp (5 minutes' walk from the truck stop). More hotels are located near the base camp on in/near the village of Kyaiktiyo. Depending on where you stay, the program will need to be adjusted in terms of driving up and down the hill. Sunsets and sunrises on the platform can only be seen if you stay at the Mountain Top Hotel. A footpath goes up from the Golden Rock hotel to the top. The walk uphill takes around 45 minutes whereas downhill will take around 30 minutes. This path during the rainy season can be slippery.

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com