Extension From Yangon

(EGTM-05) Yangon-Golden Rock-Malaw-Myine-Yangon
 

Day (1) Yangon-Bago-Golden Rock
Early morning, drive out of Yangon to the ancient capital of Bago (Pegu), about 2 hours drive north east of Yangon. Just outside Bago, visit Kyaikpun Pagoda with four 30 metre high Buddha figures seated back to back. From Bago, drive through seemingly endless paddy fields to the small town of Kyaikto and on to the 'base camp' of Kinpun. In the afternoon take a truck up a bumpy track about half way up the mountain. From here, walk up the path which climbs steeply to the legendary 'Golden rock'. (The climb takes around 1 hour and those unwilling, or not fit enough, to walk can hire four porters to carry them in a sedan chair). The climb offers magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the opportunity to make friends with t he many local people who make the pilgrimage to Kyaiktiyo. The incredible 'Golden Rock' sis precariously on top of the mountain, and is said to balance thanks to a precisely placed hair of Buddha. Weather permitting, sunset views form Mount Kyaiktiyo ae amazing. Accommodation at Kyaiktiyo.

Day (2) Golden Rock-Mawlamyine
Breakfast. Early risers may enjoy returning to the Golden Rock; to watch the sunrise. After then, walk down the mountain and return by truck to your car or alternatively walk all the way down to the base camp at Kinpun. Drive south towards Mawlamyine (Moulmein), through seemingly endless rice fields. In the afternoon, visit the Sa Dan Cave. This cave has a length of 2260 ft with many stalagmites and a natural lake at the end of the cave. Also visit the Kaw Koon Cave where Buddha figures are carved out of the wall of the cave. Drive to Mawlamyine, where you will arrive late afternoon. Accommodation at Mawlamyine.

Day (3) Mawlamyine
Breakfast. Depart Mawlamyine and drive south to Win Sein Toya, near Mudon, where the largest reclining Buddha in the world is under construction. Continue to Kyeik Ma Yaw to se a big sitting Buddha housed in a pagoda, and return to Mawlamyine. In the afternoon, visit Mawlamyine's small museum (if open) and the local market. We will make photo stops at some interesting old colonial-style houses, a mosque and churches. Late afternoon, drive up into the nearby hills which are home to many pagodas and monasteries. Visit Mahamuni Pagoda, built in typical Mon style, with covered walkways linking the various square shrine buildings. Visit the Yadana Bon Myint monastery with beautiful woodcarvings showing the previous life of Buddha. Visit also Kyaiktanlan Pagoda, the tallest in the city, and the nearby view point to enjoy beautiful sunset views over the marabous and out across the River Accommodation at Mawlamyine.

Day (4) Mawlamyine-Yangon
Early breakfast. Return to Yangon by road. On the way, stop in Thaton which was once the centre of a Mon kingdom that may have stretched as far east as Combodia. You will visit Shwezayan Pagoda, home to a famous standing Buddha stele in the classic Mon style, with interesting stone carvings dating back to the 10th century. Drive back to Bago and visit Shwemawdaw Pagoda which has a stupa inlaid with diamonds and is Bago's golden landmark. See Shwethalyaung Buddha, which dates from 994 and is revered throughout Myanmar as the most beautiful Reclining Buddha. An optional visit is included on the way back to Yangon at the British War Cemetery near Htauk Kyan. Accommodation at Yangon.

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~~~ Sightseeing ~~~
 

Yangon
 

Mandalay
 

Bagan

Inle Lake

Taunggyi
 

Mrauk U

Kyaikhityo