Extension From Yangon

(EGTM-08) Yangon-Sittwe-Mrauk-Yangon
 

Day (1) Yangon-Sittwe (By Flight)
Transfer from your hotel to Yangon Airport. Air Mandalay flight from Yangon to Sittwe. Transfer from Sittwe. From Airport to your hotel or guest house. Sittwe, known to the Bengalis as "Akyab", is in Rakhine State and used to be a busy trading 7 port. Visit the local market where all kinds of fish and seafood are on sale. Stop at a Buddhist Museum in the grounds of a monastery ad see the interesting collection of Rakhine-style Buddha images, silver coins from the Mrauk-U era and engraved astrological charts. Visit a pagoda and make photo stops at one or more of the mosques, evidence of the large Muslim community in Sittwe. At sunset, drive out along Strand Road past fishing boats to The Point, at the mouth of the Kaladan River. There are some interesting shale and sandstone rock formations, as well as fabulous views over a black sand beach stretching for miles towards Bangladesh along the edge of the Bay of Bengal. In the evening go for a walk in downtown Sittwe where local people sit on the pavements outside their homes enjoying the cool evening air. Accommodation at Sittwe.

Day (2) Sittwe-Mrauk U (By Boat)
Breakfast. Transfer to Sittwe jetty for departure by private boat (depending on availability) or public boat to Mrauk-U. The journey on the Kaladan River takes from 4 to 7 hours (depending on boat and river conditions) through changing scenery, upriver towards the hills surrounding Mrauk-U. Arrive in Mrauk-U in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel or guest house. Mrauk-U (once known as Myo Haung) was Rakhine's capital in the 15th century, whines it enjoyed great wealth and was an important commercial port. A visitor described it as one of the richest cities in Asia. Little remains of this wealth but Mrauk-U have great charm with its many local markets, solid wooden horses, canals, hills and friendly people. Some of the ancient pagodas ad ruins can be visited on foot from the town, whilst others require a bullock cart or vehicle). Depending on exact time of arrival of the boat and to drive to Wetthali (Vesali) a kingdom founded in the 4th century which prospered for some 400 years. The ruined city walls and moat give you and idea of the size of the former city. See the Great Image of Su Taun Prai, a 5 meter sitting Buddha in Rakhine style which is said to have been carved out of one piece of rock. From Wethali, continue towards Kyauktaw and visit Mahamuni Pagoda, according to legend the original site of Mandalay's famous bronze Buddha image. Nowadays, three stone images sit on the pedestal which was once home to the Mahamuni Buddha. Retune to Mrauk-U and accommodation at Mrauk-U.

Day (3) Mrauk U-Chin Tattoo-Mrauk U
After Breakfast, start a scenic journey and very bumpy road by car about 30 minutes to the village. And then continue to go to Tattoo Village by (boat about 2 hours) boat to Tattoo Chin Village of the Lay Too Chin Minority. The chin minority are probably best known for their colorful fabrics and tattoo face, a century old tradition not practiced anymore in our modern times. We will be visit to another tattoo chin area and going back to Mrauk U. Lunch at local restaurant at the Mrauk-U. In the afternoon, visit the museum which houses ancient stone slabs with inscriptions and an interesting collection of Rakhine-style Buddha images. Then see some of the temples of Mrauk-U which nestle amongst hills, streams and leafy trees. Most famous is Shittaung, perhaps the best preserved pagoda, ad home to some 80000holy Buddha images. The large central stupa is flanked by 33 smaller ones, rising from platform to platform, similar in style to Indonesia's Borobudur. Inside the Pagoda is like a make and it's fascinating to wander though the interior passages, admiring relief's and Buddha images in niches. Visit Andaw Pagoda, and eight seeded monument which is smaller than Shittaung but with a similar linear layout. Opposite Sittaung, visit Dakkkanthein "ordination hall", a construction of literate and sandstone bricks which resembles a he bunker from the outside. See also laungbankpyauk Pagoda, locally known as "plate pagoda" because a wall at the front is embedded wit plate-like tiles in bright colours. Late afternoon, go to Shwetaung from where there is a good view over Mrauk-U. Accommodation at Mrauk-U.

Day (4) Mrauk U- Sittwe (By Boat)
After Breakfast, visit to colourful vegetables Market. Trasfer to jetty for departure by private boat or public ferry back to Sittwe. Arrive in Sittwe in the afternoon and enjoy wandering through the town, or relaxing on the beach. Accommodation at Sittwe.

Day (5) Sittwe-Yangon (By Flight)
Early morning having breakfast and then visit to fish Market along the strand road and local hand weaving testily. In the afternoons transfer to Sittwe airport for return to Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to Hotel. After lunch return to Hotel and your leisure time. Overnight in Yangon.

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~~~ Sightseeing ~~~
 

Yangon
 

Mandalay
 

Bagan

Inle Lake

Taunggyi
 

Mrauk U

Kyaikhityo