Myanmar with Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock Myanmar tour) (#2005)

Day 1: Yangon – Arrival (B)

Arrive at Yangon Airport, welcome by our local guide and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, sightseeing of Yangon starts with Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2000 years and have an afternoon tour of City Hall and other colonial buildings. From City Hall, walk to General Post office. On the way you will pass Pansodan Street with its old colonial buildings such as the beautiful building of Port Authority, which was the head office building of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in their golden colonial days. Enjoy a walk among the faded pastel shutters of colonial buildings in downtown Yangon. After that, drive to Mawtin Jetty to have a short Burmese style trickshaw ride. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Kyaiktiyo (B)

Early morning drive to Kyaiktiyo – Golden Rock (appr. 5 hrs. drive). On arrival at Kinmon Base Camp, take an open truck to Hermit Hill (appr. 45 mins drive). From here, continue the journey up to Golden Rock Pagoda on foot. This trail is sometimes steep, but it is smooth, and there are covered shelters every 50-100 meters to rest, and have a cold drink. Porters will be available to assist anyone who needs help, and “sedan chair” conveyance is available for those who do not wish to walk (nowadays you can take a pick up truck to reach with efforts to the holy place). Walk to the Golden Rock Pagoda, a small stupa placed atop the Golden Rock, a massive granite boulder. Covered with gold leaves, and precariously balanced over the edge of the mountain, it is reported to be held in place, “balanced on hairs of the Buddha”. Watch hundreds of pilgrims lighting candles, incense, and worshipping at this sacred monument, and enjoy the sun setting behind it. Enjoy the activities at the shrine. (for men only…)
Overnight in Kyaikhityo.

Day 3: Kyaiktiyo – Bago – Yangon (B)

After breakfast, you walk part way down the mountain, and then continue the journey by car to the small village of Kyaikhto. On the way, we visit the cashew nut plantation and rubber trees plantation. In Bago visit to the interesting Bago Market with varieties of vegetables, flower and commodity goods, the Shwethalyaung Pagoda (Reclining Buddha), the Shwemawdaw Pagoda and walk from there to the Hintha Gon Pagoda, the place where Bago was founded. Late afternoon return to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon

Day 4: Yangon – fly to Bagan (B)

Early morning flight to Bagan. Today enjoy the whole day at the most extensive archeological site in Asia. Bagan has over 2,000 temples and pagodas of various sizes in varying states of repair and spread across the plain. Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Gubyaukgyi, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes and Ananda Temple with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures and niches around the galleried interior. In the afternoon visit lacquer ware home industry; Manuha Temple built in Mon style from 1059 and Nanphaya Temple, said to have once been the residence of King Manuha; Enjoy the sunset over terraces of the Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5: Bagan – fly to Mandalay – Amarapura – Mandalay (B)

Take a morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival drive to Amarapura, the “City of Immortals”, and visit the 150 year old Mahagandayon monastery, the famous Buddhist learning center. It is home to a thousand monks, who will form a procession as they go to take their noon and final meal of the day. Amarapura was the capital of upper Burma until 1850. As was the custom, most of the important wooden palaces and monasteries were taken down and transported to the new capital in Mandalay. Apart from Pagodas that have survived, the ancient art of silk and cotton weaving, using handlooms, is very much alive. Visit the over 150 year old U Bein teak wood bridge. Later in the afternoon continue to the Mahamuni Pagoda, built by King Bodawpaya in 1784, hosting the revered Mahamuni image, cast in the 1st Century and now covered in thick gold leaves; Shwenandaw monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Atumashi monastery (Incomparable Monastery); Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures and finally climb Mandalay Hill for the sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 6: Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake (B)

Take a morning flight to Heho. On arrival drive to Nyaung Shwe, a town at the north of Inle Lake. From there take a motorized longtail boat on Inle Lake (25 km) famous for its unique one-leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, contorted because of the quantity of applied gold leaf, gifts from the believers. The Buddha images are reported to have come here in the 12th Century. In the afternoon, proceed to the silk weaving village of In Phaw Khon and visit Nga Phe Chaung (the biggest and oldest monastery around Inle Lake). Overnight at Inle Lake or in Nyaungshwe.

Day 7: Inle Lake – Heho – fly to Yangon (B)

After breakfast, drive to Nyaung Shwe and visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, which is more than 150 years old. This monastery is a favourite spot for photographers because of its unusual oval shaped windows. Don’t miss the Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda just next to the monastery. Then drive to Heho and take a flight to Yangon. Afternoon sightseeing starts with Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda (a huge reclining Buddha), Karaweik Hall, a Royal floating barge on the Royal Lake for a photo stop. Late in the afternoon, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda described by Somerset Maugham: “The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city.” This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, Temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the Pagoda. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 8: Yangon – Departure (B)

After breakfast continue sightseeing of Yangon: the splendid National Museum, including the gem-studded royal regalia and the Lion Throne of King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last kings of the Myanmar Kingdom. In the afternoon you have enough time to wander around the sprawling Bogyoke Market through fascinating local neighborhoods. Transfer to the Yangon International Airport for the departure flight.

Prices until 31.12.2024

Price is nett per person in US$, twin shared basis, tax, service charge included in the party of

Group of 1 pax is already in single room. From 2 pax up, single room’s supplement is on request

Please note:

• Prices are a guide line only. Please kindly contact us to get the best price as due to the fluctuation of the exchange rate as well as hotels might be already fully booked on your requested date (we then have to switch to a similar hotel category) the rates vary. Best is to get your travel period and your specific travel requirements.
• Also, during Christmas and New Year time some hotels charge compulsory Christmas and New Year Eve Dinners. Some hotels only announce these shortly before the Christmas holidays. Please contact us for further information.
• Interested in other class of hotels or customizing this tour as per your wish? Please email us for details

Price inclusive

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a double/twin room.
• Domestic flights with with Air Mandalay, Air Bagan, Asian Wings, Yangon Air or Air Kanbawza
• Boat on Inle Lake
• Air-con car/van/bus throughout the tour
• Open truck for base camp – hermit hill – base camp
• English speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination). Free days or part days will not include the services of a guide unless requested and included in the final itinerary.
• Entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
• Porter fees at the airports and jetties..

Price exclusive

• Peak season surcharge: public holidays and Christmas Eve (24/12) and New Year Eve
• International flight tickets and airport tax from/to Yangon
• Visas fees
• Early check-in and late check-out
• Porter fees at the hotels
• Camera fees (if any)
• Travel insurance
• Dinners, except as specified above
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses, bank handling fees, balloon over Bagan, etc…

Hotels used for Superior class

Hotels used for First class