Southern Myanmar Classic

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Yangon

You will meet your guide on arrival, transfer and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Yangon (Rangoon), answer any questions you have, and make arrangements for the following day.

Yangon - located in the fertile delta region of central Burma (Myanmar), the former capital and waterfront city of Yangon with its crumbling British colonial mansions and ancient stupas, thriving restaurants and lively bars, is a melting pot of old and new. Home to over four million inhabitants, it's a sprawling city, the streets interspersed with parks and lakes, much of its allure stemming from the colourful street life. Marvel at the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, wander the cobblestone streets of Bogyoke Market or simply watch the rickshaw drivers in their striped longyis (sarongs) peddle lazily through the streets as you sip on a cup of tea at a roadside tea stall.

Set off to the heart of Yangon together with your guide in the afternoon. Begin with a visit to the octagonal Sule Pagoda. Originally an Indian structure but now Burmese, it is thought to be over 2,000 years old and said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha. Stroll through downtown Yangon with its faded colonial buildings and leafy boulevards and visit the beautiful colonial style Post Office. Watch the locals going about their daily business as you pass Mahabandoola Park, named after General Maha Bandula who fought against the British in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The park includes the Independence Monument, an obelisk which commemorates Burmese independence gained from the British in 1948. We will make a short visit to the China Town area to the local market in the evening and head back to hotel.

Day 2: Yangon – Dawei

This morning fly from Yangon to Dawei. Upon arrival to the Dawei airport you will be welcomed by our representative and proceed to your hotel for check in. Dawei, the capital of the Thanitaryi division is in the south of Myanmar. It is also known as Tavoy back in the colonial days. Dawei was one of the first cities settled by English after the first of the three Anglo-Burmese wars, as a result, the town has long history and interesting architecture building of colonial era.

Together with your guide, tour the former colonial town area and busy market where local people are busy selling their products and crafts. You will have the chance to make a short stop to visit a local family running their business of making pottery clay for generations. After that we will pay a visit to a typical cashew nut factory which is very interesting to observe how local people are working on many steps of producing quality baked cashew nuts. We will end the day in this peaceful town of Dawei in the evening by visiting to a 74-meter-long Shwe Thar Lyaung reclining Buddha. We will have the chance to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of sunset at the hill area about 15mins walking up to view point area of Sapar Taung.

Day 3: Dawei

In the morning, we will visit to the local market at the river side in Dawei. The colourful bustling market offers a lively atmosphere and a variety of local produce and household items made in Thailand, as well as avariety of vegetables, flowers and all sorts of fish from big to small.

After the market, set off toward the small town of Laung Lone. Drive through rice fields and rural villages in the Dawei Peninsula to reach San Lann village, the drive will take you about ½ an hour to the starting point for a walking journey to the San Lan village. The trek route will pass through the seasonal plantations and jungle area. Upon arrival in the village we visit the monastery and walk up to the small hill to enjoy overview the small beach area. Explore daily life of local people in rural fishing village and meet a local family for greets and chats. In the afternoon we will make our way back to Laung Lone and then to Dawei by land.

Day 4: Dawei

After breakfast, start the overland journey toward Mawlamying (about 370km), the third largest capital of the country. On the way at Ye’ town we will make rest stop and visit the Ko Yin Lay monastery, Mon style temples, walk up a bit further to the giant statue to view the panoramic surrounding forest area.

Continue toward Thanbyuzaya and visit the Railway Museum with small a locomotive of bygone days to commemorate the start point of the tragic railway, and Allied War Cemetery. Then travel toward Mawlamying on a narrow, winding road set with a bit bumpy way through the Southern plateau. On arrival direct transfer to your hotel and rest of your day will be free leisure time!

Day 5: Mawlamying and Hpa An

Mawlamying is an attractive town, a tropical area with hills at one side with a golden pagoda on top and the sea view on the other. Malamying is the capital city of Mon State, holding the number-third largest city in Myanmar with a population of over 33,000 people. The atmosphere with post-colonial decay is more palpable than in the developing cities like Yangon and Mandalay.

Together with your guide, visit to the bustling and busy Zyegyi Market in the morning. Walk through the downtown streets stopping to visit the historic and old colonial era building, mosque and other landmarks of the city. After that drive to BILU Island with small villages famous for local handy workshops producing tobacco pipe, local stone tablets, wood crafts etc.

In the afternoon just before we head to Hpa An, visit the Seindon Mibaya Kyaung, where King Mindon’s queen sought refuge and where unique wood carving walls and ancient statues can be seen. The drive to Hpa An will take about 2.5 hours on the country side road passing many typical villages of the country. Hpa An is the capital of Kayin State sitting in the middle of the surrounding beautiful landscape and mountain area containing large caves. Once you arrive in Hpa An in the late afternoon or evening, directly transfer to the hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Day 6: Hpa An

After breakfast, we will visit the bustling local market of Hpa Ann and the busy lively Thida street. Enjoy a visit to the river side temple before the Thanlwin Bridge and visit Kaw Koon Cave where Buddha figures are carved out of the wall of the cave. The Kyauk Kalat stupa is one of the local favorites with beautiful landscape against green mountains in the background. Together with guide, visit the paddy grow farms and walk into the Sa Dan Cave with the length of 2260 feet. At the end of the day we will head back to the hotel where you can enjoy your free leisure time (or view the sunset by the river).

Day 7: Hpa An - Yangon

This morning we drive to Kyakhtiyo. One of the most interesting and sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar, the sacred golden boulder is balanced precariously and legendarily some hairs of Buddha placed in the pagoda and prevent from falling. Once you are in Kyaikhto City you will proceed to the base camp of Kinpun where you take the local open truck to climb up the hill or cable car to reach to Yinpyin Daw base camp. From here a 10mins walk up will take you to Kyaikhtiyo (the Golden Rock) and its surrounding. There are a lot of local teashops and rest places as well as local souvenir shops, some small shops which you can try traditional Myanmar medicine made from woods.

In the afternoon, we will proceed back toward Yangon, overland drive will take about 3.5 hours to reach Yangon. Direct transfer to the hotel and rest of your day will be free leisure in Yangon.

Day 8: Yangon Departure

Enjoy your free leisure time in Yangon until transfer service for your onward departure flight from Yangon.