5 Day Yangon - Golden Rock - Hpa An - Mawlamyine

The tour starts in Kyaikhtiyo, in the south of Myanmar after a 5-hour drive to visit a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mon State, Golden Rock.

On the way, we will go to Kyakhta Wine Monastery in Bago to learn the literature of Buddha and explore the life of young monks living in Monastery. Then visit Kyaik Pun Pagoda located by the Four Seated Buddha statues facing different directions.

After coming to the base camp in Kyaikhtiyo, we will catch a local open-air truck to the junction camp and Golden Rock after that. Because it only starts when it is full of passengers, you should be patient (from the junction camp to Golden Rock, it takes 45 minutes to walk. You can walk if you wish).

Walking to the Golden Rock Pagoda in 10 minutes after open truck travel. The pagoda is famous for being built on top of granite big rock covered by gold leaves made by the devotees.

Take your lunch and dinner by yourself. Overnight nearby Golden Rock. Significant notes for traveling to Golden Rock.

What to Pack:

• Sturdy shoes because of the steep way to Golden Rock
• A lightweight jacket, pullover, and scarf due to the cold at night
• Backpack or small overnight back
• Porters: You can hire porters on your own if you want to bring your suitcases. The porter fee is not included in the package tour.

It is optional to get up early and visit Golden Rock and enjoy fresh air, stunning sunrise and an interesting view of local pilgrims around the rock to do offerings in the early morning.

Return to Kinpun camp on an open truck and catch the car to Hpa An in 3 hours after breakfast at your hotel to visit the capital of Kayun State and the house of Kayin ethnic group.

On the way, you will visit Thaton, the old capital of the Monique Kingdom, and the Bayin Nyi cave, which has a lake of hot springs, a wonderful view of the temple surroundings, and a memorable cave.

Explore the amazing Kaw Gun cave where over 2000 stone pads have Mon inscriptions and many Buddha figures in Hpa An. Then you will see the attractive Kyauk Ka Lap monastery, which is famous for its formation and location on a small island (crossing the bridge to visit).

An excellent place to admire the sunset from the river is to walk on the riverbank of Thanlyin or enter the Shwe Yin Myaw pagoda.

Lunch and Dinner on our own. Overnight in Hpa An.

Remark: The tourist destinations above can be changed in accordance with the time available (today or the next day).

Explore Hpa An to see local markets selling all types of items, Lake Kantharyar, Lumbini garden, etc after breakfast.

Afterwards, you travel to a suburb of the city to visit Thamanya Monastery, in honor of the former head of the abbey of monks “Thamanya Sayadaw” who passed away in 2003. He greatly supported the hero of Burmese democracy-Aung San Suu Kyi and assisted a number of people by raising funds and giving advice in the educational field to the Burmese.

Next, we will visit the Ein Du which is well known for special long-lasting weaving of Kayin clothes done by smart women to know more about the life of local people. Enjoy the fresh air while walking around the natural Kayin village of Lakanar. Carry on experiencing the marvelous mountain view  to Shaung Tone village where the locals are vegetarians and put on the traditional Kayin clothes.

Lunch and Dinner by yourself. Overnight in Hpa-An.

Optional: Hike to Mount Zwekabin which is the highest limestone mountain surrounding Hpa An (about 4 hour ascent/descent). It is demanding to climb to the top but the view is really amazing and worth it for the “winner”.

On day four, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive to Mawlamyine which is a harbor city along the Thanlin River in Mon State and enjoy the amazing view on the way.

On the way, we will explore U Nar Ouk village (village of Kadoe Kanat). U Nar Ouk assisted local trading with well known local boat enterprises as well as funded and constructed several antique arts and crafts to decorate in the colonial time. 

Now is Mawlamyine and a city tour starts with different highlights such as Kyaik Ma Yaw pagoda with the palm street; Mahamuni pagoda; Seindon Mibaya Kyaung place the Queen of King Mindon sought refuge and the first Baptist church.

With the nice weather, you can admire the sunset along the Thanlin River as a way to end this day.

Lunch and Dinner by yourself. Overnight at a hotel in Mawlamyine.

We will return to Yangon after breakfast (299 km within 6 to 7 hours), see the stunning view and local life. Visit Bago with Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda and Shwe Thahlayung Pagoda while traveling.

You will be transferred to your hotel in Yangon (the hotel fee today is not included in the tour package).

In Yangon in the late afternoon. Lunch and Dinner by yourself.

End of the tour!