Tour Program
Day 1: Yangon-Hpa An
9am, check out from hotel and drive to Hpa An, 270 kilometres east of Yangon about 6hours drive. The setting itself, the surrounding caves and mountains to explore, and the laid back atmosphere are the highlights of the area.
Upon arrival Hpa An, check-in hotel first. Today we explore downtown of Hpa An such as great views of Zwegabin from the attractive Kan Thar Yar Lake, Zaydan Road in the center of town, Kayin Cultural Museum and enjoy sunset from Shwe Yin Myawe Pagoda riverfront of views over the Thanlwin river.
Day 2: Hpa An – Mawlamyaing (B)
8.30am, leave from hotel and start visit to significant caves such as Mt. Zwegabin the highlight of Hpa-An, stunning Sadan Cave, which opens into a gigantic cavern filled with Buddhas and pagodas, Yathapyan and Kawgun caves are pictures and hold substantial religious and historical value.
On the way to Mawlamyaing, stop at Kyauk Kalap a unique pagoda set on top of an unusual rock formation in the middle of a (man-made) lake and great photo opportunities.
Hotel check-in and relax.
Day 3: Mawlamying – Thanbyuzayat (B)
In the morning, we see The Venerable Win Sein Taw Ya the world’s largest reclining Buddha Image, Pa Auk Taw Ya Monastery, 8.5 miles south of Mawlamyine, the monastery teaches satipatthana vipassana (insight-awareness meditation) and, at 500 acres, is one of the largest meditation centres in Myanmar.
Thanbyuzayat, 40 miles south of Mawlamyine, was the western terminus of the infamous Burma–Siam Railway, dubbed the ‘Death Railway’ by the thousands of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and Asian labourers who were forced by the Japanese military to build it. Half a mile west of town lies the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, containing 3771 graves of Allied POWs who died building the railway.
Then back to Mawlamyaing (1.30hours for 63km), Kyaikthanlan Pagoda is the highest structure in Mawlamyine and was probably the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘The Road to Mandalay’ and good for sunset. Then continuously the beautiful panorama view all around, over the city, the bay with its islands and the ointerior from Santawshin Pagoda.
Day 4: Mawlamyaing – Yangon (B)
Visit the bustling, pungent market deals mainly in fish landed at the nearby riverfront, as well as other produce.
100-year-old monastery is famed for being the place where Queen Seindon.
Then directly drive to Yangon about 5hours (221km). Drop at hotel in Yangon.
