5D SOUTHERN ADVENTURE

Mingalabar – Welcome to Myanmar!

Morning transfer to Yangon main railway station where you will board train for 2hrs/80km rail journey to Bago, one the old Mon kingdoms. Enjoy countryside scenery and mingle with the locals and learn a few words of Burmese. In Bago we meet our driver and visit some of the local highlights before continuing drive (1.5hrs) to Kin Pun base camp from where we travel on an open truck with local pilgrims for the next 12km to summit ridge of the mountain range. The Golden Rock, or Kyaikhtiyo as the Burmese call it, is a fascinating sacred boulder covered in gold leaf and balanced precariously on the edge of a cliff. Crowning the boulder is a small shrine believed to contain Buddha’s hair relics, the source of the gravity defying magic. A continual stream of pilgrims from Myanmar and Asia come to witness the wonder at least once in their life time. Enjoy the tranquil sunset, soak in the unique atmosphere and share in wonder with fellow monk, nun, and lay pilgrims.

Spend the day enjoying and exploring the spectacular landscape and country side of Hpa-An region on a guided private walking or cycling tour. Visit friendly local villages and farming communities in the proximity Zwekabin mountain. Marvel at the intriguing rock formation of Kyauk Kalap and the stalactites and -mites of 800m long Sadan limestone cave that pierces through the whole limestone range.  For lunch savour home cooked Kayin cuisine served in local family’s simple but cute garden. Continue the ride around Zwekabin range finally reaching a site of local “water park” swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing dip and cold drink if you need cooling down.  Cycle or transfer back to your hotel by tuk tuk (3 wheeler).

Alternative programme for those those not cycling:  Visit vegetarian Karen community where men wear old style top knot hairdo’s  and learn about their unique traditions and lifestyle.  

Drive (1,5hrs) to Mawlamyine capital of Mon state and fourth largest city in Myanmar. Mawlamyine was the first trading port and capital of the British Burma. Although river front of the city is modernising quickly many quaint old colonial era buildings remain tucked away more hinterland. Today we explore some the town highlights including the Mon Cultural museum show casing local heritage, old colonial era buildings including first Baptist church built by American missionary Judson who penned wrote English Burmese dictionary, old mosque built by Indian slaves and ornate Queen Sein Don’s palace monastery with nice carvings and detailing. The day ends with a sunset from the Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, immortalized in Rudyard Kipling’s poem that begins: “By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin’ lazy at the sea/ There’s a Burma girl a-settin’, and I know she thinks o’ me…”.

Take a stroll through morning market of Mawlamyaine, mingle with locals and stop for snack and morning tea or coffee at local tea shop.  Next drive to Bilu Island, a pleasant town that remains largely untouched by development. We pass through idyllic rice paddy fields, rustic villages and palm lined roads. A visit to cottage Industry workshops allows us to learn about the how local crafts such as walking sticks, wooden pipes and pens are made. Then we return back to Mawlamyine and drive back to Yangon approx 5-6hrs.