SOUTHERN MYANMAR DISCOVERY

After breakfast we proceed to the train station by taxi. The train moves slowly through the outskirts of Yangon, ideal for getting an idea of the daily life along the train tracks. An attraction in Bago is the main market with a wide range of local products, especially wood carved items. We will visit the Snake temple before we have for lunch. Buddhists throw money at the snack before the quickly say a prayer and leave.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Bago, we continue 3.5hrs/110km to Kin Pun base camp to change our mode of transport to an open truck. The ride is shared with local pilgrimage makers for the next 11km to Yathetaung base camp, located 500m below the summit ridge. From here you can walk up the steep hill (1 hr) or stay on the truck to drive up.
The Golden Rock, or Kyaiktiyo 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 Buddhas 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, nuns, and lay pilgrims.

Wake up early for lovely sunrise views and a quiet morning stroll. Breakfast at the hotel before descending back to the Kinpun base camp. We drive to the quaint Karen State capital of Hpa-An, visiting enroute Thaton, one of the ancient Mon kingdoms, and the Thamanya Monastery, the home of one of Myanmar’s most revered monks.
After Lunch we drive to Hpa An. Our first visiting point is Lumbini Garden with Mt. Zwekabin as a scenic backdrop. The 1000 Buddha statues and the 722 Meter high mountain are giving the place a mystic touch. We enjoy traditional Mon lunch at a nearby local restaurant. In the late afternoon we visit the bat cave, where more than thousands of bats come out every night to find food. The sky is darkening and it is said they fly as far as Mawlamyine to still there hunger.

After breakfast, we take the boat to Mawlamyine (not 100% sure in June). Enjoy the scenic drive along the Thanlwin River. (Moulmein), the 4th largest city of Myanmar as well as 1st capital of British Burma, boasting of intact colonial era buildings. We visit the Mon Cultural Museum with its displays of bronze, silverware, ceramics and sculptures (closed on Sundays and Public Holidays).
After Lunch and check into your hotel we visit a Clay Pottery workshop nearby Mawlamyine. Until today it is the same method used for centuries. The clay from the rice paddies, craft-woman-ship and the burning are all the same. Moulmein is still a trading town. We take some time to visit old and the new market in Mawlamyine and have a chat with the shop keeper and a snack here and there.
We visit the 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…”.

After breakfast we will leave for the 160 Kilometers we need to drive today to Ye. Our first stop will be Thanbyuzayat. It is located about 34 km from Mawlamyine and starting point of the Death Railway connecting Myanmar (Thanbyu Zayet Station) and Thailand (Bang Pong Station) with the Bridge over River Kwai, constructed by the Japanese during WWII. This Death Railways was started in May 1943 and official opened on 25th October 1943. The newly erected war Railway museum is well worth a visit.
After Lunch we leave for Ye. The roads become narrower and the villages along the way smaller.10 Miles before YE we will stop to visit the Banana Mountian from where you can overlook the whole Ye valley. The tower at the top with its nine levels and nine different decorations are well worth a climb. After arrival in Ye we refresh at our hotel. If there is enough time we can enjoy a marvelous sunset from the Ye Railway Bridge.

After breakfast on will start our journey over a stunning mountain range, which divides the Tanintharyi Division and the Mon State. Before we leave we will visit Ye’s Train Station, which tracks seem to lead only into the jungle. We will talk about the railway tracks, which have been only finished in 2003.
On the way we have to the chance to cool our legs in the clear waters which run directly down from the mountains (seasonal). Proper bridges been still build to replace the old Bailey bridges from colonial times. In the early afternoon we reach Dawei, which is the capital of Tanintharyi Division in the south of the Myanmar, formerly known as Tavoy. Dawei was one of the first cities, where the English settled after the 1st Anglo-Burmese in 1826. The Tavoyian accent is remarkable. People from Yangon say they can’t understand a word. A traditional water pot dance, where girls balance 3 or more clay pots filled with water is one of the cultural highlights.
After check into your hotel for refreshments we go for a stroll along the river to stretch our legs. Local people do their washings and youngster as well as old play cane ball. Life can be so easy if you don’t stress yourself.

After breakfast we will take a look around to get a picture of Dawei’s daily life and famous sights. On our tour we will have a little excurse in traditional Southern Myanmar medicine. A family owned cashew nut business with its ever smiling workers will show us how much work it is to peel one nut (seasonal). We will stop by at old colonial buildings and get to know what their purpose was.
How people can make a living in Dawei is the question we will ask at the start of this day. By the end we hope you have all the answer you need. Most of the farming nowadays are rubber plantations. How the white rubber sheets are made we will show you at one of the uncountable plantations. Beside the rubber trees there is another big industry, dried fish. How long fish has to lay in the sun we can find out at one of the fishing villages. Everywhere in Tanintharyi Division you can find beetle nut trees. They even export the beetle nuts to India. We take you out to San Maria Beach. The locals never heard of San Maria Beach as a foreigner named it that way. The reason is unclear, but it is said the real name Myawyik Beach is hard to pronounce.
The nearby Myawyik Pagoda is connected by bridge to the mainland. We will have lunch overlooking the sea and continue to find a spot to listen only to the waves and the sand. Before we enjoy relaxed and uncrowded beach atmosphere at Maung Ma Gan Beach with a sun downer and a delicious seafood dinner, we have the chance to wash down the salt at the local hot springs. Return to Dawei after a fabulous sunset.

After breakfast we leave for Myeik. These 230 kilometers (min 6 hrs) of road have been closed for foreigners for a long time, so people were taking planes from Yangon. In the past even locals needed a permit to pass that road. Our drive takes us through tiny villages. We will stop every now and then to discover the daily lives of the rural community. Just sit down and let the cinema begin as villagers start to gather around you. Enroute, we will have lunch in a local restaurant.
After arrival at your hotel we leave the later afternoon to your own leisure.

After check in we will explore Myeik. It is one of the richest port towns in Myanmar. Already in the early 17th century the East India Trading Company were unloading their ships at the port of Myeik. Most of the goods would go inland and from there up to Tanintharyi and further on to the old capital of Siam Ayutthaya. We will talk about its incredibly interesting history. “BEIK” as the locals call there hometown produces everything for the fishing industry what is needed. Have you ask yourself where all the ice comes from to keep the seafood fresh?
The pearl industry is another of Myeik’s local specialties. How difficult it is to cultivate them will be explained at the Pearl Trading Shop, which is run by the same family for over a hundred years. We are going to visit a soft shell crab farm and learn about the interesting farming process. As many nations came together the local cuisine became a mix of Burmese, Thai, Malaysian and Indian. We can have a taste of it at the local snack market.
In the later afternoon we leave from Seik Nge jetty with a traditional wooden boat to Pahtaw Island (10mins) to visit the reclining Buddha. After a short hike we can enjoy the panoramic sunset views from the top of the hill.

After breakfast we will start our discovery of the Mergui Archipelago. We leave from Seik Nge Jetty (Main Jetty) in Myeik. We observe the daily life of the fishermen during a short visit of one of the villages along the way. After about 2 hours cruise along pristine waters we reach an inhabitant beach with snorkeling possibility. Now it is time to relax and kick back. Go for a snorkel in clear waters or just enjoy in the shade on the beach or float in the ocean or just play on the beach. Packed Lunch will be served on the beach together with fresh fruits and cold drinks.
Enjoy the beach and forget about the outside world. We will return in the afternoon to Myeik.

Morning flight to Kawthaung. It is very little known about the city’s history formerly known as Victoria Point. Before Kawthaung established itself, Maliwan was the main port in the most southern part of Myanmar, but the shores were too shallow for the big ships. So Kawthaung was founded in the late 19th century about 25 Miles to the south.
After check in we take you to the main market. The market is called tax free market as Thai People can to cross border shopping.
Afterwards our group visit to the famous King Bayinnaung statue, which is greeting visitors from the cape. It is said he was very much accepted in Thailand for his policy to leave the country ruling be his own King. Bayinnaung only demanded loyalty. Nearby Victoria Point is the most Southern Part of Myanmar and a great photo opportunity.
Our next stop is Mali Wan Waterfall. The all year waterfall and its park is a great place to have our have traditional lunch.
Our last stop of the day is 5-5-5 Mountain as the locals call it. The hill offers a spectacular sunset view over the whole town and nearby islands of the Mergui Archipelago.

After breakfast we take to the tax free market in the down town area. The goods come straight from Thailand and can be paid in Thai Baht. We visit the busy water front again see the long tail boats going back and forward to Thailand. Now it is time to say good bye to Kawthaung and prepare for the return flight to Yangon.

Meals Included: Breakfast at your Hotel
Extension: Join one of our Mergui Archipelago Day Tours from Kawthaung→
Continue: Board a live abroad cruise to discover the magnificent Mergui Archipelago →
Alternative departure: Overland to Thailand (30 mins by long tail boat)