GOLDEN ROCK  <==> 5 DAYS – 4 NIGHTS

YANGON – GOLDEN ROCK - YANGON

DAY 1              YANGON ARRIVAL

You will meet with your guide at the Arrival Hall of Yangon Mingaladon International airport. Transfer to your hotel and time to rest till lunch time.
In the afternoon, start an introduction tour to get familiar with Yangon. Former Capital till 2005, Yangon remains the most important economical centre of Myanmar. Despite the fast changes and new building under construction, Yangon and its diversity of population remains a vibrant and charming city. Yangon most famous religious monument is the Shwedagon Padoga, the biggest and most venerated Pagoda in the country with its 100 meters high Stupa. You will be fascinating by the diversity and the architecture, with many colonial buildings still remaining and the whole atmosphere of the city. Yangon is changing fast to modernize its infrastructures but it remains a green city with many parks and large avenues lined up by big trees.
The tour will bring you to Sule Pagoda at the heart of the city, Mahabandoola Park and its obelisk to celebrate the independence of the country in 1948. You will continue to China Town and the Indian quarters. If time permitted, visit Konzedan market, the colorful spices market in the Indian quarters. You will notice many massive old colonial buildings in the centre, in different stage of preservation housing the main administrations of the country.
Yangon remains a pleasant city because of its parks and two major lakes, Inya Lake and Kandawgyi Lake. You will enjoy a short walk on the wooden bridge to line up along the lake, giving you a stunning view on the Shwedagon pagoda, but also on the royal barge, standing at the side of the lake, Karaweik. Continue your visit to Kyauk Hta Gyi Pagoda, famous for its impressive reclining Buddha. End the tour at The Shwedagon pagoda for a unique experience to discover the most venerated religious place of Myanmar. It will leave you a memorable experience.
Return at the hotel

Night in Yangon

Day 2               YANGON – KYIAKTIYO (GOLDEN ROCK)

This morning, early departure from your hotel to Bago (85 kilometers, 1 ½ hour drive). Some miles North of Yangon, you will stop to a tree shrine dedicated to a spirit called “Nat” and supposed to protect drivers against accident. Have a second stop to Htaut Kyant Cemetery for fallen Allied soldiers during the Second World War II. The cemetery is beautifully landscaped under the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Continue the drive with lunch on the way at local restaurant before to reach the base camp of Kin Pun. Kin Pun is the starting point to reach the Golden Rock by open local trucks on a steep and narrow 10 km road. Private trucks can be also arranged at extra cost. Once getting to the upper base, the last part to your hotel and the Golden Rock can be reach by walking only. Another way to avoid the very steep last paths is to hire a sedan chair carried by 4 porters for a cost of approximately USD12.
The Golden Rock of Kyaikhtiyo is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Myanmar Buddhists. The gold–plated boulder is said to maintain its balance thanks to a single hair of the Buddha being enshrined inside the pagoda. Once arrived at the pagoda, one can enjoy a spectacular view, which is particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset. The whole site has a magic charisma and famous for meditation.

Meals, Breakfast at hotel

Night at Kyaktiyo

Day 3               KYAKTIYO – BAGO – YANGON

Next day on the return to Yangon, stop in Bago and visit the Monastery of Kyawk Kyawine. Depending the time to reach Bago, assist to the lunch of the monks. Continue the sightseeing to Shwemandaw Pagoda. Its spore is even taller that Shwedagon pagoda. The Shwemandaw Pagoda, is famous for many of its parts to have collapsed after several earthquakes. Another attraction is Shwe Thar Lyaung reclining Buddha, the oldest one in Myanmar and found back and renovated at the 19th century when British were building the railways.
Stop to Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four giant Buddha figures.
Continue to Yangon and arrive in the late afternoon.

Meals, breakfast at Hotel

Night in Yangon

Day 4                            YANGON

This morning visit the National Museum (close on Mondays, Tuesdays and Public Holidays). The Museum holds the Lion Throne, the only of the original nine from the Mandalay Palace that was preserved. There is also an interesting collection of folk art and traditional painting showing famous royal family groups. Continue to Bogyoke Market or Scott market (closed on Mondays), in 1926 by Municipal Commissioner Gavin Scott. The market was renamed following the independence in 1948 in honor of Bogyoke Aung San. The complex houses hundreds of small stalls where local people use to buy jewelry, tailor made clothes, eat noodles. It is also a good place for tourists to find Burmese handicrafts.
In the afternoon, take the Yangon circular train for a short ride which is a great way to get an overview on scenes of live on Yangon nearest suburbs. Continue your visit at Bothataung Pagoda. The original ancient pagoda was destroyed during the 2nd worldwide war. A replica was rebuilt in place and relics from the treasure chamber re-enshrined. It is the only pagoda where to walk along a spiraling corridor into the innermost part of the spire and see the relic chamber inside. Corridors are lined with glass mosaic.
Continue your tour by passing by Yangon River jetties and see the activities of loading, unloading goods to cargo river boats. It is also the place for local passengers to board ferries to the Irrawaddy Delta or to reach the opposite site of Yangon, Dala, part of Yangon metropolis suburbs.
If time permitted, enjoy a late afternoon short walk in China town to the night market between Lhata and Lanmadaw streets and experience this colorful and lively market with a large variety of street stalls.
Meals, Breakfast at hotel.

Night in Yangon

Day 5                YANGON DEPARTURE

Time at leisure until airport transfer,
Transfer to Mingaladorn International Yangon airport for your onward flight to Bangkok or Singapore