TREASURES OF SOUTH
12 days hidden gems & untouched Islands
An excellent opportunity to discover the gems of Southern Myanmar featuring Golden Rock,Hpa An, Mawlamyine, Dawei & Myeik, with its stunning untouched islands
Tour Highlights
- Overland drive to scenic south-eastern part of Myanmar
- Amaze one of Myanmar's most sacred sites, Golden Rock. Balancing its great weight on the cliff edge
- Venture picturesque landscapes, the significant caves, iconic Mount Zwekabin and nearby Karen villages in Hpa An
- Explore colonial architecture of Mawlamyine where Rudyard Kipling drew inspiration for his poetry & the Allied War Graves cemetery
- Witness colonial architecture, local business and rural life of the people along the bay of Thanintharyi region.
- Discover the beautiful unspoiled beaches of Southern Myanmar and experience a couple of nights with tent accommodation on the island.
Route:
Yangon - Golden Rock - Hpa An - Mawlamyine - Dawei - Myeik Islands - Yangon
Tour Details
Begin your journey towards South to Kyaikhto,Mon State (110 km - 3½ hours).
On arrival at Kimpun based camp, take a truck to the Golden Rock.This huge, visually stunning boulder is delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, and completely covered with tens of thousands of postage - stamp size sheets of real gold leaf, each ritually hand-applied by religious pilgrims.Adjacent to the main pagoda is a large and bustling marketplace of food stalls and religious offering vendors. The entire area is alive with a continually moving current of human activity – worship, play, socializing and people watching! The atmosphere at Golden Rock is always magical, and the photographic opportunities endless.
Explore Buddha filled caves and iconic Mt. Zwe Kabin
This morning, drive to the Kayin State, its sleepy capital of Hpa. Explore Buddha-filled caves, nearby Karen village and the iconic Mt Zwe Kabin.
Continue to Mawlamyine.
Kipling Mawlamyime
Mawlamyine – a city with an air of faded colonial glory.
On arrival, drive through old colonial era buildings and view this thriving previous colonial port city with its lovely colonial architecture & bustling Zay Gyi market. Visit Kyaik Thanlan, a spectacular hillside temple with fabulous views of the countryside. This grand pagoda made famous in Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Mandalay'. Afterwards, continue to Queen Sein Don Monastery and U Zina Pagoda before sunset over the Than Lwin River from View point.
Towards stunning mountain range
Today, we want to head straight to Thanbyuzayet which is 34 km away from Mawlamyine and thus the starting point of the Death Railway connects Myanmar and Thailand together by the bridge over river Kwai. The bridge was built by a very talented Japanese during WWII. Afterwards, continue along the narrow road to Ye. From Ye, driving towards a stunning mountain range, dividing the Tanintharyi Division and the Mon State to Dawei.
Dawei has the most long-lasting history and picturesque construction in colonial architecture.Afternoon at leisure to take a stroll along the beach road or visit Myawyit pagoda.Note: Dawei City and the peninsula are on unspoiled spot of Myanmar ready to explore from there on. [Nbsp]
Witness local family running business and well known Maung Ma Gan Beach
Today, we want to spend time discovering Dawei's daily activities and its famous sights. Dawei is the capital of Tanintharyi division in the south of Myanmar, formerly known as Tavoy. Dawei was one of the first cities, where the English settled after the 1st Anglo-Burmese in 1826. As a result, the town has a long lasting history and picturesque buildings from the colonial times. [Nbsp]
Wonder Dawei's local family business of peeling nuts,soft shell crab farming and later on, we'll head straight to rubber, beetle plantations and fishing villages to see their big industry there if time permits.
Later in the afternoon, we will visit Maung Ma Gan Beach in time to catch fabulous sunset over the sea.
A glance at Myeik (Beik) gate way to Andaman sea
Depart Dawei for Myeik, one of the largest fishing town as well as famous for Pearl industry and bird nest in Myanmar. Tanintharyi and further on the old capital of Siam Ayutthaya. "Beik" as the locals call home hometown produces everything for the fishing industry what is needed.
This 230 kilometers of road had been closed for foreigners for a long time. The drive takes you through tiny villages. We want to make some stops along the way to discover the daily lives of the rural community.
Arrival at the town, a glance to learn about pearl industry and how it is difficult to cultivate them.
Experience adventure in the stunning and unchartered beauty of the remote Mergui Archipelago and relax on the islands. Enjoy some activities on the island by sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling to see coral reef and colorful fishes.
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In the morning, transfer to Seik Nge Jetty and depart to Tatagyi island by wooden boat. Begins our journey around islands. [Nbsp]
Day 1 Cruising from Tatagyi island to Dome island. A night spent there.
Day 2 Cruising from Dome island to Nyaung Hmai Village where Salone (in Myanmar language) or Moken sea gypsies live for a long time. Observe their daily lives. From the village to Smart Island. A night spent there.
Day 3 Cruising from Smart island to Marcus island
Day 4 Marcus island towards back to Myeik.
Transfer to the airport for the flight from Myeik to Yangon.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Get ready for the airport transfer (depends on departure time)