Golden Rock, Hpa An & Mawlamyine Adventure - 5 Days
Tour Code: ST-5D4N-1
A perfect combination of nature reveal with caving trek in Hpa An and lovely countryside in Mawlamyine. Mountain, caves, pagodas, and un-spoilt villages make this tour unforgettable. The visit up to the Golden Rock is particularly nice at sunset or sunrise.
Start ~ Yangon, Myanmar
Finish ~ Yangon, Myanmar
Physical rating: 3 out of 5
The Itinerary
After breakfast start the drive to Bago, around 1½ hours drive. On arrival, you will visit the charming monastery of Thamanay, a renowned teaching centre for monks from neighbouring regions who wish to study Buddhism. The tour continues to the thousand year-old Shwemawdaw Pagoda which has a spire taller than that of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Afterwards head for the Kin Pun ‘base camp’ around 3 ½ hours drive away. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant en-route.
This afternoon you will visit one of Myanmar’s landmarks, Kyaiktiyo, which is famous for its precarious position and religious importance. The ‘Golden Rock’ is a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff.
To reach the pagoda from Kin Pun, a steep 6-miles road leads to the top of the mountain. The journey is made in open trucks, which can be crowded but once you reach the top, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views, pilgrims chant, light candles and meditate. On arrival at the hotel, check in and then you have time to watch the sun set over the Golden Rock.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Meal is not included on this day.
Should you wish to this morning, rise early to witness the stunning sunrise over the Golden Rock. This will require an early, and is optional!
After breakfast at the hotel, return back to Kin Pun base camp by the truck, then set out on the drive to Hpa An, capital of the Kayin State, a journey of around 3 hours. On arrival in Hpa An, you will check in the hotel.
This afternoon, take a tuk-tuk and set off to visit Sadan Cave (typically only accessible from November to April), a naturally formed cave that takes 15-20 minutes’ to walk through, along a long dark tunnel (with lights). On the other side of the cave, you will find beautiful countryside and a small lake on which you can enjoy a short canoe ride, passing under a stone cave and past paddy fields.
Then return to the tuk-tuk and proceed to Shweyinhmyaw Pagoda which is located at the banks of the Thanlwin River. Afterwards stop at Lake Kantharyar for a good view over the distant Zwekabin Mountain, one of the most famous landmarks in the Karen State and 772 metres (2532 feet) high.
End the day with a visit Kyauk Ka-Lat, an unusual pagoda which is built on layers of natural karst rock formations. Surrounded by a lake, the scenery guarantees a great photo opportunity. You can watch the sunset here before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to a private charter boat, and set off down the Thanlyin River towards Mawlamyine. This journey will take around 2 hours, through some beautiful karst scenery and rustic riverside village life. On arrival, you will transfer to your hotel to check in.
This afternoon, set out to explore Mawlamyine. Take a car ride through this once thriving port city and colonial post. The sightseeing includes a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda – one of the major temples in Myanmar, Seindon Mibaya Kyaung – where King Mindon’s queen sought refuge, the first Baptist church and Zyegyi Market. At the end of the day enjoy the sunset from Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, which is also known as the Kipling Pagoda due to the gleaming spire that was eulogized by Rudyard Kipling. Later return to your hotel to relax.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore Bilu Island, where a true Myanmar experience far away from modern civilization awaits you. Discover the serene scenery of paddy fields and quaint villages that are home to small cottage industries & workshops where typical Myanmar walking sticks, rubber bands, pipes and pens are produced. Return to the mainland for lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will drive past rubber plantations on the way to Thanbyuzayat which is around 90 minutes’ drive south of Mawlamyine and was the western terminal of the infamous Burma-Siam ‘Death Railway’. Here you will see a locomotive dating from World War II, a small museum about the railway and an Allied War Cemetery which is the resting-place for over 3500 Allied POWs. Afterwards return to Mawlamyine late afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, a scenic drive through rubber plantations and local villages will take you back to Yangon (approx. 6 hours drive). Once returned to the city, you will be dropped off at the hotel to spend the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
~ 4 nights accommodation
~ enjoy daily breakfast at hotels
~ professional English speaking tour guides
~ air-conditioned private vehicle for all transfers, transports and sightseeing tours
~ boat from Hpa An to Mawlamyine
~ enjoy exploring Hpa An, Mawlamyine and Golden Rock as per itinerary
~ Visa fee
~ Entrance Fees, approx. AUD $19 per person for an entire trip
~ Meals not specified in the “Inclusions” section
~ Personal insurance and other personal expense
Do I need a visa to visit Myanmar?
It’s far easier these days to obtain a visa for Myanmar via the new online e-visa system. It takes about 3 business days to process your visa, after the payment is made. Your eVisa will be emailed to you. You just have to print it and show it at immigration.
Over 100 countries are eligible for an e-visa, to view a full list of e-visa countries via this official link – https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/.
E-visa for Myanmar costs US $50, and are valid for 28 days.
From 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020, Australian passport holders are eligible to apply for tourist Visa on arrival. Fee for Visa on Arrival (Tourist) is US$ 50 in cash and the duration of stay in Myanmar is 30 days. You will also need to bring two recent colored passport size photos taken within the past 6 months. More information for the Visa on Arrival can be found via this link – https://tourism.gov.mm/visa-requirements/visa-on-arrival/.
Alternatively, you can apply for this visa via Myanmar e-visa Official Government Website, https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/,with $50 USD per person. Please Note: approval time can take up to 3 business days.
Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Myanmar?
No vaccines are required in order to enter Myanmar but some are recommended for protection against disease. You should seek medical advice from your local health practitioner before travelling to Myanmar and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.
Can I drink the tap water in Myanmar?
As drinking tap water isn’t safe in Myanmar, only drink bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. You can help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Your tour guides and your hotels can tell you where to find filtered water at hotels. Remember to avoid drinks with ice and peel fruit before eating it.
What is currency in Myanmar?
KYAT is the Myanmar currency. While in the country, you’ll use a mix of US dollars and Myanmar kyat. Most hotels and domestic airfares, travel companies, tour guides, some entrance fees will be in USD, while everything else (food, souvenirs, uses etc) will be in Kyat.
Along with USD, it is easy to exchange Australian Dollars, Euro, British Pounds at the banks and the registered money changers. Please note, the money changers at the airports may not accept Australian dollars or British pounds to change. You will visit the money changers in towns to exchange them.
It is essential that bills are in first class, good condition, with no folds, rips or writing. New is best and keep them flat, maybe between two pieces of card. 100’s and 50’s will get the best exchange rate.
When you leave the country, you can exchange your kyat at the airport or banks before you take off. Keep in mind that no where outside of Myanmar will be interested in exchanging your extra Kyat, make sure you get rid of your extra before you leave.
ATM’s: There are now over 2000 ATM’s in Myanmar with a choice at major airports and widespread availability at downtown Banks. 24 hours ATM are in all major tourist destinations such as Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and InLe Lake. They only dispense kyat. Do note that there is a fixed charge of 5000 kyat, plus your own Bank’s charge and a maximum withdrawal of 300,000 kyat, up to three times daily.
Many smaller villages and small towns have yet to get an ATM but those that have a Bank branch in town will either have one or get one soon.
There have been reports that Banks in some countries still follow the outdated US embargo so do check with your Bank that your card will be accepted.
Credit cards: Credit cards are accepted by some hotels, restaurants and shops, but Myanmar is largely a cash economy. It’s best to carry cash for purchases.
As always, it’s best to call your credit card company and bank in advance to let them know you’ll be traveling, so the chance of your card being blocked is reduced.
What do foods and drinks cost in Myanmar?
Most travelers will find that a budget of USD $8 per lunch or per dinner for food is more than enough, especially if daily breakfast at hotel is included on your tour. Bottle of beer in a bar or restaurant is 2000-2500 MMK.
What’s the food like in Myanmar?
Myanmar cuisine shares many similarities with neighbouring southeast Asian countries. Rice is the cornerstone of most meals and curries are common, though typically more oily and less spicy. Pickled vegetables and tea leaves feature prominently in Myanmar dishes, as well as fish and seafood from the country’s numerous lakes and extensive coastline.
Is tipping customary in Myanmar?
Tipping isn’t mandatory or expected in Myanmar, however if you would like to offer a tip to show your gratitude for the service, you can do so.
What’re the toilets like in Myanmar?
Although Western-style flushable toilets can be found in your hotels and tourist areas, squat toilets are most common in Myanmar. Please ensure that you carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as they are usually not provided.
Is WiFi widely available in Myanmar?
Internet can be accessed at most hotels, but be aware, the speed may be slower than what you are used to, particularly in rural areas.
Can I use my mobile phone while in Myanmar?
International roaming in Myanmar is now possible with a growing number of mobile network providers. Check with your service provider before leaving home. Local SIM cards can be purchased for about USD $2. Pre-paid cell service included data service is affordable with decent coverage throughout the country.
Is it not appropriate for me to wear shorts in Myanmar?
Knee-length shorts are fine, however trustees at some pagodas will ban short trousers and skirts showing knees from the pagodas’ platforms. Longyi, a long fabric piece running down to the feet and worn by wrapping and knotting around the waist, can be borrowed with a few costs at the pagoda’s entrance.
What sort of sockets are used in Myanmar and what is the voltage?
Standard voltage is 220 – 240 volts. Primary sockets generally require 2 flat prong plugs, 2 round pin plugs, and 3 fat round pin plugs. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor.
Most of the international hotels have their own generators. Other places may experience power cuts and voltage fluctuation so it’s best to pack a voltage regulator or stabilizer to protect electrical items.
Weather overview
Like much of South-East Asia, Myanmar’s dry season runs from October through to May, and the wet season from May/June through to early October, when the south-west monsoon starts to blow. Within each season, there are variations in temperature; April and May are usually being the hottest of the year (temperatures can reach over 40ºC).
The colder months follow the end of the rains, from October to December/January. The driest regions of the country, avoiding much of the annual rain, are the plains surrounding Bagan and Mandalay, which remain relatively dry aside from the odd heavy downpour, all the way through to August.
Temperatures throughout the country are greatly affected by altitude, and therefore the hill stations, lakes and Himalayan foothills are far cooler than the southern lowland and coastal regions.
The very best months to visit Myanmar are from November to February.
Don’t forget you can modify this tour. Whether you enjoy travelling as a part of a small group with other like-minded travellers, or perhaps you are looking for your very own private journey, we have the right option for you. Click on talk to us button to send us your enquiry.