Southern Myanmar & Andaman Sea Adventure

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, picked-up and transferred to your hotel in town by our Sonasia Holiday’s guide.

Though no longer the capital, Yangon remains Myanmar’s commercial heart and also the core of its spiritual life, thanks to the glorious Shwedagon Paya (Pagoda), while its colonial-era buildings (decaying as many of them may be) give the downtown area a historical charm which new capital Nay Pyi Taw - and Mandalay for that matter - will never possess. Whether you get lost in the city’s animated markets, seek out beer and barbecue in Chinatown, visit Hindu temples or take an eye-opening ride on a commuter train, Yangon’s streets provide a vibrant and engaging introduction to the country.

Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration.

Overnight in Yangon

After breakfast, our tour guide picks you up and head to the railway station. It is your time experiencing the “circular train” for the true Burmese lifestyle. From the city center to its suburbs, you observe the vibrant and colorful life of local people. Stop for a stroll around Little India and Chinatown, which represent distinctive Yangon neighborhoods. 

Take in the sights and join the locals in the popular fresh market. You might want to try some local snack, savor the exotic fruit, or pick up a colorful souvenir from vendors lining the streets.

Next you have a trip downtown with a walking tour through the historic quarter. Along the way you visit the former City Hall and various other examples of 1940’s colonial British architecture. The hidden art galleries inside the small alley could also be the next stop on your tour. 

Continue to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses the sacred reclining Buddhas as well as the country’s largest one. Spend time at Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Built in the 1920s under British rule, the side is listed a heritage of Yangon. It has more than 2,000 stalls dominated by large selections of antique Burmese handicraft, clothing and jewelry…

Last but not least, you go to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site of Myanmar and the oldest one in the world. The Pagoda contains a 99m high golden stupa and spires, adorned with 7,000 diamonds, sapphires and rubies and allegedly, hairs belonging to the Gautama Buddha. If you are fortunate, have a chance to join a special oil lamp lighting ceremony with thousand oil lamps are lit around the gilded pagoda. This ancient and symbolic Buddhist ritual will be the truly awe-inspiring spiritual experience.

After an early breakfast in Yangon, drive to Bago, to the north.

First, visit the thousand-year-old Shwemawdaw Pagoda, with a spire even taller than that of the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Then, continue to Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (the second largest in the world) and the Kyaik Pun Pagoda

After that you head to Kinpun camp, located near the Golden Rock, today’s ultimate destination. The Golden Rock (or Kyaiktiyo Pagoda) is entirely covered in gold leaf. Its precarious location on a cliff-edge is a spectacular sight, but it is also a religiously significant spot, with a pagoda perched atop the rock.

To reach the pagoda you must travel in a local open-air truck along a winding road to the top of a hill. The views from here are breathtaking, and pilgrims chant, light candles and meditate throughout the night. Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

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, proceed the sightseeing to Bayint Nyi cave, a beautiful nature cave on the mountain with views of paddy fields. There is a nature hot water spring where locals come to worship and pray for prosperity and good health. In addition to viewing the many Buddha statues you will see many beautiful stalagmites and stalactites which have formed naturally over the centuries.

Visit Kaw Goon Cave also known as the Cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas’; Walk through the hidden treasures Cave to see more than 2000 votive tables of Lord Buddha and Mon inscription. There are many culture heritage evidences in Kaw Goon Cave terracotta votive tables on its interior stone walls, carve status on limestone & sandstone Buddha status with mural paintings in ink inscriptions. (13th Century AD).

Ya Thea Pyan Cave was known in the colonial literature as P’agat Cave. The current name Ya Thea Pyan translates as Hermit Cave (as Ya Thea mean hermit). The Cave is in a hill next to Kaw Goon Cave. In the evening, right after the sunset, leave town for a while just across the Than-Lwin Bridge to witness thousands of Bats leaving their cave in groups for their night hunt. An amazing and fun experience.

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 Mountain 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, we 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 the chance to cool our legs in the clear waters which run directly down from the mountains (seasonal). Proper bridgesh have been still built 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 at 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.

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.

This morning the tour starts at 08:30 after breakfast. Transport will be provided to the jetty to start the four-night cruise.

Depart to Taung La Bo Islands for 3 hours and enjoy some snorkeling and swimming near the island. 

Take a rest while the crew and the cook prepare for lunch. 

Enjoy lunch onboard and continue to 115 Island. Arrived at 115 Island and enjoy time free at leisure to explore the beauties of the virgin island. 

Available activities are sea kayaking around the island, snorkeling, fishing, jungle trekking, swimming and sunbathing on the beach.

Enjoy the dinner and overnight onboard nearby 115 Island.

Enjoy breakfast prepared by the Chef of Mergui Princess. 

After breakfast, the journey continues to 254 Island at 09:00. Though small, its white sand and semi-circle shaped beach is one of the most popular among tourists. It is also famous for its beautiful coral reef areas (great for snorkeling.)

Enjoy your dinner and overnight on board.

Today the sightseeing begins at 09:00 after breakfast onboard and some time to swim.

Depart to Nga Mann Kyon which has both beautiful hard and soft corals as well as Nurse Sharks. A cave is located beneath the underwater where many kinds of fish can be seen. After lunch on board, continue to Kyun Phila (Great Swinton) which is one of the most popular and beautiful islands in Mergui Archipelago with its beautiful corals for snorkeling. Enjoy swimming, fishing and sunbathing on the beach.

Dinner and overnight onboard near Kyun Phila.

This morning the tour starts at 09:00 after breakfast.

Depart to Bo Yae Island for some excellent snorkeling. Depart to Myauk Ni Island and enjoy the activities available such as swimming, sunbathing on the beach, snorkeling on the corals, sea kayaking and fishing along the beautiful beach.

Depart to Thay Yae Island.

This afternoon, enjoy kayaking around Mangrove Forests, sunbathing and camping.

Overnight on board.

After breakfast, head back to Kawthaung at 09:00. Celebrate the completed adventure along the way with complimentary beer or soft drinks before arriving back to Kawthaung.

Transfer back to your hotel. Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration.

Overnight in Kawthaung

You are free for the whole day for your own exploration. There are plenty of water activities to spend the day. Or you can just relax by the beach.

Overnight in Kawthaung

You are free for the whole day for your own exploration. There are plenty of water activities to spend the day. Or you can just relax by the beach.

Overnight in Kawthaung

Free to stroll around for your own exploration before taking the flight back to Yangon to connect with another onward flight back home.