Day 1: YANGON - BAGO - KYAIKHTIYO (GOLDEN ROCK) (L)

Pick up from your Yangon hotel by the luxurious Chevrolet bus, Elephant Coach and drive to Bago (84 km, 1 'bd hours). En route, visit a tree shrine dedicated to legendary animist spirits known as 'nats'. Then visit the impressive Allied War Graves cemetery near Htauk Kyant, the last resting place of over 6300 Allied soldiers and home to a memorial of 27,000 more. A stop is made in the handicraft village that produces woven bamboo wares. Arrive Bago with a brief stop at Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four giant Buddha images before you visit the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old, and whose tip is even taller than that of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda. Continue to the 55-metre-long reclining Shwe Thalyaung Buddha image, one of the country's most revered objects. Visit the Maha Kalayani Sima (ordination hall) and Mahazedi (Great Stupa), offering panoramic views. Lunch at Khaing Khaing Kyaw Restaurant.

After lunch, continue to Kin Pun (110 km, 3 'bd hours) from where you will leave the Elephant Coach and take a truck to get to the top of the mountain, The Golden Rock.

**Overnight near Kyaikhtiyo

Day 2: KYAIKHTIYO - THAHTON - HPA-AN    (B/L)

Departure from Kyaiktiyo and return to the base camp to hop in the Elephant Coach for Hpa-An (115 km - 6 hours). On the way, make a stop in Thaton, former capital of the Mon Kingdom. Lunch is served at a simple local restaurant.

Arrive into Hpa-An and visit Bayintnyi Caves. Just about 30minutes drive outside Thaton, lies this famous monastery known for its natural hot springs and a cave up in the rocks full of Buddha statues. The cave itself is not very big, but houses some interesting Buddha Statues. Nice view from the entrance over the plains full of paddy fields. Then, visit to Kawh Goon Cave. This cave is by far the most interesting. The entrance to the cave is covered with hundreds of small terracotta votive tablets which are plastered up to the ceiling - some are tiny, some are big. Just outside Hpa-An lies the interesting Kyauktalat Monastery. This monastery is known for its unique shape and location on a tiny island (access via a bridge). Very peaceful atmosphere. Evening stroll along the Thanlwin river in Hpa-An.

**Overnight at Hpa-An

Day 3: HPA-AN - MAWLAMYINE  (B/L)

This morning, you will be taken by the boat along the Thanlwin River to Mawlamyaing. This is one the highlights of the trip: the tour takes 2 hours. Beautiful river scenery and hardly any other boats to be seen during the journey. Half-way stop in the village of Kadow. This sleeping village offers great opportunities to discover simple rural life. Stroll through the narrow main lane of the village, talk and laugh with the local community. Visit the U Nar Auk Monastery which houses fantastic reliefs displaying the history of Buddha's life. Alternatively, you can hire motorbike taxis. Arrival in Mawlamyaing, the capital of Mon State.

HPA-AN - MAWLAMYINE BY CAR (May to September)

This morning, drive out from Hpa-An to Mawlamyaing (Approximately 1 'bd hours), the capital city of Mon state. With its colonial buildings and its leafy tropical coastal setting, Mawlamyaing has a charm of its own distinct from any other town or city. On the way, stop by the U Nar Auk Monastery which houses fantastic reliefs displaying the history of Buddha's life. Alternatively, you can hire motorbike taxis.

Afternoon sightseeing in and around Mawlamyaing starts after lunch. Visit the Mon State National Museum where traditional music instruments, clothes and old Mon language scripts are displayed. Sightseeing continues with the Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyaikthanlan Pagoda (known as the Kipling Pagoda) and Seindon Mibaya Kyaung, where King Mindon's wife sought refuge. These religious buildings are all situated on a mountain range from where beautiful sunsets can be observed. Transfer to your hotel afterwards.

**Overnight at Mawlamyine

 
Day 4: MAWLAMYINIE - THANBYUZAYAT - KYAIKKAMI - MAWLAMYINE  (B/L)

In the morning, visit the local Zegyi market. Before leaving Mawlamyaing, visit the small town of Mudon (20 km - 1 hour). The area between Mawlamyaing and Mudon is very fertile and well known for its rubber plantations and the numerous seasonal fruits. A huge reclining Buddha can be seen en route. Stop at Kyaukdalone, a Buddhist Stupa and a Hindu temple facing each other. Depart Mawlamyaing and drive south to Win Sein Toya, where the largest reclining Buddha in the world can be discovered. Stop at Thanbyuzayat, formerly the western terminus of the infamous 'Death Railway' on which Allied Prisoners of War were forced to work by the Japanese military. An estimated 16000 prisoners died, of which 3771 have graves in immaculately maintained Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery. Continue driving to Kyaikkami, a small seaside resort known as Amherst during the British era. You will visit Ye-le Pagoda, which is perched over the sea and reached by a two level bridge (the lower level is submerged at high tide). This shrine is said to house a Buddha image which floated on a raft from Sri Lanka and landed at this spot near Kyaikkami. Look out for the shrine built in the shape of a boat. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, return to Mawlamyaing and visit the small museum (if open) and the local market. There will be photo opportunities on the way, at some interesting old colonial-style houses, a mosque and churches.

**Overnight at Mawlamyine

Day 5: MAWLAMYINE - YANGON  (B/L)

Optional train from Mawlamyine to Yangon: You have the possibility to return by train from Mawlamyine to Yangon. The train departs at 08.30 hrs and arrives Yangon at 18.00 hrs (approximately). Train journeys have to be considered as 'adventurous' as the wagons have little comfort. The trail is bumpy and the train runs at slow speed. Some wagons have air-condition, but not all. However, these journeys are a wonderful experience to see more of the local life.

Full day drive back to Yangon. (Approximately 6 - 7 hours). Lunch at local Restaurant (or packed lunch for train option). Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to hotel.