Meal: N/A | Accommodation: hotel in Kyaikto

Take a short transfer to Yangon's main railway station where we begin 2hrs/80 km rail journey to Bago, one the old Mon kingdoms. Enjoy countryside scenery and mingle with the locals and learn a few words of Burmese. In Bago, we meet our driver and visit some of the local highlights before continuing drive 3.5 hrs/110km to Kin Pun base camp from where we travel on an open truck with local pilgrims for the next 12 km to the summit ridge of the mountain range. The Golden Rock, or Kyaikhtiyo as the Burmese call it, is a fascinating sacred boulder covered in gold leaf and balanced precariously on the edge of a cliff. Crowning the boulder is a small shrine believed to contain Buddha’s hair relics, the source of the gravity-defying magic. A continual stream of pilgrims from Myanmar and Asia come to witness the wonder at least once in their lifetime. Enjoy the tranquil sunset, soak in the unique atmosphere and share in wonder with the fellow monk, nun, and lay pilgrims.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Hpa-An

Today we drive to the quaint Karen State capital of Hpa-An. On the way to Hpa An town, we will visit Bayint Nyi Cave and its natural hot spring. Then we continue to Kawgun Cave where you will see a thousand Buddha images were carved unbelievably sophisticated on the wall and all the way to the ceiling of the cave. After that, we drive to the hotel to check-in and have lunch in town. In the afternoon, we continue our journey with a visit to Bat Cave that will offer you a bit of adventure experience. You will see a hundred thousand bats flying out of the cave and heading to Than Lwin River.

At the end of the day, we enjoy the sunset at Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda which is located at the bank of Thanlwin (Salween) River.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Hpa-An

After breakfast, we take a stroll through the central market to get the feel for Hpa An local life. Then we drive to the Lumbini garden, a park housing one thousand Buddha images with the majestic Mount Zwekabin as its backdrop; and the Saddam Cave, the most impressive limestone cave in the region, passing through an entire limestone mountain range and opening up to small lake and fields. The cave also displays fascinating rock formations inside.

After lunch, we take a short transfer to one of the ancient Karen villages. In that village, all the villagers are vegetarians, kids and men have ancient topknot hairstyle. Walk through the village and learn about their local lifestyle. The guide will help you with translations if you have any questions about local people.

Then, say goodbye to villagers and heading towards Kyauk Kalat Pagoda which is a stunning stupa-topped limestone pinnacle, You could meet magnificent sunset there with Zwe Kabin Mountain as the dramatic backdrop.

Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Mawlamyine

Today our journey continues to Mawlamyaine the 4th largest city of Myanmar as well as the 1st capital of British Burma boasting of intact colonial-era buildings. In the afternoon, we make an excursion 64km south of the city to Thanbyuzayat the westernmost terminus station of the infamous Burmese-Siam "Death railway" built by prisoners of war during WWII. We visit the Mon State cultural museum with its display of bronze, silverware, ceramics, and sculpture; the Thanphyuzayat War memorial that honors the Allied Troops of British, American, Australian, and Dutch from the war; a Death Railway Museum with a small locomotive of bygone days to commemorate the start point of the tragic railway.

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: hotel in Ye

Drive to Ye and 10 Miles before Ye we will stop to visit the Banana Mountain from where you can overlook the whole Ye valley. The translation Banana Mountain comes from the Mon language. 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. A local brick factory on the outskirts of the town is showing us how bricks been made (seasonal). The local workers are delighted to show their hard labor to us and are always happy to be photographed. If there is enough time we can enjoy a marvelous sunset from the Ye Railway Bridge.
Lunch and Dinner are to your own account.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Dawei 

After breakfast on the terrace overlooking the holy lake in Ye, we will start our journey over a stunning mountain range, which divides the Tanintharyi Division and the Mon State. The drive is winding up and offers a stunning landscape.

Before we reach Dawei we visit Nabule Beach, where the Burmese Government plans the biggest Deep Sea Port in South East Asia. You will find a nice empty beach stretch for yourself as the finances of the project are unclear until today. Feel free to go for a swim. Please note there are no facilities at all. We prepare a simple picnic lunch for you on the beach. Take your time and relax on the magnificent beach it might be gone in the near future.
After arrival at Dawei, we check in to your hotel for refreshments. Dawei is the capital of the 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 colonial times.
If time permitted we go for a stroll along Dawei’s interesting riverfront waterfront. Dinner is on your own account.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Dawei 

We will have a look around to get a picture of Dawei’s daily life and famous sights. A family-owned cashew nut business with its ever-smiling workers will show us how much work it is to peel one nut. How people can make a living in Dawei is the question we will ask on the way to San Maria Beach. By the end of the day, we hope you have all the answers you need.
Most of the farming nowadays is rubber plantation. How the white rubber sheets are made we will show you at one of the uncountable plantations. Besides the rubber trees, there is another big industry, dried fish. How long fish has to lie 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 will have lunch in front of Myaw Yit Pagoda, connected by a bridge with the mainland. Afterwards, we are going for a swim or simply stroll along San Maria Beach. Be not surprised if you are the only one for the day at the beach as mass tourism is still far away. We will provide a light picnic lunch with fruits and snacks for you on the beach.
On the way back we can stop at hot springs to wash the salt off. It is been said, that the 60 C hot glasses of water have healing powers.
In the late afternoon, we reach the well-known Maung Ma Gan Beach. Enjoy the relaxed and uncrowded beach atmosphere with a sundowner and a delicious seafood dinner. Return to your hotel after a fabulous sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Myeik

After breakfast, we leave for Myeik. These 230 kilometers of road have been closed for foreigners for a long time. In past, even locals needed a permit to pass that road, plane, and ferry boats were the only way of transport. Just a few miles after Dawei we visit the Shin Mok Hti pagoda, which can be dated back to 1438 and houses original pieces of the bodhi tree.
Our drive takes us through tiny villages. We will stop every now and then to discover the daily lives of the rural community. Lunch along the way in a clean local restaurant.
We reach Myeik in the afternoon. Already in the early 17th century, the East Indian Trading Company were unloading their ships at the ports 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. Free late afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is for your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Myeik 

Arrive breakfast at your hotel we start to explore Myeik, which is one of the biggest fishing towns in Myanmar. We will talk about its incredibly interesting history. Already in the early 17th century, the East Indian Trading Company were unloading their ships at the ports 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. “Beik” as the locals call there hometown produces everything for the fishing industry that is needed.
Have you asked yourself where all the seafood comes from? We visit a softshell crab and a lobster farm to show a little bit of the fishing industry. Afterwards, we will visit a wooden shipbuilding yard where they still build boats like in the old days. Climb up and look workers over their shoulders or just observe the incredibly skilled work.
After a stroll through the old colonial quarter visits to the Royal Pearl trading shop which has been owned by the same family for over 150 years. We will have a chance to learn about the pearl industry and how difficult it is to cultivate them. Enjoy a fabulous sunset over the Mergui Archipelago from the Thein Daw Gyi Pagoda.

Dinner is to your own account.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: hotel in Myeik 

After breakfast, we will start our discovery of the Mergui Archipelago. We leave from Seik Nge Jetty (Main Jetty) in Myeik. We observe the daily life of the fishermen during a short visit to one of the villages along the way. After about 2 hours cruise along pristine waters, we reach an inhabitant beach with snorkeling possibility. Now it is time to relax and kickback. Go for a snorkel in clear waters or just enjoy in the shade on the beach or float in the ocean or just play on the beach. We stop in one of the villages and enjoy freshly cooked lunch there nearby the beach.
Enjoy the beach and forget about the outside world. We will return in the afternoon to Myeik.
Dinner is to your own account.

Please note: The Mergui Archipelago will be a joint tour with other customers. The program might change on tide and weather conditions. Participants need to submit their personal details. We do not recommend pregnant customers and customers with backache to join the trip. The Alternative will be a slow boat trip without snorkeling.

Meals: breakfast | Accommodation: not included

After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport. In case you want to do some Souvenir shopping we can stop at the market in the morning.