Departure through October,2014
This remarkable one of a kind tour is designed for you to see as much of rural Indochina as possible by traveling overland from Thailand to Myanmar. Each place you visit on this journey is a highlight not to be missed and gives you more insight into the culture because you will be en route by vehicle. Visit the former capital of Thailand and ancient ruins after seeing the sites in Bangkok. Experience the border between Thailand and Myanmar, a destination not found on other itineraries. Discover off the beaten path places such as Hpa-An and Mudon in Myanmar. Overland Thailand to Myanmar is your own personal adventure!
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Bangkok
Myanmar overland via Thailand (Day 1 0f 4)
After airport arrival you will be met by your guide and driven to your hotel. After some time for refreshing, you will visiting two of the most important sights of the capital: the Grand Palace is still in use for receptions and royal ceremonies. You will also find the temple Wat Phra Keow here, which houses the highly revered Emerald Buddha. The temple Wat Po is known to be Thailand’s oldest University and located of the big reclining Buddha.
Overnight in Bangkok. Rembrandt Hotel or similar
Day 2 – Bangkok – Phitsanuloke (Breakfast: Hotel )
Myanmar overland via Thailand (Day 2 of 4)
In the morning you will leave Bangkok and continue to Ayutthaya to visit the Historical Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The sheer number and size of the ruins give you an impression of the former greatness of the ancient capital of Siam. After wards continue to Phitsanuloke and visit Wat Mahathat, with one of the most beautiful Buddha statues in all of Thailand.
Overnight in Phitsanuloke. Ayara Grand Palace Hotel or similar
Day 3 – Phitsanuloke – Tak (Breakfast: Hotel )
Myanmar overland via Thailand (Day 3 of 4)
Proceed to Sukhothai after breakfast and visit the Historical Park of Sukothai. The former capital of Siam is said to be the cradle of Thai culture, with Wat Mahathat seen as the spiritual center of the kingdom. After an extensive tour of the park, continue to Mae Sot. Overnight in Tak. Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort or similar
Day 4 – Tak – Myawaddy – Mawlamyine (Breakfast: Hotel)
Myanmar overland via Thailand (Day 4 of 4)
In the early morning you will be transferred to the border and end the Thailand portion of your trip.
Arrival in Myawaddy (Myanmar / Thailand border)
By vehicle from Myawaddy (Myanmar / Thailand border) to Mawlamyine
Sightseeing in Mawlamyine
An attractive, leafy, tropical town with a ridge of stupa-capped hills on one side and the sea on the other, Mawlamyine served as capital of British Burma from 1827 to 1852. Visit KYAIKTHANLAN PAYA and visit View Point, located on a hill with panoramic views overlooking the Thanlwin River, an especially beautiful spot for sunset or sunrise. Overnight in Mawlamyine. Mawlamyaing Strand Hotel or similar
Day 5 – Mawlamyine – Hpa-an (Breakfast: Hotel)
Excursion to Mudon and Kyaikkami
From Mawlamyine, head southwards towards Thanbyuzat, stopping en route at the peaceful village KYAIKMAYAW, home to the largest RECLINING BUDDHA in the world; and MUDON, an area famous for its weaving villages. Today all that remains is one old locomotive and memorial plaque. Then head to KYAIKKAMI to visit YE LE PAGODA, a simple pagoda built out into the ocean, with beautiful views over the water.
By vehicle from Mawlamyine to Hpa-an
Journey south on the eastern bank of the Thanlewin River. This is a very scenic trip.
Sightseeing in Hpa-an with short trek
Hpa-an, the capital of Kayin State and a busy commerce centre, inhabited mainly by Kayin people. Farmers from all around the region come to town in horsecards or trishaws with baskets of produce to see in the market. Start short trek through Hpa-an town area. After strolling though the market and along the riverfront, visit SHWE YIN MYAW PAYA which is located at riverfront of Than Lwin. Continue to ZWE KAIN HILL, one of the leading towns in the northern section is Thandaung. It is a very beautiful hill station and an important tea, coffee and fruit producing region and the land mark of the Kayin state. (Trekking in Hpa-an could be very difficult as it is considered remote area) Overnight in Hpa-an. Hotel Zwekabin or similar
Day 6 – Hpa-an – Kyaikhto (Breakfast: Hotel)
By vehicle from Hpa-an to Kyaikhto
Visit Kyaikhtiyo (the Golden Rock)
KYAIKHTIYO: One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Myanmar, the shrine at the top of Mt. Kyaikto seems to defy gravity. Perched on the edge of a sheer cliff is a giant golden boulder topped with a gleaming stupa. Particularly stunning at sunset and sunrise, when a magical atmosphere suffuses the shrine.
Overnight in Kyaikhto. Mountain Top Hotel or similar
Day 7 – Kyaikhto – Bago – Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel)
By vehicle from Kyaikhto to Bago
Sightseeing in Bago
Journey around the Gulf of Mottama and via Bago on Highway 8, a historic city originally founded in 573 AD by Thamala and Wimala, two Mon brothers of noble birth as an outpost of the Mon Thaton Kingdom. The site, which was then on the Gulf of Martaban, had already been earmarked as the location of a great city by Gautama, the historic Buddha.
Visit HTAUK KYAN ALLIED WAR CEMETERY on the outskirts of Yangon. Explore the main market and a typical LOCAL MONASTERY in Bago to observe the daily lives of the monks, and then continue the highly venerated SHWEMAWDAW PAYA, which has housed hair relics of the Buddha for over 1000 years. Continue to SHWETHALYAUNG BUDDHA, huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the measurements of each body part. It is reputed to be one of the most lifelike of all reclining Buddhas. The Burmese say the image represents Buddha in a ‘relaxing’ mode.
Visit the HINTHA GON PAYA. This shrine has good views over Bago from the roofed platform on the hilltop. According to legend, this was the one point rising from the sea when the mythical bird (the hintha) landed here. Continue to KYAIK PUN PAYA, built in 1476 by King Dhammazedi, it consists of four 30m-high sitting Buddhas placed back-to-back around a huge, square pillar and MAHAZEDI PAYA, originally constructed in 1560 AD by King Bayinnaung, it was destroyed during the 1757 sacking of Bago and the reconstruction was only completed in 1982. Stairways lead up the outside of the stupa, and from the top there are fine views over the surrounding area.
By vehicle from Bago to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon. Central Hotel Yangon or similar
Day 8 – Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel)
Sightseeing in Yangon
Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay’s brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended. Start the day at the SULE PAGODA, a gleaming octagonal pagoda that stands squarely at the center point of the city.
Afterwards, visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) to gain an insight into Myanmar. See the eight meter high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by the last Burmese king, and other fascinating artifacts from Burmese history and culture. Enjoy a break at BOGYOKE (SCOTT) MARKET, a pleasant covered market containing crafts from all corners of Myanmar, gems, fabrics and more. (The market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).
In the afternoon, visit some of the more well known pagodas, including BOTATAUNG PAGODA, named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha from Inda over 2000 years ago. Visit CHAUKHTATGYI PAGODA, the reclining Buddha in Yangon which is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. It’s housed in a large metal-roofed shed on Shwegondaing Lan, only short distance north-east beyond the Shwedagon Paya.
Finally, continue to the SHWEDAGON PAGODA, the highlight of any visit to Yangon. Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colors of twilight. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 9 – Depart Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel)
You will be driven to the airport for your flight onward or homebound.
End of Services
Cost:
2 persons: $2595.00 per person, twin share
4- 6 persons: $1995.00 per person, twin share
Single supplement applies of $500.00 per person
CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791
This tour program is based on English speaking guide.
NOTE: Rainy Season (May – September)
