Things to do in

Yangon

Start the overland drive to the Kin Pun "base camp" of Golden Rock with a 5:30 AM hotel pick up in Yangon. Continue onward to Kyaiktiyo (the "Golden Rock"), a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaves and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. You will arrive at Kim Pun base camp at around noon. As soon as you arrive at Kim Pun Base Camp you will take an open truck to reach the mountain top pagoda. After arriving to the top of the mountain pagoda, you can visit the Golden Rock Pagoda and take photos around there. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant en-route. After lunch, leave from Kyaikhto and return back to Yangon via Bago. Your short visit in Bago includes seeing the great Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old. Its spire is even taller than that of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda. You will also see the 55-meter-long reclining Shwe Thalyaung Buddha Image, one of the country's most revered objects. You will also make a brief stop at Kyaik Pun Pagoda, famous for its four giant Buddha figures. If time permits, you can visit the Allied War Cemetery in Htauk Kyant. You will arrive back at your hotel late evening. 

At 8:00 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel. Start your full day of sightseeing by driving through the colonial style downtown, as well as Chinatown and the Indian quarter. Stop to take a photo at the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda with its golden chedi. Then, take a walk along Yangon River to see the busy harbor area and discover the upcountry towns along the Ayeyarwady River. Visit Botathaung Pagoda, said to contain Buddha relics. If requested, you can make a short visit to the 100 year old Strand Hotel.   Lunch will be served at Lucky 7 Tea house where you can choose from a variety of Burmese, Indian and Chinese food. Visit Bogyoke Market, formally known as Scott Market, which gives you the opportunity to see Myanmar's wide range of handicrafts. Explore the National Museum and discover the 8-meter-high golden Lion Throne and the Royal Regalia of Mandalay.  Then, proceed to the magnificent reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda. Take a photo at the Karaweik Hall, a golden floating barge on the Kandawgyi Lake. Conclude your day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda. The golden dome of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises 98 meters above its base and is covered with 60 tonnes of pure gold. After enjoying the sunset from the pagoda, you will be transferred back to your hotel at 6:00 PM.   

After getting picked up from your hotel in Yangon, begin the drive to Bago. Your first stop will be Kyaik Kat Wine Monastery. Watch as the monks walk down a large walkway to be bestowed with donations of food from the locals. Later, see the highlights of Bago, including the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the huge Reclining Buddha of Shwethelyaung, the four Giant Buddha images of Kyaikpun Pagoda and the excavation site and restoration work of Kanbawzathadi, the palace of famous King Bayinnaung. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing directly to Kim Pun Base Camp where you will spend the night at the Golden Rock Pagoda. The next morning, wake up early to see the sunrise over the magnificent golden rocks. After breakfast at the hotel, it's time to check out and head back to Kim Pun base camp. Later, drive back to Yangon, with a stop at Taukkyan War Cemetery. Here, see the graves of the Allied British soldiers who were killed in Burma. Get dropped off at your hotel in Yangon in the evening.

Get picked up by your guide at 8:00 am from your accommodation in Yangon. On your way to Bago, visit allied Taukkyan War Cemetery where thousands of British Allied soldiers who fought in the Second World War are buried. Then explore the lively outdoor market of Htauk Kyant and peruse the local wares on offer.  Arrive in Bago and begin your guided city tour by marveling at the four giant Buddha images in the Kyaik Pun Pagoda built by King Dhammaceti in AD 1475. Then pay a visit to the Kyat Khat Wine Monastery and observe the monks in training line up for lunch and eat at small round tables. Afterwards, enjoy lunch yourself at a local restaurant where you can try some of Myanmar's most popular cuisine. Continue on to the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. Take in views of the impressive 375 foot high structure and learn about the excavation and restoration of Kanbawzathadi, the palace of the famous King Bayint Naung. Stroll through the Bumble Bee Throne Hall (probably used as the king’s sleeping quarters), the Royal Audience Hall, the Teak-post Museum, which displays teak-posts found from Kambawzathadi palace site excavation, and the unique, octagonal-shaped Hanthawaddy Archaeological Museum. Finally, see Shwethalyaung Reclining Pagoda and return to your hotel in Yangon.

For most, the cuisine of Myanmar is a mystery. This is your chance to hit the ground running and have an insider’s look into this overlooked culinary scene.  Begin at the central Mahabandoola Garden where you’ll meet your guide and visit your first stop for tilapia cooked over hot charcoal served with lime and tamarind dipping sauces. As you weave your way up through the backstreets of Old Yangon, you’ll stop at a famed noodle house to experiences dishes from the Northern province of Shan. Next, make your way into Little India, a bustling neighborhood where you’ll make three stops to try things like lightly-spiced samosas, crispy rice-flour dosas with pickles, dhal and coconut curries before trying sweets at a famous Bengali candy shop. Then move to Chinatown, a vibrant district with a long and fascinating history. Visit an old Chinese medicine store, get stuck into bao buns and fresh spring rolls at a buzzing  tea house, nibble on snacks at a Chinese bakery and try steamed chicken soup at a 3rd generation eatery. End the night along the famous 19th street for a cold Myanmar beer and barbecued skewers.

At 07:30 AM, you will leave your hotel in Yangon and drive the 84 km to Bago. On the way, you will pass picturesque rural landscapes of paddy fields and small villages. Bago, formerly called Pegu, is an ancient port and capital which was founded in the year 825 by two Mon princes. On the way, visit Htaukkyant War Cemetery, situated between Bago and Yangon. It houses the graves of more than 27,000 allied soldiers.  Upon arrival in Bago, you will visit Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old. Repaired after an earthquake in the 1930’s, the pagoda has an impressive spire, one that is even taller than that of Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. After, visit Hinthargone Pagoda, where you can see the Nat Shrine.  Then, at about 10:40 AM, proceed to Kya Khat Wine Monastery, where at 11:00 AM more than 400 monks line up silently every morning for the last meal of the day. When witnessing the monks routine, speaking and interfering is not allowed and visitors have to adhere to a strict observing only policy.  After an enjoyable lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace, which is a reconstruction of the original Royal Palace from the second half of the 16th century. The very ornate golden palace gives a good impression of the splendor and wealth of the second Burmese empire. It was rebuilt following the original design, based on knowledge gained from excavations and the original drawings of the building.  Then, visit to the enormous, 55 meter long and 15 meter high, reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha image, one of the country’s most admired objects. After, discover Maharzedi Pagoda with its impressive bell-shaped stupa. You can also visit the nearby local market where locally grown produce is on sale. At the end of the tour, you will return to Yangon.

Meet your guide at your hotel and firstly drive to Kyeet Myin Dine railway station. From here, take a 15-minute train ride on the Yangon Circular Train. Stop at Yangon railway station and drive to visit Bogyoke Aung Sann Market (Scott Market – closed on Mondays), where you may find various Myanmar handicrafts, jade, jewelry, clothing, and beautiful longyi. Next, go on a walking tour, setting off from Sule Pagoda in central downtown Yangon. On the way, you can see Yangon City Hall, Independence Monument, Mahabandoola Park, and many former colonial buildings. The next stop is the 70-meter long Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda giant reclining Buddha, which is equal to the height of a six-story building. In the late afternoon, you will visit Kandawgyi Park which has a great view of a beautiful lake and Shwedagon Pagoda in the background. You can also see Karaweik royal floating barge, which was built in 1974. Enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, which was built over 2,600 years ago. The Pagoda is always full of local people praying and make offerings, and is a fascinating place to spend time watching the world go by. Your guide will show you around the Pagoda complex with its many temples, stupas, and statues.