Cycling to Golden Rock & Mon State

Upon arrival you are picked up and transferred to your hotel for check in. Today we start our city tour by a visit to Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda, which was built in 1907 with the famous huge reclining Buddha statue carved in 1966. The head of the statue turns east and the face turns south. The costs of building the temple are donated by people around the area. The porcelain face of the statue was separated by large eyes (made of special imported Japanese glass), vermillion lips and light blue eyes. Even the nails are painted red. Buddha statues are decorated with 108 sacred Buddhist symbols. All of these make the pagoda impressive.
We then continue to explore the town to the post office, walk to Sule Paya, passing by the famous Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument. Last but not least we stop to visit Shwedagon Pagoda. Magnificently golden plated and decorated with diamond and gemstone, Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most beautiful and sacred Buddhist constructions in Myanmar. Archaeologists considered that the pagoda was built in the 6th century. The temple holds four treasures for the followers of the Buddha: the stick of the Buddha, the water filter of the Buddha's Na, the piece of the Buddha's Lettuce, and the eight hair of Shakyamuni Buddha. Being built on the sacred Singuttara hill with the highest chedi is 99m, you can see the pagoda from wherever of Yangon
Enjoy the amazing sunset views overlooking of the pagoda & surroundings. Overnight in Yangon

After breakfast, we will transfer to Bago. Located 80km from Yangon, Bago was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Mon. We first stop to visit Shwethalyaung Pagoda, situated in the west of Bago. The pagoda is famous for the reclining Buddha statue 55m long and 16m high, which is the second largest Buddhha statue in the world. It is considered that the statue was created in 994 under the reign of King Migjithepa. This statue was lost in 1757 when Pegu was plundered. During the British rule of Burma in 1880, Shwethalyaung Buddha was re-discovered and restored in 1881.
And then we continue to Shwemawdaw Pagoda, built in the 10th century by the Mon King to enshrine two hair relics of the Buddha with the height 114m, Shwemawdaw Pagoda is the highest pagoda in Myanmar. It is one of Burma’s most sacred sites, because it enshrines several relics of the Buddha. The annual festival of the pagoda is a 10-day event taking place in the traditional calendar of the Burmese.
 
Next our transfer to Waw town in the Mon State. From here we change to our mountain bike to experience the Burmese countryside due to small plantations and tiny villages surroundings. We will have chance to interact with local people along the roadside. Then it’s time to continue cycling until we reach to Kinpun basecamp. From here we will be transported by a local, open-air truck along a winding road for around 45 minutes and dropped off near the top before continuing on foot to Golden Rock, one of the oldest and most famous pagodas in Myanmar. It is also the World’s Heritage Site. The pagoda is famous for its huge rock lying on the mountainside over 2.500 years. The contact surface between the stone and the ground is only 78 cm². The rock is covered with gold leaf, carrying a legend in it. Being close to the edge of the mountain, the rock has a tower with 7.3m high on the top. Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

This morning there is the option to visit the Golden Rock again to see the rising sun and cast its rays upon the rock. Local pilgrims gather by the rock to make offerings in the solitude of the morning. Then, return to base camp by foot and open-air truck. Afterwards we start our ride from Kyaikhto (a 15 mins transfer from the base camp) and head southeast to Tha Hton, former capital of the Mon Kingdom. We will arrive Thahton around noon and check in to the hotel and take the refreshment before dinner. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Tha Hton.

Today we begin riding to Mawlamyaing, the capital of the Mon State in the Union of Myanmar. It is also the third largest city in the country after Yangon and Mandalay. Lunch served on the way. We will arrive in Mawlamyaing in the afternoon and first stop to visit Mahayatmuni Paya. This is the largest and most beautiful temple complex in Mawlamyine. It was built in a typical Mon style with a brick walkway connecting the various temples. The highlight is the temple, a shimmering jewelry box with mirrors, rubies and diamonds, and is a replica of an ancient pagoda in Mandalay. Seidon Mibaya-gyi, queen of Mindon from Mandalay, came to live in Mawlamyin. She and other members of the royal family of Myanmar in Mawlamyine feel a great desire to pay homage to the Maha Muni image, and they built a replica in 1904. Continue to the beautiful Seidon Mibaya Kyaung with a big reclining Buddha statue in the pagoda, where you can go inside it. To round off the day we head to a temple for a view point that overlooks the town, the Thanlwin River and Bilu Island as the sun sets in the background. Overnight in Mawlamyaing.
 

After breakfast, we ride across a new bridge called Bogyoke Aung San Bridge to Bilu Island. It is well known as Ta Kaw Sa Man in Mon, which translates to ‘Ogre Island’. We will ride around the island passing through local villages and also have the opportunity to observe local lifestyle and visit traditional handicraft workshops producing wooden pipes, bamboo hats, rubber bands and small blackboards. Return back to Mawlamyaing by car and overnight at Mawlamyaing.

Wake up early to visit the central market before beginning to paddle towards Hpaan, a small town surrounded by beautiful limestone rock formations and is the capital of the Karen state. En-route, first we will visit Kawhnat-Kadoe, the village of U Nar Ouk. During the colonial times, U Nar Ouk ran a local ferry boat company and fell into competition with the famed Ayeyarwaddy Flotila group. A price-war ensued, resulting in free ferry travel for all locals. This business tale is famous in Myanmar and taught in the text books of all primary school children. Visit to the monastery, built and donated by U Nar Ouk, where we still can see many ancient arts and crafts for decoration. Local lunch will be served along the way. This afternoon, we will arrive in Hpaan. Upon arrival we will transfer to the jetty and take a free boat ride across the river to the foot of Par Pu Mountain. We can take an optional 30 minute walk to the top to have stunning views of Hpaan below. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hpa An.

Set off by bike to visit Shweyinhmyaw Temple. Being constructed on rocks surrounded by the streams of Than Lwin river or Salween, the temple includes a number of platforms connecting to each other by staircases and walkways, an old pagoda tree as well as some sightseeing points. The temple buildings contain huge golden stupas and the huge frog statue. Although it’s interesting, its location really is the view that makes this the town’s top tourist site. We continue to Hpaan local market where everything are sold. We then continue cycle until we reach Eindu village where we rest and take lunch. In the afternoon, we ride to Saddan Cave for some exploration. This great cave with 2260 feet length and many stalactites/stalagmites and the must at the end of the cave a place where daydream can grow: a natural lake at the end of the cave. Afterwards, we continue to Lumbini Garden home of a thousand of Buddha Images located at the base of Mt. Zwekabin, this uniquely-shaped mountain is important for local Karen people. Next up is Kyauk Kalatt Pagoda, a stunning stupa-topped limestone pinnacle pagoda, set on a tiny isle dotted with monastic buildings with white egrets and surrounded by paddy. The isle is reached by a wooden footbridge and visitors are permitted to reach as high as a shrine halfway up the outcrop. This pagoda is such a great view at sunset with the Mount Zwegabin in the background. Here you can take the beautiful pictures and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Ride back to your hotel for your overnight. Overnight in Hpa An.
 

Enjoy your leisure morning here before we drive back to Yangon. On the way we visit Kawgun Cave. Generally believed that the cave temple was given to a Mon queen in the 7th century, it is a sacred place for Mon people to come here and worship. In spite of the ancient construction, thousands of Buddha statues in Kawgun Cave are still in excellent condition with various ages, shapes, expressions and postures. There are many small Buddha statues carved extremely delicate on the wall and ceiling. The Kawgun Cave has great value for history, religion, culture and architecture to study the old Burmese.
 
Lunch served en-route. Upon arrival at Yangon, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Yangon

Today you may have free time for your own pleasure or visit the Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott Market is the perfect place to peruse the stalls for lacquer ware, jewelry, handicrafts, and other Burmese souvenirs. (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and public holidays). Then, transfer to the airport to catch flight back home.