Flight: TG303 Bangkok - Yangon 08.00 - 08.45

Meet & greet: On arrival at Yangon airport, you will be welcomed to Myanmar by your private English-speaking guide and then transferred to your hotel in Bago. The drive will take around 2 hours, subject to local traffic, and on arrival, you will check in and relax for the rest of the morning.

Afternoon tour of Bago: This afternoon, set out to explore the sights of Bago, where you will visit the charming monastery of Thamanay, a renowned teaching centre for monks from neighbouring regions, who wish to study Buddhism. Afterwards, walk around the thousand year old Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which has a spire taller than that of the Shwedagon Pagoda, and then visit the dazzling architecture of Kambawzathardi Golden Palace - a reconstruction of the 16th century palace of King Bayinnaung, one of Burma's most popular kings.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Han Thar Gardens (Superior Room)

Road journey from Bago to ‘base camp' at the Golden Rock: After breakfast, set out on the drive to Kin Pun 'base camp', which is actually a small town situated at the base of Mount Kyaiktiyo, from where you reach the Golden Rock. The drive will take around 3.5 hours and lunch will be taken at a local restaurant en route. On arrival in Kin Pun, you will transfer to the bus station, where you board a purpose built truck for your ascent to the Golden Rock.

Please note: The trucks used for the journey up to the Golden Rock are open top and offer bench seating. The trucks will only depart from base camp once they are full. You may therefore find you have to wait a while whilst the truck fills up with pilgrims and other travellers.

Guided tour of the Golden Rock: From Kin Pun ‘base camp', you will visit one of Myanmar's landmarks, Kyaiktiyo, which is famous for its precarious position and religious importance. The 'Golden Rock' is a huge boulder, completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. To reach the pagoda from Kin Pun, you will join local pilgrims, and other tourists, in one of the open trucks with bench seating that have a monopoly on the route. Please note the trucks will not depart until they are completely full, so there may be a pause before you set off, and the 6 mile journey (45 minutes) on a steep and twisting road may be a little uncomfortable. Once at the top of the mountain, you will disembark from the truck and then walk for around 5 minutes until you reach your hotel. Local porters will be on hand to carry any luggage you may have with you, but you will need to negotiate a small fee for their services. Having checked in, you will then walk 500m to the pagoda complex, where you can get amazing views of the famous rock and the surrounding countryside. A visit to the Golden Rock is a must for all devout Buddhists, so you can expect to be surrounded by a colourful mix of pilgrims, monks and nuns. Watch the rock change colour as the sun sets and then return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mountain Top Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Sunrise on the Golden Rock: Should you wish to this morning, rise early to witness the stunning sunrise over the Golden Rock. This will require an early, pre-breakfast start and is optional!

Road journey from the Golden Rock to Hpa An: After breakfast, set out on the drive to Hpa An, capital of the Kayin State, a journey of around 3 hours. En route stop in Thaton, the former capital of Mon Kingdom. Continue on to Hpa An stopping off at Bayinnyi & Kawgoon caves on the way. Both of which are set inside the limestone rock formations, which Kayin State is famous for. On arrival in Hpa An, make a stop at Lake Kantharyar for a picturesque view over the distant Zwekabin Mountain, Kayin State's major landmark, which is 772 metres (2,532 feet) high. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant, after which you will check into your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Keinnara Hpa-An (Kayin Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

Guided tour of Hpa An: Today, set off to visit Sadan Cave, a naturally formed cave that takes 15-20 minutes' to walk through, along a long dark tunnel (with lights). On the other side of the cave, you will find beautiful countryside and a small lake on which you can enjoy a short canoe ride, passing under a stone cave and past paddy fields. After reuniting with your driver, visit the local market in downtown Hpa An and the Cultural Museum of the Karen (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant and afterwards, you will visit Shweyinhmyaw Pagoda, which is located at the banks of the Thalwin River. Towards the end of the afternoon, you will make a stop at Kyauk Ka-Lat, an unusal pagoda, which is built on layers of natural karst rock formations. Surrounded by a lake, the scenery guarantees a great photo opportunity. After your day exploring, you can watch the sunset here, before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Keinnara Hpa-An (Kayin Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road and shared boat journey to Mawlamyine: This morning, transfer to a nearby jetty to board the Thanlwin Princess. The boat will depart from Hpa An at 1pm and you will set off, with your fellow passengers, down the Thanlyin River bound for the old colonial capital of Mawlamyine. The journey will take around 4 hours and you will see some beautiful karst scenery, and witness rustic riverside village life, along the way.

Private transfer: On arrival at the jetty in Mawlamyine, you will meet up with your driver and you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mawlamyaing Strand Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Mawlamyine: After breakfast, set out to explore Mawlamyine. You will take a trishaw ride through this once thriving port city and colonial post. The sightseeing includes a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda - one of the major temples in Myanmar, Seindon Mibaya Kyaung - where King Mindon's queen sought refuge, the first Baptist church and Zyegyi Market. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. This afternoon, take a pleasant boat trip (45 min along the Salween / Thanlwin River), which brings you to a typical Kayin village called Kadoe Kaw Hnat, where you will see the traditional local lifestyle. Walk to the end of the village, where you will have a chance to visit the huge Kawhnat Pagoda compound, where the main pagodas and shrines were built by U Nar Auk, a Mon national renowned as a fervent advocate for the downtrodden and for his patriotic sprit. The amazing monuments inside the compound built between 1882 until 1895 are still in very good condition. Return by boat to Mawlamyine and transfer back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mawlamyaing Strand Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Bilu Island: After breakfast, set out to explore the region in more depth. Drive to the nearby jetty and board a public ferry for the short journey to Bilu Island, which sits across the river from Mawlamyine. Here, a true Myanmar experience far away from modern civilization awaits you. On arrival, you will set off by open pick-up truck, set off to discover the serene scenery of paddy fields and quaint villages. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Visit small wood workshops, where typical Myanmar walking sticks, pipes, pens and even rubber bands are produced. Return to Mawlamyine late afternoon, to enjoy the sunset from Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, which is also known as the Kipling Pagoda due to the gleaming spire that was eulogized by Rudyard Kipling. Later, return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mawlamyaing Strand Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey from Mawlamyine to Dawei, with sightseeing: After breakfast, you will be picked from the hotel to set off on the long overland journey to Dawei, in the deep south of Myanmar, a drive of around 8 hours. Your first stop of the day is at a huge reclining Buddha, measuring around 170m in length, making it one of the largest such images in the world. Continue on to Thanbyuzayat, about 2 hours from Mawlamyine, where you will visit the Allied War Cemetery which contains 3,771 graves of Allied prisoners of war - many of whom died building the infamous death railway. Nearby, you will see the Death Railway Museum, which displays a piece of track from the original death railway line, an old locomotive and other reminders of the Second World War. As you drive further south, the journey takes you on a narrow, winding and sometime bumpy road through the Southern plateau, until you reach the town of Ye - about half way to Dawei. Here, you will have lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit Ko Yin Lay Monastery and walk uphill to a giant statue, from where you can get a panoramic view over the surrounding area. From Ye, the journey continues along recently paved roads and across a stunning mountain range, which divides the Mon and the Tanintharyi State. You will reach Dawei late afternoon, in time to check in and the evening to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Golden Guest Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Dawei: This morning, set out to explore Dawei, the capital of Thanitaryi Division. In colonial times, this small town was known as Tavoy, and was one of the first towns to be settled by the British after the first of the three Anglo-Burmese wars. As a result, the town has a long history and some interesting architecture from the colonial era. Together with your guide you will explore the colonial buildings, such as the town hall with its traditional British clock, that are situated in the centre of town. Then stroll through the main market of Dawei which sells a variety of local products. Later, visit Shwe Taung Sar Pagoda and Paya Gyi Museum, where collections of bronze coins, vases, portraits and large wooden ancient Buddha images are displayed. After sightseeing in town, drive to Maungmagan Beach, passing through rural villages on the way. Here, a seafood lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the beach. Afterwards, you have time to enjoy the sun, sea and sand - swimming or taking a leisurely stroll along the beach. Watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea, before returning to Dawei early evening.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Golden Guest Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for the Apex Airlines flight back to Yangon.

Flight: SO202 Dawei - Yangon 12.20 - 13.30

Private transfer: On arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Guided visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda: Late afternoon, start your sightseeing in Yangon with an extended visit to one of the world's most spectacular monuments - the Shwedagon Pagoda. This famous pagoda is 99m high, covered in gold leaf and shimmers in the sunlight. Lying as it does to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, the Shwedagon has until now dominated the skyline of Yangon. A visit late in the day is a perfect time to see this impressive temple as the temperature drops and locals gather to worship, pay their respects and create a wonderfully spiritual atmosphere.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Chatrium Hotel (Deluxe Room City View)

Full day guided tour of Yangon: This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Yangon's Central Station for a train journey on the circular ‘commuter' train line (about 40 minutes; please take note that the trains are very basic, often crowded and their schedule not reliable). You will get off at Hledan Station and immerse yourself in this lively local Myanmar neighbourhood, where today's more modern lifestyle mixes with old traditions. Visit the colourful Hledan Market and join the locals in a tea shop, where they discuss important issues of the day. Continue on to Yangon University and drive through Thaton Road, from where you will see the University Tennis Court, the football ground, the swimming pool, the Institute of Medicine, Institute of Education, and other sites around this once world-renowned academy. Later, lunch will be taken in a local restaurant.

This afternoon, your journey continues with an afternoon tour through Yangon's colonial style city centre. Start on Pansodan Street which is famous for some of Yangon's most impressive colonial buildings. Continue to Pansodan jetty to observe the frenetic daily life on the Yangon River, and on to Sule Pagoda which dates back some 2,000 years. You will then have a chance to visit the magnificent reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi, followed by a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall, a 'hamsa bird shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. After the sightseeing, make your own arrangements for dinner, either in the hotel or at one of Yangon's trendy new restaurants.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Chatrium Hotel (Deluxe Room City View)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey from Yangon to Ngwe Saung: This morning, you will be transferred through the Irrawaddy Delta to the beach resort of Ngwe Saung. This is a journey of approximately 5 hours and rest stops will be made along the way. There is also an opportunity to stop and look around the town of Pathein on the way (please discuss with your driver). On arrival in Ngwe Saung, you will be taken to your resort to check-in and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Myanmar Treasure Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure in Ngwe Saung: You have free days to relax at your hotel on the beach, or to explore more of the local area independently. Excursions can be arranged at the hotel or from the village.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Myanmar Treasure Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Ngwe Saung to Yangon: At the appropriate time today, you will be collected from the hotel by a driver and you will be driven back to Yangon, this is a total journey time of approximately 5 hours. On arrival in Yangon, you will transfer to the airport, in time to check in for your onward flight.

Flight: TG306 Yangon - Bangkok 19.45 - 21.30

Meals: Breakfast