Photography Tour 2023 P13

DAY 1: YANGON ARRIVAL

You will meet at Yangon international airport and Transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is your own leisure.

Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

DAY 2: YANGON SIGHTSEEING

Morning departure for a fascinating and unusual train journey on the Yangon circular line. The (very) slow local train completes a loop through the suburbs and outlying villages providing an original and behind the scenes view of local life and Yangon city – a great introduction to Burma. After lunch, we will take a stroll through the picturesque Kandawgyi Lake Gardens before a sunset visit to the incredible Shwedagon Temple, Burma’s most sacred and certainly one of it is most awe inspiring sights.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

DAY 3: YANGON – BAGO – SIGHTSEEING

Early morning departure by car and drive to Kyaikhtiyo (114 km, 5 hrs from Yangon). On the way visit in Bagon including highlights: Shwemawdaw Pagoda, stands as a landmark of Bago and it is the highest pagoda in Mon state with the elevation of 114 meter high, built over 2000 years ago; Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha which is one of the most elegant reclining Buddha images, stretching 55 meter long and 16 meter high and was built during 9th century. The excavation site and restoration work at KanbawzaThadi which is noted for the famous palace of King Bayinnaung (1551 – 1581 AD) and Four giant Buddha images of Kyaikpun Pagoda (28 meter high), built by King Damazedi in 15th century. a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaves and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. The gold-plated boulder is said to maintain its balance thanks to a single hair of the Buddha being enshrined inside the pagoda and offering one of the most stunning panoramas of the entire Myanmar.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bago

DAY 4: BAGO – HPA-AN SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, drive to Hpa-An. On the way, visit the caves of Kawgon and Payon well known for their countless Buddha images, stalactites and stalagmites. Upon arrival to Hpa-An, check in at the hotel and pay a visit to Kantharyar Lake famous for its small island with interesting rock structure with pagoda atop.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hpa-An

DAY 5: HPA-AN SIGHTSEEING

Hpa-An is surrounded by dramatic limestone karst scenery including the sacred Zwekabin Mountain symbol of Karen State and we will spend the day exploring the area’s caves, tunnels, temples and mountains by road, boat and on foot, as well as passing through some of the area’s traditional Karen villages.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Hpa-An

DAY 6: HPA-AN – MAWLAMYING SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Mawlamying, now Mawlamying, capital of Mon State with a stop at a riverside Karen fishing village on the way. Formerly home for several years to George Orwell and immortalized by kipling we reckon it’s one of the country’s friendliest and most scenic towns. Visit a lively market before heading up for sunset at one of the hill-top pagodas overlooking the town and Gulf of Martaban

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Mawlamying

DAY 7: MAWLAMYING – BILU ISLAND SIGHTSEEING

Off by local boat to nearby BiluKyun ‘Orge Island’ – where we will visit traditional Mon villages and discover some of the local handicrafts and cottage industries. They don’t see many tourists yet, but the villagers will be happy to show you how they make can walking sticks. Burmese style bamboo hats slate blackboards and even back-garden rubber band making. Afternoon return to Mawlamying for perhaps some sundowners at a waterfront café?

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Mawlamying

DAY 8: MAWLAMYING – YAE – DAWEI

A short drive south brings us to the delightful little town of Yae. Until late 2013 the town had been off limits to foreigners since independence in 1948 due to perceived security issues with Mon and Karen autonomists. We will visit the spectacular temples site atop charmingly named Banana Mountain as well as taking in the rustic riverside market before continuing in the afternoon to Dawei, formerly Tavoy.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Dawei

DAY 9: DAWEI SIGHTSEEING

Our day tour of Dawei starts out with another lively waterfront market before heading to the nearby Dawei Peninsula. There can’t be many stretches of coast left in Southeast Asia as spectacular, but yet so little developed. Now is the time to visit as in 10years time it’s fishing villages, deserted bays and seaside pagodas will be a distant memory.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Dawei

DAY 10: DAWEI SIGHTSEEING

Just photo shooting.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Dawei

DAY 11: DAWEI – YANGON

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we will drive back to Yangon. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is your own leisure.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Yangon

DAY 12: FLY BACK HOME

Breakfast and free time until time to go to the airport for departure flight. Then, transfer you to the Yangon International Airport three hours prior according to your flight departure time.

Meal: Breakfast