“ Classical route ” and Golden Rock in one trip

Alright – you want to take a closer look in Myanmar? You want to see more of this fascinating country of the golden pagodas? We might just have the right program for you – the famous “classical route” – detailed and comprehensive–plus a two-day excursion to Bago and the Golden Rock of Kyaikhtiyo. According to the legend this huge boulder which pilgrims covered with gold and crowned with a small pagoda (where supposedly a hair of Buddha is enshrined) is held by just this one hair thus preventing it from tumbling into jungle deep below – Magic of Faith. You can witness sacrificial ceremonies by monks … and the magnificent views (wonderful photo opportunities are plentiful)..

1st Day: ARRIVAL IN YANGON

Come to Yangon and relax – let SunBird take care of you! Transfer airport/hotel. In the afternoon visit Yangon´s most famous sights – for example the glittering golden Shwe Dagon Pagoda, standing 109 m tall. Accommodation: 1 night Note: In case you arrive in the afternoon only, we shall take you on your city tour prior to departure.

2nd Day: YANGON – BAGAN

Early morning flight to Bagan (80 minutes). Full day visit of the world's largest temple and pagoda complex. This is not a temple rallye, we show you the most beautiful and most important monuments, at a leisurely pace true to our motto: less is more. Accommodation: 2 nights

3rd Day: BAGAN – MOUNT PO PA – SALE

Another full day of exceptional monuments around Bagan: Day trip to Mount Popa, Myanmar's Olympus of the spirits (nats), we climb the stairs leading to the peak in the company of many scampering monkeys. On to Sale, the old river town with its richly carved wooden monastery. In the evening we attend the traditional marionette theatre (string-puppet show).

4th Day: BAGAN – AMARAPURA – MANDALAY

Morning flight (30 minutes) to Burma's last royal city where the last Burmese dynasty had to abdicate at the end of the 19th century when the British expanded their Colonial Empire. Mandalay´s plethora of sights is impressive – the country's biggest and most beautiful Golden Buddha, the largest Marble Buddha … and you can go treasure hunting in the city's manifold quaint boutiques. But first we visit the near-by royal city of Amarapura with its many temples and the world's longest teakwood bridge. Accommodation: 2 nights

5th Day: MANDALAY – MINGUN

We travel the Ayeyarwady, the mighty Elephant River and enjoy its sights – washerwomen plying their trade among buffalo carts. It takes one hour upstream to reach Mingun where a mighty king once tried to build the world's largest pagoda – and failed. Yet even the dimension of his failure is impressive.

6th Day: MANDALAY – HEHO – LAKE INLE

Early morning half-hour flight to Heho on the Shan plateau and on to idyllic Lake Inle. We spend this morning on the boat visiting floating gardens and floating villages, floating markets and floating pagodas – the floating world of the Intha, the famous leg-rowing fishermen. This stunning boat excursion takes several hours and usually leaves an indelible impression with the visitors. Accommodation: 1 night 
 

7th Day: INLE – HEHO – YANGON & DEPARTURE

Morning flight to Yangon. After arrive that drive in southern direction through teakwood and rubber plantations to the Golden Rock of Kyaikhtiyo. After half an hour truck ride and 1 hour's climb we reach the peak and enjoy a magnificent view – an enchanting landscape basking in the light of the afternoon. This gold plated boulder perched on a crest, held only by Buddha's hair from tumbling down – Magic of Faith, and a wonderful afternoon with spectacular photo ops. Accommodation: 1 night

8th Day: KYAIKHTIYO – BAGO – YANGON

We return by the same route to Bago. The city, once centre of the empire of the Mon people, is home to extraordinary sights and we shall visit them in extenso – the biggest Reclining Buddha, the highest Golden Pagoda all bear witness to the glorious past of the Mon. Back to Yangon in the evening. Accommodation: 1 night

9th Day: YANGON – DEPARTURE

Individual sightseeing or time for shopping? Don't miss the huge Bogyoke Market with its arts and trinkets, its souvenirs and treasures … Later SunBird takes you to the airport.

| Golden Rock |
| P L E A S E N OT E |

This is quite an extensive program along the classical route plus visit of the Golden Rock.

The famous Golden Rock towering 1200 m above the jungles is reached by a 1 hour hike on good paths (after having been taken in pickups to Kinpun middle station). If desired you can be carried to the top in bamboo chairs for a small fee.

This program can be ideally combined with a beach holiday or one of our Specials.
For more information such as availability and price, please send to Sunbird for further assistances.