Arrival at Yangon International Airport where you will be welcomed by one of Tamarind’s staff and transfer to hotel.

Early morning drive thru a delta area en route to the Sittaung River and Kyaik Hti Yo. Once your vehicle crosses the narrow wooden planks of the Sittaung Bridge, you will have just departed the State of Bago and entered the Mon State. The Mon state is renowned in Myanmar for producing the best durian fruit.

Mid morning, arrive at the base camp Kimpun. From there, starts the pilgrimage path to the famous pagoda of Golden Rock, about 10 km away and at an altitude of 1200 meters.  It is said that a relic piece of Buddha's hair keeps the Golden Rock precariously balanced that, rocks gently on windy days. Transfer to the transit junction in a small cozy open truck followed by a thirty-minute scenic ride to your hotel.

		After lunch, hike to the Golden Rock enjoying many vendors displaying traditional medicated roots, spices, and refreshments. (Tamarind recommends that while you are on your walk up to see Golden Rock, stop at a refreshment shop and enjoy the sweet cool juice from a fresh coconut).
		Enjoy the sunset from this beautiful site with the breathtaking views and fresh mountain air

On the way back to Yangon, visit to Bago, an ancient capital of Mon Kings, where we will eat lunch.

		After lunch visit the Shwetharlyaung Buddha Image, the oldest reclining Buddha in Myanmar.
		Visit the WWII Memorial en route to Yangon-the resting place for some veterans who gave their lives for their country.

Overnight in Yangon.

After arrival at Mandalay Airport where we will take a 2 hours drive to Pyin Oo Lwin that was originally inhabitant by Shan Danu people; and renamed Maymyo (May-town) in 1896 by British Colonel May as a summer resort town to escape the oft stifling heat and humidity from the lower elevated cities and towns. In 1989 the Myanmar government changed the name from Maymyo to Pyin Oo Lwin. Pyin Oo Lwin is also the home of many Nepalese and Indians.

The town is over 2000 feet above sea level-and because of its temperate climate you will see the variety of plants, fruits and vegetables grown in this region. In fact it is not uncommon to see large poinsettias growing along the side of the road during your drive to Pyin Oo Lwin.

		Once settled in to Pyin Oo Lwin we will visit the Pwe Kauk Water Falls called Hampshire Falls in British times. Or Anisakan Water Falls for those who want more of a challenge.
		At Kandawgyi Botanical Garden you will see over 500 kinds of trees, 79 kinds of bamboo, 133 kinds of orchid, and 410 kinds of traditional medicinal plants. One of the most famous and beautiful botanical gardens in Myanmar. This garden was built under the direction of Colonel May utilizing Turkish prisoners of WWII.
		Visitors can also take a horse drawn cart for a short trip into town where we will visit the market and see Shan style antique shops, sweater knitting, vegetables, and flowers of roses & dahlias.
		Also in town rests the Purcell Tower-a 75 feet high clock tower built in 1936 that still chimes every 15 minutes.

Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin

Visit to Goak Htaik Bridge by train. When acrossing the Bridge of Goak Htaik, you will be surprised of the technical value of a joint American & British Engineering venture over 100 years ago.  Relax and enjoy the scenery of the landscape as your train meanders to its destination.

En route back to Pyin Oo Lwin by car, observe beekeepers working their trade roadside-and sample the raw pure honey here while stretching your legs.

(Tamarind notes that if you want a delicatable snack, our driver will stop where we will find road side vendors selling fresh grilled lkura, served with a semi spicy sauce)

2 Hours drive to Mandalay airport, take a 30 minute flight to Heho. After arrival, 2 hours scenic drive to Kalaw, 4300 ft (1440 meters) above the sea level, where was once a favorite hill station for British administrative officials and another summer resort for their family during hot season.

A peaceful town surrounded by pine woods, home for Palaung, Pa-O, Taung-Yo, Dha Nu hill tribe of Shan ethnic.

		We will start at the Kalaw market where we can find variety of beautiful flowers, indoor plants, milky avocado, fresh garlic, cauliflowers, cabbage, potatoes, taro, leek root, ginger, and tea leaves grown on the hill by terrace cultivation.
		Our next visit will be a glorious Buddha Image made by thin bamboo strips lacquered built in over 500 years ago. Young novices & elderly nuns take care of refreshment such as Shan tea served with pickle tea leave, roasted sesame, garlic and peanut when visitors coming. You will feel tranquility of the moment at that compound. Back to hotel, reading, seeing a panorama view of the city.

In the morning, we will trek to a Palaung village, passing thru unforgettable landscape and mountain-side gardens, where farmers cultivate a variety of vegetables. These hills are harmonious, and the wide trail allows for easy trekking. We will pass villagers who are returning from Kalaw where they sell various food staples at the local market that we visited the day before.  
           
The roundtrip hike will take about 8 hours which includes lunch, and a stop at the Palaung village. In the village we will visit the home of a Palaung member where long bench-like wooden homes provide refuge.
(Tamarind Note: Visiting tourists have remarked that a Palaung village is not dissimilar to the villages found on the Island of Borneo)

All of the Palaung are Buddhists; and you will find at least one Monestary and primary school in every village.

Transfer to Heho airport and return to Yangon by afternoon flight.  

An hour morning flight to Sittwe.
After arrival, about five hours boat trip from Sittwe to Mrauk U, a fine last royal capital of Rakhine has unique beauty and historical remains which are inextricable and remarkable.
Mrauk U lies at the head of a tributary, Kaladan River, about 45 miles from the sea coast. Its unique position in the Bay of Bengal, with both land and sea routes to the east and west.
The city was called by the European as “Golden City”. The crops never failed because of an annual 200 inches of rainfall.

It was good commercial port during 17 Century – elephant, rice, teak, wax, indigo, cotton, gold & silver ware, terracotta & glazed earthen ware were trading with merchants from Portuguese, Arab, India, Sri lanka, Spain, and Dutch.

(Visitind tourists said that they have read books in world history about Marine forces of Rhakkaing(Arakan) Kings, Palace decorated with gold and aloe wood, and Samurai body-guard were hired from Japan for providing Security to the kings.)

Mrauk U was built as a defense city by the kings of those days. Besides the venerable pagodas, visitors of today can see city walls, moats, ramparts, watch towers and forts as the most interesting archaeological remains.

We will arrive to Mrauk U in the early evening.

Mrauk U a 19 mile long (30 kilometer) fortification which surrounded the settlement can still be found today.

Mrauk U is an ancient city that was fortified by Natural Barriers & Walls. It was the last capital of the Rhakkaing (Arakan) kings for the 48th dynasty.
In the center of the city was the Royal Palace.

North of the palace site, hidden behind a series of low hills, are the most important religious shrines of medieval Mrauk U.

Sightseeing includes the most beautiful middle age Buddhist temples in typical Arakanese architectural style built in 16th -17th Century which we can not see in central Burma.

		Among the most beautiful is the Shitthaung Temple, located atop a small hill. Erected in AD 1535 to commemorate for being success to Portuguese attacked on the city, it is know as “the temple of 80,000 Buddhas.” (It represents to the number of statements found in the Buddha’s speeches to his followers.) 1000 craft men of mason built for a year to build.
	Sightseeing includes:
		Andaw Temple; one of the Buddha’s teeth carried from Sri Lanka enshrined in 1596,
		Lemyethna Temple and the Shwe Daung Pagoda; both contain frescoes which give visitors a detailed pictorial account of daily life in the Mrauk U court.
		Htukkan-thein; an ordination hall built in 1571 – in its court yard are several images which exhibit clothing & 64 style of hair-knot popular in the 16th Century.
		Visit to a village not far away from pagodas, we can learn about traditional Arakanese customs. (Tamarind notes that if our guest would like to visit chin tatto village, day will require. Please advise us when you inquire for booking.)

In the morning, back to Sittwe by boat over the Kaladan River.                  
                       
Flight to Than Dwe formerly called Sandoway, 30 minute drive to Ngapali Beach.
                       
Ngapali Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia, located along the southern Rakkhaing Coast.
                       
Relaxation on Beach, Swimming at Sea.
              
(Tamarind nots that Ngapali Beach is open year-round except during reason -June to
September.)

Overnight in Ngapali.

Snorkeling, visiting to fishermen village or relaxing on beach.  

Overnight in Ngapali.

Relaxing on beach.

Flight to Yangon.

		Visit to Bogyoke market where local merchants offer Myanmar traditional silks, cotton, paintings, tapestries, handicrafts, silverware, lacquerware, national dress & ethnic fashions, gems & jewelry.
		Evening visit to Shwedagon Pagoda; the world famous golden stupa. Shwedagon at night affords magical views during the cooler temperatures of the evening when the crowds are fewer, and the atmosphere simply amazing.