Trekking Mount Victoria and Mrauk U

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be welcomed by our Asia Senses guide and driver then transferred to Yangon’s downtown. Check in your hotel and take a short break.

Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the largest city in Myanmar. This city is a mix of British colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline. It’s a great starting point for any trip to Myanmar. Depend on your actual arrival time, some soft sightseeing for an orientation tour is suggested.

If time permits, we will visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda - Yangon’s most famous landmark. The massive 99 meter high gold plated pagoda with the diamond studded spire set on top of a small hill in downtown Yangon. Its massive bell-shaped golden spires are plated with 60 tons of gold, while the tip of the stupa is inset with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.

Overnight in Yangon.

After early breakfast, you will be transferred to Yangon airport for a domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Nyaung U airport, you will be welcomed by our local guide. Bagan is an ancient city in central Myanmar ( Burma), southwest of Mandalay. Standing on the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, it’s known for the Bagan Archaeological Area, where more than 2,000 Buddhist stupas and temples which were constructed by its rulers from 11th to 13th centuries.

Our cycling tour today begins with a visit to the colorful Nyaung U Market where locals gather each day to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods. Morning time is the best time to visit market, as you would see it at its liveliest and ways of life of local people. Then we visit the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, one of most important pagodas in Bagan. It was served as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country.

Continue to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with its unique architecture shows Indian influence and the elegant Htilomilo Temple, a large majestic structure towering 46 meters high with fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Bagan then return to the hotel to check in or rest.

In the afternoon, we begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer-ware workshop where you can observe the intricate process of making traditional lacquer wares, from cutting bamboo into strips, and carefully build up mixtures of thit-see resin with clay and ash, finally it will be polished with the ash of fossil wood. Afterward, these items will be undergone the process of etching or painting by hand.

The ride then continues to the Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and be considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Mon architecture. Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed.

After that, we ride past Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temples of all monuments in Bagan; 61m high overlooking the Bagan scene, the enormous Dhammayangyi Temple, the largest temple at Bagan with more than 225 feet each sides and Sulamani Temple, before enjoying magnificent sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of the Sulamani Temple.

Overnight in Bagan.

Our adventure to Chin State will begin today. In the early morning, our guide and driver will take you a six to seven hour 4WD transfer to Mindat, a little mountain town, gateway to the beautiful Mount Victoria. Along the way, there will be ample opportunities to stop for photos, visit colorful market and explore local villages.

From Bagan, we will drive along the Ayeyarwady River, the country's largest river and most important commercial waterway to the southern small town of Chauk. On arrival in Chauk, we will stop at a fabulous morning market which is offered fascinating insights into the ethnic diversity of the town, its produce, heritage and traditions. Then we take another two hours down the road to Ka Zun Ma village. Your lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Ka Zun Ma.

After lunch, we continue drive to Mindat, an attractive destination for tourists who interested in rural environment. Mindat is situated along the edge of the mountain, the beauty of nature and friendly people will make a memorable trip for you.

After a long journey pass through dusty, twist, rough roads, we arrive our today’s destination of Mindat in the late afternoon. Check in guesthouse, prepare for our exploration tomorrow.

Overnight in Mindat.

From the hotel, you will be transferred by car to the basecamp of Mt. Victoria. Our today’s trek to the peak of Mt. Victoria will take up to six hours, through spectacular, breath-taking mountain scenery. We will walk through endless Rhododendrons and high altitude evergreen forests with sweeping views of the surrounding Chin Mountains. The pine forest and sweet bird calls will fill the beauty of the Mt.Victoria which is the most famous birding area for many endangered species of Myanmar.

Along the off beaten tracks, we will pass through Chin Villages around Mindat, where you can observe Chin Hill Tribes and the traditional way of living. You may have the chance to see the famous Chin women with tattooed faces, a fading tradition.

Upon reaching peak of Victoria mount, enjoy breath-taking Myanmar mountain scenery. Have dinner then free at leisure. Overnight at campsite Mt. Victoria summit.

Today, we will take our first steps towards the legendary temples of Mrauk-U. After breakfast, we depart our campsite and trek towards Pin Luang Village. The day’s hike is a mixture of uphill and downhills jaunts, with unforgettable, fantastic scenery. The trek gives you opportunities to enjoy the ever-changing landscape from high altitude evergreen forests to primary rain forests.

Chin State is Myanmar's poorest and least-developed state as it was completely cut off from the outside world. Therefore, you could explore unique cultures which are unspoiled, untouched by western influences.

Set off in the direction of Pin Laung Village, situated at 1200 meters in elevation and makes for a perfect place to recharge.

The trek starts early this morning, enjoy the cool mountain air of early morning while trekking towards the remote village of Kha Yaing, one of few villages where the local women have tattoos on their faces - in an old tribal tradition in order to protect them from being taken as wives by other tribes.

The scenery again changes during the descent down towards the Hel Phon Village. It is located in an idyllic location by the river. Enjoy your lunch which is prepared by local people.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Kha Yaing village. Enjoy the beautiful views over the rice paddy fields on the way. Upon arrival in Kha Yaing Village, meet with your guesthouse’s host. You could stroll through village, talk with locals for better understanding their cultures. Play with kids in village.

Overnight in Kha Yaing Village.

In the morning, say “farewell” to our guesthouse’ hosts and strike out towards the remote Chin village of Mulong.

Chin people are well known for their colorful fabrics, as well as the tattooed faces of their women. Chin legend has it that when a Burmese king travelled to the region, he was so impressed by the women’s beauty that he kidnapped one to take as a bride. Because of this, Chin families began to tattoo their daughters to ensure they would not be taken away. The practice was outlawed a generation ago. During the 1960s, the Burmese socialist government banned the practice of face tattooing as part of their program of getting rid of the old and ushering in modernisations, with missionaries in the Chin also criticizing it as barbaric. So now only the elderly women have tattooed faces.

Overnight in Mulong Village.

After breakfast, we will take a scenic trek along rarely used trails to Makyar Einu Village. Despite being a Christian village, villagers still believe in animist and natural gods… Their way of life has changed little in generations.

One the way, you could realize the huge change of the scenery. In the lowland areas, you would see rice fields where farmers are working hard, villagers do their daily activities. The trail undulates throughout the day and you will have opportunities to enjoy this incredible panorama of mountains, rice fields, discover the beauty of Chin state countryside.

Overnight in Makyar Einu Village.

Today is the final day of trekking in our exploration. After breakfast, we depart Makyar Einu village and head towards Pi Sung, a beautiful hamlet which is located on the banks of the Lay Myo River, situated on the side of the ancient Arakanese kingdom, Western of Myanmar and empties into the Bay of Bengal at Sittwe. This important waterway has served as a transport link and a lifeline for the many Chin villages in Sittwe and Mrauk U area.

The trail today descends gradually towards the river, as the scenery changes from rice paddies and agricultural land to bamboo fields, before finally descending towards the river valley below.

On arrival in Pi Sung Village, check in your guesthouse, free at leisure. You could stroll along the river’s bank, observe normally activities of locals such as women are carrying water from river, fishermen are fishing, children are swimming and enjoy the sunset on the river.

Overnight in Pi Sung Village.

Board a local long tail fishing boat to the fabled city of Mrauk U, a little known archeological site in Western Burma. It was former capital in the 15th Century and once one of the richest cities in all of Asia. At its peak, Mrauk U controlled half of Bangladesh, modern day Rakhine State (Arakan) and the western part of Lower Burma. There are hundreds of ancient temples and pagodas, many of which are well preserved remain of the powerful empire that once flourished here.

The boats used have to be small and nimble in order to navigate the difficult waters of the Lay Myo River. The journey could take up to 10 hours, provides a great opportunity to observe local villagers’ life also the chance to spot the wild birds that make the river their home, including the elusive hornbill.

Overnight at hotel in Mrauk U.

Wake up early and leave the hotel at around 06:00 to enjoy the sunrise over the misty hills of Mrauk U.

After that, return to the hotel for breakfast and then start our full day tour to explore Mrauk U, including the Koethaung Temple, Laungbanpyauk Pagoda, Yadana Mannaung and Sakaya Mannaung Pagodas. These temples and pagodas were built from the 15th to 18th centuries, set in a low-lying area surrounded by hills, are some of the most important religious shrines of Mrauk U which primarily remain day-to-day places of worship for the local Rakhine villagers.

In the afternoon, we will visit Shitthaung Temple, the most important monument in Mrauk-U. It was built in 1535–1536 by King Min Bar to commemorate his conquest of Bengal. It is located on the western face of Pokhaung Hill. Shitthaung Temple contains a remarkable collection of Arakanese Buddha images and reliefs.

After that, we take a visit to Andaw Thein Temple, located at the northwest corner of the Shittaung Temple (pronounced “She-thang”). The name means ‘‘Tooth Shrine’’. It contains a tooth relic of the Buddha coming from Sri Lanka.

Then, we head to Ratana Pon Pagoda to discover its pure Arakanese design; the impressive, massive monument is without decorative elements or ornamentation. Finally, we will visit Htukkanthein Temple and Le Myet Hna Temple which is located North of the Royal Palace, near the Htukkanthein temple. It is one of the oldest temples of Mrauk U, it was built in 1430 by King Min Saw Mon, the founder of the Mrauk U Kingdom.

Overnight at hotel in Mrauk U.

Our guide and driver will come to pick up you then transfer to Mrauk U pier then board a private riverboat for a cruise downstream along the Kaladan River to Sittwe, a port city on the Bay of Bengal at the mouth of the Kaladan River, and was an important trade centre during British colonial times. Along the way, there will be opportunities to observe the lives of local riverside communities in Rakhine, as the boat heads towards the Bay of Bengal.

Upon arrival in Sittwe, we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant, the be transferred to Sittwe Airport for a short flight to Thandwe airport. Upon arrival, the staff from hotel will welcome at airport then transfer you to hotel for check in. Relax on the beautiful beach.

Overnight in Ngapali.

Ngapali Beach in Myanmar is one of the best beaches in the area with its pristine, palm-tree-fringed white sand, the clear waters of the Bay of Bengal. The warm, clear waters are perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and there are several small offshore islands which can be reached by boat.

Enjoy two day relaxing on the beach, or take excursion to one of the nearby islands or snorkeling spots.

Overnight at hotel in Ngapali.

Free at leisure until our guide transfers you to Thandwe airport for your return flight to Yangon. From here, embark your onward flight home or to next destination. See you again in your next Myanmar (Burma) Tours with us.