(Code: AP8)
This ancient Rakhine Kingdom is the final frontier of Myanmar Travel waiting to be discovered. Unlike Bagan, this Western part of Myanmar is cut off from the rest of the country, and seems to exist in the World of its own, which makes it even more exotic. You have not seen it all until you step into Mrauk U. Suddenly, you find yourself stumbled into a strange new civilization. Why not boldly go where not many have gone before?
Day | Summary | Hotel | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Arrive Yangon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Yangon. [detail] | Summit Park View | |
2 | Flight to Sittwe, transfer to Jetty and boat trip to Mrauk U. (approx. 5 hrs.) Overnight in Mrauk U. [detail] | Shwe Thazin | B,L |
3 | Mrauk U sightseeing. Excursion to Wethali and Mahamuni. [detail] | Shwe Thazin | B |
4 | Boat trip to tattooed Chin village. Mrauk U sightseeing. [detail] | Shwe Thazin | B |
5 | Take a boat trip back to Sittwe, transfer to the hotel, followed by Sittwe sightseeing. [detail] | Shwe Thazin | B |
6 | Flight to Yangon. [detail] | Shwe Thazin | B |
City | Hotel | Category | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Yangon | Summit Park View Hotel | Superior | 3 stars |
Sittwe | Shwe Thazin Hotel (Sittway) | Superior | 2 stars |
Mrauk U | Shwe Thazin Hotel (Mrauk U) | Superior | 2 stars |
Day 01: Bangkok - Yangon - Sightseeing (Arrival)
Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at Yangon International airport and take you to your hotel.
Yangon is changing fast. Seasoned travelers will notice the presence of newer vehicles on the road. (Some 20,000 newer models were registered between October 2011 to March 2012.) A few commercial banks have started to open counters for foreign currency exchange, and starting April 2012, government has let the official exchange rate to float based on free market. (On the first day it was set around 812 Kyat to 1 US dollar instead of unrealistic 6 kyat to a dollar.)
There is also more relaxing of media and publications. Websites previously banned can now be accessed. You will be surprised to see road-side vendors selling journals with front page photos of Noble laureate Aung Sun Su Kyi. Her NLD party has won the April 1st, 2012 by-elections by a land-slide victory in almost all the contested seats. The international community, including the US Secretary of State had congratulated Myanmar people for taking a brave bold step towards full democracy. What's happening in Myanmar is unthinkable just a year ago. All of those are good signs for travelers to Yangon and Myanmar as a whole.
Depending on the flight schedule, you may have time to explore Yangon to observe all the improvements and changes taking place here.
Overnight at Summit Parkview Hotel.
Day 02: Yangon - Sittwe - Mrauk U
After breakfast, depart to Yangon airport for Sittwe-bound flight. Upon arrival at Sittwe airport, meet your driver and proceed to the Jetty. Embark on a motorized boat for a 5 hour boat trip from Sittwe to Mrauk U. Upon arrival at Mrauk U, transfer to the hotel that we have booked for you.
Overnight in Mrauk U. (B,L)
Day 03: Sightseeing in Mrauk U
Formerly one of Myanmar's most powerful kingdoms, Mrauk U today remains an impressive array of ancient ruins comparable to Ankor Watt in Cambodia.
So, are you ready for the discovery of your life? We will start the day with excursion to Wethali. According to Rakhaing chronicle, WETHALI was founded in 327 AD by King Mahataing Chandra . Archaeologists believe that this kingdom had lasted until the 8th century. Of the oval-shaped city boundary that remains, only part of the moat and the walls are still visible amidst the green paddy fields.
Next, we will be on a bumpy road heading to Mahamuni. Mahamuni Temple is located in the north-eastern part of ancient Dhanyawady city. This is the original location of Mahamuni Buddha Image now in Mandalay. Mahamuni Buddha is a huge bronze image which Rakhaing kings believed provided supernatural protection to their successive kingdoms.
After lunch, proceed to the graceful Koe Thaung Temple, which means the temple of 90,000 images. This is one of the biggest temples in the Mrauk U.
[See a sitting Buddha Image at Koe Thaung Temple.]
Continue to Paysi Paya and also visit traditional fan production villages of Zee Nat Man Aung and Zina Man Aung.
Continue further to Harri Taung Hill to see the beautiful sunset over the old Rakhine Kingdom.
Overnight at Shwe Thazin Hotel in Mrauk U. (B)
Mrauk U Photos: Shite Thaung Temple | Dokkanthin seen from Shite Thaung | Dokkanthin Temple
Day 04: Mrauk U - Face Tattooed Chin village (Boat Trip) - Mrauk U
Travel along the bank of Laymyo River by boat against the current up the Chin village, passing through small creeks, beautiful betel nut plantation and villages.
The trip will take three hours to the Chin village and two and a half hours to return to the hotel. Overnight at Shwe Thazin Hotel in Mrauk U. (B, L)
Day 05: Mrauk U - Sittwe
After complimentary breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty and return to Sittwe by boat.
Highlights of the tour of this seaside town:
Mahakuthala Buddha Museum: The most extensive collection of Rakhine-style Buddha images in this century-old British colonial mansion at the North side of the town; collections of arts, bronze images, notes and antique coins from Mrauk U and other ancient kingdoms.
Sitting Buddha (Thet Kya Muni Pagoda): The big sitting Buddha image located in the same area as U Ye Kyaw Thu Monastery.
Fishing Port: The fishing port is bustling with activities in the evening as boats from the open seas return from fishing trip.
View Point: Lovely recreational spot with panoramic view of sunset over the Bay of Bengal.
Overnight at Shwe Thazin Hotel in Sittwe. (B)
Day 06: Sittwe - Yangon
Transfer to the airport for your Yangon-bound flight,
Upon arrival at Yangon airport, transfer to your International flight, or continue exploration of Myanmar with our other Tour Packages. (B)
Due to heavy rains and potential landslides during the rainy season, this package to Mrauk U and Sittwe may not be available from mid June till September.
The package price depends on several factors such as group size, with or without tour guide, whether or not the tour guide follows you all the way including flights or just a local guide to pick you up at the hotel, whether or not some trips are skipped, latest exchange rate, hotels of your choice, seasonal variations and possibility of special promotions by the airlines and hotels. The package can be customized to fit your needs. Please tell us more about your preferences.
“One small step for a tourist, a giant leap for all discoveries.”
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