Yangon – Bago – Golden Rock (2 days 1 night) - 2 Days

Morning car pick-up from the hotel in Yangon at around 07:00 am and drive to Bago (84 km – 1,5 hours). En route visit an Allied War Graves cemetery near Htauk Kyant and morning market. Arrival Bago, we can visit to Kya-khat-wine monastery where to watch 400-600 monks standing in a row for alms giving in the monastery complex in silent. Guide will explain about Buddhism and monkhood life, what do they practise and why so many monks in Myanmar, and what is the ultimate aim of Myanmar people. We can explore some places in Bago if you’re interested in pagodas and temples such as Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha Image, Kyaikpun Pagoda and Shwemawdaw. We can also visit to 15th Century King Bayint Naung Palace, only can see the replica nowadays, the original one was gone due to the fire. Lunch is served in Bago.

After 2 hours driver from Bago, we’ll get to Kyaikhto town. From Kimpun base camp, join in to the open truck (45-mins up hill to Golden Rock or there has a cable car as an option from the 2nd base camp. Check in to the hotel and have a rest before we visit the pagoda.

Golden Rock (Kayiktiyo) is one the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in Myanmar and maybe one of the strangest sites for foreign visitors. A rock with a small stupa with 15th feet height built on top of it, is balancing on the edge of a mountain and looks as if it could tumble down into the ravine below at any moment. Buddhist believe due to some hairs of Buddha brought by a hermit enshrined into that hermit’s head shape rock prevented the rock from falling. Good place for those who wanted to do hiking, either a short or long? From the base camp it will take about 6 hours and from Hermit’s hill, it takes 1,5 hours. Surrounding the Golden Rock are many local souvenirs shops, pagoda accessories selling shops and Burmese traditional medicinal products made off tree-barks and indigenous animals’ horns and skins from the nearby jungle.
After we enjoy sunset, walk to the hotel only 5 minutes.
Mountain Top Hotel, Deluxe Room http://www.mountaintop-hotel.com/

Early morning, we can visit to Golden Rock before sunrise and feel the quiet atmosphere. Afterward, back to the hotel, have shower and enjoy your breakfast.

Take a downhill truck car to the Kimpun base camp, and visit to the waterfall nearby.

Saung Naing Gyi Waterfall

It’s located in Saung Naing Gyi village. It takes 20 minutes by car to reach the waterfall from Kimpun Basecamp and we need a little walk through the teakwood forest. Popular for locals and one shouldn’t miss place when we’re going to Golden Rock trip. Very relaxing and refreshing as the water is cold and it’s coming down from the Golden Rock mountain for the whole year round. Enjoy swimming and have refreshment, fun!

Driving back to Yangon passing Sittaung River, we’re in Bago. There has a train going to Yangon departs Bago station at 3:00PM. We can enjoy two hours train journey to see the different landscape and experience local life if interested. Car will be waiting for us at Yangon Central Railway Station, it’s almost the same arrival time. Pick up and transfer to the hotel in Yangon.