13 days
The Golden Four
Yangon · Bagan · Mandalay · Inle Lake
See the routeHistory, wildlife & the road less travelled
Jewels of the South
Duration
10 days
Regions
5 areas
Pace
Active
Style
Off the beaten track
About this journey
This part of the country really does have it all, offering colonial and ancient history, wildlife, authentic local experiences and beautiful scenery.
Few visitors make it south of Yangon, which is exactly the point. From the gravity-defying Golden Rock to the limestone caves of Hpa-an and the wetland birdlife of Bago, this is Myanmar with the volume turned down.
Trip highlights
- Overnight at the floodlit Golden Rock of Kyaikhtiyo
- The Burma–Siam 'Death Railway' heritage at Thanbyuzayat
- Saddan Cave and the karst spires of Hpa-an
- Sunset at Kyauk Ka Lat pagoda
- Dawn birdwatching on the Moeyungyi wetlands
Day by day
A sketch of the route.
A suggested flow rather than a fixed schedule — every day can be lengthened, swapped or skipped to suit you.
- Day1
Yangon
The golden spire
An evening at Shwedagon Pagoda as the gold catches the last light, followed by dinner at Shan Yoe Yar, serving regional cuisine in a restored wooden house.
- Day2
Yangon
Colonial city & Circle Line
A morning among downtown's colonial architecture, lunch at the 999 Shan Noodle Shop, then an ordinary-class ride on the Circle Line train.
- Day3
Yangon → Kyaikhtiyo
To the Golden Rock
Travel to this sacred pilgrimage site, riding the open hill truck to the summit and staying overnight to see the floodlit boulder with few crowds.
- Day4
Kyaikhtiyo → Mawlamyine
The Death Railway
Visit the Burma–Siam railway cemetery and museum at Thanbyuzayat, then explore Mawlamyine's lively night market along Strand Road.
- Day5
Mawlamyine
Bilu Island
A morning seafood market, then a boat to Bilu Island to watch traditional handicraft workshops, with sunset from Kyaikthanlan Pagoda.
- Day6
Mawlamyine → Hpa-an
Down the river to Hpa-an
A three-hour scenic river journey past fishing villages and produce markets, with a coconut stop at a Karen village.
- Day7
Hpa-an
Caves & karst
Explore the vast Saddan Cave by torchlight, paddle out through the rice paddies by boat, and watch sunset at the pinnacle pagoda of Kyauk Ka Lat.
- Day8
Hpa-an → Bago
A wall of Buddhas
Visit Kawgun Cave, its walls studded with thousands of seventh-century clay Buddha figures.
- Day9
Bago
Wetlands & royal Bago
An early wildlife cruise on the Moeyungyi wetlands, then Shwemawdaw Paya, the vast Shwethalyaung reclining Buddha and the Kanbawzathadi Palace.
- Day10
Bago → Yangon
Departure
Return to Yangon for your departure flight.
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