The Undiscovered South
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

Explore Myanmar veering south of Yangon to take in a variety of diverse natural and cultural sites.

Discover the precarious Golden Rock of Kyaiktiyo, incredible birdlife in the Moeyungyi Wetlands and the sleepy river-side villages of the Salween River before heading to the beautiful Mergui Archipelago where you’ll find paradise on Macleod Island.

This is a fantastic holiday for second time visitors to Myanmar or can be combined with visits to Bagan, Mandalay and Lake Inle for first-timers. This holiday can also be combined with a visit to the Thai Islands travelling onwards from Macleod Island towards southern Thailand on day 16 rather than returning to Yangon.

 Highlights Include

• A 3 day river cruise along the remote Salween (Thanlwin) between Hpa-An and Mawlamyine.
• Exploring Bago’s glittering temples, palace and markets by bicycle.
• Relaxing in Paradise on Macleod Island in the beautiful Mergui Archipelago.
• Taking in panoramic views from the summit of Zwekabin Mountain nr Hpa An.

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

Day 1 Depart The UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Yangon

Day 2-3 Yangon  Signature City Tour

On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel and the first evening will be free to relax. You’ll then have a full day in Yangon to explore with your guide on our signature tour, designed to get you under the skin of the city. You’ll visit landmarks, explore markets and see the contrasts of local life. Enjoy a street food dinner with refreshing local beer before heading back to your hotel in the evening.

Day 4 & 5  Bago and The Wetlands  Temples and Birdlife

Your guide and driver will transfer you to nearby Bago where you’ll explore variety of golden temples and giant Buddha statues. There will be plenty of time to discover the area by bicycle with your private guide taking in the ancient palace and the local markets. Bago is also well located for a visit to the Moeyungyi Wetlands known for their terrific birdwatching opportunities. Take a morning cruise around the Wetlands and your guide will help you to spot a myriad of species.

Day 6  Mount Kyaiktiyo    Climb to the Golden Rock 

Leaving Bago, your journey will continue to the famous “Golden Rock”. The climb to the top takes about an hour and en route you’ll no doubt encounter local people making the important pilgrimage to the summit. Weather permitting, the view from the top is amazing. You’ll stay overnight near the rock itself.

Day 7 Hpa An  Caves and Views

Today you travel onwards to Hpa An where there will be time to take in an elevated view of the surrounding lake and if feeling energetic you could choose to either make the two hour trek up Zwekabin Mountain or explore some of Hpa-An’s famous caves.

Day 8- 10 Hpa and to Mawlamyine via the Salween River

Board the RV Yandabo in Hpa-An for a journey along the lower, navigable reaches of the Salween (Thandlwin) River towards Mawlamyine. This is a fantastic way to get a sense of the remoteness and beauty of this area of Myanmar. Your accommodation will be one of 15 cabins on two decks.

Over the course of 3 days you will cruise south watching the jungle scenery unfold from the comfort of the boats promenade. You’ll stop to explore villages en route such as small, historic Mottama for an afternoon walk and travelling downstream towards the mouth of the river including a visit to Bilugyun (Ogre) Island where you’ll moor up for sunset.

There will be time to disembark and tour Ogre Island, where the local Mon people craft coconut fibre door mats, rubber bands and walking sticks before leaving the cruise in Mawlamyine.

Day 11  Mawlamyine  The first capital of British Burma

Spend a day exploring Mawlamyine, the fourth largest city in Myanmar and the capital of Mon state at the mouth of the Salween (Thanlwin) River.

Day 12 Dawei   the Sleepy, tropical south

After breakfast you’ll begin the drive south to the tropical town of Dawei (Tavoy). The area was closed to tourists until early 2013 so it is largely undeveloped and unexplored and makes for a very authentic and rewarding experience. Today is a fairly long journey so there will be stops en route and on arrival you may wish to explore the town itself or nearby Shinmokhti Paya, dating back to 1438 and one of four shrines in the country housing a Sinhalese Buddha image supposedly made with a composite pieces of the sacred Bodhi Tree.

Day 13 -16 The Mergui Archipelago  Relax in paradise

From Dawei its a short hop by plane to Kawthaung the gateway for the Mergui Archipelago. On arrival you’ll be transferred to the jetty for the boat transfer to Macleod Island. Here you’ll check in at the Andaman Resort for your secluded island getaway. Spend a further three days relaxing in this unspoilt paradise setting, the diving and snorkelling is superb and the beaches are untouched.

Day 17  Yangon  The Shwedagon Pagoda

Today you return to Yangon for the final night of your holiday. On arrival you’ll transfer to your hotel before enjoying a late afternoon visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most famous landmarks - this is a fantastic place to watch your final sunset in Myanmar.

Day 18 Fly Home

Today you depart Yangon for the flight back to the UK.