12 Days Myanmar Ayeyarwady Delta

Day 01 YANGON / Arrival

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport: welcome by our local tour guide and transfer to Best Western Chinatown Hotel. Rest of the day free at your own leisure. You will spend the night at Best Western Chinatown Hotel in Yangon.

Day 02 YANGON (B)

On a walk through the city centre of Yangon and to the riverbank, you will see many notable sites from the colonial and religious past of this garden city. Old Rangoon was built based on designs by Dr William Montgomerie. He was a senior military physician who learnt about construction planning from Sir Stanford Raffles in Singapore. All culturally significant buildings in Yangon are listed as historic monuments. You’ll visit the Sule Pagoda, which dates back over 2000 years, pass by the town hall designed by U Tin in 1925, and then stroll through Maha Bandula Park, where you’ll see its independence monument before continuing onto the Supreme Court which was built in 1911 and is an extravagant red-brick architectural masterpiece designed by architect John Ransome. Next up on the tour is the red-brick Custom House which was built in 1902 for the Port Authority and is housed in a large building on the corner of Strand Road and Pansodan Street. You’ll then enjoy ‘high tea’ at the Strand Hotel which was built in 1896 and was formerly known as the ‘the finest hostelry East of Suez’, and climb the steps up to the word-famous Shwedagon Pagoda, which Somerset Maugham described as follows: “The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city”. This massive, bell-shaped stupa rises 100 metres above its hilltop surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, temples and Buddha images and observe religious and secular visitors from all over the world. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda. You will spend the night at the Best Western Chinatown in Yangon.

Day 03 YANGON – BOGALE (B)

From the Pansodan pier, take the public ferry across the Yangon River to Dala. On the 15-minute drive, you will have the opportunity to observe the activities on the jetty and along the shore. From Dala, travel by car to Bogale (approx. 4-5 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to Nan Sable Hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Take the time to visit the Forest Department to discuss the trip for the next three days. Overnight at Nan Sable Hotel.

Day 04 BOGALE – MEINMAHLA KYUN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, you will take a private boat to Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary (approx. 3 hours). The nearly 26-kilometer-long and 10-kilometer-wide island has the status of a wildlife sanctuary to protect the endangered saltwater crocodile from extinction. The island is crossed by numerous canals and is almost completely covered by mangrove forests. With a little luck you will also encounter Irrawaddy dolphins. Dinner and overnight in a community house.

Day 05 MEINMAHLA KYUN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - FISHING VILLAGE KADONKANI - KADONKALE KYUN (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to the fishing village of Kadonkani (about three hours) on the western side of the river of the same name. For fishermen, the place serves as a collection point for crabs, fish and shrimp. The rustic rice mills in the simple settlement are also worth seeing. In the afternoon, you will take a larger boat to Kadonkale Kyun (about two hours), a river island in the estuary area, where sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches and sandbanks. The preferred times are from November to February. Dinner and overnight in a typical local house on the island.

Day 06 KADONKALE KYUN - FISHING VILLAGE KADONKANI - BOGALE (B, L)

Today you will return to Bogale via the fishing village Kadonkani and the Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary. After arrival in the late afternoon, transfer to Nan Sable Hotel, check-in and overnight stay.

Day 07 BOGALE – PATHEIN (B)

After breakfast, drive to Pathein (about five hours). En route, stop in some villages to get a glimpse of the everyday lives of the people in this rural area. Upon arrival, transfer to The First Hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free at your own leisure. Overnight at The First Hotel in Pathein.

Day 08 PATHEIN – NGWE SAUNG BEACH (B)

Pathein is surrounded by a large rice-growing region which produces the best rice in Myanmar. Most of the inhabitants of Pathein are Kayin, Rakhine and Myanmar in origin. Pathein is known for its vibrant, hand-painted umbrellas. Visit the town center, take a rickshaw ride along the riverside, go for a stroll around the lively market and visit various umbrella-making workshops. In the afternoon, travel onwards to Ngwe Saung Beach (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to Palm Beach Resort, check-in and overnight stay.

Day 09 & Day 10 NGWE SAUNG BEACH (B)

Enjoy your stay at Ngwe Saung Beach. Ngwe Saung’s surrounding area is the perfect place to relax underneath swaying palm trees. If you wish, you can explore the local area by boat, moped or bike. It’s worth taking a trip to Sinma, a small fishing village a few kilometres south of Ngwe Saung Beach, or Bird Island, a beautiful little island in the Gulf of Bengal, which is home to only a few fishermen. Overnight stay at Palm Beach Resort in Ngwe Saung Beach.

Day 11 NGWE SAUNG BEACH – YANGON (B)

After breakfast, travel back to Yangon (approx. 6 hours). Upon arrival transfer to Best Western Chinatown Hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free at your own leisure. Overnight at Best Western Chinatown Hotel.

Day 12 YANGON / Departure (B)

You will have the morning free. Explore the Burmese metropolis on your own! If you’re feeling in the mood and want to experience the Burmese culture up close, then just take an interesting tour on the public ‘City Circular Train’ (circular railway) or a leisurely stroll through the Bogyoke market (closed Mondays and public holidays) for some last-minute shopping. There is a wide range of items for sale, including: wooden carvings, bronze statues, lacquer, mother-of-pearl cutlery, longyis and much more. Afternoon transfer to airport for your return flight.