Unveil the Secrets of Golden Rock

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Mount Kyaiktiyo
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
From £365 per person (excluding flights)

Kyaiktiyo, also known as Golden Rock, is located far above sea level in Mon state. It attracts thousands of visitors a year due to its status as one of the most well-known Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. Perched high on top of Mount Kyaiktiyo is a large, precariously balanced golden boulder with a stupa towering above it. The legend is that a few strands of Buddha’s hair keep the huge rock perfectly balanced and it has withstood numerous earthquakes! Although busy, it's an impressive sight and an unforgettable spiritual experience.

Day 1 – Arrival in Kyaiktiyo

Leaving from Yangon around 08:30 you’ll be picked up and transferred by private car with a guide. On the way to Kyaiktiyo you can visit the war cemetery in Taukkyan where thousands of prisoners of war who worked on the death railway are commemorated. On arrival at Kyaiktiyo base-camp you’ll leave your main luggage behind in the car and take a small backpack to the top of the hill, travelling by truck used by pilgrims to reach the summit.

Next you’ll walk up a steep hill for around an hour to marvel at one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar: the Golden Rock, perched high up on the mountain’s edge and, as legend has it, prevented from tumbling into the ravine below by a few strands of Buddha’s hair. Surrounding the Golden Rock are numerous tea shops, rest places and monasteries to soak up the spiritual atmosphere. Your accommodation here is a small hotel on top of the mountain with breathtaking views. The hotel has cosy rooms and panoramic views over the mountain.

Days 2-3 – Bago & train to Yangon

This morning you can get up early to watch the sun rise over the Golden Rock, as the sky turns from black to gold you can feel the spirit that draws so many pilgrims here. After breakfast it’s time to take a final glimpse at this epic sight and head back down the mountain and on to the the former Royal palace in Bago. From here you’ll continue by train to Yangon, taking in the scenery and immersing yourself in local life. You’ll stay another night in Yangon before continuing on your Myanmar adventure.