Burma Extension: Mrauk-oo

The area exudes a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. Also take the chance to visit the Chin tribal villages, famous for there tattooed faces.  The only way to access Mrauk-oo is by boat (approx. 4-6 hrs) from Sittwe.

DAY 1 : YANGON - SITTWE

Transfer to Yangon Airport for the domestic flight to Sittwe. Transfer from Sittwe Airport to your hotel. Late lunch at simple local restaurant in Sittwe.

Arrive in Sittwe in early afternoon. Sittwe, known to the Bengalis as 'Akyab', is in Rakhine State and used to be a busy trading port. Sittwe was founded by the British in 1826 and is situated at the mouth of the rivers Kaladan and Lomro near the border with Bangladesh. Due to its history as a major town during the time of the Raj, many people who came here to work came from India - to this day approximately 25% of the people are Muslim and of Indian origin. Visit the local market where all kinds of fish and seafood are on sale.  Stop at a Buddhist Museum (if open) in the grounds of a monastery and see the interesting collection of Rakhine-style Buddha images, silver coins from the Mrauk Oo era and engraved astrological charts. Visit a pagoda and make photo stops at one or more of the mosques, evidence of the large Muslim community in Sittwe. At sunset, drive out along Strand Road past fishing boats to The Point, at the mouth of the Kaladan River. There are some interesting shell and sandstone rock formations, as well as fabulous views over a black sand beach stretching for miles towards Bangladesh along the edge of the Bay of Bengal. In the evening, go for a walk in downtown Sittwe where local people sit on the pavements outside their homes enjoying the cool evening air.

Dinner at local restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel, in Sittwe.

DAY 2 : SITTWE - MRAUK-OO

This morning, transfer to the jetty where you board your private boat to sail up the river to Mrauk Oo. Lunch is included on boat. The journey on the Kaladan River takes from 4 to 6 hours (depending on boat and river conditions) to Mrauk Oo.

Upon arrival in Mrauk Oo, transfer to your hotel for check–in. Enjoy a first sightseeing tour through Mrauk U. Visit most famous Shittaung Pagoda, perhaps the best preserved Pagoda, and home to some 80,000 holy Buddha images. 33 smaller ones, rising from platform to platform, similar in style to Borobudur, flank the large central stupa. Inside the Pagoda is like a maze and it's fascinating to wander through the interior passages, admiring reliefs and Buddha images in niches. Visit Andaw Pagoda, an eight sided monument which is smaller than Shittaung but with a similar linear layout.  Opposite Shittaung, visit Dukkanthein "ordination hall", a construction of laterite and sandstone bricks that resembles a huge bunker from the outside. Enjoy the sunset at Harre Taund Pagoda hill.

Dinner at hotel or local restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel, in Mrauk Oo.

DAY 3 : MRAUK-OO

Mrauk Oo (once known as Myo Haung) was Rakhine’s capital in the 15^th century, when it enjoyed great wealth and was an important commercial port. A visitor described it as one of the richest cities in Asia. Being a great trading centre, it was coveted by many surrounding kingdoms including the Bengalis, the Moguls and the Burmese. The end came about after two disastrous earthquakes in 1761 and 1762, and the takeover of Rakhine by the Burmese King Bodawpaya in 1784. In the wake of the first Anglo-Burman war in 1826, and the subsequent founding of Sittwe by the British as an administrative centre, Mrauk Oo fell into oblivion. Little remains of this wealth but Mrauk Oo has great charm with its many local markets, solid wooden houses, canals, hills and friendly people. Some of the ancient pagodas and ruins can be visited on foot from the town, whilst others require a bullock cart or vehicle. Visit Laungbankpyauk Pagoda, locally known as "plate pagoda" because a wall at the front is embedded with plate-like tiles in bright colours. Lunch at local restaurant in Mrauk Oo.

In the afternoon, visit Mahabandola Monastery (which is in fact like a Museum) to see ancient bronze Buddha images with inscriptions and an interesting collection of Rakhine-style Buddha images. Then see some of the temples of Mrauk Oo, which nestle amongst hills, streams and leafy trees. Stroll through the streets of Mrauk Oo. Late afternoon, go to Shwetaung from where there is a good view over Mrauk Oo.

Dinner at hotel or local restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel, in Mrauk Oo.  

DAY 4 : MRAUK-OO - CHIN TATOO VILLAGES - MRAUK-OO

Visit Mrauk Oo’s Main Market and Koe Thaung Temple. Continue to Lay Myo river bank. Proceed by boat to Chin area (approx. 2h30 by boat) where you visit three Chin Tattoo villages by boat and on foot. Visit a weaving project at the Chin village. The villagers’ life a very basic life style. The ladies are very proud of their tattooed faces and their beautiful weaving designs. Packed lunch is included. Return by boat (approx. 2h30) to Mrauk Oo.

Dinner at hotel or local restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel, in Mrauk Oo.

DAY 5 : MRAUK-OO - SITTWE - YANGON

Transfer to jetty for departure by private boat (from 4 to 6 hours) to Sittwe. The journey is along the Kaladan River, through changing scenery, downriver towards the sea and Island, surrounding Sittwe. Lunch is included on boat. Upon arrival, transfer to Fish market, Cultural Museum (if open). Transfer to Sittwe airport for domestic flight to Yangon. Transfer to hotel.  

NB: A trip to Mrauk Oo must be regarded as an adventure tour because of the prevailing travel conditions: substandard accommodation with infrequent electricity supply, bad roads, old vehicles with NO air conditioning and of doubtful road worthiness, erratic supply of public and private boats, poor condition of boats, etc. Itineraries may have to be changed on the spot because of weather, transportation problems, etc. The Ultimate Travel will however endeavor to obtain the best available accommodation, transport and facilities for guests.

The reward for accepting the above inconveniences is that few foreigners currently visit Mrauk Oo - the most important cultural and archaeological site in Myanmar besides Bagan.

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