Rakhine and East Bengal Coast

Arrive at Yangon Airport (late morning) and meet your guide and transfer to The Stand Hotel.
Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma). A mix of British colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline.
In the late evening, proceed to Shwedagon Pagoda. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72-carat diamond. It is clearly one of the wonders of the religious world. Shwedagon Pagoda is a repository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts. The Shwedagon Pagoda consists hundreds colorful temples, stupas, and statues that reflects the architectural era spanning almost 2,500 years.

Breakfast at hotel.
Private short walking tour under the arrangement of Yangon Heritage Trust http://www.yangonheritagetrust.org/home
2 options for you to choose to continue the day:
1-Get an insider’s taste of life in Yangon’s vibrant historic downtown.
Beginning at YHT’s office on lower Pansodan Road, the tour passes through leafy Bank Street, lined with fascinating historic buildings. We then visit key sites in the city’s central area, including City Hall, the High Court, and (on Sunday mornings) the Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue* while exploring historic residential streets. The tour ends at Bogyoke Market in the morning and on 19th Street, a local nightlife hotspot, in the evening.
* The Synagogue is only open in the morning and closed on Sundays.

(OR)

2- Visit historic places of worship and learn about Yangon’s amazing cultural diversity.
Since its founding, Yangon has been a city of diversity. Join this tour to explore the busy downtown where all the world’s major religions are observed, and people of diverse backgrounds live in harmony. The tour will visit pagodas, mosques, churches, temples and a synagogue. It starts at the YHT office on Pansodan Street and ends at Guangdong Guanyin Temple on Latha Street.
* Please wear respectful clothing.

Lunch break at leisure and resting time at the hotel.
In the evening proceed to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, the Buddha image we can see today is almost 66m long and 17m high, and there are 108 auspicious signs displayed for visitors.
We recommend to taste our Secret Tables Seeds Restaurant by the lake Inya (please confirm and we will make the reservation for you).
Transfer back to you the hotel.

Early breakfast and we transfer to airport to take flight to Sittwe Upon arrival in Sittwe Airport, we will transfer to the harbor for a cruise upstream onboard Princess Boat (about 5 hours) until you reach the pier of Mrauk U Princess Resort. If you arrive late in afternoon we will reverse the transfers, by car first and by boat after check out)
The cruise is not just a transfer but actually a half-day sightseeing through the river life and sceneries of rural Rakhine. A lunch is cooked and served on board. Check in and rest at the property for the evening. Dinner at leisure.

After your breakfast, we propose you 2 days of excursion to discover the area and its reach culture.
One day, we drive you by car to a local market to experience the exotic local life, then we continue to Pisi Phaya, which has a spectacular view over the temples, city walls and its gates, as well as nearby farms and explore the impressive Koe Thaung temple with the 90,000 images, built in 1553 by King Minbun’s son, King Mintaikkha. The visit continues with Pharaouk temple, Mong Khong Shwe Du and Zina Manaung.
We stop also at a traditional fan making place and visit Lakse Lake, the moat and water reservoir of the last palace of Mrauk U. Return to the hotel for lunch and relax.
One afternoon we will visit Shitthaung temple, a maze-like temple. It is the most outstanding monument, containing an astonishing collection of over 80,000 Buddha relics and images. Next is Andawthein Ordination Hall, containing rare stone carvings and the circular Ratanabon Pagoda, Dukkhanthein temple, a huge fortress-like temple with vaulted passages containing interesting stone sculptures and Laymyetnha-four faces of Buddha Images.
One of the two evenings (unless you prefer at sunrise), we will capture a memorable sunset over the panoramic view of Mrauk U from the top of the hill. Enjoy a glass of champagne and some canapes, seeing the sun coming down behind the hills. The mist adds to the mysteriousness of the scene. Dinner at leisure.

After breakfast and check out,we drive you back to Sittwe Airport (3h30mn) to catch a short flight to the southern part of the Rakhine State: Ngapali Beach.
Once landed at Thandwe domestic airport, we will also assist you with the immigration process and escort you to our very unique buses: used during World War II by the American troops and entirely renovated for the guests comfort these buses represent one of the Resort's trademarks.
From the airport it will take approximately 20 minutes to reach the Resort, on the way, have a glimpse at local life along the coast of Ngapali.
As the story goes...
Many years ago a young Italian traveler lived for a while along this beach. He fell in love with the sand and the sea, reminding him of his home in Naples. Most probably over the years Naples and the local pronunciation of its Burmese name meaning “inveigling Fish” became known as Ngapali. This beach is located in the state of Rakhine, facing the Bay of Bengali. Thandwe (Sandoway during British time) is about 25 minutes drive to the Resort and 15 minutes drive to the airport. Ngapali is a 3km long white sandy pristine beach overlooking the clear bluewater of the Bay of Bengal, backed by swaying coconut palms and casuarinas-trees. After sunset, the sea in front of the beach is lit by the lanterns of the fishermen’s boats and can be seen until morning.
Check in to the hotel for 5 nights.

Daily Breakfast at hotel and no specific program… immerse yourself in nature, falling asleep and awaking to the sound of waves and singing birds. Television-free rooms permit complete disconnection, relaxation and quietude, whilst our 58 person cinema provides your alternative with daily news broadcasts and films.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for the flight to Yangon.