4 Days Trip to Unseen Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park and Monywa
Situated 95 km to the northwest of Monywa is this renowned place of interest called Alaungdaw Kathapa. A journey to this involves some 27 km of a tough trekking and elephant ride besides the trips by road and water. It is recommended especially for those keen on adventurous walks in a jungle. Kathapa is in fact the name of an Arhat whose remains, it is believed, are kept in this place. However, what you can see there is but the representation of the reclining Arhat.
Remark: This tour is just an example and can be customized to your preferences.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Mandalay - Monywa - AlaungdawkathapaAfter breakfast, drive to MONYWA (131 km – 3 hours). You have to cross the Chindwin River and and drive along Pathein–Monywa Road. From Kapaing Village, continue another 2 hrs drive to the Guest House owned by Forestry Department.
Overnight stay in Forestry Guest House or Monastery.
Day 2
AlaungdawkathapaTake elephant ride through the forest to the place where disciple Shinmahar Katapha has been enshrined. There will be a pagoda and some monasteries around this area. The journey involves approx. 17 miles of off-road plus elephant ride. Return to guest house and have lunch. Afternoon, trekking in natural forests and visiting the historical famous Alaungdaw Kathapa Shrine.
Overnight stay in Forestry Guest House or Monastery.
Day 3
Alaungdawkathapa - MonywaAfter breakfast, drive back to Monywa. En-route visit PO WIN TAUNG, a network of impressive sandstone caves containing Buddha statues, wood carvings and fine mural paintings, some dating back to the 15th century. Dozens of large and small caves with about 450,000 images are hidden in the area of the Pho Win Hills.
Then, continue to visit SHWE BA TAUNG, just beyond Pho Win Hill, features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone and filled with Buddha images. Unlike the carved details of Hpho Win Taung's cave entrances, Shwe Ba Taung cave entrances were made of brick and plaster and the painted stuccowork represents traditional motifs and celestials as well as a few western creatures.
Overnight stay in Monywa.
Day 4
Monywa - Mandalay or Monywa - BaganAfter breakfast, drive back to Mandalay. En route visit the THANBODDHAY PAGODA; where 845 small stupas surround and rise up to the richly decorated central stupa. The pagoda is built to remind of Mt Meru and has some similar characteristics to Borobudur of Java. Take a walk through the nearby banyan tree grove BODDHI-TATAUNG where thousand Buddha images rest at the feet of the trees. Enjoy the panoramic view from AUNG SETKAYA PAGODA, standing 130 meter high on the Po Khaung hills.
From here, you continue to Bagan or Mandalay.
Itinerary is subject to changes depending on regional conditions.
What's Included
- Accommodation in shared twin rooms with daily breakfast
- Sightseeing with English speaking station guide
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with driver
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