pilgrimage to the Golden Rock

We are looking at an itinerary that includes the pilgrimage to the Golden Rock Kyaiktiyo. Has anyone does this trip? Is it reasonably safe because the itinerary does mention dirt roads and bumpy tracks which we don%26#39;t mind, but would like some reassurance that safety is not compromised on the way up (and down). Many thanks

pilgrimage to the Golden Rock

Totally safe, you have nothing to worry about. I%26#39;ve just returned to Yangon with my wife %26amp; 7yr old daughter %26amp; had a wonderful experience. The roads are are a little bumpy %26amp; dusty but nothing compared to other parts of the country, there%26#39;s some beautiful scenery on the way.

The roads our driver told us are alot better then they used to be, it took us about 4hrs with a stop of just under an hour, we had a jeep so add another hour or two if you intend to take the bus.

Buses are 7000kyat one way. There%26#39;s a great restaurant about 45mins before you reach Kyaiktiyo, has a little zoo in the garden, swimming pool, obsevation tower, Yangon prices though.

The Bus from the foot of the hill costs 1800Kyat, kids 900Kyat. You can get a seat in the cab with the driver for 2500Kyat. If you%26#39;re sitting in the back get a seat either at the front or to the side of the truck as you%26#39;ll struggle to hold on as it%26#39;s a little steep going up %26amp; coming down, but great fun, nice scenery %26amp; lush vegitation.

Entrance fee for foreigners is only payable in dollars, $6pp %26amp; $2 camera fee. Tourists now cannot get a bus all the way to the top due to safety issues so when you arrive at the bus station you can get a porter to carry your stuff or do it yourself to one of the hotels. The Golden Rock Hotel is about a 10min walk up the hill from the station, nice basic rooms, lovely %26amp; quiet %26amp; wonderful super helpful staff. They upgraded us as soon as we walked through the door, the food is pretty good too. From the hotel it%26#39;s about another hour walk to the rock up very steep hills, or get one of the other two hotels right at the top.

Hope this helps, if you need anymore info just drop us a line.

pilgrimage to the Golden Rock

Thank you for your detailed reply, BonZai, it does go a long way to easing my concerns. One more piece of advice, please? We were planning on travelling to Burma in july/august this year, meaning the wet season. Is this trip doable at that time do you think? Alternatively we may be able to bring our trip forward to April/May (hot season). Which is the lesser evil please? We have to take the trip before end of August so have limited options. Many thanks.

No worries Daina, happy to help. Here%26#39;s a pretty good detailed report on the weather in the monsoon season.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g295408-i11091-k23…

As you know, when it rains here it rains extremely hard, shops %26amp; tea shops get flooded everyday %26amp; sometimes you%26#39;re walking knee high in water downtown, but I guess you wont be staying in yangon that much. Some people dread the monsoon here as it%26#39;s so hard on their life %26amp; some people half heartedly welcome it because it means they have more electricity, hydropower.

Like SilverSwimmer says in your other post, you%26#39;ll have to drop the beach from your itinerary which would be a shame because it really is beautiful, great seafood %26amp; very relaxing. Basically, travelling up country will take a little longer %26amp; maybe the rain may hinder your plans at Inle a little.

Maybe coming from Brisi you could probably handle the heat alot better than most, I%26#39;m a pomme but I still manage to get on with it,just:-))If you let the heat %26amp; rain hinder your plans here you%26#39;d never end up doing anything. Do you have an itinerary yet of must do places you want to visit? If the beach is not in your plans, travelling in the monsoon is perfectly doable.