Rise early this morning for a stunning road trip through the Shan Hills to the once-restricted town of Mogok. Exchanging Mandalay’s bustle for quaint roadside villages and verdant tropical rainforest, the journey to Mogok is one which few travellers have made.

After a four hour journey, stop at a small village for a rest.  All local buses and trucks make the stop here, creating a vibrant rest area where stalls are stacked high with damson fruit, Burmese snacks and dried spices.  Try a bowl of Shan Khauk Swe, a traditional Shan noodle dish.

In the afternoon you will reach Mogok’s city-centre.  Known as ‘Ruby Land,’ the town produces the finest rubies in the world.   But it is so much more than just precious stones, offering stunning mountain scenery, a rich and diverse culture and an experience found nowhere else in Southeast Asia. Its downtown area is lined with not only the Buddhist monasteries that are seen everywhere in Myanmar, but also monasteries with Indian influenced architecture, mosques, and even Christian churches.

Visit Paung Daw Oo Pagoda, where the Buddha’s throne is lined with rubies, sapphires and other precious stones donated by wealthy local families. There are also ruby-lined crowns and tiaras on display.  The pagoda affords stunning views of downtown Mogok, providing a nice introduction to the city.

In the late afternoon arrive to your hotel.

Dinner at hotel. (Client’s own account)

Overnight in Mogok

Mandalay-Mogok (217 km): 6h

After breakfast, lace up your trekking boots and set off from the hotel for a half-day of hiking in Mogok valley. Just meters down the trail you’ll reach an overlook with sweeping views of the valley where pointed stupas and small farms are shadowed by the impressive mountain range. 

Along the first part of your hike, you will come across some peculiar sites. First, you will visit an abandoned rice wine distillery that has been taken over by a chicken farmer. Next, you will see an abandoned mansion with its own moat. The trail ends at a small waterfall. 

Return to the main road where a steep road brings you to the local Lisu Baptist church.  The Lisu tribe originates from the Himalayan foothills in the north, and actually are practicing Christian Baptists. From here, continue trekking to through the Lisu.  You will walk through several jungle paths and conclude your trek at a monastery compound which has Indian inspired architecture.

Returning to the hotel, you will transfer to Myo Oo Lwin monastery, a massive fortress-like compound with Hindu-inspired architecture.

Return to town for lunch at local restaurant (client’s own account)

In the afternoon, begin your ruby tour. Myanmar produces nearly 90% of the world’s rubies.  Several of the stones on Queen Elizabeth’s ruby tiaras were mined here, along with many of the royal sapphires.

Today you will visit the mines and see the origins of these precious stones. You will have the opportunity to enter the mines’ small caverns and observe the production. You will also get to see and purchase ‘new rubies,’ small red stones in granite that are a million years away from ‘pigeons’ blood.’

Next, you will visit Mogok’s ruby market, unlike any other markets in Myanmar. There are no stalls, no vendors, nor any shops. Business is conducted here at tiny picnic tables where buyers, sellers, and experts examine the stones and negotiate prices over a cup of tea.

After the market, you will go to a local bbq restaurant (client’s own account) for dinner.

Overnight in Mogok

Depart Mogok after breakfast, either returning to Mandalay or continuing onwards to Pyin Oo Lwin. 

Mogok – Pyin Oo Lwin (Approx. 110 Km): 3h