Though it is famed for its regal history, unique culture and
magnificent temples, Myanmar remains one of the least visited
countries in Southeast Asia. Come discover this secretive land
for yourself on a thrilling bicycle journey that will take you
from the former royal capital of Mandalay to the temple-dotted
landscape of Bagan. Along the way, you'll get a glimpse at the
real face of Burma, as you cycle through rural countryside,
sample flavorful regional cuisine, and chat with local traders,
farmers, and artisans.
Touch down in Yangon, a riverside city that teems with a diverse
population of Burmese, Indian and Chinese inhabitants. Enjoy a
day rummaging for souvenirs at Scott Market, sip strong tea in a
street-side cafι, or stand in awe as the sun strikes the
gold-leaf covered Shwedagon pagoda.
A flight north will transport you to Mandalay, the regal former
capital of 19th Century Burma where your cycling journey begins.
Slip away from the main avenues to discover the city's hidden
gems- from a gold leaf workshop where the traditional craft is
still practiced, to the breathtaking Mahamuni Pagoda. Fall into
the pace of life along the Ayeyarwady River as you cycle out of
the city to visit ancient cities, quiet village shrines and the
world's longest teak bridge.
Depart from Mandalay on bike as you head into the Chindwin
Valley, a place of deep jungles and lofty mountains. Visit the
villages of Myitche and Monywar, filled with glittering temples
in whose shadows the farmers gather to sell their produce.
Continue your journey down the mighty Ayeyarwady river to the
plains of Bagan. See what life is like for the city's
inhabitants as you join in the haggling at the Nyaung Oo Market
and peek into a lacquer ware workshop. Then head out of the
city, to bike through verdant plains among dozens of gracious
stupas and pagodas.
Suddenly turn east towards Shan Mountains, filled with a rolling
landscape of green plateaus and jade lakes, home to numerous
ethnic minorities still practice a way of life that has been
passed down for generations. Enjoy the crisp air, view
spectacular lakes, and visit tribal villages to learn more about
the local inhabitants.
Brief Itinerary
Day 01 Yangon arrival
Day 02 Yangon - Mandalay (flight + bike)
Day 03 Mandalay - Mingun - Sagaing - Mandalay (bike)
Day 05 Myain Gyan - Mt. Popa (bike)
Day 06 Mt. Popa - Bagan (bike)
Day 07/08 Bagan (bike)
Day 09 Bagan Meikhtila (bike)
Day 10 Meikhtila Kalaw (bike)
Day 11 Kalaw - Pindaya (bike)
Day 12 Pindaya Inle Lake (bike)
Day 13 Inle Lake (boat)
Day 14 Inle Heho Yangon (flight)
Day 15 Yangon departure
Detailed itinerary
Sample itinerary, actual may very
Day 01 Arrival, Yangon
Arrive in Yangon, meet and greet by your assigned guide and
transfer to your hotel. Arrive in Yangon where you will be
welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon visit Shwedagon Pagoda "rising 326 feet, glittering
with gold like sudden hope in the dark night of the soul" write
by Somerset Maugham in his Gentlemen in the parlor certainly
claimed to be the world richest golden stupa of two thousand
five hundred years old. The golden dome rises 98 meters above
its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold along with
numeric precious stones such as jade, ruby, sapphire and
diamonds. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 02 Yangon - Mandalay
Early in the morning transfer to airport for your flight to
Mandalay, the city of bicycles. Upon arrival at Mandalay airport
assemble your bikes and start biking to the city. The supported
pick-up will be waiting you and following you on the way to
hotel. Check in at hotel and afternoon bike to some highlights
in Mandalay. Evening have beautiful sunset from Mandalay hill.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Biking distance: 30 Km approx
Day 03 Mandalay - Mingun - Sagaing - Amarapura - Mandalay (boat
+ bike)
Breakfast at hotel and bike to the jetty, board on a local
fishermen boat for Mingun, located across Ayeyarwady River with
a journey about 45 minutes. Observe the world's largest ringing
bell casted by Bodawpaya in 1080 weighing 55555 viss which
calculated equal to 90 tons and Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an enormous
pile of bricks is all that remain of King Bodawpaya ambition to
make it the world's largest Buddhist stupa. From here bike to
Sagaing along the Ayeyarwady River, covered with 600
white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing hill is widely
regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar and is home of 6000
monks and nun, 100 meditation centers. On your way visit
traditional bronze casting, silver smith works which Sagaing is
famous for. Return by your support vehicle or continue cycling
along the avenue via the river bank. Arrive back Mandalay and
overnight at hotel.
Biking distance: 50 Km approx
Day 04 Mandalay Myit Thar - Myin Gyan
Breakfast at hotel and transfer out of Mandalay to avoid the
congested traffic. Bike southward along the superb high-way for
about 40km and arrive Krause, the rice bowl during the Bagan
period. This thriving small town is assumed to be the birth
place of Burmese, according the British scholar G.H Luce. Then,
turn right to Myit Tha, a small charming town. You and your bike
will be transported separately part of the journey to cover this
with in one day. The road at this part is usually flat, narrow
and roughly tarred. Pass through many villages along the way.
Overnight at local guest house.
Biking distance: 154 km
Day 05 Myin Gyan Taungta Mt. Popa
Today shall be the most beautiful day to bike. The road is
typical to the central dry zone. You will pass many un-bridged
sand creeks winding the toddy forest towards Popa Mountain range
with picturesque scenery taking away your exhaustion. On arrival
to the foothill, continue bike up to your resort. Overnight at
Popa Mountain Resort which offers great view towards the Popa
Taungkalat and Summit.
Biking distance: 84 km
Day 06 Mt. Popa Bagan
Breakfast at resort and bike down to the pilgrimage site. There
is time for the energetic to walk up 777 steps and reach the
summit of extinct volcano, the abode of Nat (spirit). Outset
with your bicycle to Bagan through narrow but smooth road
labyrinths in the toddy palm trees. Observing how the local wine
and candy is made from toddy seed. Arrive in Bagan where 2000
Pagodas and temples are rest. Overnight in Bagan.
Biking distance: 50 km
Day 07/08 Bagan
Have a fantastic biking Bagan fro rest two day. You will wander
its dusty tracks visiting magnificent temples and towering
pagodas with ancient and beautifully painted murals dating back
over a millennium. One can easily imagine in the mornings mist
a parade of gilded elephants passing between the white pagodas,
laden ox-carts raising a cloud of dust as they slowly plod
towards the horizon, or a line of saffron robed monks collecting
their daily food in black lacquered alms bowls. The elephants
were gone, but the rest remains. Witness of major monuments and
traditional lacquer ware workshop to observe the process. Sunset
from one of the ruins. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 09 Bagan Meikhtila
After breakfast, bike to Meikhtila via Kyauk Padaung. Land is
flat and tarred lying amidst the toddy forest. Half of the way
will be transfer by car and biking across the gently rolling
hills and very arid land that make up this central part of
Myanmar. Overnight at the hotel in Meikhtila.
Biking distance: 120 km
Day 10 Meikhtila Kalaw
This significant day of climbing starts with a gorgeous ride out
of the flat valley and into the foothills. Through the early
afternoon we follow a winding road along a small stream, finally
entering Shan mountain ranges and the serious climb is the final
30 or so km. A cool, quiet town that was formerly a British Hill
Station located at 4300 feet above sea. Overnight in Kalaw.
Biking distance: 100 km
Day 11 Kalaw - Pindaya
Breakfast and bike to one of the near by villages where unique 5
day ethnic market take place. On these market days the hill
tribe people usually come down from the mountains to buy and
sell their goods, the market place is alive with activity with
colorful hill tribe people, uniquely woven national costumes
decorated with artistically designed jewelry. Start bike to
Pindaya, situate at the foot of Mene-taung range is known to the
world as the home of the countless Buddha Images in its
extensive lime stone caves and picturesque lake. The road to
Pindaya winds over the rolling hills of the Shan plateau through
colorful mustard and whet field which makes your biking an
interesting one. Explore around wonder of the mystery cave and
near by Po O traditional paper umbrella making process.
Overnight in Pindaya.
Biking Distance: 48 km
Day 12 Pindaya Inle Lake
Breakfast and bike to Inle Lake, the second largest natural lake
in Myanmar with 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, situate 2800
feet above the sea level among the hazy blue mountains. Upon
arrival at Nyaung Shwe village a private boat transfers to your
hotel.
Biking distance: 91 km
Day 13 Inle Lake
Breakfast at hotel and board on a traditional long and tall
motorized boat for a sightseeing tour of the lake. Traveling on
the lake is an exhilarating experience for nature lovers and a
chance to observe the unique traditions of the Intha people.
Wonder unique leg rowing fishermen, floating firm, houses and
monasteries on the stilt etc. Visit Indein ruins complex with
pagoda and stupas built in the 8th century. Enjoy rows of shops
along the corridor up hill. Return to Inle and continue visit
floating village of Ywama, the lake's downtown and largest
village on the Inlay Lake, 11 century Phaungdaw Oo pagoda
housing five sacred Buddha Images, the weaving village of
Inpawkhon, famous for traditional silk-weaving, Se Gaung
village, famous for the blacksmith work and Nan Pan Village with
cheroot making and boat-building dockyards etc and end your day
with a visit famous Ngaphechaung, a museum like monastery where
old belongings of many monasteries are restored. Overnight in
Inle Lake.
Day 14 Inle Heho Yangon
Transfer to Heho either by bike or by car depending on the time
available for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to
h otel. Walk around the harbor and a glance at historic Strand
hotel and down town Yangon with central post office, custom
house and high court to observe the colonial heritage in Yangon, Bogyoke market, formally know as Scott Market, a sprawling 75
year old shopping complex noted for its variety of handicrafts
and other items which provide an excellent opportunity for a
shopping spree. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 15 Yangon, Departure
Morning is reserved for packing our bicycles etc. In the
evening, transfer to airport for your onward departure flight to
conclude this unique experience.
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