Despite everything that is said about Burma, or Myanmar, we travel at ground level and really see the country. Riding through small villages, we stop at local teashops to meet the people, and even spend a night in a monastery as guests of the Buddhist monks.
In Mandalay we visit the ancient cities of Ava and Mingun before riding alongside the Irawaddy to Bagan. We spend an incredible morning cycling amongst the thousands of pagodas, stupas, and temples that dominate a river valley, which was once the center of a great and deeply religious empire. From Bagan we ride to Mount Popa to visit the extraordinary hilltop temple, before riding into the cool Shan hills.
Riding through the countryside, we will be greeted by a friendly people, who have had little contact with foreigners. In the mountains we will encounter a variety of tribal people, as well as enjoying the splendid colonial charm of Kalaw, where the officers of the Raj escaped the heat of the Burmese summer.
After an incredible ride through patchwork fields to see the caves of Pindaya, we arrive at Inle Lake. The tour ends in Rangoon, or Yangon, where we visit the incomparable Shwedagon Pagoda.
A real highlight of this tour is the superb accommodation we are able to use. Bagan Hotel and Popa Mountain Resort is delightful 'Boutique Hotels' and Kalaw Hotel is a 100-year-old colonial hunting lodge. In fact the variety of scenery, friendly people, historic sights, great accommodation and fantastic scenery make this one of the best value tours we have ever operated!
Trip Profile: This is a touring trip for mountain bikers and road cyclists. We will ride point to point through central Myanmar, covering between just over 700 kilometers on country lanes with almost zero traffic. Rest days are in Bagan and at Inle Lake. There is also time out of the saddle in Mandalay and Rangoon.
The first few days riding are in the flat Irawaddy basin. The second phase of the tour takes us east into mountainous Shan State where there are some climbs, including the challenging 20-km Kalaw Hill, which some people will opt out of.
As we ride along major arteries, riders can find their own pace and meet up at prearranged points along the way. The range of surfaces and incredible variety of rides on this tour will ensure that every kind of cyclist is satisfied, whilst the first-class support and mean it is also popular with inexperienced and non-riders.
Your Itinerary (14 Days/13 nights starting and finishing in Rangoon)
Day 1: Arrive/meet in Rangoon (We can organize flights from Bangkok : please ask for prices). Transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay.
Day 2: Morning visit Mingun by boat. Afternoon warm-up ride to Mandalay Hill and back.
Day 3: Cycle to Myittha. Overnight Monastery.
Day 4: Cycle to Myingyan, transfer to Bagan.
Day 5: Tour the temples of Bagan archaeological park by bike. Overnight Bagan Hotel.
Day 6: Cycle to Popa. Stay at Popa Mountain Resort.
Day 7: Cycle to Meiktila.
Day 8: Cycle to Kalaw. Stay at 100:year:old Kalaw Hotel.
Day 9: Fee day or optional hike around this former hill station.
Day 10: Cycle to Pindaya.
Day 11: Cycle to Inle Lake.
Day 12: Morning boat tour of Inle Lake. Afternoon flight from Heho to Rangoon.
Day 13: Day free for sightseeing.
Day 14: Morning free for shopping. Afternoon transfer to Airport for flight to Bangkok or elsewhere.
* Facts & Figures:
- Total Distance-720 Kilometers.
- Number of Days-14 days / 13 nights.
- Number of cycling days-8 full days.
- Road Surface-This tour mostly follows good asphalt roads and sometimes vehicle-width dirt roads, which may be smooth, loose or hard-packed.
- Support-An air-conditioned bus converted to take bikes and bikers follows the group the whole time.
- Group Size-Minimum 4. Maximum 16.
* Staff-Groups of 6 or more, a cycle tour leader with English speaking Burmese guide plus drivers and assistants. Groups of 4-5 will be led by our local guide and support team.
* Accommodation-5 nights 4-star hotels, 4 nights 3-star, 2 nights 2-star, 1 night in basic hotel. 1 night in a monastery. All hotels have en suite facilities and a/c, except 1 night in a dormitory with shared facilities. Many hotels have charm and character.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Cost-USD $1800 - Single supplement: USD $285
Bike Hire-USD $150
Price Includes:
- All meals. Exception: Day 1(dinner), Day 5(breakfast), Day 13 (breakfast, dinner)
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Myanmar
Thailand
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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