BURMA (MYANMAR)
14 Days / 13 Nights * Cycle Tour of Burma
TOUR SUMMARY This bicycle voyage of discovery starts in Kipling's Mandalay on the Irawaddy River and follows near empty roads. We travel at ground level through small villages stopping at local teashops, meeting the locals along the way. In Mandalay we visit the ancient cities of Ava and Mingun before riding alongside the Irawaddy river to Bagan. Spend a morning cycling among the thousands of pagodas, stupas, and temples that dominate a river valley. From Bagan we ride to Mount Popa to visit the hill top temple, before riding into the cool Shan hills.
Riding through the countryside, we will be greeted by friendly people, who have had little or no contact with foreigners. In the mountains we will encounter a variety of tribal people, as well as enjoying the splendid colonial charm of Kalaw. After a 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 Shwedagon Pagoda.
RIDING PROFILE
This is a touring trip for mountain bikers and road cyclists. We ride point to point through central Myanmar, covering just over 700 kilometres. Most rides are on country lanes with almost zero traffic. Rest days are in Bagan and at Inle Lake as well as 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 but optional 20-km accent on Kalaw Hill.
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 makes this tour popular with inexperienced and non-riders.
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | Rangoon - Mandalay [D] |
| Pick up the guest at Yangon International Airport and shuttle to our meeting point (the Seasons of Rangoon Airport Hotel) where we have rooms available to sleep or shower. There is also a swimming pool available for you to enjoy. In the afternoon we fly to Mandalay and transfer to the Mandalay Swan Hotel. |
| Day 2 | Mandalay 15 km [B,D] |
| Take a boat trip in the morning to Mingun, one of the ancient cities up the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay. Return in time for lunch and a swim in the pool. In the afternoon, a short ride around Mandalay finishing with a climb up Mandalay hill. |
| Day 3 | Mandalay - Myittha 95 km [B, L, D] |
| Early ride to U Bein's bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. Following back roads, ride through the ancient Ava Kingdon to Kyaukse. In the afternoon we continue to the small town of Myittha, where we stay in the local monastery. (Mosquito nets and mattresses provided). |
| Day 4 | Myittha - Myingyan 83 km [B,L,D] |
| Heading west along Highway Two, the group has a chance to find its own pace. Ride the Irrawaddy basin through villages. Finish the ride in the busy junction town of Myingyan. |
| Day 5 | Myingyan - Bagan 75 km [B,L,D] |
| Riding south alongside the great Irrawaddy River, following a dirt trail through pretty villages and cycle amongst stupas and temples on the way to Bagan. Stay in the heart of the old city in a hotel with swimming pool and enjoy dinner in the famous hotel gardens. |
| Day 6 | Bagan [B] |
| Bicycles are the prefect way to explore Bagan before returning for a welcome dip in the pool. Returning to enjoy the sunset and a view you will never forget. |
| Day 7 | Bagan - Mount Popa 59 km [B,L,D] |
| Following the highway east, make the first hill climb to the hill top temple of Mount Popa. After lunch climb up to the Nat Temple. Stay at a resort with views of the temple. |
| Day 8 | Mount Popa - Maiktila 118km [B,L,D] |
| Downhill ride in the morning before reaching Kyauk Padaung. Continue to cycle to Meiktila on a road with light traffic, varied scenery and lots of stops. In the afternoon, ride descends before reaching Meiktila. |
| Day 9 | Maiktila - Kalaw 120 km [B,L,D] |
| The longest, toughest ride of the tour. Enter the Shan State and cycle into the mountains. Ride through Tazi and several smaller towns before the steep, winding 25-km climb to the hill station of Kalaw. |
| Day 10 | Kalaw - Pindaya 50 km [B,D] |
| Downhill ride to Aungban before riding up into the hills. Head north to Pindaya. Riding along the Shan Plateau, enjoying rural scenes. After checking into the hotel, visit the famous Pindaya caves. |
|
Day 11 |
Pindaya - Nyaungshwe 95 km [B,L]
|
| Ride to Aungban. The last section has two sweeping down-hills, leading to Inle Lake. Cycle inland to Nyaungshwe, located at the north of the lake. There is a variety of restaurants and dinner is the choice of the guest. |
|
Day 12 |
Nyaungshwe [B,L,D]
|
| Enjoy a full day boat trip on Inle Lake. Visit the five-day-market, Indein temples, floating gardens, monasteries and the Intha fishermen. Lunch is in a secluded bamboo forest by the lake. After lunch visit several Intha cottage industries. |
|
Day 13
|
Nyaungshwe - Rangoon [B,D] |
| Transfer to Heho airport and fly back to Rangoon. Visit the Shwedagon Paya in Rangoon, Burma's holiest religious site. Dinner is at Le Planteur. |
|
Day 14 |
Rangoon
|
| The morning is free for shopping. Possibility to visit Bogyoke Aung San market before heading to the airport for the flight home. |
TOUR INFORMATION
| Total Distance | 720 km |
| Number of cycling days | Eight 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 | One or two air-conditioned minibuses specially rigged to take bikes and bikers. |
| Group | 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. |
| Food | All meals are included except 5 lunches 2 dinners. |
| Children | Children under 16-years old are not allowed to join this tour. |
Accommodation on Scheduled Tours (Standard Accommodation)
| CITY | HOTEL | STANDARD |
| Mandalay | Red Canal | 4-star |
| Bagan | Bagan Hotel | 4-star |
| Mount Popa | Mount Popa Resort | 4-star |
| Meiktila | Winzun Hotel | 2 Star |
| Kalaw | Kalaw Hotel | 3-star |
| Pindaya | Golden cave Hotel | 2 Star |
| Nyaungshwe | Paradise Hotel | 2-star |
| Rangoon | Park Royal | 4-star |
SCHEDULED TOURS
| TOUR DATES |
| START | FINISH |
| 09 Nov | 22 Nov |
| 21 Dec | 03 Jan |
| 06 Jan | 19 Jan |
| 08 Feb | 21 Feb |
| 17 May | 30 May |
| 05 Jul | 18 Jul |
| 04 Oct | 17 Oct |
Cost $3615 per person twin share
NB: Prices reflect group departures
Private individuals and groups prices on request and departures to suit individual needs.
Tour Price Includes
- All hotels (twin share or dorm ) and meals specified
- Cycle support by a/c vehicles
- Domestic flights RGN-MDL and Heho - RGN
- Cycle Transportation RGN-MDL Inle Lake – RGN
- All entrances to museums and sites mentioned
- All water and snacks whilst riding
- Burmese English speaking guide
- All meals mentioned (Burmese food)
Tour Price Excludes
- International Flights
- Departure Tax
- Visa Fees
- Bike hire or spares
- Alcoholic, and other beverages in the evenings
- Tips for guides.
- Personal travel insurance
- Any services not mentioned in itinerary
Contact :
Lic No; 2TA5776 ABN: 15 117 503 223
Phone: Sydney 02 9016 3938 / Melbourne 03 9017 6444 / Adelaide 08 8463 1991 / Perth 08 6467 7676 / Brisbane 07 3333 1517
Fax Australia wide: 02 4363 19689
Email: sales@a1classicholidays.com
Web: www.a1classicholidays.com
Address:11 Awinya Close
Empire Bay, NSW. 2257. AUSTRALIA
