Cycling Myanmar Highlights

Upon arrival at Mandalay International Airport we will be greeted by our guide and driver who will transfer to the city center.

Sightseeing begins at Shwe Nandaw Kyuang, the Golden Palace Monastery which is noted for its intricate wood carvings. Travel onwards to Kayuk Taw Gyi Pagoda to view the huge marble Buddha. The marble is from Sagyin quarry and took 10,000 men almost two weeks to transfer the rock from the riverside to its current location. Then, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to ‘the world’s largest book’, a collection of more than 700 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.

Finally, enjoy a spectacular sunset with panoramic views from atop Mandalay Hill, situated 240 metres above the city. The views of the surrounding countryside, Irrawaddy River, and city centre are stunning.

Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
 

Early this morning, take a 3 – 4 hours’ drive outside Mandalay towards the dry plains covering approximately 100 kilometres.

The cycle begins just south of the Ayerwaddy Valley before arriving at the trading town of Pindaya on the crossroads of Middle Burma and the Shan State.

After a lunch break in the small village of Ywar Ngan, take a few minutes’ drive to the start point and cycle to Shan Plateau. Shan State covers almost a quarter of Myanmar and the diversity of its people is evident. Encounter different styles of Myanmar traditional dress. From the all black dresses of the Pa-Oh Hill Tribe women to the colorful headdresses of the Palaung, the vastness of the Shan State is evident in the diversity of its people and the languages they speak, including dialects such as Pa Oh, Taung Yoe, Danu, and Shan.

The final destination is the lakeside mountain town of Pindaya. In the afternoon, visit the limestone Pindaya caves high up in the cliffs. Inside the caves are thousands of hidden Buddha images donated over decades. The caves are perched on top of a plateau with gorgeous views of the town below.
 

Get ready to experience rural Myanmar at its best! Start the day with an undulating ride on the beautiful Shan Plateau and through the rolling hills and colorful plantations and vegetable farms. See the Danu and Pa-Oh people working in their farms.

After riding over the Heho plains, load the bikes on the truck and be transferred to the gateway town of Inle Lake, Nyaung Shwe. Feel free to head to the town on the bike.

Have lunch and then check-in to the hotel.

Go for an evening ride to catch the sunset at Red Mountain Winery. Enjoy wine tasting with expansive views of the lake below. Then, transfer back to the hotel.
 

Spend the day exploring Inle Lake from the shore and on the lake today. Start with a 30 km ride on the shores of the lake, passing villages and temples. 

Stop for lunch midday where we will taste delicious, traditional Inthar dishes. 

Then explore Indein on foot, strolling around the village and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque stupas and has magnificent views of the lake.

Board a boat, floating gardens, monasteries and the Intha fishermen, who famously manage to row their boats with one leg. We make our way to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains 5 sacred Buddha images and houses royal barges used during the pagoda’s annual festival.

Proceed to the village of Inpawkhone to observe the traditional silk weaving techniques of Inthar people. Inpawkhone is also known for its weaving from the stems of lotus flowers, a time-consuming process that results in high quality materials famous throughout the country. Visit a cheroot factory where local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand.
 

Today’s ride covers a greater distance as we make our way up to Kalaw. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images.

Start with climbing up and down from Nyaung Shwe Valley. On the way we will pass small towns and villages.

There is a stretch of flat road around the Heho plains, then an uphill ride to Aung Pan before we make our way to Kalaw.

Lunch break on the way at the local restaurant or lunch box.
 

Cycle down from the former British hill station of Kalaw in the Shan hills to the flattened roads of the Ayerwaddy Valley (approx. 100 km). Along the way, pass through pine forests and both local and colonial-style houses.

As the altitude decreases, the scenery and climate will change from pine trees and bamboo forest to the Toddy Palm tree-lined roads of the Ayerwaddy Valley.

Stop at Yin Mar Bin where the leisurely downhill is ended. Load the bikes into the truck and continue a long journey by vehicle. For those who find the going tough, the support vehicle will be on hand to take the strain.

Check in to Popa Mountain Resort which offers fabulous views over the surrounding area. Afternoon is spent at leisure.
 

Wake up to superb views! After breakfast, start with an easy descent. There is an option to climb the sacred summit of the Gods (Mount Popa’s peak) before riding to Bagan. On the flat plateau lies Taung Kalat Buddhist monastery —a focal point for annual pilgrimages to Mount Popa.

Hundreds of macaque monkeys are known to inhabit this region, but they are not the only ones that live here. Mount Popa is also known as the abode of the Mahagiri Nats (local spirits). So important are these spirits to the people of this region, they are worshipped every year during a festival that takes place from May to June.

The morning section would be on the main road until to reach the typical place for amazing toddy farm lunch. 

After lunch, enjoy the interesting off-road trails towards Bagan. Snake around the mountain and through small villages and palm gardens, coming across farmers plowing their fields with wooden plows and water buffaloes. 

Ride into Bagan, which is littered with thousands of temples along the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Our hotel offers a refreshing pool to cool down in.
 

Spend half a day biking around the ancient temples this morning.

Cycling is the perfect way to explore ancient Bagan. Ride to the famous temples and pagodas in the Archaeological Zone. After taking a morning cycle around the Archaeological Zone, return to the hotel to relax or taking a refreshing dip in the pool.

This afternoon, observe the process of making traditional lacquerware, one of Myanmar's best-known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Enjoy the sunset studded with chedis and temples and fading light in the evening.
 

This morning say goodbye to the adventure guide and fly to Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, a relatively quiet and charming city with an impressive colonial and spiritual heritage.

Upon arrival, be welcomed by the culture guide at the airport and transfer to downtown. 

First, visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which is home to a 70-metre long reclining Buddha. Continue through the city and make stops to take photos.

Venture downtown to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. We’ll start at the post office, a lovely historic building, and walk to Sule Paya, passing by the famous Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument. It’s onwards to Little India and Chinatown, a colourful cacophony of restaurants, temples and markets. Reaching Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market (which is closed on Mondays and public holidays), there is time to browse through the dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods.

Finally continue to Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 metres tall and covered with gold leaf and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.  
 

This morning is free at your leisure before transferring to airport for your departure flight