Unseen Tours in Myanmar

Yangon Circular Railway is the local commuter rail network that serves the Yangon metropolitan area.For less than one US dollar you can experience the true essence of local life in Yangon as you travel for three hours through the city’s rural landscape. While the city is a fast-paced, chaotic city to get lost in, riding the Yangon Circular Train provides a window into the daily routine of the Myanmar people away from the commercial centre of the country. The railway had about 200 coaches and had 20 daily runs. The loop, which takes about 3 hours to complete, is a way to see a cross section of life in Yangon. 

This is one of the most popular multi-day treks in the country, mostly due to the fact that it’s relatively easy to organize and absolutely breathtaking, but also because it’s near Inle Lake – one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar.

Heading west out of Inle Lake, you can trek directly to the former British Hill Station of Kalaw. Even though this trek has become increasingly popular in recent years, there’s a chance you won’t see any other tourists on the path, and it’s well-worth hiring an English-speaking guide.

The trail will bring you through the villages of the Pa'O people, the Palaung, Taungthu, and Danu. If you choose the more challenging route between Baw Nin Khone and Than Dang, a great place to spend the night is at the Tithein Monastery.

Hsipaw has long been a well-known hiking and trekking destination in Myanmar. Located just six-and-a-half hours north of Mandalay, Hsipaw is a stunning mountain village that, despite a recent influx in tourism, still remains delightfully Burmese.

Almost every guest house in the village can arrange day treks here, but we recommend taking one of the beautiful overnight treks to a nearby Palaung Village. You’ll likely spend the night on the floor of a monastery (an experience in itself), and wake up to the sun rising on the sunflower-clad hillsides.

Until recently, not many people knew about Lashio as a trekking and waterfalls destination. However, a couple who is very passionate about Shan State started a company called Myanmar Adventure Outfitters. They offer itineraries filled with adventure activities, including stand-up paddling and motorcycling, as well as homestay experiences.

This off-the-beaten trekking route goes through lush forests, and you can paddle board on a lake, explore limestone caves and swim under waterfalls. You will also have the opportunity to discover the area’s diverse ethnic tribes, with visits to several minority villages in the Lashio region as well as overnight stays at Shan and Laho Villages.

Trek to remote Chin tribes villages and the mountains south of mighty Mt. Victoria on this week-long trek. You’ll stay in authentic homestays where you’ll see ancient traditions still going strong. Chin tribe women are known for their intriguing facial tattoos and  decorative amber necklaces.

It is difficult to get around without a tour guide. Trekking through these mountains these days will give you a glimpse of a unique way of life, as the tattooed women are no longer allowed to pass on this tradition. This part of Myanmar is remote and more difficult to get to, with the only way being by bus from Mandalay.

In the southeast of the country, between Yangon and Mawlamyine, Hpa-An is a growing centre for walking and trekking. Rarely visited by outsiders to Myanmar, the capital of Kayin State is surrounded by limestone mountains, which hide caves holding devotional art in the guise of thousands of tiny clay Buddhas and carvings dating from the 7th century.

The crown of Mount Zwekabin rises out of the undergrowth of the lower slopes, capped by the golden stupas of a monastery. Overlooking the town, this landmark is a pilgrimage site for local people.

A reasonable degree of fitness is required to climb the steps to the monastery, but the walk is relatively short and takes around an hour. At the top, you'll be welcomed by the monks and on a clear day, as it was in my case, a view you can trace along the Salween River out to the coast.

Currently, there aren’t any overnight treks in this area, but this is likely to change in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, if you have a full day your guide will be able to extend the Mount Zwekabin walk into a more challenging day trek.

Opened for transit at the turn of the nineteenth century, the Goteik Viaduct - one of the world’s oldest, slowest railway bridges - between Pyin Oo Lwin and Lashio in western Shan State, is a ride to remember. Trains slowly inch along the trestle that bridges a deep gorge for approximately half a mile. Catch the train from Mandalay to Lashio for under US$5 to experience this extraordinary engineering masterpiece.

In fewer and fewer areas of the world where electricity is too unreliable or scarce, human-powered Ferris wheels can still be found. These pop up during major events in Myanmar such as the Tazaungdaing Festival. Burmese men use their weight and strength to provide riders with a roundabout thrill. Manual Ferris wheels may be a more environmentally friendly mode of excitement, but they’re definitely not the safest job or for fainthearted fair goers.

Discover the famous Bagan temples on a horse carriage ride and stop at the most important ones. Learn about the manufacturing of lacquerware, be impressed by the ancient paintings of the Pagodas and finally admire the exquisite sunset view from one of the renowned pagodas.

Explore the gorgeous temples of Bagan in the same way the royals do: by horse-drawn cart! Ride in style through a tour of some of Bagan's most noteworthy cultural stops, giving you a truly authentic experience. You'll marvel at the massive Buddha images that stand proudly within it. At the end of your magical carriage ride, you'll view a spectacular sunset at the rustic watch tower. It's a true panoramic view of Bagan that you will take home with you.

A cheroot factory located on Inle Lake in the Shan Hills where this traditional Burmese-style cigar is manufactured. Cheap to produce, cheroots are found all over Myanmar and were even popular with the British during the days of the British Empire

Women and teenage girls sat cross-legged on the floor of a rickety building, hand-rolling cigars and cheroots.

While anti-smoking campaigns are growing in much of Southeast Asia, local cigars (sometimes, huge ones) remain popular in Burma, particularly among older people in rural areas

The best way to explore this maze of temples is by bicycle as distances are long and the easiest way to weave through the jungles on the sandy earth is on two wheels. During your time in Bagan, you can bike everywhere – from New Bagan through the dusty concrete road, to the banks of the Irrawaddy River where children frolicked and played. You will then paddle from one pagoda to another, snake through dirt roads to find secret corners, and wound past villagers who waved at us eagerly. 

With more than 4,000 temples to choose from, you can pick  just a few to explore and find yourself  lost in time: Lawkananda Pagoda; Shwesandaw Paya; Dhammayangyi Pahto; Ananda Paya; ...

Cycle tours these two significant Burmese cities on a three-day adventure from Mandalay to Bagan. On a map, the start and finish points of this ride don't appear far apart, but geography alone cannot explain the significance of Mandalay and Bagan. From the 9th to 13th centuries, Bagan was the center of the Kingdom Of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify regions that would later form modern Myanmar. Mandalay was the last royal seat of power in the country before the British took control and is now a bustling, commercial city.

The territory between the two locations is the subject of this tour, and for good reason. We ride some really lovely landscapes as we pass through the Ancient Court Of Ava, along the Irrawaddy River and stay a night in enchanting Mount Popa. Quiet back-roads, palm trees and friendly villagers working the fields are the images that await you on this compact, achievable and highly enjoyable tour.

From the natural beauty of Inle Lake and the intrigue of the communities that inhabit it, to the scenic views of the Shan Hills, to the ancient ruins of Bagan and a different perspective from the waters of the Irrawaddy, this is a trip that takes in a diverse range of landscapes and includes some amazing riding. This is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in the culture, traditions, and cuisine of Myanmar and a unique opportunity to learn from natives why they remain hopeful for a peaceful and prosperous future. 

With 208 Km riding, you can expect to be on a range of paved roads and unpaved, hard-packed roads with a good rolling surface. The key element to the route is that it is low on traffic which is important in a developing country. We ride through villages, away from the noise and the fumes. Of course, with the weather, what it is and the country in a state of rapid development, the condition of any road can change quickly, but we have detailed knowledge and can always re-route for an optimal ride experience.

Located just across from the Thai border, the Mergui Archipelago only opened up to foreigners as recently as the late 1990s. With only a few of the 800 islands home to a sparse population, The Moken, and a scarce amount of visitors to the entire region each month, the Mergui Archipelago remains one of the planet’s most unspoilt destinations.

Think white beaches lined with palm trees and dense jungle. Think swimming in azure water amongst colorful reef fish, spotting coral, and collecting seashells. Now picture eagles circling above, gibbons and monitor lizards eyeing you from the thickets, while a sundowner is being mixed for you on board the yacht. 

Best of all: you have this entire experience to yourself. You can sail for days on end and not see a soul except the odd fisherman in a dugout canoe.

Myanmar's vast area, diverse geography and lack of extensive urban development mean that it is a haven for all kinds of flora, fauna and wildlife. Myanmar (Burma) is home to one of the largest remaining contiguous forests in Southeast Asia, and maintains much larger areas of natural jungle and wetland than most of its neighbours. It also boasts a wealth of coral reefs and marine life amongst the sheltered islands of the Myeik Archipelago.

Although hunting poses a threat to many endangered species, more and more efforts are being made to safeguard its native animals, such as tigers, turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins, elephants and rare birds. 

If you would like to contribute to conservation efforts and experience Myanmar's wildlife safety in the knowledge that you are making a positive impact, you can visit: Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp in Kalaw, Moeyungyi Wetlands Sanctuary, Burmese Star Tortoise Conservation Centre