Cycle Burma 13 Days

We begin the day with a morning flight to Heho, then take a scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, leading us to the stunning Inle Lake, known as one of the highest lakes in Myanmar. The local community, deeply rooted in Buddhism, resides in modest stilt houses and engages in fishing while cultivating food on floating gardens made of grass and seaweed. Later, as we set out on a boat, we'll have the opportunity to observe the renowned 'one-legged' fishermen in action and explore the Phaungdaw U Pagoda. Please note that there will be no cycling involved.

After we take some time to adjust your bike for comfort, we'll embark on our first cycling journey around the eastern shores of Inle Lake, heading towards the village of Nanpan. The terrain is mostly flat with a few gentle hills, providing scenic views of the lake, local villages, and the surrounding hills. After enjoying some leisure time in Nanpan, we will return to Nyaung Shwe by long-tail boat. The rest of the afternoon is yours to either unwind, discover more of Nyaung Shwe, or even participate in some local wine tasting. Today's cycling covers roughly 40 kilometers, with a total elevation gain and loss of 200 meters each.

Today's cycling adventure leads us along a hilly path around the lake to the Shwe Indein Pagoda, followed by a challenging ascent to Aung Ban village. We'll make a stop to explore the pagoda complex located above Indein village, which features about one thousand stupas of various sizes that were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. After this visit, we'll continue our uphill ride to Aung Ban, where we’ll conclude our cycling and enjoy a well-deserved lunch. Later, we will drive to Kalaw, situated on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. Once a favored retreat for the British during their colonial rule, Kalaw still exudes a touch of its historical charm. If time allows, we can further explore the town by bike, with attractions such as the gold-lacquered bamboo Buddha at Nee Paya and the Christ the King Catholic Church. Today's total cycling distance is approximately 60 kilometers, with a cumulative ascent of 870 meters and a descent of 470 meters.

After breakfast, we set off to the north, departing from the main road to follow a vehicle-free path, cycling through a charming rural landscape adorned with farmland and picturesque villages. This initial stretch is quite demanding as it involves most of today’s climbing, but the breathtaking views make it worthwhile. Once we rejoin the main road, we cycle through undulating countryside filled with rice paddies and vegetable gardens, sharing the route with ox carts loaded with cabbages and open vehicles transporting produce to market, driven by Pao and Danu villagers.

After lunch, we face one last ascent as we approach Pindaya, a delightful lakeside town nestled beneath a limestone landscape adorned with cave shrines and stupas. Before checking into our hotel, we will visit the renowned Pindaya Caves, an important pilgrimage site housing around 8,000 images of the Buddha. The caves extend into the limestone hills above the town, showcasing a diverse collection of iconography that dates back to the mid-18th century. Today's total cycling distance is approximately 39 kilometers, with a cumulative ascent of 510 meters and a descent of 550 meters.

We kick off the day with a drive through a scenic patchwork of lush countryside and mountainous landscapes to Kyone, where we will begin our cycling journey. For the first three hours, we’ll pedal along quiet backroads that are seldom traveled by tourists, starting with a 5 km uphill climb. As we progress toward the village of Myaing, we’ll navigate undulating terrain featuring some steep ascents and descents, culminating in another 5 km climb to conclude today’s delightful ride through the Shan highlands.

Following a one-hour drive to Saim Yaung, we’ll pause for lunch before continuing our journey. In the afternoon, we’ll cover the remaining 130 km by bus, arriving in Mandalay in the early evening. Our route will showcase stunning mountain views along the Zawgwi River, and as we travel, we’ll encounter a variety of produce, including cotton, turmeric, mangoes, and teak. Today’s total cycling distance is approximately 57 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of 700 meters and a descent of 790 meters.

Mandalay, recognized as Burma's final royal capital, is regarded by many as the heart of the country's most historically significant and culturally vibrant area. Today, we will venture into the countryside surrounding the city, beginning with a ride to Sagaing, located about 20 kilometers away. Perched above the Ayeywaddy River, Sagaing is renowned as one of Burma's key religious hubs, characterized by its hillside adorned with numerous pagodas and temples.

From the Soon U Ponya Shin Paya at the top of Sagaing Hill, we'll be treated to breathtaking views of the river and over 500 pagodas scattered across the landscape. After soaking in the scenery, we’ll proceed along the river to the remnants of the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, which would have been the largest pagoda in the world had it been finished. We’ll have the opportunity to explore the site before enjoying a picturesque boat ride back to Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River. Today's cycling route is mostly flat, covering approximately 37 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 80 meters and a descent of 50 meters.

A brief drive south of Mandalay leads us to the former royal capital of Amarapura, renowned primarily for the U Bein Bridge, a 1.2-kilometer footbridge that crosses Lake Taungthaman. We will have the chance to view the bridge from the water during an optional short boat ride. Afterward, as we make our way back to Mandalay, we will stop at the jade market before spending the afternoon exploring some of the city's key attractions. Highlights include the world’s largest book located at Kuthodaw Pagoda, the beautifully intricate wooden architecture of Shwenanda (Golden Palace) Monastery, and Mandalay Hill. There will be no cycling activities scheduled for today.

We kick off our morning with a visit to the Kuang Madaw Pagoda, built in the 17th century, which features the largest dome in Myanmar, inspired by the Mahaceti in Sri Lanka. Afterward, we’ll take a bus to Chaung U village, where our cycling adventure begins. We’ll ride along quiet backroads towards the vibrant river town of Monywa, where we can explore some of Myanmar's most distinctive Buddhist sites. Notable highlights include a towering 128-meter standing Buddha and a 95-meter reclining Buddha overlooking Bodhi Tataung, a garden filled with over 1,000 sitting Buddhas, all aligned in the same direction. Further along, we will encounter the unique Thanboddhay Paya complex, born from a monk's visions, featuring an astonishing pagoda adorned with 582,363 Buddha images. We’ll continue our bike ride, arriving at our hotel in the mid-afternoon, allowing time to unwind by the lakeside. The cycling route today is primarily flat, with one long, gentle ascent and descent. Our total cycling distance for the day is around 33 kilometers, with an elevation gain and loss of approximately 70 meters each.

As we set off from Monywa on our bicycles, we veer away from the main road and take the backroads toward Pakkoku. Our journey leads us along a dusty path through traditional wooden villages, weaving through fields of rice, sesame, and peanuts, offering an intimate glimpse into rural life. Ox carts leisurely navigate the villages, some of which hide remarkable frescoes within small temple complexes. Eventually, we rejoin the main road, cross the majestic Chindwin River, and cycle to the Aung Moe junction, where our cycling adventure for the day concludes. Later this afternoon, we will drive to Pakkoku, where we will board a local ferry to glide down the Irrawaddy River to the historic capital of Bagan, renowned for being one of the most breathtaking religious archaeological sites in all of Asia. Today's cycling distance totals approximately 55 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 650 meters and a descent of 625 meters.

Bagan gained significance between the 11th and 13th centuries, becoming a vibrant hub adorned with over 13,000 temples and pagodas spread across its vast plains. Today, slightly more than 2,000 of these structures remain, and we will explore some of the most significant ones during our visit. We start our day with the option to witness a breathtaking sunrise from the terraces of the magnificent 12th-century Dhammayazika Temple, providing a stunning view of this ancient capital's scale and grandeur. Following this, we will cycle along flat and sandy paths that meander between the temples, stopping to admire the unique Shwezigon and Ananda Pagodas, as well as the 13th-century Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi cave temple. After immersing ourselves in the beauty of Bagan, the afternoon is yours to unwind or continue exploring. You might choose to enjoy the sunset from one of the temples or take an optional late afternoon boat ride on the Irrawaddy River. Today’s total cycling distance is approximately 24 kilometers, all on flat terrain.

This morning, we embark on our final cycling journey across the Bagan plateau towards Mount Popa, revered as Burma's sacred sanctuary of the Nats (spirit gods). Rising 1,500 meters above the surrounding landscape, this volcanic plug presents a gradual incline throughout our ride. For the steepest sections, we will utilize our vehicles to ascend to the base of the mountain. Depending on how much time we have and your energy levels, there may be an opportunity to climb the 777 steps leading to the temple at the summit. The peak is adorned with unique flora and fauna, designated as a national park, and offers stunning panoramic views of the area. Additionally, the small temple at the top is home to a troop of wild monkeys. After enjoying lunch, we will cycle back to Bagan, passing a local farm that produces traditional 'toddy' palm juice. You can choose to return by bike for part of the journey or the entire way back to Bagan. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Bagan, with the option to watch the sunset from one of the temples. Today’s total cycling distance is approximately 49 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of 470 meters and a descent of 30 meters.

After returning to Rangoon this morning by flight, we embark on a city tour, beginning with a visit to the fascinating Botataung Pagoda, known for its unique hollow structure that houses ancient relics. Following that, we will explore the downtown area. A leisurely walk along Pansodan Street allows us to appreciate the vibrant colonial architecture and lively street markets. Additionally, we’ll visit the expansive Bogyoke Market, previously referred to as Scott's Market, which showcases handicrafts from across the nation (please note it is closed on Mondays, during full moons, and on public holidays). There will be no cycling today.

Today, there are no scheduled activities, allowing you the flexibility to leave at your convenience. If your flight is later in the day, our hotel provides luggage storage services. Should you wish to take advantage of a complimentary airport transfer, please ensure your departure is from Yangon International Airport (RGN), located just 30 minutes from our hotel.