MYANMAR BY BIKE

Day 1 : Yangon (- / - / D)

Upon arrival at Yangon Airport we transfer to the hotel.

Lunch is charged to your own account and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2 : Yangon (B / L / D)

After breakfast we drive to the landmark colonial-era Strand Hotel and observe antiquated Pansodan Jetty and busy activity on the Yangon River. We start our tour at Mahabandoola Road which has perfect views of city icons such as Sule Padoga, City Hall and the High Court. We then cross the greenery of Maha Bandoola Garden before discovering the gold shops near Shwe Bontha Street. We then head across the animated Indian enclave of Anawrahta Road. 

In the afternoon we stroll through Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market (closed on Monday and public holidays). Then we take a 20minute ride on the circular commuter train. We then head to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, bejewelled Shwedagon Pagoda. In the early evening we drive to the busy area of Chinatown where the pavement turns into a night market selling all kinds of goods. We then transfer to the hotel. 

Lunch and dinner are at local restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 3 : Yangon – Inle Lake (B / L / D)

We fly to Heho to explore vineyards before cycling through stunning Shan Hill countryside to visit ethnic minority villages. After breakfast, we drive to Yangon airport to catch a domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival in Heho, we hit the road for a one-hour drive to Ayethaya Vineyard. Taking the title of Myanmar’s first vineyard, Ayethaya has been producing wine since 1999. We visit the vineyards and learn about the challenges of producing wine in a tropical environment before enjoying lunch.

We then continue to Aye Thar Yar village, where we will start our cycling journey to Nyaung Shwe Pier through breath-taking Shan State hill scenes. We stop at several ethnic minority villages on the way. We then board a boat to our hotel and check-in in time for dinner.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 4 : Inle Lake (B / L / D)

Soak up iconic Inle Lake’s sights as we cruise across the water. After breakfast, we set off on a gentle cruise on Inle Lake, where we can see the famous leg rowing fishermen who navigate their boats using one leg, typical floating gardens and farms and locals fishing using traditional methods of fishing. We will also witness village life and magnificent scenery.

After lunch at a local restaurant on the lake, we will visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda. This is one of the main principle shrines in Myanmar that dates back to the 18th century. We then continue to Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery which houses a stunning collection of ancient Buddha statues before visiting the weaving village of Inpawkhon where we can watch weavers using traditional techniques to craft fabulous fabrics. Our final stop is at one of the local markets in the Inle Lake region where we can watch locals barter over goods. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 5 : Inle Lake (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Inle Lake with a cruise to a stairway leading to the Indein Pagoda complex. This consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown with moss. Depending on the water level, you will have the chance to walk through the rice fields and unique plantations to observe the way of life of the resident Inthar people.

In the afternoon we continue by boat to Tha Le Oo. The inhabitants of this village are Inthar and Pa O ethnic minority tribes who are renowned for their skilled organic farming methods. 

During the winter season their harvested sugar cane is sent to an on-site facility where the juice is extracted, made into molasses and sent to the city for use in the production of Mandalay Rum. You will follow an agro trail that runs from the lake through the village and the surrounding organic farmland in a wide looping curve back to the lake. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 6 : Inle Lake – Kalaw (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we set off on a one-hour drive to Kalaw, a fresh and delightful hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau. On the way, we stop at a farming village where Pa-O and Shan ethnic people live. We can meet villagers and learn about their unique customs and culture, as well as the traditional techniques used to farm the land. 

After lunch, we start a walking tour through this peaceful place that has an atmosphere reminiscent of the colonial era. Nowadays the town is a lively market centre where ethnic minorities from surrounding regions come to trade and buy goods. We then check-in at the hotel with time to rest before dinner.

Lunch is at a local restaurant. Dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 7 : Kalaw trekking (B / L / D)

After breakfast, you will meet your local trekking guide at your hotel in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake and drive (approximately 1.5 hr) to the trekking point in Kalaw, a fresh and delightful hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau. 

We start a walking tour (approximately 1.5 hour) to Yay Aye Kan through this peaceful place that has an atmosphere of the colonial era. Yay Aye Kan was built since British colony period which is supporting water supply to Kalaw area. We have time to explore surrounding where you can observe birds preservation area. 

We then continue walking for another 1.5 hour to Hin Khar Kone through stunning rural landscapes and villages, home to the Palaung hill tribe. 
Simple local home cooked lunch at the village house. 

After lunch, we set off on approximately 2hours down way to Myin Dite, Danu tribe. Along the way, see seasonal cultivation. Then, back to Kalaw by car and transfer to hotel. 
Dinner is at hotel. 

Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 8 : Kalaw – Mandalay (B / L / D)

fter breakfast, we drive approximately seven hours’ through varied agricultural landscapes to Mandalay.

Upon arrival, check in at the hotel with time to rest before a well-deserved dinner at hotel.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 9 : Mandalay (B / L / D)

Breakfast is at the hotel followed by a free morning at your leisure. In the afternoon we set off on bikes along Moat Road South of the former Royal Palace. We cross through the heart of Mandalay city to Zegyo Market with its hundreds of food and clothes stores. We continue biking to Strand Road and observe busy life along the shores of the Ayeyarwaddy River with its plentiful piers and merchant activities. 

We then head to the north-western quarters of Mandalay to Northern Moat Road and visit the famous Shwe Inbin Teak Monastery, the Golden Palace Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda. We return to the hotel by bike. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional puppet show at the Mandalay Puppet Theatre. 

Lunch and dinner are at local restaurant.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 10 : Mandalay (B / L / D)

After breakfast we cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun, about 11 km upriver from Mandalay. We visit the Mingun Bell, which at 90 tons is one of the world’s largest bells, followed by Hsinbyume Paya Temple and the impressive but uncompleted Mingun Paya Temple. We then bike along the western bank of the river to Sagaing visiting several rural villages on the way. These traditional Myanmar villages are known for their cottage industries, especially pottery and silverware production.

We then visit the former Royal Capital of Inwa (Ava) by horse cart, or bike. Highlights include Nanmyint Watch Tower, the remains of the palace building nicknamed the ‘leaning tower of Ava’, Maha Aungmye Bonzan and Bagayar monasteries – the latter is famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. We continue by bike to Amarapura to the 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge built in 1782 when Amarapura was the royal capital. We arrive to watch the sunset and return to Mandalay by car. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 11 : Mandalay – Bagan (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we drive through lush landscapes (230 km – 5 hours) to Bagan, is famed for its vast collection of temples. The ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served as the capital from the 9th to 13th centuries. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 12 : Bagan (B / L / D)

After breakfast we cycle to the small town of Nyaung Oo to visit the local market. We continue to old Bagan on ancient roads shaded by magnificent trees and visit some of the most important temples including Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century; Ku Byauk Gyi, a temple with superb murals of Buddhist Jataka scenes; and Ananda Temple with its four magnificent standing Buddha images. 

Although it is famed as the site of ancient monuments, Bagan is also home to some enchanting traditional villages scattered across the plains. Our cycling adventure takes us along winding lanes to Taung Bi village to visit traditional businesses lost in time such as a blacksmith.We complete the day by choosing one of the more off-the-beaten track pagodas and climb up to the roof top terrace for a magical moment as the sun sets over the temple-dotted plains. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 13 : Bagan (B / L / D)

After breakfast we bike remote trails to Min Nan Thu village, which is located near rarely visited Tayokepyay, Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya temples, which are noted for their exquisite 13th century murals. You will have the opportunity to explore these shrines. Alternatively, if you prefer to venture further into the countryside, you can visit some more hidden off-the-beaten track pagodas. We return to Bagan for a lunch at a local restaurant.

Along the way we visit the famous meditation retreat of Kyat Kan Cave Monastery. This adventure also includes a horse and cart ride over unpaved roads through a landscape that contains thousands of years of history. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 14 : Bagan – Yangon (B / - / D) 

Today sees us trade in Bagan’s tranquillity for the hustle and bustle of Yangon. After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Yangon.

Upon arrival, we have the rest of the day at our leisure for relaxing, shopping or sightseeing. Once known as Rangoon, this city boasts the largest number of colonial era buildings in South-East Asia. The jewel in the crown is the 2,500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda, a magnificent gleaming, gilded temple that dominates the landscape with a 99-metre-high golden spire studded with 4,351 diamonds and 2,317 rubies. The site truly springs to life at dusk when devotees flock to the site.

In the evening, we enjoy the experience of dining in one of Myanmar’s best restaurants, at The Seed Restaurant for a farewell dinner. 

We then return to the hotel.

Lunch is charged to you own account and dinner is at The Seed Restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 15 : Yangon (B / - / -)

After breakfast, we transfer to airport for your international departure flight

Lunch is charged to your own account.

End of our services.