Cycle Burma | Burma Cycling Holiday

Arriving in Rangoon today we have a chance to relax and freshen up before enjoying a late afternoon visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Burma. Towering some 99 metres over the city, the pagoda’s impressive golden stupa dominates the city skyline to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, making it the ideal spot from which to watch the sunset. Originally believed to be over 2,500 years old, this is the oldest pagoda in Burma and certainly one of the most beautiful in the whole of Asia. There will be an opportunity today to test your bicycles and make any necessary tweaks.

Overnight Standard Hotel

After breakfast this morning we take the ferry downriver, towards the small township of Dala. From here we then cycle on to the town of Twante, situated midway along the 35 kilometres long, Twante Canal. Built during the 1880s, the canal connects the Yangon and Irrawaddy Rivers and until quite recently it was the quickest way to get from Rangoon to the Irrawaddy Delta. Known for its pottery, Twante itself is a quiet backwater of stilted wooden houses and horse-drawn carriages that provides us with a fascinating snapshot of the rural Burma of old. After time to wander around the market and lunch at a local restaurant we will return with our bus to Rangoon, arriving late afternoon. Please note that today for logistical reasons we will use different bikes of the same quality rented locally in Rangoon.
Total cycling distance approximately 35 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we fly to the archaeological site of Bagan, without doubt one of the most impressive religious sites anywhere in Asia. On arrival we take a will visit some of its most distinctive pagodas by bus. This may include visits to the Shwezigon Pagoda, the 13th century frescoes and cave temple of Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi and the Ananda Pagoda, one of the best preserved monuments in the entire city. Late in the day we will ride local style simple bikes between the temples and enjoy the sunset.
Total cycling distance approximately 20 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Bagan rose to prominence during the 11th to 13th centuries. At its height it presented a sea of colour and spectacle, with over 13,000 temples and pagodas spread across its expansive plains. Today just over 2,000 remain. After breakfast we continue our exploration of the archaeological ruins by bike, paying visits to the Sulamani Temple of King Narapatisithu and the finely crafted brickwork of the Dhammayangyi Temple, the largest shrine on the site. In the afternoon we continue sightseeing, this time by bus, ending with a memorable sunset from one of the temples. Total cycling distance approximately 25 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we take a ride through the picturesque countryside to Mount Popa, Burma’s sacred abode of the Nats (spirit gods). A volcanic plug that rises some 1,500 metres above the surrounding landscape, the summit sits amongst the rare flora and fauna of a national park and provides some fine panoramic views of the surrounding hills. The small temple on the summit is also home to troops of wild monkeys. Todays ride begins with a steady but gentle incline for the first 28km where we have a tea break at Daung Zin junction. The ride from this point continues on a slightly hillier terrain with some more inclines for the remaining 17km, but you have the option to ride in the support vehicle if you prefer. The cycle route ends at the foot of mount Popa where you have the choice to climb the 777 steps to the mountain top temple. We spend this evening at a simple guest house on the slopes of the mountain.
Total cycling distance approximately 45 kilometres.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we head into the heart of Burma’s cotton growing region, passing through the town of Taungtha en route to the port of Myingyan on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Travelling by bike and bus we have a chance today to experience a little something of rural life, pedalling through forests and passing by palm thatch villages where ox carts are still the main form of transport. There may be the chance to stop off to watch the production of traditional ‘toddy’ palm juice. Toddy palms can be found throughout Myanmar and the juice is extracted to produce palm sugar and ‘jaggery’ and even fermented to make ‘toddy wine’.
Total cycling distance approximately 58 kilometres.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

To the north-east of Myingyan lies the city of Mandalay, Burma’s last royal capital and, for many, the dazzling centrepiece of the country’s most historic and culturally rich region. As with yesterday, we cover part of the journey by bike today, travelling through to the small town of Myittha and up towards the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River. Our route today is once again along quiet backroads with plenty of opportunities to observe rural ways of life.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 kilometres plus an optional further 20 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We spend this morning exploring some of Mandalay city’s major highlights, including the world’s largest book at the Jade market, Kuthodaw Pagoda, the intricate wooden majesty of the Shwenanda (Golden Palace) Monastery and Mandalay Hill. After lunch we drive a short distance south to visit the former royal capital of Amarapura, perhaps best known for the 19th century 1.2 kilometres U-Bein footbridge that spans Lake Taungthaman. Later we pay a visit to the Mahagondayon Monastery, one of the largest and most important religious centres in Burma. No cycling today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Sagaing, located some 20 kilometres away from Mandalay. Overlooking the waters of the Irrawaddy River, Sagaing is considered one of Burma’s most important religious centres and its hillside is covered in pagodas and temples. We spend some time exploring the temple sites on the hill, walking along trails that link them. Later we get on our bikes and continue along the river to the ruins of Mingun Pagoda - the worlds largest unfinished stupa. After visiting Mingun we embark on a boat for the 30 minute cruise back to Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River, arriving in the late afternoon.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we spend the whole day making our way up onto the Shan Plateau to the old hillstation of Kalaw. Most of the journey we will make by bus stopping en route to cycle along a back road with little traffic through agricultural lands and authentic local villages with plenty of opportunity for interaction. Kalaw itself sits high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau and was a popular hill station in British colonial times to escape the summer heat. Nowadays it is still a peaceful and quiet place and we should arrive in the late afternoon.
Total cycling distance approximately 35 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we will drive for about one hour to the small town of Aung Ban from where we commence today's cycle ride. The route we bike is mostly downhill and leads us to Inle Lake itself. Surrounded by hills and populated predominantly by the Intha people, Inle Lake is one of the highest lakes in the country. Devout Buddhists, the local population of self-sufficient farmers and fishermen live in simple stilted houses of wood and bamboo, growing their food on floating gardens of grass and seaweed. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel in the town of Nyaung Shwe, the main entry point for excursions onto the lake. The afternoon is left free to relax or you may prefer to participate in an optional wine-tasting in a scenic location near the lake.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we leave the bikes behind and take to the waters on a longtail boat excursion on Inle Lake. We may get the chance to see a local market, some cottage industries, traditional boat making and silk weaving and, hopefully, come across some of the local fishermen practicing their uniquely distinctive rowing techniques. This involves them wrapping one leg around the oar, a technique devised to make it easier see over the islands of reeds. In the afternoon we head to the western part of the lake to Indein village where we walk up a short distance to a hillside complex of 1,000 stupas (places of worship). From up here we can enjoy some great views of the lake setting. We spend this evening in the village of Nyaung Shwe.
No cycling today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We drive to Heho for our flight back to Rangoon. If not visited earlier in the tour we recommend a stroll along Pansodan Street to take in the rich colonial architecture and bustling street markets. The remainder of the day is free for further sightseeing. you may choose to visit Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, which is filled with handicrafts from all over the country (closed on Mondays, full moons and public holidays). Alternatively you could head for Chinatown, to explore its temples and street markets before returning to the hotel. No cycling today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

 The tour ends in Rangoon this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast