This leisurely trek travels through Rawang minority villages and lush jungle where Gibbon calls can still be heard. After climbing over a forest-covered mountain range our trail follows a river originating from the melt waters of snowcapped Sub-Himalayan mountains. During our trek we will meet local villagers, learn about their ways of life and origins. We trek to the Last Village “Ziyadum”, a small community situated 55 kilometers north-west of Putao at altitude of 3440 ft/1150m. Ziyadum is the access point for many trekking peaks in the region such as Phonyin Razi, Phongan Razi, Phangran Razi all of which are perennially snow-capped mountains.

Brief Itinerary:

DAY 01: Arrival in Yangon
DAY 02: Yangon Highlights
DAY 03 Yangon - Putao Arrival, transfer to hotel in Putao. Walking tour in and around Putao
DAY 04 By jeep to Shangaung, challenging trek to Wasandum over a mountain range
DAY 05 Easy trek to Ziyadum via Awadum through evergreen forests
DAY 06 Optional trek to Chaungzone, through evergreen forests
DAY 07 Trek to Wasandum via Awadum and Kalang across suspension bridges
DAY 08 Trek to Shanguang and jeep to Putao
DAY 09 Excursion Machanbaw and Mulashidi with beautiful suspension bridges
DAY 10 Transfer to airport for your onward departure
 

DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO YANGON
Upon arrival to YANGON airport, you will be welcomed by your Travel Loops representative and ransferred to your hotel.

Meals: No Meals
Overnight stay: Yangon hotel.

DAY 2: YANGON HIGHLIGHTS
After breakfast, you embark on a journey to explore all the highlights of Yangon. Starting from the colonial-style city centre at one the landmarks, the SULE PAYA stupa – built over 2,000 years ago and the focal point of numerous historical events in the city – on to the CHAUK THAT GYI pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha, and KARAWEIK HALL to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on KANDAWGYI (ROYAL) LAKE. You visit BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of color. We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SWEDAGON PAGODA, a gold covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.

Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: Yangon hotel 

DAY 3: YANGON - ARRIVAL TO PUTAO
Upon arrival to Putao airport you will be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Putao. Putao lies in a flat valley and acts as a gateway for trekkers and explorers venturing to the region’s deep forests, wildlife sanctuaries and snow-capped mountains. After checking in and a light lunch, you take a stroll around Putao town and its surroundings.

Meals included: lunch, dinner
Overnight stay at Putao Trekking Lodge

DAY 4: PUTAO - SHANGAUNG - WASANDUM (trek)
Breakfast at the lodge and a morning walk to Putao market, where ethnic minorities come to trade their goods. You will start your trekking journey with a 1hr transfer by jeep or truck on a bumpy road to Upper Shangaung situated 17 km from Putao. This Rawang minority village is home to many of our porters families. On a school day we can visit the village school before starting our trek. The trek starting altitude is around 1050m where the jeep road becomes impassable. You trek today approx. 6 hrs/20 km to Wasandum village over a lush jungle covered mountain. The first 10 km of the trail is challenging due to the strenuous ascent over Mt Shangaung (4468 ft., 1362m) before descending to Wasandum at 860m. Wasandum is a small Rawan tribe village located by Namro creek.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: In a local house dormitory style in Wasandum. 

DAY 5: WASANDUM - AWADUM - ZIYADUM (trek)
After breakfast you continue your journey towards Ziyadum, the last village. The terrain is mostly flat with few small hills en route. You first cross Namro creek and follow the trail along the river valley through small farming lands and forests until you reach Awadum, a Lisu minority village, after approx. 3 hrs/7.4 km trek. After a lunch break you continue to trek for 2 hrs / 6.4 km to Ziyadum, passing through dense evergreen forests. Ziyadum, is situated at an altitude of 3440 ft./1048 metres and is the most northwestern and last frontier village in Putao region. Most of the people living here are from the Rawang minority. After a brief freshen up we visit Ziya creek and enjoy sunset views over rarely climbed peaks bordering India. (weather permitting).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: In a local house dormitory style in Ziadum. 

DAY 6: ZIYADUM (trek)
After breakfast you have free time to explore Ziyadam and its surroundings. Enjoy the mountain views, try fishing or do a day hike with your guide to Chaungzone 9.6km in total, this excursion takes around 3 hours and passes through evergreen forests with plenty of bird life. On your way you may have the opportunity to meet local hunters, medicinal plants and roots seekers etc. Return back to Ziyadum in the afternoon.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: In a local house dormitory style in Ziadum. 

DAY 7: ZIYADUM – KALANG - WASANDUM (trek)
After breakfast in Ziadum you bid farewell to your hosts and head back to Wasandum village. your route passes through forests trails and small farmer communities of Awadum and Kalang and has 2 suspension bridge crossings.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: In a local house dormitory style in Wasandum.

DAY 8: WASANDUM - SHANGAUNG - PUTAO (trek/jeep)
After breakfast you start a gradual climb over the Mt. Shangaung range before long downhill to Shangaung and meeting place of our jeep/truck driver and drive back to Putao. Rest of the day is free for relaxing.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: In Putao Trekking Lodge

DAY 9: PUTAO - MACHANBAW - MULASHIDI - PUTAO (jeep)
After breakfast at the lodge you take 1 hr jeep ride to Naungkhine village. From Naungkhine you cross 211 meters long suspension bridge, spanning the Malikha River, to Machanbaw, a small administrative town with some colonial era buildings. You visit this charming town and take a short walk to "stone dragon" park before returning back to your jeep and 1 hr/35 km drive to Mulashidi, a Lisu minority village. Mulashidi is an attractive Lisu settlement by Mula River also with impressive suspension bridge. You enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains in the distance and watch the setting sun before the drive back to your lodge in Putao. 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: In Putao Trekking Lodge.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the lodge and free time for last minute shopping at Putao market. Bid farewell to our local hosts and guide and transfer to Putao airport for your flight to Mandalay or Yangon.

Meals included: breakfast

This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The ‘Price From’ quoted is for a party of 6 to 8 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

• REMARKS:

We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your holiday in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:

>>Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 60 USD/room/night
>>Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 110 USD/room/night
>>Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night.

Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details
 

TOUR INCLUDES:

1. Entrance Fees.
To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.

2. Meals.
All meals as specified in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).

When the meals are not included in the program, our guides will be more than happy to recommend one from our list of approved restaurants. While not always possible, we endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Asian breakfasts are available; however, there may be occasions when only an Asian-style breakfast is available in some of the more remote locations.

3. Flights, Private Transfers & Airport Pick-up and drop-off.
Domestic flights, Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as mentioned in the itinerary).

4. Professional Tour Guide.
As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city and will remain with you throughout your stay in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available.

5. Accommodation.
Hotel costs are based on double occupancy of one twin room. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily Western or Asian breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless otherwise specified.

6. Airport Tax, Fuel Fee, Service Charge & Government Taxes.

7. Arrangements Fees.
The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

8. Equipment*
Where relevant, a quality mountain bike and safety equipment, back-up vehicle (for parties of 6 or more) and cycle guide as per the Cycling Tour itinerary.

TOUR EXCLUDES:

1. International Airfares.
Any International flight or train tickets.

2. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar,Thailand or Laos Entry Visa Fees.

3. Excess Baggage Charges.
Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. Total weight of carry-on baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The size may not exceed 20 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm.

4. Personal Expenses.
Expenses of a purely personal nature such as Tips and gratuities, laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals that are not included in the tour itinerary.

5. Meals.
Any meals that are not specified in the tour itinerary.

6. Single Room Supplement.
7. Travel Insurance.
8. Payment fees.