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Minor Roads of Myanmar (13 days)
From: $0
Code: E-MCYZZ0000
Tour Style: Cycling
Duration: 13 days
Difficulty Comfort Exclusivity
Home » Myanmar » Cycling Tours » Minor Roads of Myanmar (13 days)

 

Experience all of the 'must-see' sights of Myanmar on this fully guided and supported cycling journey. Your trip starts from the capital city of Rangoon, built by the British administration. Here we visit the magnificent Swedagon pagoda; take a stroll through quaint old quarter of Yangon enjoying sights and sounds of this bustling city. Our first warm-up ride in Myanmar is to the Twante pottery village near Yangon to get our first experience of real countryside life. We continue by air to the rural Shan State and beautiful Inle Lake region inhabited by several minorities. Here we start our cycling journey and explore the local vineyard harvest; visit markets, floating gardens and cultural highlights on the lake and surrounding area. From Shan State we continue our journey to Mandalay on roads rarely traveled by foreigners visiting Pindaya temple caves en route. In Mandalay we explore some the Ancient Capitals of Myanmar (Burma) all situated near Mandalay City. We visit the last remaining palace building, a centuries old teak wood monastery and the sacred Mahamuni Buddha’s temple. We observe traditional gold leaf pounding, carving, tapestry and weaving in local workshops. From Mandalay we continue to the Ancient Kingdom of Bagan, the greatest archeological treasure of Myanmar with over 4000 pagodas and temples ruins located on the plains of Bagan by Ayeyarwaddy river (Irrawaddy). Bagan was during its heyday one the greatest kingdoms in the world and is a truly magical destination to visit. Our last lap is a leisurely ride to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano and popular ‘Nat’ sprit-worshipping center in Myanmar.

 

Brief Itinerary:

DAY 01: Arrival Yangon - Yangon Tour
DAY 02: Cycling to Twante - Dala
DAY 03: Flight to Heho. Cycling from Heho - Inle Lake
DAY 04: Inle Lake highlights (by boat)
DAY 05: Visit vineyard, cycling to Pindaya Caves
DAY 06: Cycling from Pindaya - Mandalay
DAY 07: Mandalay Tour  - Rest Day
DAY 08: Cycling to Royal Cities - Ubein Bridge
DAY 09: Cycling from Mandalay - Bagan
DAY 10: Ride to Bagan highlights, temples & backroads
DAY 11: Cycling to extinct volcano Mt Popa
DAY 12: Flight Bagan – Yangon. Free time in Yangon.
DAY 13: Depart Yangon
 

 

 

 

DAY 1: YANGON HIGHLIGHTS WALKING TOUR
Upon arrival at YANGON international airport, you will be welcomed by your Tracel Loops guide and transferred to your hotel. Today you visit the colonial-style city center of Yangon starting from one of the landmarks, the SULE PAYA stupa built over 2,000 years ago. You continue to the quaint YANGON OLD QUARTER, also built during the British colonial era where many charming historical buildings are still located. During your stroll through bustling MARKET STREETS full of merchants and food stalls, you visit a local pharmacy and learn about Myanmar traditional medicine, stop for a tea and snack in the fashion of locals, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Yangon. You continue to one of Asia’s architectural landmarks, the elegant STRAND HOTEL built by the Sarkies brothers. Inside, you visit the RIVER ART GALLERY, where the works of some of the most famous and skilled Burmese artists are on display befitting of the grand surroundings. You continue to the bustling BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of color. (Please note that the market is closed on Mondays and on public holidays)
After lunch in the afternoon, we continue on foot to Yangon Central Railway Station where you embark on the YANGON CIRCLE LINE TRAIN and travel as the locals do. The rail line ambles in a leisurely, 3-hour loop around Yangon and surrounding neighborhoods and is full of character. You disembark the train after few stops and approximately 30 minutes of travelling to continue sightseeing in your own transport. Late afternoon you 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 and is frequented by pious locals. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.


Meals included: lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in Yangon hotel.

 

DAY 2: BIKING YANGON - DALA - TWANTE
After breakfast pick up from your hotel and transfer to Pasondan Jetty by Yangon River. After final adjustments to our bikes you cross the Yangon River by local ferry to DALA VILLAGE and start your biking journey. your morning ride takes you along small lanes, market streets and friendly village neighborhoods. You observe the daily activities of Burmese locals and get a feel for the authentic rural lifestyle of Myanmar. You make a stop in a local pagoda and small monastery and enjoy local refreshments before heading off to Twante. The road to Twante passes through farm lands and paddy fields and has very little traffic. You stop enroute at a local workshop to see how popular Burmese velvet slippers are produced. TWANTE is known for its generation’s old industry producing some of Myanmar’s best terracotta. After lunch in a local restaurant you visit some local workshops, meet the labourers and observe the craftsmen in action of making pots and other items with traditional methods and burning them in kilns. You also visit 75 m high stupa at SHWESANDAW PAGODA before biking back around 24 km to Dala. After fa erry crossing back to Yangon you stop for a sundowner at a riverside restaurant by the Yangon River before transfer back to hotel.

 

Biking: approx. 50km, flat terrain mostly paved roads
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in Yangon
hotel.


DAY 3 : BIKING HEHO - INLE LAKE
After breakfast at the hotel you transfer to Yangon domestic airport for a 1 hour flight to HEHO, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. You visit the bustling HEHO MARKET, the meeting point for different ethnic minority groups of the surrounding areas to trade handmade goods and locally grown produce (on market days only). Near the market you start your biking journey to Inle Lake stopping en route at a LOCAL FAMILY WORK SHOP to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made from mulberry tree pulp. Descending from Shan highlands to lower-lying paddy and farming fields you take a smaller unpaved road and continue to KHAUNG DAING VILLAGE situated on the western shore of the lake. After a late lunch you transfer to your hotel by boat on the INLE LAKE. On the way you see floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake.

 

Biking: approx. 40km
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch in Nyaung Shwe, dinner at hotel
Overnight stay: in a hotel built on stilts over the lake or on the shore


DAY 4 : INLE LAKE & INN THEIN BY BOAT
After breakfast you journey out by boat, following the currents of a small river to reach the INN THEIN PAGODA COMPLEX, a site that makes us feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. To access the complex, you walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago. You boat back to the lake and visit PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA, the home of some of the country’s most sacred Buddha statues covered in gold leaf by devout followers. You also make a visit to the INPAWKHON WEAVING VILLAGE to learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted. As an extra treat, now stop at a house for BURMESE CATS built over the lake, where you see the preservation efforts and reintroduction of this rare pure breed of felines to Myanmar. At NAMPAN VILLAGE, local craftsmen show us how Burmese cigars, or “cheroots,” are traditionally packed and rolled. We end our day with magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row perched on one leg.

 

Biking: Rest day
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch on the lake, dinner at hotel
Overnight stay: in a hotel built on stilts over the lake or on the shore

 

DAY 5: INLE LAKE - PINDAYA CAVES
After breakfast, you ride bikes along shores of Inle Lake (approx. 10 km) passing though small farming communities. If we are lucky, you might see some sugar cane plantations, harvesting and cane juice extracting. Near Main Thauk village you visit the RED MOUNTAIN ESTATE to tour the lush vineyard situated on the side of mountain, and sample some of Myanmar’s premiere wines, and observe the different aging methods completed in their cellar. After lunch in Nyaung Shwe town you transfer 1hr to AUNG BAN, a crossroads heading North to South and East to West. You bike from Aung Ban to Pindaya (38 km) on a smaller road rolling through Shan highlands and farming region until reaching PINDAYA where we visit the PINDAYA CAVE housing thousands of Buddha images donated by Buddhist devotees alongside caverns filled with numerous stalactite formations. After the cave visit you check in to your hotel in Pindaya for the night.

 

Biking: 40-50km. Rolling hills, mostly paved roads with some broken tarmac at places.
(those wishing more challenge can cycle longer distance uphill to the Shan plateau)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch in Nyaung Shwe, dinner at hotel
Overnight stay: in a hotel in Pindaya.

 

DAY 6 : PINDAYA – YWAGAN – MANDALAY
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a 1 hour transfer to the start point of your cycling journey. your route travels Northbound on paved and quiet roads passing through the rolling Shan highlands and small rural villages that rarely see foreigners. You stop for lunch in a local restaurant in YWAGAN VILLAGE and continue your ride to Mandalay. Todays biking distance will be adjusted to the fitness level of participants. Arrival to Mandalay will be late afternoon/ early evening.

 

Biking: max.120 km. Flat paved road. (distance will be adjusted to fitness level and wishes of participants)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch in a local restaurant, dinner
Overnight stay: in Mandalay.


DAY 7: MANDALAY SIGHTS & REST DAY FROM CYCLING
Today you will visit Mandalay highlights the lively ZEGYO MARKET in the heart of the city and take a stroll to experience authentic local life. You continue to the JADE MARKET where blocks of raw jade are traded, ARTISAN QUARTERS, where some of the oldest craftsmanship is showcased dating back to last kingdom of Myanmar. You observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. You also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded. Next, you ride to visit the major highlights of the city: the sacred MAHAMUNI PAGODA, housing one of the most significant Buddha images covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in wars between competing kingdoms; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the KUTHODAW PAGODA, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone tablets and regarded the world’s largest book in terms of surface area. You end your day with sunset panoramic views over city skyline on MANDALAY HILL, the highest point of the city.

 

Biking: 0km
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in Mandalay.
 

 

DAY 8 : BIKING MINGUN – SAGAING - AMARAPURA - UBEIN BRIDGE - MANDALAY
After breakfast at the hotel, you ride bikes through Mandalay to the river jetty and embark on a 1-hour boat journey across the Ayeyarwaddy River (Irrawaddy) to the rural village of MINGUN, known for its massive unfinished pagoda dramatically cracked in half by an earthquake in the 1800s; another attraction is Mingun’s bronze bell, believed to be largest uncracked one in the world. your bike ride follows paved roads with light traffic traveling through farming villages and over rolling hills until reaching the site of ANCIENT KINGDOM OF SAGAING. From the SAGAING HILLS, you enjoy views of the hillside dotted with countless pagodas. You continue our ride to another beautiful ancient capital, AMARAPURA, famous for its textile industries. Continuing to the UBEIN BRIDGE, a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1.2km over Taungtaman Lake, before the last lap back to Mandalay.

 

Biking: approx. 60km. Mostly flat terrain on paved roads, some gentle hills.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in Mandalay.


DAY 9: MANDALAY TO BAGAN BIKING
After breakfast you will be transfer out from Mandalay City to your cycling journey starting place. You ride through villages & farming lands in a beautiful landscape to MYINGYAN VILLAGE. You can stop at some of the villages to see local life and at tea shops for a rest. Once reaching Myingyan village, you will transfer to Bagan by car or bus. The ANCIENT KINGDOM OF BAGAN is the greatest archeological treasure of Myanmar with over 4000 pagodas and temple ruins located on the plains of  Bagan by Ayeyarwaddy river (Irrawaddy). Bagan was during its heyday one the greatest kingdoms in the world.

 

Biking: around 100km. Flat terrain, road condition varies greatly on this day
(cycling distance can be shorter or longer if clients wish)
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in Bagan.

 

DAY 10: BAGAN BIKING
After breakfast at your hotel you begin your cycling journey into the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan. The DHAMAYAZEKA ZEDI is your first visit, providing panoramic views of the temple studded plains of Bagan. You continue to the MANUHA TEMPLE, built by the Mon king in the 1300s to represent his time in captivity under the Bagan king; TAUNG BI VILLAGE, a typical Bagan neighborhood where you visit RICE NOODLE & CIGAR WORKSHOPS. En route to NYAUNG U MARKET, the largest market in the Bagan you stop by the THANAKA MUSEUM. After a lunch break you cycle to the gold-gilded SWEZIGON STUPA, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Not far from the stupa, the MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka reincarnations. Late afternoon you visit the beautifully symmetric and majestic ANANDA TEMPLE with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze serenely at you no matter where you stand. Next you ride down to Ayeryarwaddy River for a PRIVATE SUNSET CRUISE where views of the riverside temples and bustling shore can be accompanied by cocktails on board.

 

Biking: 20-25 km
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in hotel in Bagan.

 

OPTIONAL EXCURSION: HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER BAGAN
Imagine . . . floating over thousand year old pagodas and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, as the sun sinks slowly behind distant mountains. The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for centuries. One of the most remarkable sights in Asia, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Now, Balloons over Bagan affords visitors a unique opportunity to see this ancient kingdom, as it never has been seen before. The sunrise and sunset champagne flights take off daily from October through to the end of March.

 

DAY 11: RIDING TO POPA
After breakfast you ride out east from Bagan on a paved road and mostly flat terrain passing through farm lands and palm tree lined road. You make a lunch stop at a family-run TODDY SHOP and observe the process of making the rich and caramel-like toddy candies from the sap of the toddy palms. A sinmple packed lunch will be served during this break. MOUNT POPA, the Burmese spiritual epicenter for those who worship the Nat spirits and martyrs is next on the agenda. After paying respects to the NAT SHRINE at the foot of Mount Popa, you climb nearly 800 steps to the pagoda perched at the top of the mountain to admire the views of the surrounding plains and farm lands. Last part of our cycling journey is an uphill ride to Mt Popa Resort offering fantastic views over the Popa Mountain and surrounding farm lands.

 

Biking: approx. 55 km
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: in Popa Resort.
 

 

DAY 12: YANGON
Early breakfast and transfer to Bagan airport by car/ coach for your morning flight to Yangon. Rest of the day in Yangon is free for shopping, relaxing and own explorations.

 

Meals included: breakfast
Overnight stay: in hotel in Yangon.

 

DAY 13: YANGON
After having breakfast at your hotel then will proceed by checking out and transfer to Yangon airport for your onward flight.

 

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

 

Description Price per person in USD 
Group Size 2 3-5 6-8 9-12 13++ Single Supplement
Superior (3*) $ $ $ $ $ $
Deluxe (4*)            
Luxury (5*)            

 

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.


 

 

The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen., but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.

Note: Our first choice for each level of accommodation has been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.
 

LOCATION
HOTEL NAME
STAR RATING
ROOM TYPE 

Superior Level (3*)

       
       
       
       
       

Deluxe Level (4*)

       
       
       
       
       

  Luxury Level (5*)

       
       
       
       
       

  Home Stay

 
 
 

 


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