Burma Adventure

Day 1: Yangon
Day 2: Yangon - Heho - Kalaw, 17 mi. (28 km)
Day 3: Kalaw - Indein - Inle Lake, 49 mi. (79 km)
Day 4: Inle Lake, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 5: Inle Lake - Pindaya, 39 mi. (63 km)
Day 6: Pindaya - Mandalay, 39 mi. (62 km)
Day 7: Mandalay - Sagaing - Mingun - Mandalay, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Mandalay Monasteries, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 9: Mandalay - Pyinsi - Mt. Popa, 59 mi. (95 km)
Day 10: Mt Popa, rest day
Day 11: Mt Popa - Bagan, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 12: Bagan Temples, 18 mi. (30 km)
Day 13: Bagan - Yangon
​Day 14: Yangon

* In remote destinations abnormal conditions can prevail at any time and subject to unexpected change. Last-minute changes to the itinerary or accommodations may be necessary.

Day 1: Yangon
Travelers will meet at the hotel at 7 pm and enjoy dinner together. (D)

Accommodation: Hotel Grand United Ahlone

Day 2: Yangon - Heho - Kalaw, 17 mi. (28 km)
Early morning flight to Heho, followed by a short transfer to the hotel in the former hill station of Kalaw. This cool, peaceful town amidst pine trees still retains its colonial feel.  An afternoon ride where you can become accustomed to the bike is scheduled through the countryside of Kalaw. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Hill Top Villa
Elevation gain/loss: +463 m/-469 m

Day 3: Kalaw - Indein - Inle Lake, 49 mi. (79 km)
Today's ride, on paved and dirt roads, through the Burmese countryside, will long be remembered. Though many kilometers are covered, the last section has two sweeping downhills leading directly to the shores of Inle Lake, one of Asia's most beautiful inland waters. The day ends in Nyaung Shwe, north of the lake. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: 81 Hotel Inlay
Elevation gain/loss: +725 m/-1169 m

Day 4: Inle Lake, 19 mi. (30 km)
On water and on land, the day is spent exploring the lake. The day begins with a 20 km lakeshore ride, through villages and past temples. Lunch will be enjoyed lakeside and then by boat, the exploration continues with a cruise to Indein temples, floating gardens, and monasteries. You will see the Intha fishermen, standing at the stern of their flat bottom boats, rowing with their one leg, as they fish for their livelihood. In the evening, a visit at dusk to a vineyard is on the agenda. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: 81 Hotel Inlay
Elevation gain/loss: +165 m/-167 m

Day 5: Inle Lake - Pindaya, 39 mi. (63 km)
Destination today is Pendaya and the limestone caves that house thousands of Buddhas. To arrive, there are some climbs to contend with, one a major 10 km climb with a gentle gradient. The Shan State covers almost a quarter of Burma and is home to many different ethnic groups. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Pindaya Inle Inn
Elevation gain/loss: +696 m/-396 m

Day 6: Pindaya - Mandalay, 39 mi. (62 km)
An hour transfer will bring you to the start of the ride to Mandalay. Initially, the ride will be undulating through a patchwork of fields, followed by 30 km descent, passing through many villages, greeted by the waving local children. At the bottom of the hill, the support vehicle awaits for a short transfer into the city of Mandalay. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +941 m/-852 m

Day 7: Mandalay - Sagaing - Mingun - Mandalay, 28 mi. (45 km)
Leaving the city, the group cycles to the famous U Bien Bridge, the longest teak bridge in Asia, and then onward to the towns of Sagaing and Mingun on the opposite side of the Irrawaddy River. Sagaing is an important religious and monastic center. Mingun is on the agenda as well with the ruins of the Pahtodawgyi. The history of the ruins and the massive Mingun Bell is quite fascinating. Lunch will feature local specialties, followed by a relaxing boat ride downstream. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +172 m/-163 m

Day 8: Mandalay Monasteries, 16 mi. (26 km)
In the morning, the group explores Mandalay by bike, starting with a ride to the sprawling Zegyo market, crammed with stalls and shops selling everything from food to clothing to jewelry. There will be time to explore this labyrinth before the cycling continues to see artisans weaving bamboo into large sheets to be used as roofs and walls or a crispy tofu maker. A visit to Shwenandaw Monastery, aptly named “golden palace,” is on the agenda to see this wonderfully fragile, yet grand example of 19th-century Burmese teak architecture, heavily gilded with gold and adorned with glass mosaic work and impressive carvings of Buddhist myths. The route back to Mandalay heads a different way, stopping for tea and to taste some local snacks. The afternoon and evening are free to give you the chance to explore Mandalay on your own. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +64 m/-64 m

Day 9: Mandalay - Pyinsi - Mt. Popa, 59 mi. (95 km)
There is an early start today with a ride from the hotel along the banks of the Irrawaddy River. There is a short ferry ride on the agenda and then cycling by the capital of the ancient Ava Kingdon. Here there are remnants of the city wall that protected the city that ruled upper Burma for nearly two centuries from 1364 to 1555. We continue our ride through fields of millet, sesame, cotton, and many varieties of peas and beans to the town of Pyinsi. From here, there is a transfer to Mt. Popa. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Popa Mountain Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +483 m/-485 m

Day 10: Mt Popa, rest day
Our first complete day of rest does not mean that you will not be active! After breakfast, you will climb the almost 900 stairs to the top of Popa Taung Kalat, a temple that is populated by Burma’s most revered Nats (spirits). As you walk up you will pass dozens of nat shrines and see pilgrims who come to honor them. From the top, you will have a panorama of the surrounding plains. The views are excellent and photographers will get some great shots. The rest of the day you are free to relax by the hotel's infinity pool overlooking the temple, or for those more adventurous there are hiking trails in the national park. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Popa Mountain Resort

Day 11: Mt Popa - Bagan, 38 mi. (61 km)
The cycling itinerary begins with a lovely descent from the hilltops, snaking down the mountain, riding through small villages and palm gardens. You will see farmers in the fields, plowing with wooden plows and meandering water buffalo. Bagan is the destination, dotted with thousands of temples along the banks of the Irrawaddy River. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Bagan Thande Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +88 m/-827 m

Day 12: Bagan Temples, 18 mi. (30 km)
The bike is the perfect way to explore the ancient temples of Bagan that spread across the enormous plain, numbering over 2000. It is one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. As the day warms up, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the pool. Enjoy the sunset over the river or take your bike to catch the setting sun from the top of a temple. You will long remember the views across the plains studded with chedis or stupas. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Bagan Thande Hotel
Elevation gain/loss: +119 m/-120 m

Day 13: Bagan - Yangon
​In the morning, there is a transfer provided back to the airport and then a flight to Yangon. You can view from the air some of the terrain that you have covered by bike. You will arrive in time to take a trishaw ride in downtown Yangon. Farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake

​Day 14: Yangon
Enjoy your free morning for shopping and exploring before heading to the airport for a return flight home or perhaps you are extending your stay? (B)

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You will experience a wide range of accommodations so you have a broad cultural experience. The standard is 3-4 star hotels to guest houses. On each day’s itinerary, you will find the preferred accommodation listed. If for any reason, a change is necessary due to availability or other circumstance, the alternative will always be of the same standard or better.