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Burma by Bicycle
Code: MOT06 - Duration: 14 DaysStart: Yangon | Finish: Yangon
As one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world, Myanmar offers all the traditional and geographical delights of Asia. Burma by Bicycle 14 Days is truly exciting for biking lovers with top biking experiences. Start from Yangon, the trip leads us through the picturesque of Inle Lake & limestone cave Pindaya to Mandalay with Royal Relics and romantic U Bein teak bridge. You will then bike through most scenic rout of Mt. Popa and riding in snake semi-dessert paths of Bagan. End the trip by cycling amongst the thousands of pagodas, stupas, and temples that dominate the river valley before going back to Rangoon visiting the Shwedagon Paya and enjoying the colonial charm of the capital city.
Highlights:
- Bike a scenic valley road to Pindaya, explore Pindaya Cave with its multitude of Buddhas.
- Pedal through rural Myanmar well off the beaten tourist, experience everyday life in the region.
- Riding along Irrawaddy river banks for Sagaing and fascinating biking around heritages of Mandalay
- Bicycle rural countryside, join the locals for tea, and discover the lush Mt Popa National Park
- Downhill cycling to ancient Bagan, explore the pagodas and ancient ruins by bike
- Sunset from the Kyauk Taung Pagoda and 200 years U Bein bridge
- Visit Mingun where the second largest ringing bell over the world locates
- Cycle to discover the bustling former capital Yangon with its magnificent and holy pagodas, incredible giant Buddhas
- Explore the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, towering over the city of Yangon
- Charming hotels in great locations
- Comfortable & spacious vehicle for transfers
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Yangon Arrival (-/-/-)
Day 2: Yangon – Flight to Heho – Taunggyi – Inle Lake (B/L/-)
Day 3: Inle Lake – Indein Biking (B/-/-)
Day 4: Inle Lake – Pindaya Biking (B/-/-)
Day 5: Pindaya – Ywangan Biking (B/-/-)
Day 6: Ywangan – Mandalay Biking (B/-/-)
Day 7: Mandalay – Amarapura – Mandalay (B/-/-)
Day 8: Mandalay – Mingun – Sagaing – Mandalay (B/-/-)
Day 9: Mandalay – Myingian Biking (B/-/-)
Day 10: Myingian – Taungtha – Mt.Popa (B/-/-)
Day 11: Mt.Popa – Kyaukpadaung – Bagan (B/-/-)
Day 12: Bagan (B/-/-)
Day 13: Bagan – Flight to Yangon (B/-/-)
Day 14: Yangon – Departure (B/-/-)- Ability to change the direction of the program
- Possibility of an extension in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam
Notes:
- We specialize in “tailor-made” tours for groups of two or more. We carefully inspect each step of your journey from the accommodation to the perfect guide to suit your needs
- The itinerary is open to modification to fit your personal travel needs
- Modifications to the itinerary may increase the price of the package
- For the price of this trip, just ask for a quote by clicking on "TOUR PRICE"
- If you are looking for a trip modified to your requirements, please send us your needs by filling out the form in “Customize your trip”
- We will contact and send you a quote, excluding holiday period, within 48 hours of receiving your request.-
Day 1: Yangon Arrival (-/-/-)
Yangon - Airport: 14km, ~15min drive
Upon arrival at Yangon airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel by our driver. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, he will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight. The rest of the day is at leisure for your personal discovery of this vibrant city.Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in YangonDay 2: Yangon - Flight to Heho - Taunggyi - Inle Lake (B/L/-)
Yangon – Heho: 700km, 1h20min flight; Biking distance: 80km
Morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival we transfer to Nyaung Shwe by boat and to Kakku pagoda complex via the capital of Shan State, Taunggyi. Kakku consists of thousands small stupas in the Pa O region. From here we start riding back to Taunggyi. Picnic lunch is on the way. Arrive in Taunggyie in the early afternoon where we load our bikes for a journey back to Inle Lake by car.Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle LakeDay 3: Inle Lake - Indein Biking (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 80km
After breakfast at hotel, we transfer to the starting point by boat. Keep walking for around 10 minutes until reach our bikes. All bikes now are ready for you to enjoy your wonderful biking trip to Indein. On the way you have chance to observe winery factory, grape fields and the great view of Inle Lake on the top of Red Moutain. Upon arrival in Indein, we take a leisure ride around this area to explore the local life. Finally you will be picked up by boat and car to transfer back to your hotel in Inle Lake.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle LakeDay 4: Inle Lake - Pindaya Biking (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 65km
After breakfast, we continue our cycling to Pindaya, well known for its limestone caves. On the way, we can visit some local villages and catch good scenery of the group villagers working in the field. Visit Pindaya cave with more than 8000 Buddha Images-made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement and are arrange in such a way as to from a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in PindayaDay 5: Pindaya - Ywangan Biking (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 78km
Morning after breakfast, we leave tribal town to pedal down along the hilly and undulating road to Ywangan which is the junction tiny town. The scenery and landscape along the way will make your pedals speed up for more and more. Along the way to Ywangan, enjoy you exciting cycling through the villages, ways of lives, and you will be enjoying the sincere smiles and surprise eyes throughout the route. The fresh air and pleasant weather will make your soul to be more enjoyable ride along the way.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in YwanganDay 6: Ywangan - Mandalay Biking (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 85km
Today start your challenging ride to Mandalay which is the last Royal Capital of Myanmar. Along the way, you can touch the nature of tropical landscape, fresh air among the fields such as paddy fields, cabbage fields, tomatoes fields, and green forests along the way. The hilly and undulating challenging roads makes your ride more alive and exciting until to the pickup point after your challenging ride. Then, you will be picked up and drive to Mandalay which will take an hour drive to the city. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in MandalayDay 7: Mandalay - Amarapura - Mandalay (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 70km
Start our cycling to the ancient capital of Amarapura where we can observe the life of over 1000 monks at Mahagandayon. Later visit the traditional handicraft workshops such as, marble carving, gold leaves beating. In Amarapura, visit Mahagandayone monastery, the largest teaching monastery in Myanmar where you can learn about the monastic life of the monks. And proceed to silk weaving workshop where hand-weaving silk designs are very famous as Lun Yar Kyaw Cheik. The evening, enjoy a walk through 200 years old U Being Wooden Bridge and fantastic sunset over the bridge.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in MandalayDay 8: Mandalay - Mingun - Sagaing - Mandalay (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 50km
After breakfast, we depart from your hotel for the private boat excursion to Mingun for about 1 hour along the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Upon arrival take a tour to visit Mingun Pagoda, unfinished pagoda which might have been the biggest pagoda in the history of Buddhism, Mingun bell, the world largest ringing bell, and Myatheindan Pagoda. After that we continue riding to explore Sagaing, the hill side district with variety of white Pagoda Spires by crossing over newly-opened bridge. Visit Sagaing Hillsfilled with Meditation Centers, Monasteries, and Nunneries. The view from the platform of Sun Oo Punya Shin Pagoda that takes the overwhelming hilltop is really breath-taking. Transfer back to your hotel for your overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in MandalayDay 9: Mandalay - Myingyan Biking (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 30km
After breakfast, we start our journey to Myitha and Myingyan- one of the biggest trade cities of central Myanmar. Cycle to the south along the 40-km highway and we will reach Kyaukse. Then proceed to Myittha, a small peaceful town. Meet and experience the life of the local before we head to Myingyan, another rural village of Burma. Peek into their houses and have a chat with the locals. Enjoy lunch and dinner at local restaurant.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Guesthouse in MyingyanDay 10: Myingyan - Taungtha - Mt.Popa (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 30km
After breakfast, we start cycling to Mount Popa, 1518 meter high Volcanic Mountain with stunning view of Popa Taunkalat. And Mt. Popa also has been a significant part of Myanmar’s culture, religion and history since the earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to worship the 37 Nats, an old Burmese animist spirit. As you climb the stairs to the top with your local guide, you will gain very interesting knowledge about nats and nat worship. From the top of the peak you can have an amazing view over the Myingyan Plain (note that the climb is optional)Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mt.PopaDay 11: Mt.Popa - Kyaukpadaung - Bagan (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 50km
Today will be the most memorable time in your journey. After check- out at the hotel, we will proceed to the holy plain of Bagan. The route begins with a downhill coast, leveling out to flat roads through toddy palm farms and small villages. After lunch you’ll learn how they collect the sap from the toddy trees and process it into molasses, alcohol and other goods. Upon arrival in Bagan – the town with more than 2000 temples and pagodas, you will be check-in at the hotel and have your own time to discover this amazing town.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in BaganDay 12: Bagan (B/-/-)
Biking distance: 20km
Today will be spent on a leisurely biking tour of Bagan’s villages, markets and temples. Visit to the colorful & vibrant Nyaung Oo Market where locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods. Continue to Shwezigon pagoda, which is one of the most significant religious buildings in Myanmar. It’s considered as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country and marked an important development in the relationship between traditional Burmese religion and Theravada Buddhism. This afternoon visit a local lacquerware workshop. Here, you will have chance to learn more about traditional techniques of craftsmen and admire unique and beautiful products. Enjoy sunsetat one of the monuments along Ayeyarwady River.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in BaganDay 13: Bagan - Flight to Yangon (B/-/-)
Bagan - Yangon: 630km, ~1h46min flight
Time free until transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon. Afternoon sightseeing starts with Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda, a huge reclining Buddha, Karaweik Hall, a Royal floating barge on the Royal Lake for a photo stop and, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, Temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the Pagoda.Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in BaganDay 14: Yangon - Departure (B/-/-)
After breakfast at hotel, time is free until our driver meet and transfer you to airport for your flight to next destination. End of our services./.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Prices
This trip is private and therefore can be altered to suit your needs, date of commencement and budget requirements.
Prices vary due to a number of specifics:
- Seasonal: during high season (October-April), the prices of services are generally higher when compared to the low season (May-September).
- The number of participants: the more of you that travel together the less you will pay!
- The choice of hotels: Fairly obvious one here; a 5-star hotel can cost ten times as much as a 2 star hotel.
- The activities during the trip: Two trips on the same itinerary and of the same length can have two different prices depending on the number and nature of activities included.
- The booking date: In some cases, booking your trip late can drastically affect prices due to their low availability.
Inclusion:
- Accommodation as recommended or similar category according to availability.
- Transfers according to program by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver except free day
- English-speaking guide’s assistance at every stage
- Meals as indicated in program (B: Breakfast /L: Lunch / D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- Mountain bikes and helmets
- Seasonal fresh fruit & snack during cycling days
- Local boat trip as mentioned
- Flights: Yangon-Heho, Bagan-Yangon
- Water and cool tissues
- Government taxes & service charge
Exclusion:
- Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Personal expenditures such as camera fees, tips, laundry service, etc.
- Personal insurance (compulsory)
- Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
- International air fare to/from Yangon
- Visa and visa arrangement
- Departure tax of US$10/person
- Compulsory dinner for Christmas & New Year
Booking
Here are 2 steps to book your trip with Tonkin-Travel:
Step 1. Focus on your travel program:
You can choose this trip as is or customize it to your specific desires. Just click on the “Customize this trip” tab and fill in the form. One of our travel consultants will contact you within 48 hours to develop the travel program based on your specifications.
Step 2. Booking:
- Following the first step, tour program is selected and we access the rates.
- Upon confirmation of the trip, the registration must be accompanied by a deposit up to 25% of the total estimate.
- For programs with private junk (cruise) and/or 5 star hotels, the deposit is represented by 30% of the total estimate.
- Tonkin-Travel carries out the booking process upon receipt of the deposit. Confirmation of these reservations is sent to customer within 10 days via email
Nature of travel
This trip is private. That implies:
- You will be escorted by a private guide and driver. This approach guarantees a smooth trip with fewer organizational constraints.
- You will be the master of your trip. We guarantee flexibility in organizing visits at your request.
- Our services will be personalized according to your desires. Thus the proposals in this package are not fixed and you can bring suggest all the desired changes.
- You receive individualized care: ample food, organizing small events (anniversary, honeymoon, etc.), targeted information, followed necessary modifications, etc.
Accommodation
- Accommodation is an important expenditure of your trip. When you choose a luxury trip for example, the accommodation can represent three quarters of the price. Thus, your choice of hotels is closely related to your budget.
- Tonkin-Travel has negotiated rates with a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars.
- In some places you will have the option to choose ‘home-stay’. Although this provides less comfort that a hotel it is a truly authentic experience and highly recommended for at least one night of your journey.
Transport
All transfers during your trip are covered by private vehicle with driver, unless otherwise indicated in our offer. We ensure that our vehicles are new and comfortable. Fuel, tolls, accommodation, compensation and the driver are included in our offer. Only gratuities are not included and are at your discretion.
The size of the selected vehicle is based on the number of tour participants according to the following quality standards:
No. of participants
2 pax
3 pax
From 4 to 7 pax
From 8 to 14 pax
From 15 to 20 pax
Vehicle size
Car 4-7 seats
Car 7 or minivan
16 seatsMinivan 16 seats
Bus 24 seats
Bus 35 or 45 seats
Domestic flights
If your trip includes domestic flights if any, they will be operated by Vietnam Airlines, the largest airline in Vietnam. The fleet consists mainly of Airbus and Boeing. On some short trips, the company operates 72 ATR and some Fokker.
Rail transport
Train travel can be offered (particularly between Hanoi-Lao Cai and Hanoi-Hue). Travelling at a speed of 60km/h on average it is not necessarily the fastest but an interesting experience nonetheless.
This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation-
This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation
