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.

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.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 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 half-day tour of some of its most distinctive pagodas by bicycle. This includes 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 watch the sunset from a panoramic viewpoint on one of the upper terraces overlooking the temple site.
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. 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. We spend this evening at a simple guest house on the slopes of the mountain.
Total cycling distance approximately 42 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, passing by villages and farms and perhaps stopping 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 45 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 the small town of Myittha and up towards the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River.
Total cycling distance approximately 45 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A short distance to the south of Mandalay lies the former royal capital of Amarapura, perhaps best known for the 1.2 kilometres footbridge that spans Lake Taungthaman. Crossing the 19th century bridge we pay a visit to the Mahagondayon Monastery this morning, one of the largest and most important religious centres in the city. Returning to Mandalay via the jade market, we then spend this afternoon exploring some of the city’s major highlights, including the world’s largest book at the Kuthodaw Pagoda, the intricate wooden majesty of the Shwenanda (Golden Palace) Monastery and Mandalay Hill. No cycling today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Driving to Inwa (Ava) this morning we take a horse cart ride around the old city (which can be a little bumpy), visiting the monasteries of Manu Ok Kaung and Bagaya Kyaung and the ‘Leaning Tower of Inwa’. From here we ride on 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. Continuing along the river to the ruins of the Mingun Pahtodawgyi we enjoy a short sightseeing trip around the village, before returning to Mandalay by boat.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning continue on to the beautiful setting of Lake Inle, high up on the Shan Plateau. Surrounded by hills and populated predominantly by the Intha people, Lake Inle 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. We overnight this evening in Kalaw, on the western edge of the plateau, an engaging old hill town that was popular with the British during their time in Burma.
Total cycling distance approximately 30-40 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Taking a boat we head to the western part of the lake this morning, to a local Indein village where we visit a hilltop complex of 1,000 stupas (places of worship). From up here we can enjoy some great views across the lake and on to the valley beyond. We may also get the chance to see some 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. We spend this evening in the village of Nyaung Shwe.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Driving to Heho this morning we then fly on to Rangoon, from where we continue by road to the historic town of Bago. Founded in 573AD, the town is home to a number of sacred shrines and pagodas, including the Shwemawdaw Paya (the Golden God Temple) the tallest pagoda in the country, the Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (the second largest in the world) and the Kyaik Pun Pagoda. If time allows there may also be time to take a look around Bago’s local market, or perhaps pay a visit to some of the local Mon weavers.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving early this morning we cycle back to Rangoon. On arrival the rest of the day is free for further sightseeing. A stroll along Pansodan Street takes in the rich colonial architecture and bustling street markets, whilst the immense Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, 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 exotic pavements markets before returning to the hotel. Total cycling distance approximately 70 kilometres.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

 The tour ends in Rangoon this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast