Day 1: Mandalay arrival

Meal: (Nil)

You will be picked up at Mandalay International Airport by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in (early check-in may be subject to a surcharge).

After freshening up, receive a briefing by your cycling guide and get fitted with your mountain bike before heading out to visit Mandalay Hill and its surrounding sights, depending on how much time we have before the sunsets.

First, explore Kuthodaw Pagoda, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, renowned for being home to the world’s biggest book. Spend a while here wandering around and learning about the story and scriptures from your knowledgeable guide. Then, head to nearby Mandalay Hill and ascend to the top at a height of 790 feet for a magnificent view over Myanmar’s second-largest city and former capital. The ascent is made with the assistance of a vehicle and escalators. From the top, visitors can see the square of Mandalay’s former Royal Palace, several pagodas dotted around the area, and the Irrawaddy River running through agricultural land. It is a peaceful place where many friendly locals come to view the sunset.

After the sun has set, return to your hotel for a good night’s sleep to recover from your international flight.

Dinner on the client’s own account. Overnight in Mandalay.

Today’s riding: None

Day 2: Mandalay- U Bein – Sagaing – Mingun

Meal: (B, L, D)

Today’s ride takes us out of the city centre to explore Amarapura (U Bein Bridge) and the towns of Sagaing and Mingun on the opposite side of the Irrawaddy River. After breakfast, jump on your bike and start the journey. The first thing you will observe is the daily life of local workers at the jetty, carrying freight between vessels.

After browsing the shops selling local fruits along the Irrawaddy River, you will come across the magnificent Royal Barge floating in the river. Then, continue the ride passing through the town of Amarapura where you will stop at the beautiful Taung Thaman lake, across which U Bein Bridge stretches. Stop here for a while to explore the unique beauty of the world’s longest teak bridge.

Afterwards, continue riding to Sagaing under the shade of the big Albizia Lebbeck trees, taking in the sweety smells of their fruits. They offer the ideal protection from the hot sun along the beautiful main road from Mandalay to Sagaing. Upon arrival at Sagaing we will study the daily life of Burmese monks in one of the town’s prominent monasteries before visiting a pottery workshop.

Enjoy a packed lunch along the way, or lunch at a local restaurant in Sagaing.

After lunch, proceed to Mingun. The road that takes you there goes under the shadows of trees in the beautiful countryside along the west bank of the Irrawaddy River. During the afternoon ride, you will have the chance to try some of Myanmar’s famous traditional snacks, including Kho Taung Monti (rice noodle salad), while passing teak plantations. During the visit to Mingun, we will visit some of the must-see places such as Pathodawgyi Pagoda and the Mingun Bell. Return to Mandalay by boat and enjoy the sun setting over the Irrawaddy River. From the jetty, ride your bike back to the hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant with return transfer service. Overnight in Mandalay.

Today’s riding: 46km, mostly flat with 15% going up- and downhill, 95% on sealed road with 5% off-road.

Day 3: Mandalay – Myinmu – Monwyar

Meal: (B, L, D)

Today’s trip involves cycling from Mandalay to Monywar. Our tour guide will meet you at your hotel for a transfer to Sagaing by car.

Upon arrival on the outskirts of Sagaing, visit the massive temple Kaungmudaw Pagoda, which you are sure to find charming both from the outside and inside. Then, start riding to Myinmu which will take around 2 hours (59 km).

Although it can be quite hot and dry along the road from Sagaing to Myinmu, fresh air from the fields beside the road provides a cooling effect and the fragrant aroma from traditional Burmese Thanakha plantations make the experience all the more pleasant. During the ride, you will also see toddy palm trees, onion plantations, cotton crops and bullock cart workshops which all form an integral part of rural life in Myanmar’s dry zone.

After building up an appetite during the ride, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Myinmu before proceeding to Monywar by car.

In Monywar we will stop at interesting sights such as Thanboddhay Pagoda and Bodhi Tataung Laykyun Sekkya, a huge standing Buddha which signals your arrival in the town proper. After these fascinating stops, continue to your hotel for check-in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening we will take in a beautiful sunset over the Chindwin before having dinner at a local restaurant or at your hotel.

Overnight in Monywar.

Today’s riding: 59 km, mostly flat.

Day 4: Monywar – Po Win Taung –  Yaesakyo – Pakokku – Bagan

Meal: (B, L, D)

After breakfast, your bike will be ready to set off for today’s ride. Star by riding towards Po Win Taung, an ancient man-made cave complex 25 Km from Monywar. The journey will begin with a short ride to Chindwin jetty from the hotel. Monywar is the commercial centre of Sagaing Division, and the jetty is usually a hive of activity with people loading and unloading goods. It is also always lively with local villagers from surrounding areas crossing the Chindwin River as part of their daily routine. Like them, we will take a ferry boat to cross the Chindwin River.

On reaching the opposite bank of the river get back on your bike and ride along a forested path where you will notice a number of traditional Myanmar herbs being grown. After completing the morning’s 25 Km, we arrive at Pho Win Taung cave. The man-made caves feature interesting ancient mural paintings and Buddha images. After the visit through the caves, double back, and proceed by bike in the direction of Yin Mar bin village, followed by Yaezakyo Township.

This part of the journey Is about 35 km in distance and we will stop along the way to enjoy a packed lunch or lunch at a local restaurant.

From here, we will be picked up by private car to continue to Pakokku. When you arrive at Pakokku jetty, a private boat will be waiting to transfer you together with your bikes to the other side of the Irrawaddy River, in Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, get ready to take your bike and explore some of this ancient city’s beautiful sights during the ride back to your hotel where you will have the evening to relax.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel. Overnight in Bagan.

Today’s riding: 60km total, 100% tar road unless we go off-road to visit villages along the way, 35% flat, 65% up- and downhill, mostly flat and rolling hills.

Day 5: Bagan – Popa – Bagan

Meal: (B, L, D)

After breakfast, begin cycling towards the Tuywin Mountains, passing through the countryside surrounding Bagan. Along the way, you will notice rice paddy fields together with toddy palm trees that are typical of this region. You will also see betel plantations while riding through the greenery on small paths, away from the bigger vehicles of the main road. We will stop off in small villages along the way. Here you can experience the daily rural lifestyle of people In Myanmar’s dry zone, alongside food shops and hair salons.

As we continue the ride, we will come across more toddy palm trees and learn about the variety of foods made from them, and also how to make peanut oil in the traditional way. We will then carry on riding and pass through more villages along the Byatta Panset Road before reaching the base of Mt Popa.

Before exploring Mt Popa Itself, take a break with lunch at a local restaurant.

Afterwards, we will go up to the sacred Popa Taungkalat Monastery perched dramatically on a large rocky outcrop. The monastery is famed for being home to Myanmar’s legendary 37 Nats, or spirits, which form an important part of Buddhist beliefs in Myanmar. There are 777 stairs to the top of Popa Taung Kalat. Along the way, you will pass dozens of Nat shrines and many local pilgrims who come to honour these spirits.

Enjoy stunning views over the surrounding countryside from the top before descending and returning to Bagan by car along Byatta Panset Road, the same one you cycled to reach Mt Popa.

Dinner at a local restaurant with return transfer service.

Overnight in Bagan.

Today’s riding: 55km, 70% tar road, 30% up- and downhill, mostly flat and rolling hills.

Day 6: Bagan

Meal: (B, L, D)

This morning, we start a full day of biking around the temples of Bagan. Throughout the day we will visit many of the most well-known pagodas, as well as hidden gems and local villages set within the temple complex.

We’ll make a stop at midday to escape the heat and you can take a dip in your hotel pool. After a break for an hour or so, we’ll head back out and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon’s ride will include a sunset stop at one of Bagan’s elevated temple platforms.

Dinner at a local restaurant with return transfer service.

Overnight in Bagan.

Today’s riding: 30 km, mostly flat, 50% on tar road, 50% on a sandy path.

Day 7: Bagan – Meikhtilar – Kalaw (by Private Car)

Meal: (B)

After breakfast, check out from your hotel at around 8:30 am and get ready for a 6-hour car journey to the old hill station of Kalaw in Shan State. We will break up the long drive with stops along the way, for lunch (clients’ account) in the town of Meiktila.

After lunch in Meiktila, drive the final a few hours to reach Kalaw. High up in western Shan State, this is a town with a laid-back atmosphere, refreshing climate and scenic views, making it perfect for a free afternoon of wandering around and exploring some of the original colonial-era buildings.

We highly recommend stopping at the local market to discover the wide range of traditional Shan wares on sale and walking up to Thein Taung Pagoda and Monastery for magnificent views of the town below and the hills surrounding it. This is a great place to enjoy the sunset. Overnight in Kalaw.

Today’s riding: None

Day 8: Kalaw – Aungban – Pindaya

Meal: (B, L, D)

After a day off the bikes, we will be back on them this morning to ride from Kalaw to Aung Ban, and then on to Pindaya. You will be met by our tour guide after breakfast to start the day’s ride. During the first part of the ride, you will pass by rolling green hills before reaching the town of Aung Ban. Although you will be cycling a total of 3-4 hours today, this time frame allows for frequent stops along the way to take in the beautiful scenery which is well worth keeping the camera out for. The main reasons people come to Shan State are its natural beauty and cool weather which provide the perfect respite after a number of days cycling through Myanmar’s dry zone.

Depending on the exact schedule of the rotating five-day market, you may have the opportunity chance to experience the vibrant and colourful market at either Aung Ban, Kyone, Pwe Hla or Pindaya.  You will also see Danu and Pa-O people working on their farms during the ride.

We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant whenever you are hungry.

In Pindaya, you can learn about the traditional umbrellas made here and Shwe U Min Cave. If you are travelling in February then you might be lucky enough to revel in the festivities of a traditional Danu festival which takes place every year.

Dinner at a local restaurant with return transfer service.

Overnight in Pindaya.

Today’s riding: 48km, 100% tar road unless we go off-road to visit villages along the way, 20% flat, 80% up- and downhill with a slight gradient.

Day 9: Pindaya – Heho – Nyaung Shwe.

Meal: (B)

Today we will cycle 5-6 hours from Pindaya to Nyaung Shwe, via Heho. Most of the journey will be away from the main road. The route from Pindaya to Heho will traverse several ethnic villages and along the way, we will come across ginger crops and other plantations set on the hills. The day will be spent riding the beautiful Shan Plateau whose rolling hills and colourful vegetable farms (depending on the season) make for a beautiful ride. The fresh air up in the hills has a cooling effect and makes riding a pleasure.

You will have the opportunity to taste delicious home-made Shan noodles and local snacks at one of the myriad village food stalls that we will pass. As we arrive in Heho there is a stretch of flat road around the Heho plains before a short climb up and then descent Into the town of Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. We will arrive here in late afternoon.

Nyaung Shwe is located at the north of Inle Lake, one of Asia’s most beautiful inland bodies of water. Head to the hotel where you will be spending the next couple of nights and take advantage of some time to relax before heading back out for dinner. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

Today’s riding: 60km, 90% tar road unless we go off-road to visit villages along the way, 80% flat, 5% up- and 15% downhill.

Day 10: Inle Lake

Meal: (B, L, D)

Our guide will meet you at your hotel this morning to take you to Indein village on the western bank of the Inle Lake, about 30km from Nyaung Shwe. Along the way, you will come across villages and local people going about their daily routine.

Then we will reach Indein village, famous for its crumbling but significant small pagodas located in picturesque surroundings overlooking the lake down below. Among the ancient pagodas, don’t miss Shwe Inthein Pagoda from which you can take in beautiful views across the lake. It provides the perfect backdrop for lovely photos. After spending an hour or so exploring Indein village on two wheels, a motorboat will be waiting to give you an experience of the watery world itself.

You will be able to admire the famous one-legged rowers of Inle that originate from the Inn-Thar ethnic group. They perfectly demonstrate the balance between the alluring culture and natural beauty of Inle Lake. Then, you can observe the life of a farmer on Inle Lake’s floating gardens where the Inn-Thar (the name given to the people from Inle Lake) grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or Inn-Thar house built on wooden stilts on the lake.

After lunch, continue by boat to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, a famous shrine in the middle of the lake housing five sacred Buddha images that have become almost round in shape due to the sheer volume of gold leaf applied by devotees.

You will quickly realise that spending time on the lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Inn-Thar villages on the lake’s banks. One such village is Maing Thauk of which half Is set on land, while the other half is ‘floating’ on the lake – houses built on wooden stilts dug into the shallow bottom of the lake. The stilted part of the village is linked to the part on dry land by a 450-yards wooden bridge which makes for a picturesque spot for photography.

From Maing Thauk we will get back on two wheels for the short 12km ride back to Nyaung Shwe.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight In Nyaung Shwe.

Today’s riding: 42 km, 75% tar road, 25% earth road, almost 100% flat.

Day 11: Inle Lake

Meal: (B)

This morning our guide will meet you at your hotel to walk to Nyaung Shwe market and explore the rest of this small town.

The rest of the morning and early afternoon are at your leisure to relax by the pool at your hotel.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY (surcharge applies): Half-day trek to local ethnic village

Join our guide for a half-day trekking tour to an ethnic Pa-O village in the hills surrounding Inle Lake. This is a great opportunity to learn about local life in the village and to observe various plantations up-close. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch in the village before returning to town.

Around 4pm, we will travel by private car the short distance to Red Mountain Estate Winery, which sits on a small hill offering stunning views over Inle Lake. It is a beautiful setting in which to enjoy a glass of locally-made red or white wine (client’s own account) before we go back to the hotel.

Enjoy dinner in town (client’s own account).

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

Today’s riding: None

Day 12: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon

Meal: (B, L, D)

This morning transfer 45 minutes from your hotel in Nyaung Shwe to Heho Airport by private car. Say goodbye to Shan State and fly to Yangon – Myanmar’s largest city.

On arrival Yangon, our guide and driver will escort you to your hotel to drop your luggage off (early check-in depends on room availability) before setting off to discover some of the city’s highlights. Start with a short drive to Kandawgyi Park, where you can spend an hour or so wandering around one of the city’s most pleasant open spaces and home to the vast Kandawgyi Lake. The tree-filled areas around the lake offer stunning views of Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon’s most iconic and famous sight.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After taking in the view of the pagoda from afar, it is time to visit Myanmar’s most sacred religious site. Every Buddhist in the nation makes it their life goal to worship at Shwedagon Pagoda at least once. Despite the significance and popularity of this monument, the atmosphere as you walk around is very peaceful, and the slow-burning of incense creates a sublime air of spirituality. Our guide will share with you some fascinating information about the pagoda’s history and what it means to Buddhists in Myanmar.

Admire the view as the sun begins to set and then take a short drive to Chinatown in the downtown area of Yangon. This part of the city is always buzzing at night and is the best place to taste some delicious barbecue food for dinner, washed down with a cold glass of beer.

Overnight in Yangon.

Today’s riding: None

Day 13: Yangon – Departure

Meal: (B)

Today is at leisure to relax at your hotel before transferring to the airport (no guide) for your international departure flight.