4WD Adventure Through Wild Chin State

From

$1180.00

This 7-day 4WD tour takes you from the ancient pagodas of Bagan to the rugged terrain of Chin State where Mount Victoria towers over areas of natural beauty. Along the way meet people from various tribes and ethnic groups to learn about their way of life. Very few outsiders have the privilege of meeting the tattoo-faced women present in some of the villages we pass through.

Who would love this tour?

Friends, Couple, Senior, Solo

Duration

7 Days/7Nights

Departure

8:00 am

Pickup Place

Hotel in Mandalay

Tour End

Hotel in Bagan

Highlights

Highlights of Adventure through Wild Chin State

  • Explore the ancient pagodas of Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Venture through mountainous southern Chin State in a private 4WD vehicle
  • Hike to the top of Mount Victoria, Myanmar’s third-highest peak
  • Meet tattoo-faced women in remote villages that few tourists visit
  • Discover Mindat, a charming town set along a mountain ridge, and its surrounding villages

Accommodation

We use smart and clean hotels for our valuable clients to secure in every condition except under some experiential and local activities. If in case, the mentioned hotels are not available on your travel dates with the valid reasons, then we will try to maintain alternative hotels which are at the same level.

  • Mandalay: 2 nights at Capital hotel
  • Bagan: 3 nights at Zfreeti hotel
  • Kanpalet: 2 nights at Mountain Oasis Resort
  • Mindat: 2 nights at Mountain Oasis Resort

Anyhow, if you do not satisfy the HOTEL we provide though we fitted the prime one in every destination, you are still welcome to address in advance upon your preferences.

Note: If your travel dates are fallen during X’s Mas and New Year, our tour price can be changed with the prior notice. If you have any more question please contact us this email (office@myanmarupperland.com).

Destinations in this tour

Chin State

Chin State

Yangon

Yangon

Bagan

Kuthodaw Pagoda

Mandalay

Itinerary

Day 1 : Mandalay – Bagan by private car

Meal: (B)

Depart from Mandalay for Bagan by private car. Take this opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery during the 4-hour journey, an attraction you would miss if following the majority of travelers who fly between these two destinations. Your conscience will also thank you for choosing the more eco-friendly travel option.

Upon arrival in Bagan in the late afternoon meet our tour guide and enjoy a short sunset cruise along the Ayeyarwady River. You will receive an introduction to Bagan’s hundreds of ancient pagodas and fascinating history. This will be the perfect preparation for your full day of temple-exploring the following day.

After the sunset boat journey, you will be taken to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 2 : Bagan

Meal: (B)

Start early this morning to avoid the heat for an exploration of the most beautiful and historically significant temples with your tour guide, who will give you detailed insights and stories about the most iconic sites, as well as the lesser-known areas that those without a guide would struggle to find. Highlights of the morning include Ananda Temple, one of Myanmar’s most revered temples, and Shwezigon Pagoda, a centre of prayer and reflection.

During your tour of the temples you will notice that it is now forbidden to climb the pagodas at this UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to help conserve them. Don’t worry though, our guide will take you to one of the other elevated viewpoints dotted around the temple complex for a panoramic view of this ancient site.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (client’s own account) close to the temples of Bagan.

After lunch you will continue exploring the temples, including the massive Dhammayangyi Pagoda, and also have the opportunity to visit a village within the temple complex to learn about the local life of people living here. We will stop at a lacquerware workshop to learn about the interesting process of creating this beautiful work unique to Bagan. If you are interested, our guide will also be happy to take you to a fermented bean paste workshop where you can visit the family who makes this quintessentially Myanmar product and experience the unique flavor. Then, return to your hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 3 : Bagan – Kanpetlet

Meal: (B)

This morning marks the beginning of your 4WD adventure into wild Chin State. This mountainous, remote state is rarely visited by foreign travelers so you are in for a unique, authentic experience. Our journey today brings us to Kanpetlet in southern Chin State. The entire drive takes around 5 hours, not including plenty of breaks to stretch your legs.

The first stop comes about one hour south of Bagan at the riverside town of Chauk which is an important port on the Ayeyarwady River. Here we will take a walk around the market, at its most vibrant during the morning hours. You will not come across many tourists, just local people going about their daily business. Pick up some snacks for the day’s drive and then we will proceed to another port on the banks of the same river – Seikphyu. We will stop a while here for some fresh air before continuing to Saw, located in Magway Division.

As we enter Chin State, the road starts to wind uphill and you will notice a slight change in temperature and scenery, as the rugged nature of the state take over from the drier plains below. It is the least developed region of Myanmar and there are no train stations due to the mountainous landscape. You will see all types of vehicles travelling along the road as it is their primary infrastructure, and it may well be rather bumpy at times but that is all part of the thrill!

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Kanpetlet for check-in at your hotel before some free time to wander around the small town. There is not much to do but the simple homesteads, churches and tranquility make for a nice place to relax this evening.

Overnight in Kanpetlet.

Day 4 : Kanpetlet – Mt. Victoria

Meal: (B)

The highlight of today is a hike up to the peak of Chin State’s highest mountain, and Myanmar’s third highest. Mount Victoria (Nat Ma Taung in Burmese, or Khonuamthung in local Chin language) stands at 3,053 metres (10,016 feet). Its taller rivals are even more remotely located in the north of the country in Kachin State.

We reach the trail head following a 45-minute uphill drive from Kanpetlet and the entire hike takes around 5 hours, to the summit and back. The ascent is of course uphill, but relatively unchallenging and there are fantastic views all the way to the top. Do not be surprised if the odd motorbike passes you by as the way up is along a dirt road which is accessible to vehicles. Fear not however, our guide will ensure you have plenty of opportunities to experience the peace and quiet of Mount Victoria, as well as the chance to visit some authentic Chin villages along the way which are off-the-beaten-path.

The mountain is best climbed between November and February as the weather is cool and lends itself to physical activity. Furthermore, that is the time of year when colourful rhododendrons are in bloom, adding to the natural beauty all the way to the top. Upon reaching the summit you will be treated with 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding mountains – the perfect place to settle down for a snack and drink courtesy of our guide. Take some time to appreciate the stunning nature from Myanmar’s third-highest point and visit a small pagoda before descending to the trail head where our car and driver will be waiting to bring you back to town.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax, enjoy some time to read, and try some of the local cuisine (client’s own account).

Overnight in Kanpetlet.

Day 5 : Kanpalet – Kyar-hto – Mindat

Meal: (B)

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel it is time to pack your bags and set off to explore more of southern Chin State. Jump back in the 4WD for a short drive to Kyar-hto, a traditional village where we can learn about Chin culture. From Kyar-hto go on a short, easy trek to nearby hill tribe villages in which you will no doubt feel like you have gone back in time.

This is sure to be a very different experience to yesterday’s trek as we will be in a less-visited area where the highlights include meeting people from local tribes and sharing stories about where you are from, with a local guide to help you translate. You will notice that many of the women, especially the older ones, sport full facial tattoos that vary in design according to the tribe they belong to. The exact origin of this peculiar tradition seems to have been forgotten over the course of time, however the primary reason is believed to be protective. There are two different explanations – one claims that the tattoos hid the women’s beauty to prevent them being kidnapped by Burmese Kings in days gone by, while the other says they prevent kidnapping of women between tribes. It is a captivating story to learn about and a dying tradition because it is now outlawed by the central government.

Walk around many such villages where you will observe authentic cultures and beautiful nature. Afterwards, we will return to the 4WD for a drive of around 2-3 hours to Mindat, a town larger than Kanpetlet and full of charm. Check-in to your hotel and wander down the main street to get a feel for the place.

Overnight in Mindat.

Day 6 : Day trek/visit around Mindat

Meal: (B)

Wake up this morning to a beautiful view – Mindat lies to the north of Kanpetlet and is spectacularly set overlooking a mountain ridge. Visitors come here not just to enjoy the stunning panorama which seems to be always visible, but also to experience the life of various ethnic groups that call this part of Chin State home. Today we will discover aspects of life in the town and the surrounding countryside.

One of the first things you will notice about Mindat that sets it apart from other towns in Myanmar is the prevalence of churches over pagodas. Although the local people often have animist beliefs, there is a strong influence of Christianity and many townspeople identify themselves as Christian, attending church every Sunday. In Mindat alone there are ten such places of worship and also a higher level of English than the rest of Myanmar, so don’t be surprised if you are asked in English “Are you Christian?”.

The main ethnic group in Mindat is K’cho, but you might also meet members of the indigenous Dai, Upu and Ya tribes. At the market in the centre of town you will find colourful clothing from these different ethnic groups, along with local millet wine and other unique handicrafts only found here. This is a great place to pick up a really special souvenir, safe in the knowledge that your money is going directly into the hands of local people.

We will spend the rest of the day strolling down small paths leading off the main road to visit villages in the surrounding countryside and learn about their cultures and traditions. A short walk from one village to the next can quite easily introduce us to a completely different culture, so be ready for surprises.

Overnight in Mindat.

Day 7 : Mindat – Bagan

Meal: (B)

Today we have to sadly say goodbye to remote Chin State but you will have some time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and a few last moments to admire the view and gorgeous countryside surrounding Mindat.

After bidding farewell to this attractive hillside town, we will be back in the 4WD for an entertaining drive down the Chin hills back to Bagan. Without stops, the drive takes around 6 hours but we will of course stop frequently along the way to rest as the road can get quite bumpy. Our route will take us via Pakokku, a quiet and traditional country town on the banks of the Ayeyarwady, just an hour’s drive north of Bagan.

We will arrive in Bagan in time for you to enjoy watching the sun set within the temple complex, or with a drink at your hotel. This time is at your own leisure so you are free to do whatever you like and our guide will be happy to make recommendations.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 8 : Departure

Meal: (B)

Your Myanmar journey continues today with a return to Yangon or Mandalay, or by spending more time exploring the ancient wonder that is Bagan.

Adventure Through Wild Chin State is ended at your hotel in Bagan this morning. We are more than happy to help you for transfer, flight tickets, or other necessary services if you request us.

include & exclude

What is included in this tour?
Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

 

  • 7 Nights accommodation with daily breakfast (Twin/ Double sharing )
  • Entrance fees for the visits as in itinerary
  • Transportation by private vehicle as mentioned in itineraries.
  • Guide services (Station ) for 7 days
  • A beautiful sunset on a boat in Bagan
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

 

  • International air tickets
  • International airport departure tax
  • Foods & Beverages
  • Visa fee
  • Camera fees and personal expenses
  • Other charges not mentioned

FAQ

What is cancellation policy for this tour?

All cancellations made by travelers will be charged as follows:

  • Cancellation more than 45 days before travel start date: there is no charges.
  • Between 30– 45 days before travel start date: 25% of the tour cost.
  • Less than 30 days before travel start date (or) No-show: 100% of the tour cost.
  • The Government Tax (5%) is non-refundable.
Can I book this tour in last minute?

We say yes, and but it is subject to the availability. Advance booking is recommended for better and secure arrangement.  Please make Enquiry or Customized for this tour. Then we can get back to you with the information to help you book the tour.

What do I need to bring with me to do this tour?

We suggest you to carry some warm cloths (if it is winter season) and something to protect from the sun and the dusts (if it is dry season: March to May).

I am solo traveler, can I book this tour?

We operate this tour in privately as we, MUL considered to the privacy of the travellers and not sharing with other travelers. Our mentioned price is based on 2 passengers for a bookng, but solo traveler can still book this tour  requesting for solo price by email (office@myanmarupperland.com).

Is vegetarian option available for this tour?

Yes Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.

What is the best season to do this tour?

We have three season in Myanmar, October to February is Winter (cold) season with average temperatures 20-24 C, March to May is Summer (hot) season with average temperatures 30-35 C) and  June to September is the Monsoon (rainy) season, with high rainfall and average temperatures 25-30 C.

We offer this tour all year round and the best season to do this tour is Winter season (Oct – Feb).

Can I exten my trip for longer days or more exploration?

Yes, We offer  extension tour packages and/or other travel related services depend on your request. Please contact us at office@myanmarupperland.com.

Maps

Adventure-through-wild-Chin-State

Related Tours

Biking throughout Myanmar
Explore central Myanmar’s natural and cultural beauty by mountain bike. Travelling between famous destinations such as Mandalay and Bagan on two wheels gives you a unique perspective of the people and places of…
This classic tour with a twist is ideal for families with children aged 8-16. We will visit Myanmar’s most famous cultural and natural destinations in a manner that is not only suitable for children but also enjoyable
Kayan lady
Visit Mandalay and the former Royal capitals | Explore the ancient temples of Bagan | Meet Kayan ‘long-necked’ women in Loikaw | Discover the stunning scenery of Inle Lake | Experience the splendor of Shwedagon

You are customizing

4WD Adventure Through Wild Chin State

As said, MUL take the time to get to know you and your travel desires to design a tailor-made plan even on our package deal except for the Destinations and means of Transports for this tour. 

Personal Info

Still, if you desire to design a more specific tailor-made itinerary, go and Plan your Trip