Cycling Tours

We start from our conveniently located shop and ride through the back lanes to get out of town. We pass through fresh markets, lively neighbourhoods and head for the north east of the city.

After only a short pedal we find ourselves in the true countryside where farmers tend to their fields and villagers go about the daily rituals that have remained unchanged for decades, if not longer. Water buffalo lazily roll in the mud, goats nibble at the foliage, and friendly locals wave from all directions.

We make some interesting stops, first at a fresh market to learn about the different produce on sale and then continue on to see bamboo weaving which is used to construct everything from roofs and walls to fans. We see a much sought after bean curd being produced and listen to the owner who will have you convinced it is the best quality bean product in the country. We take a walk through a typical central Myanmar village and learn about their way of life and their different crops. On our way back to town we stop at a tea shop for some delicious snacks and tea. We return to our shop at around 11:30/noon.

Please note, you should wear clothing suitable for this activity: quarter length pants, shorts, t-shirts are all advisable, as are comfortable closed shoes. Sunscreen is also a must.

After meeting up at the Grasshopper Shop at 8am you will be introduced to your rickshaw and set out in search of food.

We take you on a classic Mandalay rickshaw to explore the best snacks that Mandalay has to offer. From the famous morning noodle dish mohinga, to Myanmar pancake, samosa, Mandalay salad, Shan noodles and numerous sweet snacks that will leave you with a firm understanding of why Myanmar people walk around with a smile on their face all day. Our resident food enthusiasts will explain the detail and some of the secrets behind this delicious food. The tour concludes at 11:30am/noon at our shop.

There is no need to pedal, your rickshaw chauffeur will ride you from place to place so that you only have to worry about the eating not the pedaling.

We start in the early afternoon with a pickup from your hotel. The starting time varies throughout the year to adjust for the timing of sunset so we will communicate the actual start time to you before the tour. We then drive south from Mandalay to get out of the traffic. As the sprawl lessens, we find ourselves in the dry zone where, thanks to ancient canals, the inhabitants can sustain an agricultural livelihood.

We hit the bikes and take a leisurely ride through farmland and villages where locals will be pleasantly surprised to see you and call out with greetings.

Along the way we stop in the little known hometown of the Mayor U Bein after whom the bridge is named and learn about a Muslim community that has lived here for the last two hundred years or so. We explore the shady paths through the ancient capital of Ava and finish our ride at U Bein Bridge. The bridge spans 1.2km and was reportedly built by Mayor U Bein from salvaged teak wood that was left behind in the move of the capital from Amarapura to Mandalay in 1859. Whilst the bridge has been repaired from time to time, the pillars are still the original wood. After relaxing in the last light of the day, we take the drive back to Mandalay, arriving around 7-7:30pm.

Please note, you should wear clothing suitable for this activity: quarter length pants, shorts, t-shirts are all advisable, as are comfortable closed shoes. Sunscreen is also a must.

We start from our conveniently located shop and ride through the back lanes to get into the temple plains. We quickly leave the sealed, busy roads behind and venture off onto dirt tracks, only accessible to bikes and horses.

It’s not long before we are pedalling alongside ancient brick structures, pausing to visit some of the most famous monuments like Shwesandaw, Ananda and Shwezigon as well as several hidden gems. When biking we’ll often be greeted by friendly farmers working in the fields next to our bike lanes and we will be sure to seek out an elevated temple to climb up for a different view of the Bagan Plain.

Aside from temples, Bagan is still a buzzing little town and we’ll be sure to explore some of the traditions and lifestyles of its people. The village roads are lined with single-story bamboo houses standing adjacent to unique 1950s, brick warehouses. Kids on a break from school, snack vendors and a menagerie of pigs, cows and the occasional horse greet us along the way. We’ll stop to see the production of local treats and pay a visit to the friendly neighbours.

We cap off the morning with a visit to a tea shop where we will sample unique snacks and, of course sip a cup of sweet Myanmar tea. Then we’ll travel by local truck or van back to your hotel concluding the tour around 12-1pm.

Please note, you should wear clothing suitable for this activity: quarter length pants, shorts, t-shirts are all advisable (shoulders must be covered at the temples), as are comfortable closed shoes to prevent scratches from briars. Sunscreen is also a must.

We start at the centrally-located riverside monument Bu Paya – just look for the Grasshopper truck and our bikes. After watching the sunset from the banks of the Irrawaddy River, we switch on the bike lights and venture off onto dirt tracks, only accessible to bikes and horses.

Soon we find ourselves outside the looming That Byinnu Temple, Bagan’s largest, where the illuminated spires seem to reach to the sky. We venture deeper into the central plain where our headlamps and the stars are the only light, stopping as we like to capture photos of shadowy monuments or venture inside smaller temples.

Legends & Landscapes

Legend has it that Dhammayangyi Temple is haunted and no night-tour would be complete without a chance to spot a ghost! With flashlights in hand, we venture inside the towering brick pagoda for an eerie walk through its echoing corridors. From here its back on the bikes, winding our way to our last temple stop where we will climb up the stairs in the dark. Reaching the upper platform, we’ll enjoy light snacks while enjoying the panoramic views.

Dinner

The tour concludes with a visit to a local house where we will be treated to a home-cooked meal prepared by our host family. The charming family runs a free village library and the proceeds from the dinner will help support this on-going educational project.

Following dinner, you will be dropped back at your hotel by van or local truck.

Please note, you should wear clothing suitable for this activity: quarter length pants, shorts, t-shirts are all advisable (shoulders must be covered at the temples), as are comfortable closed shoes to prevent scratches from briars. Long sleeves or a light jacket is recommended.

Day 1 | Arrival Day in Mandalay

You can arrive any time today into Mandalay. In fact, it’s recommended that you arrive a day early and take some time to explore the city. In the late afternoon the group will meet at the hotel and you will have a chance to try out your bike and make any adjustments necessary. After a briefing, we head to dinner. Meals: D

Day 2 | Cycle to Ava, Amarapura and Sagaing (50km), Transfer to Myingyan

We are in for a real treat today as we avoid roads as much as possible. We first travel upstream by boat and then explore from Mingun down to Sagaing, a hillside district with many white pagoda spires. From here, we find ourselves on lovely countryside trails, leading us past ancient pagodas, former capital cities, banana groves, all the way to the longest teak wood bridge in the world, a structure that has withstood the ravages of time remarkably well. Along our way today, we visit the village where descendants of Mayor U Bein, the builder of the great bridge, live today. After some time at the bridge we travel by car to our home for the evening, the small town of Myingyan where a simple, but adequate hotel awaits. Meals: B,L,D

Day 3 | Cycle to Mount Popa (84km)

A pleasant, undulating ride takes us through the dry zone and past a couple of small lakes. We pass villages along the way and as the day progresses, the ups in the undulations become more pronounced. As we pass the sunflower farms, we find Mount Popa and a sharp, but relatively short climb to the lovely resort with its pool perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking the Taung Kalat Temple. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit this temple and hear the stories of the 37 Nat Spirits who call this place home. Meals: B,L,D

Day 4 | Cycle to Bagan via Kyauk Padaung (65km)

A flying downhill starts us off into the valley and onto Kyauk Padaung. After a stop at the local tea house for snacks, we will look through the produce market before riding onto Bagan. As we ride in, the red brick of the pagodas come into view and the become more and more numerou as we near the hotel which is located on the edge of the Bagan Plain. An afternoon by the pool may be a good way to unwind and enjoy the warm afternoon. Meals: B,L

Day 5 | Cycle the Pagodas of Bagan (25km)

The pagodas of the Bagan Plain are best visited early in the morning as the sandy landscape heats up by the middle of the day. We make good use of an early start and focus our visit on the temples that were built between 14th and 19th centuries: Shwezigon, the Sulamani, the Htilominlo, the Dhammayazika. In the late morning we find a shady tree to enjoy lunch under and then have an afternoon for free time before we find a quiet view to enjoy a peaceful sunset overlooking the pagodas. Meals: B,L
Note: Day 5 is the ideal timing for Balloons Over Bagan, a professional ballooning operation based in Bagan. They run sunrise balloon flights that are considered some of the best ballooning in the world. We can arrange this for you. Prices are approximately $330 per person. Please inquire when booking on the tour if this interests you.

Day 6 | Tour concludes in Bagan

Today the tour concludes after breakfast. For those who are not in a hurry to leave, the beaches of Myanmar beckon. For information on these and other destinations to extend your holiday please ask our team at the time of booking. Our van will return to Mandalay today and anyone wishing to travel with it in the morning are welcome to. Alternatively, please ask us at the time of booking if you require assistance with your onward travels. Meals: B

Accommodation: 4 nights are in supremely comfortable and well run hotels which are a great and sometimes unexpected part of this tour. 1 night is in a clean, 2 star hotel with private bathroom.
Group Size: Minimum 2 persons, maximum 10
Included: Local English-speaking biking guide, Mechanic for groups of 5 and above, Air-conditioned back up support vehicle, bike (Details below), helmet, water bottle, Myanmar cycling jersey, snacks, meals as mentioned, tips for porters and restaurants, hotels as mentioned (twin-share basis), Entrance Fees, domestic flights and all boats mentioned in program.
Not included: International Flights, Visa, Laundry, Beverages at meals, Tips for guide and support team, additional spending or shopping.
Bikes: Impeccably maintained Merida mountain bikes with handlebar bags are included in the price. These are 9 speed (27 gears), aluminium frame bikes with hydraulic disc brakes, comfortable saddles and tyres to suit the terrain.

Day 1 | Arrival Day in Mawlamyine

You can arrive any time today, but you should try to arrive before midday. The city of Mawlamyine is actually the fourth largest in the country, but for a country that is predominantly made up of subsistence communities, it is not exactly a metropolis. It is however a charming town with leafy streets, pagoda-studded hilltops beautiful enough to inspire Rudyard Kipling to write his famous poem ‘Mandalay’. In the afternoon, we take a gentle pedal and a walk to explore the city, some of the remaining British-era architecture and the market. Mawlamyine can be reached by bus or train from Yangon or flight from Bangkok. Meals: D

Day 2 | Ride to Bilugyun Island (55km)

Rather than check out and move on from this lovely spot, we take a day ride to explore a sizeable island sitting just off Mawlamyine. It is separated from the mainland only by rivers, so a short ferry ride with the locals and mountains of produce, connects us to the landing. We then ride through the diverse landscapes of the islands through villages, jungles and bamboo forests. We stop to see some local, village industries and then return to town by boat. Meals: B,L

Day 3 | Cycle to Thanbyuzayat (90km), Transfer to Mawlamyine

Another great day of riding takes us south on a mixture of back roads and slightly busier, main roads. Our destination today is the terminus of the Thai-Burma Railway, known locally as the “Death Railway”. An Allied War Cemetery here is the resting place of more than 3000 Allied POWs. We take time to pay our respects and in the afternoon we pack up the bikes and drive back to Mawlamyine. Meals B,L,D

Day 4 | Cycle to Hpa An (70km)

Today we ride inland on a smaller road. The landscape changes and we start to see more hills. The greenery also increases as we enter a more remote, less populated area. We arrive into the small town of Hpa An in the late afternoon. This is a town of only 60,000 people, located on the Thanlyin River and is the capital of the Kayin State. Meals: B,L,D

Day 5 | Cycle to Tha Thon (55km)

We get into even more remote territory today. The riding is mostly flat as we ride quite close to the coast and at times close enough to get a view of the water. As the day continues, we cross a river inlet and continue on down a slightly busier road to reach Tha Thon. This is a small town and our accommodation befits pioneers such as yourselves. It is clean, but simple. Meals: B,L,D

Day 6 | Cycle to Kyaiktiyo (70km)

We continue through farmland and forests today on mostly flat road. Lots of good snack stops will be enjoyed along the way as we polish off the last of the fruit supplies. We arrive at the base camp in the afternoon and jump in to an open-air truck with local pilgrims to bounce our way up toward the famous Golden Rock, a precariously placed boulder (there is no temple atop). In keeping with Myanmar tradition, we complete the last part of the journey on foot arriving at the gilded rock in the late afternoon. Having finished off the last day on the bikes, we can enjoy a satisfying drink and watch the sunset over a beautiful landscape. Meals: B,L,D

Day 7 | Train to Yangon

We return down to the base of the hill by foot and truck and transfer to the nearby train station. We are in the upper class cabin, which is a curious term for it, given its dilapidated condition. Even so, the train journey is a memorable one. You are sure to make lots of local friends on board who will take delight in speaking with you on subjects ranging from history, current political affairs, to the English Premier League! The scenery is varied, from the urban areas of Yangon to the sparse areas around the edge of the delta zone. All things going according to plan (or timetable), the train will arrive into Yangon late evening. We will have a car organised to take you to a hotel of your choosing where the tour concludes. Meals: B,L

Accommodation: This area is not known for its comfortable hotels as it is really a new frontier in tourism terms. We spend 6 nights in relatively comfortable and well run hotels and guest houses. You can always expect a private bathroom and air conditioning.
Group Size: Minimum 2 persons, maximum 10
Included: Local English-speaking biking guide, Mechanic for groups of 5 and above, Air-conditioned back up support vehicle, bike (Details below), helmet, water bottle, Myanmar cycling jersey, snacks, meals as mentioned, tips for porters and restaurants, hotels as mentioned (twin-share basis), Entrance Fees, domestic flights and all boats mentioned in program.
Not included: International Flights, Visa, Laundry, Beverages at meals, Tips for guide and support team, additional spending or shopping.
Bikes: Impeccably maintained Merida mountain bikes with handlebar bags are included in the price. These are 9 speed (27 gears), aluminium frame bikes with hydraulic disc brakes, comfortable saddles and tyres to suit the terrain.

Day 1 | Arrival In Yangon, flight to Heho

The group will meet this morning at the domestic terminal of Yangon Airport for our flight to Heho. The flight will leave between 10am and 11:30am, so you must arrive no later than 8am. Alternatively, you may wish to stay the night before in Yangon. Our flight to Heho takes a little over an hour and is followed by a drive of around the same length to reach Nyaung Shwe, the main town of the Inle Lake area. We stay on dry land rather than on the lake as it’s a far more interesting experience and allows more freedom of movement. Meals: L,D

Day 2 | Bike & Boat Inle Lake (25 km)

We take a ride around the area to learn a little about the local culture and the farming habits of the people here. We then cycle along the eastern bank of the lake, before taking a boat trip on the lake itself. Here we will see the famous leg rowing fishermen, silk weaving, and whole communities that exist in stilt houses on the lake. Everything from schools, shops, even basketball courts can be found out here, all within a short boat ride of each other. Depending on the rotation, we hope to encounter the revolving market which sets up in a different location each day of the week. This is a huge social affair for the villagers surrounding the lake as it is their once a week chance to mingle. Aside from trading in produce and goods, it’s a great opportunity to eat, drink and gossip. This is usually a full day and we can expect to return to town by 4pm. Meals: B,L

Day 3 | Cycle to Kalaw (70 km)

Leaving early this morning and after a flat ride to start, we climb out of the valley and up into the Western Shan Hills. This is a challenging ride, but with some lovely views. We reach the town of Kalaw in the mid afternoon. Kalaw was a British Hill Station in colonial times and is well populated by British designed buildings. The climate here is cool and was much more agreeable to the British than the humid flatlands. Kalaw is populated by a diverse range of peoples, with Muslims (mainly originating from Bangladesh), Pa Oh and Paluang hill tribes, and even descendants of Nepalese Gurkhas who settled here. The Shan hills are noted for their fresh produce and tonight you’ll have a chance to try it at a family-run restaurant. Meals: B,L,D

Day 4 | Cycle to Pindaya (45 km)

Another early start today sees us leaving our bikes behind for the morning for a different type of activity. A short drive takes us to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Sanctuary, a conservation project founded by two passionate and dedicated tour guides and managed by a retired veterinarian. The project is currently home to seven elephants, five of whom were recently retired from working service in the logging industry. We take a walk of around an hour to see the property, the reforestation project and with luck the elephants. From Green HIll Valley we drive down past the trucking town of Aung Ban to start our next ride. This is a lovely ride through rolling hills with patchwork crops, punctuated by groups of villagers working the fields. We roll into the tiny town of Pindaya in the late afternoon and have a little time to visit the Golden Cave for which the town is famous. Meals: B,L,D

Day 5 | Cycle to Ywar Ngan (65km)

We start with an off-road ride through a seldom visited area where small communities of Pa Oh will watch curiously as you pedal by. The scenery today just gets better at every turn, with limestone crags topped with gold and white stupas giving way to lush flower gardens as we pass through tiny towns. One of these towns is our home for the night. Here a simple guest house in a small community awaits and offers an enjoyable night in a truly off the beaten path setting. Meals: B,L,D

Day 6 | Cycle & Transfer to Bagan (90km)

This is a challenging, but rewarding ride. The day includes some fun downhill sections, but also some short climbs to keep you warm. We leave the hills today and as we drop into the Irrawaddy Basin we get some fantastic views from the hills as we fly down them. There are few towns today due to the steep landscape but there are lots of villages whose inhabitants will be truly surprised to see you. This is a much less travelled route where it is uncommon to see many people on bikes. As we reach the main north-south highway, we board the vehicle for a drive to Bagan which will take around 3 hours. Meals: B,L,D

Day 7 | Cycle the Pagodas of Bagan (25km)

The pagodas of the Bagan Plain are best visited early in the morning as the sandy landscape heats up by the middle of the day. We make good use of an early start and focus our visit on the temples that were built between 14th and 19th centuries: Shwezigon, the Sulamani, the Htilominlo, the Dhammayazika. In the late morning we find a shady tree to enjoy lunch under and then have an afternoon for free time before we find a quiet view to enjoy a peaceful sunset overlooking the pagodas. Meals: B,L
Note: Day 7 is the ideal timing for Balloons Over Bagan, a professional ballooning operation based in Bagan. They run sunrise balloon flights that are considered some of the best ballooning in the world. We can arrange this for you. Prices are approximately $330 per person. Please inquire when booking on the tour if this interests you.

Day 8 | Conclusion of tour in Bagan

The tour concludes today after breakfast. Options for onward travel are many, and include a 3.5 hour drive to Mandalay Airport for an International flight, or a 50 minute flight to Yangon for a connection to an International flight. Either option can be booked for you at an additional cost. Please inquire at the time of booking. Meals: B

Accommodation: 4 nights are in supremely comfortable and well run hotels which are a great and sometimes unexpected part of this tour. 2 nights are in a clean, 2 star hotel with private bathroom. 1 night is in simple but clean and functional guest houses with private bathrooms. In the simpler locations we have chosen these properties for a number of reasons including the outstanding hospitality offered by the teams who run them and the fact that they enable us to actually ride some amazing routes.
Group Size: Minimum 2 persons, maximum 10
Included: Local English-speaking biking guide, Mechanic for groups of 5 and above, Air-conditioned back up support vehicle, bike (Details below), helmet, water bottle, Myanmar cycling jersey, snacks, meals as mentioned, tips for porters and restaurants, hotels as mentioned (twin-share basis), Entrance Fees, domestic flights and all boats mentioned in program.
Not included: International Flights, Visa, Laundry, Beverages at meals, Tips for guide and support team, additional spending or shopping.
Bikes: Impeccably maintained Merida mountain bikes with handlebar bags are included in the price. These are 9 speed (27 gears), aluminium frame bikes with hydraulic disc brakes, comfortable saddles and tyres to suit the terrain.

Day 1 | Arrival In Yangon, flight to Heho

The group will meet this morning at the domestic terminal of Yangon Airport for our flight to Heho. The flight will leave between 10am and 11:30am, so you must arrive no later than 8am. Alternatively, you may wish to stay the night before in Yangon. Our flight to Heho takes a little over an hour and is followed by a drive of around the same length to reach Nyaung Shwe, the main town of the Inle Lake area. We stay on dry land rather than on the lake as it’s a far more interesting experience and allows more freedom of movement. Meals: L,D

Day 2 | Bike & Boat Inle Lake (25 km)

We take a ride around the area to learn a little about the local culture and the farming habits of the people here. We then cycle along the eastern bank of the lake, before taking a boat trip on the lake itself. Here we will see the famous leg rowing fishermen, silk weaving, and whole communities that exist in stilt houses on the lake. Everything from schools, shops, even basketball courts can be found out here, all within a short boat ride of each other. Depending on the rotation, we hope to encounter the revolving market which sets up in a different location each day of the week. This is a huge social affair for the villagers surrounding the lake as it is their once a week chance to mingle. Aside from trading in produce and goods, it’s a great opportunity to eat, drink and gossip. This is usually a full day and we can expect to return to town by 4pm. Meals: B,L

Day 3 | Cycle to Kalaw (70 km)

Leaving early this morning and after a flat ride to start, we climb out of the valley and up into the Western Shan Hills. This is a challenging ride, but with some lovely views. We reach the town of Kalaw in the mid afternoon. Kalaw was a British Hill Station in colonial times and is well populated by British designed buildings. The climate here is cool and was much more agreeable to the British than the humid flatlands. Kalaw is populated by a diverse range of peoples, with Muslims (mainly originating from Bangladesh), Pa Oh and Paluang hill tribes, and even descendants of Nepalese Gurkhas who settled here. The Shan hills are noted for their fresh produce and tonight you’ll have a chance to try it at a family-run restaurant. Meals: B,L,D

Day 4 | Cycle to Pindaya (45 km)

Another early start today sees us leaving our bikes behind for the morning for a different type of activity. A short drive takes us to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Sanctuary, a conservation project founded by two passionate and dedicated tour guides and managed by a retired veterinarian. The project is currently home to seven elephants, five of whom were recently retired from working service in the logging industry. We take a walk of around an hour to see the property, the reforestation project and with luck the elephants. From Green HIll Valley we drive down past the trucking town of Aung Ban to start our next ride. This is a lovely ride through rolling hills with patchwork crops, punctuated by groups of villagers working the fields. We roll into the tiny town of Pindaya in the late afternoon and have a little time to visit the Golden Cave for which the town is famous. Meals: B,L,D

Day 5 | Cycle to Ywar Ngan (65km)

We start with an off-road ride through a seldom visited area where small communities of Pa Oh will watch curiously as you pedal by. The scenery today just gets better at every turn, with limestone crags topped with gold and white stupas giving way to lush flower gardens as we pass through tiny towns. One of these towns is our home for the night. Here a simple guesthouse in a small community awaits and offers an enjoyable night in a truly off the beaten path setting. Meals: B,L,D

Day 6 | Cycle and Transfer to Mandalay (90 km)

This is a challenging, but rewarding ride. The day includes some fun downhill sections, but also some short climbs to keep you warm. We leave the hills today and as we drop into the Irrawaddy Basin we get some fantastic views from the hills as we fly down them. There are few towns today due to the steep landscape but there are lots of villages whose inhabitants will be truly surprised to see you. This is a much less travelled route where it is uncommon to see many people on bikes. As we reach the main north-south highway, we board the vehicle for a drive to Mandalay where a comfortable hotel and a great meal await. Meals: B,L,D

Day 7 | Rest day in Mandalay

Mandalay was the last royal capital of Myanmar and was the first city to be ransacked by the advancing British forces. The former royal complex was destroyed in a fire during World War II but you can still see the impressive walls and moat. The city of Mandalay is now a bustling commercial centre with fascinating local markets. You may opt to take a boat ride up to Mingun to see the largest ringing bell in the world, weighing in at 90 tons. Alternatively there are many of ways to relax including some time by the pool, a massage to revive the limbs or even a guided food adventure. A visit to Mandalay Hill for sunset is another option and provides a great view over the city. Meals: B

Day 8 | Cycle to Ava, Amarapura and Sagaing (50km), Transfer to Myingyan

We are in for a real treat today as we avoid roads as much as possible. We first travel upstream by boat and then explore from Mingun down to Sagaing, a hillside district with many white pagoda spires. From here, we find ourselves on lovely countryside trails, leading us past ancient pagodas, former capital cities, banana groves, all the way to the longest teak wood bridge in the world, a structure that has withstood the ravages of time remarkably well. Along our way today, we visit the village where descendants of Mayor U Bein, the builder of the great bridge, live today. After some time at the bridge we travel by car to our home for the evening, the small town of Myingyan where a simple, but adequate hotel awaits. Meals: B,L,D

Day 9 | Cycle to Mount Popa (84km)

A pleasant, undulating ride takes us through the dry zone and past a couple of small lakes. We pass villages along the way and as the day progresses, the ups in the undulations become more pronounced. As we pass the sunflower farms, we find Mount Popa and a sharp, but relatively short climb to the lovely resort with its pool perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking the Taung Kalat Temple. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit this temple and hear the stories of the 37 Nat Spirits who call this place home. Meals: B,L,D

Day 10 | Cycle to Bagan via Kyauk Padaung (65km)

A flying downhill starts us off into the valley and onto Kyauk Padaung. After a stop at the local tea house for snacks, we will look through the produce market before riding onto Bagan. As we ride in, the red brick of the pagodas come into view and the become more and more numerou as we near the hotel which is located on the edge of the Bagan Plain. An afternoon by the pool may be a good way to unwind and enjoy the warm afternoon. Meals: B,L

Day 11 | Cycle the Pagodas of Bagan (25km)

The pagodas of the Bagan Plain are best visited early in the morning as the sandy landscape heats up by the middle of the day. We make good use of an early start and focus our visit on the temples that were built between 14th and 19th centuries: Shwezigon, the Sulamani, the Htilominlo, the Dhammayazika. In the late morning we find a shady tree to enjoy lunch under and then have an afternoon for free time before we find a quiet view to enjoy a peaceful sunset overlooking the pagodas. Meals: BL
Note: Day 11 is the ideal timing for Balloons Over Bagan, a professional ballooning operation based in Bagan. They run sunrise balloon flights that are considered some of the best ballooning in the world. We can arrange this for you. Prices are approximately $330 per person. Please inquire when booking on the tour if this interests you.

Day 12 | Fly to Yangon and explore the city

We will take a late morning flight (subject to flight schedules). We’ll check straight into the hotel and after some down time, take a walking tour of the city. We walk through Little India and Chinatown in downtown Yangon which is a frenzy of trading and eating activity. We see an amazing collection of British Colonial Era buildings, some in a well restored state and others in moss covered decay. As the afternoon wears on, we take in an unforgettable sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda. We then enjoy our final meal together and celebrate the tour. Meals: B,D

Day 13 | Tour Concludes in Yangon

Today the tour concludes. For those who are not in a hurry to leave, the beaches of Myanmar beckon. For information on these and other destinations to extend your holiday, please ask our team at the time of booking. Meals: B

Accommodation: 9 nights are in supremely comfortable and well run hotels which are a great and sometimes unexpected part of this tour. 1 night is in a clean, 2 star hotel with private bathroom. 2 nights are in simple but clean and functional guest houses with private bathrooms. In the simpler locations we have chosen these properties for a number of reasons including the outstanding hospitality offered by the teams who run them.
Group Size: Minimum 2 persons, maximum 10
Included: Local English-speaking biking guide, Mechanic for groups of 5 and above, Air-conditioned back up support vehicle, bike (Details below), helmet, water bottle, Myanmar cycling jersey, snacks, meals as mentioned, tips for porters and restaurants, hotels as mentioned (twin-share basis), Entrance Fees, domestic flights and all boats mentioned in program.
Not included: International Flights, Visa, Laundry, Beverages at meals, Tips for guide and support team, additional spending or shopping.
Bikes: Impeccably maintained Merida mountain bikes with handlebar bags are included in the price. These are 9 speed (27 gears), aluminium frame bikes with hydraulic disc brakes, comfortable saddles and tyres to suit the terrain.