| TOUR SUMMARY |
|
This bicycle voyage of discovery starts in Kipling’s
Mandalay on the Irawaddy River and follows near empty roads. We travel
at ground level through small villages stopping at local teashops,
meeting the locals along the way. In Mandalay we visit the ancient
cities of Ava and Mingun before riding alongside the Irawaddy
River to Bagan. Spend a morning cycling among the thousands of pagodas, stupas,
and temples that dominate a river valley. From Bagan we ride to
Mount Popa to visit the hill top temple, before riding into the cool
Shan
hills.
Riding through the countryside, we will be greeted by friendly people,
who have had little or no contact with foreigners. In the mountains we
will encounter a variety of tribal people, as well as enjoying the
splendid colonial charm of Kalaw. After a ride through patchwork
fields to see the caves of Pindaya, we arrive at Inle Lake. The tour
ends in Rangoon, or Yangon, where we visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. |
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RIDING PROFILE |
This is a touring trip for mountain bikers and road cyclists. We
ride point to point through central Myanmar, covering just over 700
kilometres. Most rides are on country lanes with almost zero traffic.
Rest days are in Bagan and at Inle Lake as well as time out of the
saddle in Mandalay and Rangoon.
The first few days riding are in the flat Irawaddy basin. The second
phase of the tour takes us east into mountainous Shan State where
there are some climbs, including the challenging but optional 20-km
accent on Kalaw Hill.
As we ride along major arteries, riders can find their own pace and
meet up at prearranged points along the way. The range of surfaces and
incredible variety of rides on this tour will ensure that every kind
of cyclist is satisfied, whilst the first-class support makes this
tour popular with inexperienced and non-riders. |
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| ITINERARY |
| Day 1 |
Rangoon – Mandalay [D]
Pick up the guest at Yangon International Airport and shuttle to
our meeting point (the Seasons of Rangoon Airport Hotel) where we
have rooms available to sleep or shower. There is also a swimming
pool available for you to enjoy. In the afternoon we fly to
Mandalay and transfer to the Mandalay Swan Hotel. |
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|
| Day 2 |
Mandalay 15 km [B,D]
Take a boat trip in the morning to Mingun, one of the ancient
cities up the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay. Return in time for
lunch and a swim in the pool. In the afternoon, a short ride
around Mandalay finishing with a climb up Mandalay hill. |
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|
| Day 3 |
Mandalay – Myittha 95 km [B, L, D]
Early ride to U Bein’s bridge, the longest teak bridge in the
world. Following back roads, ride through the ancient Ava Kingdon
to Kyaukse. In the afternoon we continue to the small town of
Myittha, where we stay in the local monastery. (Mosquito nets and
mattresses provided). |
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|
| Day 4 |
Myittha – Myingyan 83 km [B,L,D]
Heading west along Highway Two, the group has a chance to find its
own pace. Ride the Irrawaddy basin through villages. Finish the
ride in the busy junction town of Myingyan. |
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|
| Day 5 |
Myingyan – Bagan 75 km [B,L,D]
Riding south alongside the great Irrawaddy River, following a dirt
trail through pretty villages and cycle amongst stupas and temples
on the way to Bagan. Stay in the heart of the old city in a hotel
with swimming pool and enjoy dinner in the famous hotel gardens. |
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|
| Day 6 |
Bagan [B]
Bicycles are the prefect way to explore Bagan before returning for
a welcome dip in the pool. Returning to enjoy the sunset and a
view you will never forget. |
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|
| Day 7 |
Bagan – Mount Popa 59 km [B,L,D]
Following the highway east, make the first hill climb to the hill
top temple of Mount Popa. After lunch climb up to the Nat Temple.
Stay at a resort with views of the temple. |
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|
| Day 8 |
Mount Popa – Maiktila 118km [B,L,D]
Downhill ride in the morning before reaching Kyauk Padaung.
Continue to cycle to Meiktila on a road with light traffic, varied
scenery and lots of stops. In the afternoon, ride descends before
reaching Meiktila. |
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|
| Day 9 |
Maiktila – Kalaw 120 km [B,L,D]
The longest, toughest ride of the tour. Enter the Shan State and
cycle into the mountains. Ride through Tazi and several smaller
towns before the steep, winding 25-km climb to the hill station of
Kalaw. |
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|
| Day 10 |
Kalaw – Pindaya 50 km [B,D]
Downhill ride to Aungban before riding up into the hills. Head
north to Pindaya. Riding along the Shan Plateau, enjoying rural
scenes. After checking into the hotel, visit the famous Pindaya
caves. |
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|
| Day 11 |
Pindaya – Nyaungshwe 95 km [B,L]
Ride to Aungban. The last section has two sweeping down-hills,
leading to Inle Lake. Cycle inland to Nyaungshwe, located at the
north of the lake. There is a variety of restaurants and dinner is
the choice of the guest. |
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|
| Day 12 |
Nyaungshwe [B,L,D]
Enjoy a full day boat trip on Inle Lake. Visit the
five-day-market, Indein temples, floating gardens, monasteries and
the Intha fishermen. Lunch is in a secluded bamboo forest by the
lake. After lunch visit several Intha cottage industries. |
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|
| Day 13 |
Nyaungshwe – Rangoon [B,D]
Transfer to Heho airport and fly back to Rangoon. Visit the
Shwedagon Paya in Rangoon, Burma’s holiest religious site. Dinner
is at Le Planteur. |
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|
| Day 14 |
Rangoon
The morning is free for shopping. Possibility to visit Bogyoke
Aung San market before heading to the airport for the flight home. |
|
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| ** B - Breakfast; L - Lunch; D -
Dinner |
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| TOUR INFORMATION |
 |
| Total Distance |
720 km |
| Number of cycling days |
Eight full days |
| Road Surface |
This tour mostly follows good asphalt roads and
sometimes vehicle-width dirt roads, which may be smooth, loose or
hard-packed. |
| Support |
One or two air-conditioned minibuses specially
rigged to take bikes and bikers. |
| Group |
Minimum 4. Maximum 16. |
| Staff |
Groups of 6 or more, a SpiceRoads cycle tour
leader with English speaking Burmese guide plus drivers and
assistants. Groups of 4-5 will be led by our local guide and
support team. |
| Accommodation |
5 nights 4-star hotels, 4 nights 3-star, 2 nights
2-star, 1 night in basic hotel. 1 night in a monastery. All hotels
have en suite facilities and a/c, except 1 night in a dormitory
with shared facilities. Many hotels have charm and character. |
| Food |
All meals are included except 5 lunches 2 dinners. |
| Children |
Children under 16-years old are not allowed to join this tour. |
|
| |
| ACCOMMODATION ON SCHEDULED TOURS
(STANDARD ACCOMMODATION) |
|
| CITY |
HOTEL |
STANDARD |
| Mandalay |
Emerald Land Inn |
3 Star |
| Bagan |
Bagan Hotel |
4 Star |
| Mount Popa |
Mount Popa Resort |
4 Star |
| Meiktila |
Winzun Hotel |
2 Star |
| Kalaw |
Kalaw Hotel |
3 Star |
| Pindaya |
Golden cave Hotel |
2 Star |
| Nyaungshwe |
Paradise Hotel |
2 Star |
| Rangoon |
Yazuna Garden Hotel |
3 Star |
|
| |
| NET
RATES PER PERSON IN THAI BAHT |
|
| SCHEDULED TOURS |
| TOUR CODE |
TOUR DATES |
PRICE |
SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT |
BIKE HIRE |
| START |
FINISH |
| BUR-080707 |
08 Jul 07 |
21 Jul 07 |
63,000 |
9,950 |
5,250 |
| BUR-071007 |
07 Oct 07 |
20 Oct 07 |
63,000 |
9,950 |
5,250 |
| BUR-231207 |
23 Dec 07 |
05 Jan 08 |
63,000 |
9,950 |
5,250 |
| BUR-080108 |
08 Jan 08 |
21 Jan 08 |
63,000 |
9,950 |
5,250 |
| BUR-100208 |
10 Feb 08 |
23 Feb 08 |
63,000 |
9,950 |
5,250 |
|
| * Minimun 4 pax |
| |
| PRIVATE GROUPS |
| Validity |
2 Pax |
3 Pax |
4-6 Pax |
7-9 Pax |
10-12 Pax |
13-16 Pax |
SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT |
| 01/11/07 – 31/10/08 |
69,000 |
59,900 |
55,900 |
51,000 |
48,500 |
45,500 |
9,950 |
|
| |
Tour Price Includes
• All hotels (twin share or dorm ) and meals specified
• Cycle support by a/c vehicles
• Domestic flights RGN-MDl and Heho - RGN
• Cycle Transportation RGN-MDL Inle Lake – RGN
• All entrances to museums and sites mentioned
• All water and snacks whilst riding
• Burmese English speaking guide
• English speaking SpiceRoads tour leader (for 6 pax or more)
• All meals mentioned (Burmese food) |
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Tour Price Excludes
• International Flights
• Departure Tax
• Visa Fees
• Bike hire or spares
• Alcoholic, and other beverages in the evenings
• Tips for guides.
• Personal travel insurance
• Any services not mentioned in itinerary |
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|
BOOKING/INQUIRIES |
| For reservation or inquiries please contact:
info@traveller2000.com |
|
