U-Bein Bridge, Mandalay CYCle BURMA


Burma has only recently reopened its doors to visitors which makes it an exciting and rewarding place to visit. On this trip we get closer to the wonderfully friendly local people with bike rides between the major highlights. Cycle the ancient capital of Mandalay, temple-studded plains of ancient Bagan, colonial hill station of Maymyo and stilt villages of Inle Lake. We also cruise the mighty Irrawaddy River and admire jewel-encrusted pagodas in Rangoon.


ITINERARY


Days 1/2 Overnight flight to Rangoon. Dusk visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. Day 3 Inle Lake Fly and drive to the lake where we take a longtail boat trip to see the floating gardens, stilt villages and unique leg-rowers. Days 4/5 Shan Highlands Bike across the patchwork farmlands of the plateau with stops at the former British Hill Station of Kalaw and Pindaya. Day 6 Road to Mandalay Combining time in the saddle and on the bus we descend from the Shan highlands to the cultural capital. Day 7 Royal Capital A circular route by bike to the one time capital of Sagaing and the giant stupa of Mingun before returning to Mandalay by boat on the Irrawaddy. Day 8 British Hill Station Cycle uphill to the charming town of Maymyo. Visit Botanical Gardens and see colonial architecture before returning to Mandalay by bus. Day 9 Mandalay A day without the bikes as we see thousands of monks collecting alms at a monastery, the lively jade market, city highlights and sunset from Mandalay Hill. Day 10 Monywa A ride off the beaten track to this thriving trade town on the banks of the Chindwin River. Day 11 Irrawaddy River Cruise Bullock carts significantly outnumber cars on our cycle route to the tobacco growing town of Pakokku. We cruise down the fabled river to Bagan. Day 12 Temples of Bagan Explore remarkable ancient temple sites by bike and on foot. Day 13 Mount Popa


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Cycle past rural scenes across the desert plain to an imposing free-standing volcanic plug and home to the spirit gods. Return to Bagan by bike. Day 14 Rangoon Fly back to the capital and visit the colonial quarter. Days 15/16 Overnight flight to the UK.


DAILY DISTANCES Day 4


Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8


Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13


60km 50km


100km 55km 60km


50km 65km 20km 50km


A moderate


graded cycle holiday that uncovers the


inclusive from


£2397 16 DAYS


scenic beauty and cultural highlights of Burma


Cycle grade MODERATE Comfort


Accommodation and Meals: 13 nights hotels. 13 breakfasts are included.


Included Bike: We provide 24 gear mountain bikes – see trip notes for details.


Cycle Burma Ref CBUR Monywa


Mingun


Nyaung Pin Win


Magnificent Temple Complex


BAGAN Popa


MANDALAY Amarapura


SHAN


PLATEAU Heho


Pindaya KALAW INLE LAKE


One-leg-rowers, floating gardens


TOUR DATES


The Cycle Burma tour runs in the following months:


Jan


May Sep


(MYANMAR) BURMA


Shwedagon Pagoda Colonial architecture


RANGOON (YANGON)


km 0200


Andaman Sea


Began Feb


Jun Oct


Mar


Jul Nov


Apr Aug Dec


For full details of the dates and prices visit explore.co.uk/tours/cbur


TOUR ONLY – 14 DAYS Tour price without flights from £1565


For detailed information visit www.explore.co.uk/tours/cbur


For more information and to book, go online at www.explore.co.uk Maymyo


Route and Terrain: On this tour we cycle 510 km over nine days (an average of 57 km per day). We mostly follow provincial roads with less car traffic (90% tarmac roads, 10% earth/gravel roads). The terrain is generally flat except for the sections around Kalaw, Maymyo Pindaya and Inle Lake which are in the hills. A support vehicle will accompany the rides throughout the tour. We have graded the route as moderate.


Group Size: Generally 10 to 16. flight DETAILS Ref: CBUR


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