REAL
BIKING TO BAGAN
Day
1: Yangon Arrival (L)
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who
will accompany you as you transfer to the hotel.
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively
quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes
it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. Your Myanmar tour
begins with a tour through the city center stopping at the glittering Sule Paya
and tranquil Mahabandoola Park as well as walking past the fading colonial-era
courthouse and city hall. You’ll also stop by Nanthida Jetty, a great place to
see the local lifestyles of the Yangon people.
Lunch
at local restaurant.
This afternoon, your sightseeing continues with a
visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha.
Continue via Kadawgyi, Royal Lake, which is home to a hamsa -shaped floating barge. After a short tea break, head to
Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central
stupa is over 90 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf- a breathtaking and
colorful sight which dominates the city skyline.
Dinner
(own account)
Overnight
in Yangon.
Day
2: Yangon - Pyay (B, L, D)
Set off
this morning for the first leg of your bike ride to Bagan. You’ll cycle from
Yangon to Latpadan (142km/ Appr. 7 hour) and then continue to Pyay by car (Latpadan
– Pyay 156Km/Appr. 6 hours).
The route
follows quiet roads and passes through local markets and villages where you can
stop to meet the locals, take photos and learn about rural Burmese lifestyles.
A
midday lunch stop will be made at local restaurant.
Upon
arrival in Pyay transfer to your hotel for a chance to freshen up. Take a short
tour of Pyay, the town formerly known as Prome. You’ll visit Shwesandaw Pagaoda
and enjoy magnificent views over the Irrawaddy River and surroundings from this
hilltop temple.
Dinner
at local restaurant.
Overnight in
Pyay. (Total Cycling Distance: 142km)
Day
3: Pyay - Magway (B, L, D)
Today’s
journey takes you to Magway by bike and car.
After
breakfast, you’ll depart Pyay by bike following Thit Yar Kaut Street out of
town until reaching Koe Pin Junction (60km). The road is mostly flat and free
of traffic.
At
the junction, your car will be waiting to transfer you the final 26 km to
Magway.
Lunch
will be served at local restaurant and enjoy the tea break in the evening.
There
is plenty of time to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s challenging ride, or you
can explore the town. Across the Irrawaddy from Magaway is the unusual Nga Ka Pwe
Taung, an unusual pool of bubbling mud with a nearby temple.
Dinner
at local restaurant.
Overnight
stay in Magway. (Total Cycling Distance:
60km)
Day
4: Magway – Mt Popa (B, L, D)
Wake
up early this morning and fuel up for a challenging ride to Mount Popa (90km).
On
the way, the scenery changes as you cross into one of the most arid regions of
Myanmar. The landscape is filled with toddy palm fields and you will have a
chance to stop and observe the process of creating toddy juice. The toddy-palm plays
an important role in Myanmar rural life, beyond creating juice and sugars for
the people, it also provides shade as well as provides materials for making
household utensils, building and medicines.
Lunch
at local restaurant en route.
This
afternoon you’ll reach Mount Popa Mountain Resort, your hotel for this evening.
This beautiful eco-friendly resort is perched on the slopes of a volcanic peak
and features spectacular views of the surrounding planes. Take a swim in the
pool or simply relax in the quiet environs.
Dinner
this evening is at the resort.
Overnight
at Mt Popa Mountain Resort. (Total
Cycling Distance: 90km)
Day
5: Mt Popa - Bagan (B, L, D)
The
last stretch of your journey to Bagan combines walking, village visits and
cycling.
Check
out of your hotel this morning and climb up on the top of the Mount Popa. Mount Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture,
religion and history since earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the
worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. Learn about nats
and nat worship as you climb the stairs to the top with your local guide. The view over the Myingyan Plain from the top
of the volcanic peak is impressive.
Have
an early lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding by bike to Bagan (50km).
The route begins with a downhill ride followed by flat roads through toddy palm
farms and small villages. As you approach Bagan, you will begin to see the
temple tops of the ancient stupas appearing in the distance.
Reach
your hotel in Bagan, check in and relax. A tea break will be served followed by
dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight
in Bagan. (Total Cycling Distance: 50 km)
Day
6: Bagan (B, L, D)
NO BIKE
FOR TODAY!
After
breakfast, begin your visit with a stop at the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where
every day the locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods. Continue to the golden stupa of Shwezigon
Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Continue to Ananda Temple,
an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains
two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the
distance from which the statue is viewed.
Lunch
at local restaurant.
This
afternoon begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you
can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. After a
short tea break, head to temple to enjoy the sun set views over the
plains.
Dinner
at local restaurant.
Overnight
stay in Bagan.
Day
7: Bagan (B,
L, D)
This
morning, bike to the rural village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least visited
areas, Here you will explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and
Nandamannya as well as Kyat Kan Cave, a famous meditation center. You will also
visit nearby farming villages to observe the farmer’s way of life.
Lunch
at local restaurant.
After
lunch, enjoy your day at leisure at your hotel in the afternoon.
Dinner
at local restaurant.
Overnight
in Bagan. (Total Cycling Distance:10 km)
Day
8: Bagan Departure (B)
This
morning is at leisure before transferring to the Nyaung Oo Airport for your
onward flight.
***End
of services***
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