Day 1: Mandalay, Arrival day
You can arrive any time into Mandalay today. Our driver will pick you up at airport and then transfer to the hotel for check-in.
The group meets in the late afternoon for a group briefing and dinner. Meals: D
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 2: Day Ride Mandalay 25km
Mandalay was the last royal capital of Myanmar and was 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.
We take a cycle beyond the bustle of the city to see the villages that exist around the periphery. Here we find a peaceful way of life, centered around the cycle of the farming seasons and traditional life. In the dry season while the land lays fallow, the villagers dedicate their time to traditional crafts such as making robes for monks, snacks to sell in market or other skills that have been passed down to them. Time permitting we take in the wooden monastery and Mandalay Hill before returning to the hotel. Meals: BL
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 3: Cycle to Monywa 90km
We set out for our first long ride today. We start out by following the Irrawaddy River from town and cross over onto the triangular piece of land between this and the Chidwin River at Sagaing, home to hundreds of gold tips stupas. We continue a flat ride, stopping along the way for some delicious local snacks and we finish up the day with a drive into town. Monywa is a rural trading center with a very small tourist industry emerging. We enjoy an authentic local meal this evening. Meals: BL
Overnight in Monywa
Day 4: Cycle to Bagan via the Pho Win Taung Caves 60km
This morning we set out by crossing the Chidwin River on a small ferry. We then find ourselves on the more remote western bank of the river. Here we encounter fewer vehicles and many more surprised faces as we pedal down the quiet trails and roads to the Phwintaung Caves. These sandstone caves are a real treat. There are around 900 individual caves and while we won’t have time to explore them all, we’ll visit some of the most richly decorated. We then continue on our merry way and after visiting a small village, typical of this area, we drive to Pakokou where we board a boat to complete our journey on the Irrawaddy to Bagan. We arrive as the sun dips low in the sky, spotlighting the pagodas of the Bagan Plain, turning them a rich orange color. Meals: BL
Overnight in Bagan
Day 5: Cycle to Mount Popa 50km
Today we find some hills again as we leave Bagan and climb up to the volcanic Mount Popa, home of the 37 Nat. The ride is on good road as we start with a flat section, then meet some steep, but relatively short hills to get to our destination of the Mount Popa Resort with a clear, fresh pool and a view of the hill-top temple. In the afternoon, those wanting to get up close and personal with the tales of the Nat spirits can join your tour leader for a visit to Taung Kalat. Meals: BL
Overnight in Mt. Popa
Day 6: Cycle to Bagan via Kyakpadaung 60km
A flying downhill starts us off into the valley and onto Kyakpadan. After a stop at the local tea house for snacks, we will look through the produce market in Kyakpadan before riding to Bagan by a different route. An afternoon by the pool may be a good way to unwind and enjoy the warm afternoon. Meals: BL
Overnight in Bagan
Day 7: Pagodas Day Ride Bagan 20km
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 of free time before we find a quiet to enjoy a peaceful sunset overlooking the pagodas. Meals: BL
Optional Ballooning Activity
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 $300 per person. Please inquire when booking on the tour if this interests you.
Day 8: Conclusion of tour
The tour concludes this morning after breakfast. We can assist you in arranging any further accommodation or transport! Meals: B .
End of Tour!
Note: The group size is limited up to maximum number of 6 pax so that we can give the full attention to all travellers in a way of close intimacy. We guarantee the departure when the minimum of 2 cyclists are confirmed. For solo travellers, we are happy to welcome them as always and they can have their own room as long as the single supplement is paid. Nevertheless, a shared room with another same-sex solo cyclist can be arranged at no extra cost. As for 2 days, the bike rental fees are included in the fare. However, if you bring your own bike we will deduct the bicycle fees accordingly from the total cost.
