MYANMAR BIKING & TREKKING TOUR TO THE SHAN HILLS
Overview
Explore the Shan State in adventure mode with our Bike & Trek The Shan Hills package. On the first leg of your trip, you will cycle past a town populated with colonial houses, and to a refreshing pine forest. Hop off your bike and hike your way to Pindaya where you will meet the Danu, Palaung, Shan and Pa-O people who still continue to live a lifestyle their ancestors lived centuries ago. Visit the Inle Lake and see local craftsmen on floating villages plying their trade and the always entertaining jumping cats monastery. This Myanmar tour is an adventure full of beautiful scenery and enlightening experiences into the culture of the Shan people.
Tour Route Map
Day 1: Heho – Kalaw
Day 2: Kalaw – Pindaya
Day 3: Pindaya Highlands
Day 4: Pindaya Highlands
Day 5: Pindaya
Day 6: Pindaya – Inle
Day 7: Depart Inle
Day 1 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Heho to Kalaw Biking Tours (L,D)
After arriving at the Heho Airport you will cycle to the former British hill station of Kalaw. Stop on the way to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Upon reaching your destination you can explore the surrounding pine forests and colonial houses while inhaling the cool mountain air.
Kalaw stands high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. It is 70 km west of Taungyi. about halfway along the Thazi-Taungyi road. This was a popular hill station in the British days and it is still a peaceful and quiet place. At an altitude of 1320 m it is also pleasantly cool and a good place for hiking amid gnarled pines. bamboo groves and rugged mountain scene.
Overnight at Dream Villa, Kalaw.
Day 2 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Kalaw to Pindaya Trekking Tours (B,L,D)
Today you will start your trekking in the direction of Pindaya, hiking past several traditional villages of the Palaung tribe. They are thought to be the earliest inhabitants of Myanmar, and they still live a very traditional lifestyle. You will learn about the seasonal crops they grow, which include the leaves used to produce the ubiquitous cheroots. Early arriving arrive a local monastery where you will enjoy dinner and a welcomed chance to relax.
Overnight at village monastery.
Day 3 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Trekking Tours to the Pindaya Highlands (B,L,D)
The trek to Pindaya continues with several stops at different tribal villages, such as Danu and Pa-o. You will get a fascinating introduction into their culture, as you learn about their ancestral customs. A boxed lunch will be enjoyed at one of the villages on the way.
Overnight at a village monastery or local homestay.
Day 4 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Trekking Tours to the Pindaya Highlands (B,L,D)
Arise to the cool mountain air and enjoy breakfast before setting out on a full day of trekking. Along the way you will be exposed to the spectacular natural scenery of the surrounding mountains. Stop by several villages, enjoying the sight of women in colorful ethnic clothing and experiencing more of their rural way of life.
Pindaya is a small quiet town perched on the bank of the placid Botoloke Lake. The Pindaya cave, containing thousands of Buddha images, is the main destination in this region. Pindaya is a small quiet town perched on the bank of the placid Botoloke Lake. Pindaya cave is a huge cavern where hundreds and thousands of Buddha images in various size and shape are installed since the 11th century.
The winding galleries and nooks and corners are ideal places of insight meditation since the olden days. Huge monastery compounds with numerous pagodas and temples in different stages of dilapidation are much respected by such ethnic groups as the Shans, Danus and Paos living in the environs of Pindaya.
Overnight in a village monastery or local homestay.
Day 5 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Trekking Tours to Pindaya (B,L,D)
Bike & Trek The Shan Hills – 7 Days / 6 Nights – itineraryWe head onwards early in the morning, passing traditional villages along the way. After lunch, complete the final downhill descent to Pindaya, a quiet town on the banks of the serene Botoloke Lake. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and dinner.
Overnight at Golden Cave Hotel, Pindaya.
Day 6 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Pindaya to Inle Cycling Tours (B,L,D)
A scenic morning ride brings you to the village of Nyaung Shwe, on the banks of the massive Inle Lake. This massive lake is Myanmar’s second largest and home to the Intha people. The Intha’s have lived for years in stilted villages upon the lake, and make their livelihood fishing and growing crops on unique floating gardens. The lake is set in beautiful surrounds, with the mountains providing a beautiful backdrop to the colossal body of water.
Overnight at Paradise Nyaung Shwe Hotel, Nyaung Shwe
Day 7 – Myanmar Biking & Trekking Tour To The Shan Hills: Depart Inle (B,L)
On the final day of your trip you tour the lake by private boat. Admire the floating gardens, wind through stilted villages, watch the famed leg-rowing fishermen of the lake and enjoy a delicious Shan lunch whilst overlooking the tranquil waters.
In the afternoon visit the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda, a local weaving village and a teak monastery where the monk’s have trained resident cat’s to jump through hoops. Upon returning to Nyaung Shwe from your day on the water, your journey will draw to an end.
Include :
- 6 nights accommodation on half twin basis at selected hotel/ at local village monastery (mattress, bed sheets and blanket provided by Exo)
- Meals as indicated in the program
- Entrance fee for the visit mentioned in the program
- All transfers and excursions with private air-conditioned vehicles
- Supporting van/bus (with space for bikes) during the biking trip
- English-speaking local guide for biking & trekking
- Private boat for visits on Inle Lake
- Bike rental
- Porters throughout trekking trip
Exclude :
- Other meals not indicated in the program
- Entrance fees for the sites not mentioned in the program
- Flight to/from Heho
- Other transfer for visits
- Tips & porters at the hotels
- Drinks and Personal expenses
- Any other items not mentioned in the included services
