Overview
Cycle tour these two significant Burmese cities on a three-day adventure from Mandalay to Bagan. On a map, the start and finish points of this ride don't appear far apart, but geography alone cannot explain the significance of Mandalay and Bagan. From the 9th to 13th centuries, Bagan was the center of the Kingdom Of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify regions that would later form modern Myanmar. Mandalay was the last royal seat of power in the country before the British took control and is now a bustling, commercial city.
The territory between the two locations is the subject of this tour, and for good reason. We ride some really lovely landscapes as we pass through the Ancient Court Of Ava, along the Irrawaddy River and stay a night in enchanting Mount Popa. Quiet back-roads, palm trees and friendly villagers working the fields are the images that await you on this compact, achievable and highly enjoyable tour.
Traveling in a group of 6 or more people? Contact our team about special group pricing for our on-request tours.
194 Km riding. The terrain is a mix of sealed and unsealed roads on secondary roads and quiet country lanes. We aim wherever possible to be away from main roads with traffic and have adjusted the itinerary over time to achieve this. There is only one sustained climb over the trip, and the length of this is around 6km split into two sections with a fairly flat bit in between. It is important to understand that you must be comfortable with riding on rough surfaces. The dirt trails do feature holes, gravel, sand and other obstacles, while the roads are often potholed. There is always a support vehicle on hand to give you a lift if you need a break from the riding.
Highlights
Stay in a resort overlooking the Taung Kalat temple, where you will have the chance to explore and learn about Nat spirits.
Cycle through a weaving town and dry zone villages and pass temples, monasteries and nunneries.
Immerse yourself in Burmese culture with snacks at a traditional tea house and wander a local market.
Photograph some stunning views as you cycle uphill to Mount Popa.
Day to Day
We transfer a short way out of town this morning, then hop on the bikes to ride the back trails of the Mandalay region. We pass by ruined pagodas dating back to the heyday of Ava and we discover a weaving village that is home to the descendants of Mayor U Bein who built the longest teakwood bridge in the world. We continue across the river to Sagaing, the center of Buddhism in Myanmar, and ride amid the numerous pagodas, monasteries and nunneries. This is an interesting glimpse of Burmese culture. We have lunch before driving onto Myingyan, a small town of little note, but perfectly located for us to break our journey for the night.
A pleasant ride takes us through the dry zone, terrain that is markedly different from the rest of Myanmar. We pass small villages along the way and as the day progresses, the gently rolling hills become more pronounced. As we cycle past the last of the flat fields, we find Mount Popa and a sharp, but relatively short climb to the lovely resort with its pool perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking the Taung Kalat temple. You’re rewarded for your efforts with stunning views of the greenery down below. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit Taung Kalat and hear the stories of the 37 Nats - spirits who call this place home.
A flying downhill starts us off into the valley and onto Kyauk Padaung. After parking our bikes at the local tea house for snacks, we will look through the produce market before riding onto Bagan. As we cycle in, the red bricks of the pagodas come into view and there are more and more of them as we near the city. The tour concludes on arrival at your hotel.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
We’ve carefully crafted this itinerary in order to take you off the beaten path to explore a part of Myanmar you otherwise wouldn’t discover. This three-day trip complements our tours in Bagan, or your own travel exploring this region of Myanmar. Cycle hidden paths through small villages that rarely, if ever, see foreigners and take in plenty of cultural stops along the way. Our expert guides are full of knowledge and will look after your comfort and safety for the duration of the tour, ensuring you have a premium tour experience. Enjoy fun cycling and a great itinerary on your bike exploration of Mandalay and Bagan.
