Overview
A family cycling adventure through the exciting country of Myanmar, this excursion is a great way for the whole family to get to know the country.
Starting with an exploration of the beautiful Inle Lake, we cycle through the highlands of the Shan state, concluding at the mystical plains of Bagan. The trip has a great deal of scenic diversity and a range of fun activities, including light kayaking, biking, walking, boating and even a scavenger hunt to add to the excitement. We pack a lot into seven days, but you'll never feel rushed on this trip. It's all about balance and keeping the kids engaged as you discover the wonders of Myanmar on two wheels.
115 Km riding. This tour is all about achievable fun on a bike. We use the bike to get closer to the real Myanmar and in doing so, get some exercise and fresh air. The stops are frequent and we are sensitive to the abilities and needs of younger kids. We have sufficient support staff on board to cater for a range of ages and abilities within one group and we always aim to ride during the cooler part of the day. The riding itself is generally on unpaved backroads and trails. We aim to avoid traffic and for the most part are highly successful in doing so. Where we do encounter vehicles they are usually traveling at the same pace as bicycles as they are likely either motor scooters or tractors. There is a little riding in sand, but your guide will provide some tutorial on technique for handling that and once you get the hang of it, it won't even be an issue.
Please Note - This tour is intended for families only. It is possible for us to schedule a private session of the same tour for adults, on request, at a nominal surcharge.
Highlights
Cycle around Inle Lake before hopping into kayaks to explore floating villages and gardens.
Pedal scenic rolling hills into the valley of Pindaya to visit the storied Golden Cave filled with Buddha statues.
As you climb Mandalay Hill for some pleasant views, complete a scavenger hunt that will be fun for the whole family.
Explore the other-worldly Bagan plain by bike as you visit its many pagodas before a sunset boat ride.
Day to Day
We meet in the domestic terminal of the Yangon Airport at 9am. There are a number of inbound international flights that will get you there in time. The flight and subsequent drive up to Inle takes around two hours, so by 1 pm, we'll be enjoying our first Myanmar meal before we try out the bikes. In the late afternoon, we take a ride of the countryside surrounding the town of Nyaung Shwe to see what the locals are up to. There is always lots happening and often we encounter some snack vendors, selling freshly made treats. This is a great introduction to Myanmar. We conclude back at the hotel to enjoy a delicious dinner.
A great day of adventure awaits! We set out while there is still a little mist on top of the hills around the lake and as the markets are still in full swing. We ride around the lake on a quiet road that hugs the shore. In the first sizeable village, we find our kayaks and while the bikes are motored away on a boat, we kayak peacefully through the stilt villages and floating gardens. It is a really lovely experience and instead of chugging through people's front yards, we glide through, eliciting giggles from the locals. If the rotating market roster permits, we can stop and visit a bustling local market that sets up in a different location each day and we might even visit the Burmese Cat House. We paddle all the way to an early lunch, then after a short rest, we ride up along the east bank to return to the hotel.
After breakfast, we will say farewell to Inle and drive up the winding mountain road to exit the valley. Up in the hills, the landscape feels quite different with rolling fields off into the distance and farmers working them with cattle and traditional plows. We find a quiet place to set up and then enjoy a scenic ride on rolling hills, on a mostly downward trend, into the next valley where Pindaya sits. This is not a well-known town, but it is in a lovely position at the foot of limestone cliffs, set by a lake. After checking into our accommodation, we can visit the town's main attraction, the Golden Cave, where hundreds of Buddha statues occupy this extensive cave and where something of a fairy tale is set, involving princesses in distress, giant spiders and a savior prince.
We make an early start with a breakfast box, as we have a 45-minute drive to the airport for a short flight to Mandalay. Arriving late morning, we check into the hotel that sits next to Mandalay Hill and is named after the same. Lunch is had nearby and as the afternoon cools down a little, we set out on foot.
Climbing the hill is a popular activity with locals for their afternoon exercise and tourists for the hilltop view. We are going to add a dimension by completing a scavenger hunt along the way. We'll learn a bit about Theravada Buddhism and also some Mandalay History as the town begins to reveal itself through our climb. Cold drinks and prizes await us at the top of the hill as well as some great views. As the sun sets, we'll pile into the car for the trip back down.
Downstream on the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay is Ava, the ruins of a walled city that was the seat of power for Burmese regimes between the 14th and 19th centuries. Today, it is almost like a large, walled garden with a few ruins still remaining. It is a charming place for a bike ride on traffic-less backroads and trails where we enjoy some shade and get to stop and chat with local villagers. We'll park our bikes along the way to see a few village industries like copper bowl making and mat weaving as well as some more food-related stops. It is a full and fun morning of pedaling, learning and eating, so when it is time to take the 3.5 hour drive to Bagan, you will be more than ready for some relaxing time in the van.
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 cycle to the four most remarkable temples: Shwezigon, Sulamani, Htilominlo, Dhammayazika. Don't worry about getting "templed out", these structures are amazing and while the adults might like to hear the full story, the kids will find lots of interest in clambering around the grounds and interiors. In the late morning, we find a shady tree to enjoy lunch under and then have an afternoon for free time before we board a little boat out on the Irrawaddy River to take in the sunset with snacks and drinks.
On this last ride of the tour, we don't visit any temples. Our focus is more on the villages and what the villagers are making for a cultural experience. We cycle over to Nyaung U, the main commercial area of Bagan, and stop in on some village workshops and factories. Here we are among a collection of British colonial-era buildings that are still quite intact. We take a short ride on the local style rickshaw to explore the busier areas, then head back to the hotel by car for a shower. Check out time is extended just slightly and the tour concludes with lunch. From Bagan, flights to Yangon are relatively frequent as are those to the coast and Ngapali Beach. Please feel free to inquire at the time of booking about onward travel plans which are best made well in advance.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
As we’ve created this cycling tour itinerary with families in mind, this trip is packed with cultural exploration, scenic rides and a bunch of fun activities, including kayaking and a scavenger hunt. This is the ideal way to explore Myanmar as a family, taking in some of its highlights along with off-the-beaten-track countryside and villages for a more in-depth look at this fascinating country. Rest assured knowing that we’ve taken care of all of the small details, choosing accommodations that are happy to have kids around and planning out the best route that will keep everyone engaged and comfortable on the bikes.
