Hidden Charms of Myanmar – 12 Days

Upon your arrival at Mandalay Airport, you will be picked up and given a briefing of the upcoming tour by our guide. Then, head to Burma Motorbike Tours’ Bike Store to take the bike. After that, enjoy the welcome dinner. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

After breakfast, we are ready to leave Mandalay and start our motorbike adventure to Bagan. 

We will pass through many local villages before making a stop at Nan Daw Kyun village or also known as “The Island of Royal Palace” which is one of the most beautiful villages located on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy river.

Then our motorbike will be loaded in a private boat for a trip to Mingun where is famous for the gigantic and unfinished stupa. Next, our ride continues to Sagaing – an important Burmese Buddhist Center and stop at Myingyan for lunch before heading off to Bagan. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

We will spend this morning exploring the highlights of Bagan by car. After breakfast at hotel, the trip around the extraordinary archaeological site of 3000 temples begins. 

Nyaung Oo colorful market is our first stop where offers a wide variety of local produces. Then, we pay a visit to some of the most important pagodas and temples in Bagan such as Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, Wetkyi Inn Gubyaukgyi with its fine mural paintings of Jataka scenes, Htilominlo Pagoda noted for its plaster curving, Ananda Temple - the best preserved masterpieces of Mon architecture and the Tharaba gate.

Afterwards, we proceed to visit a lacquer ware workshop and then have lunch at a good local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will take an exhilarating bike ride to Mt. Popa which is a stunning extinct volcano standing out as a green - clad landmark in the Dry Zone. Enjoy the scenic view of the surroundings from Popa Mountain Resort during sunset. Overnight stay at hotel in Popa.

Another day of incredible riding adventure begins as you make your way up to the twisty roads of Shan Mountain Range to visit Kalaw. This is an old hill station with laid back atmosphere, refreshing climate, rich ethnic culture and scenic view. Furthermore, numerous original buildings from the colonial era can be found in Kalaw, and this place is also known as Myanmar’s trekking mecca. Upon arrival in Kalaw, check in hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Kalaw.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Then, we start riding around Kalaw, located on the western edge of the Shan Hills at an elevation of 4,356 feet, Kalaw was built as a hill station during the British colonial period. 

The climate here is very pleasant and in spring and summer, the roads around the town are lined with thickly flowering crocus. Having cool temperatures and scenic countryside landscape inhabited by ethnic hill tribe villages, makes this area the most popular part of the country to explore the hidden tribes of Shan Plateau by two wheels. As you are back to Kalaw in the afternoon, relax and the rest of the day is yours to spare.

A fantastic day lies ahead with a ride through the amazing Shan Mountains’ trails where to contemplate the incredible scenery, meet the friendly locals and wave to the children who get excited whenever you pass by. 

Next, we will ride through some lesser – known villages and stop at one to interact with local people. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a village on the way ride to Inle Lake. Upon arrival in Nyaung Shwe, you will check in at the hotel then you are free to discover the town on your own.

Today, we ride to Loikaw through 165 km on the roads of Sagar - a quaint village dramatized by the Shan Plateau amid great mountain ranges near Inle Lake. The ride takes around 5 hours.

Loikaw is one of the untouched corners of Myanmar where you will feel the pristine nature and interact with authentic tribal people.  Upon arrival in Loikaw, check in at the hotel and overnight stay at the hotel in Loikaw.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, we start riding around Loikaw at an elevation of 3,500feet. Blessed with a pleasant climate, beautiful scenery and rich folk culture, Loikaw becomes one of the most popular places in Myanmar for motorcycling exploring the local hill tribes. Two of the most significant groups are Kayah and Padaung or also known as the long – necked women tribe.

Back in Loikaw in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Loikaw.

We leave the little town of Loikaw and head to Pindaya located in the Southern Shan State. Back to the main highway with so many twists and turns then, travel to the quite roads of remote villages to feel and see the different and unique scenery of Shan Plateau. When we arrive in Pindaya, continue ride up to the village hilltop monastery where we will spend a night in.

Have your breakfast at the village monastery. Then, we take a walk around Pa -Laung Village (Ya Sa Kyi Village) to interact with local people before our motorbike journey continues to Ywar Ngan – a lesser – known place in Shan State. It will take one and a half hour ride to Ywar Ngan from Pindaya through the colorful cultivation fields and local villages. 

Upon arrival in Ywar Ngan, we will have a lunch break. Afterwards, our off - road motorbike journey around Ywar Ngan begins. 

First, we ride pass the villages where no other go and then, ride through the orange plantation and an undiscovered waterfall. The temperature in this area is perfect for motorcycling. Before the sun goes down, we will head back to Ywar Ngan and overnight stay at hotel in Ywar Ngan.

On this day, drive down to Mandalay and return your bike to the bike store of Burma Motorbike Tours. Enjoy a farewell dinner at local BBQ restaurant in Mandalay. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

You are free to relax until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.