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Phone: +353 (0)53 22415 Email: info@overlanders.ie Web: www.overlanders.ie

“Myanmar is one of the most magical and undiscovered destinations in the world: a golden land of

breathtaking beauty and charm that is steeped in fascinating history and traditions”

Top Five: Kyaikhto | Naypyidaw | NyaungSchwe (Inle Lake) | Mandalay | Bagan

Key Info Start/finishLocation: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Countries Visited: Thailand & Myanmar

Duaration: 14 Days / 15 Nights

Distance: 3,250km approx

Riding Difficulty: Moderate

Dates: See guided tours calendar

Price: See guided tours calendar One could visit South East Asia on holidays for 10 years and never explore it all. After a number of very successful tours in Northern Thailand we have taken the next step with a tour to Myanmar. Myanmar has been and still is complicated to travel through on a motorcycle and therefore not trafficked much by tourists. With the acquisition of numerous permits and local officials such a trip is now possible and we can’t wait. Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country's largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century.

Myanmar (Burma) (Guided Tour)

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Phone: +353 (0)53 22415 Email: info@overlanders.ie Web: www.overlanders.ie

Included:

All B&B accommodation

Lunch on all riding days

Motorcycle Rental of Honda CB500x, Versys 650 etc.

All Fuel

Support Vehicle

Official Tour Guide (requirement)

Two motorcycle tour guides (One local and one Overlanders)

Licensed Tour Company with all relevant permits. Not included:

Flights

Evening meals

Anything not listed above.

Route Itinerary

Day No. Weekday Date From To Approx. Dist. KM

12-Jan Chiang Mai

1 Saturday 13-Jan Chiang Mai Hpa-An 360

2 Sunday 14-Jan Hpa-An Kyaikhto 120

3 Monday 15-Jan Kyaikhto Naypyidaw 360

4 Tuesday 16-Jan Naypyidaw Nyaung Schwe 240

5 Wednesday 17-Jan Nyaung Schwe Nyaung Schwe 0

6 Thursday 18-Jan Nyaung Schwe Mandalay 250

7 Friday 19-Jan Mandalay Old Bagan 180

8 Saturday 20-Jan Old Bagan Ann 290

9 Sunday 21-Jan Ann Ngapali 225

10 Monday 22-Jan Ngapali Ngapali 0

11 Tuesday 23-Jan Ngapali Yangon 390

12 Wednesday 24-Jan Yangon Yangon 0

13 Thursday 25-Jan Yangon Myawaddy 430

14 Friday 26-Jan Myawaddy Chiang Mai 425

3270

Day 1 – Chiang Mai to Hpa An

With an early start we aim to be at the Myanmar border by lunch time. Whilst having lunch all the border paperwork will be presented by Bo, our expert in getting us smoothly across borders. Estimated border crossing time is circa 1.5 hours. The afternoon will be spent riding through the rolling Myanmar hills and rice plains to Hpa An. Hpa An is a picturesque town with a backpacker feel that sits on the eastern bank of the Thanlwin river, about 270 kilometres east of Yangon. Hpa An is

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Phone: +353 (0)53 22415 Email: info@overlanders.ie Web: www.overlanders.ie

encircled by dramatic karst mountain scenery which juts from the surrounding plains. Many of these mountains contain large and religiously significant caves. Sadly, there has been some open-cast mining in the area, resulting in permanent damage to this unique landscape – but there remains much to enjoy, and the most impressive example is the beautiful, sacred and monolithic Mount Zwegabin, which can be found 16 kilometres south east of Hpa An. Tonight’s hotel is in a lovely location on the banks of the Salaween River.

Day 2 – Hpa An to Kyaikhto / Kingpun

Today brings a pleasant morning of riding to Kyaikhto. Kyaikhto is a small town and popular for its Golden Rock Pagoda. About 160 km from Yangon this mystical Pagoda is about 18ft tall and is built on a huge boulder about 50ft in girth. This boulder is balancing precariously on the edge of 18ft high rock and separated from the mountain edge by a deep chasm over 1100M above sea level. It is indeed an overwhelming sight, how the boulder keeps its balance is beyond comprehension. The afternoon is free to take a roller coaster Ride to the top of the Golden Rock Mountain and visit the amazing Buddhist pilgrimage site with stunning 360 degree views of the countryside.

Our abode tonight is situated at the base of Golden Rock Mountain.

Day 3 – Kyaikhto to Naypyidaw

In store today is some demanding yet exciting riding on one of the busiest roads in Myanmar. Arriving in Naypyidaw mid afternoon allowing plenty of time to visit the new Capital City – a surreal experience. Nay Pyi Taw (pronounced ‘Naypiddaw’, meaning ‘Abode of Kings’,) has been the capital of Myanmar since 2005. A massive and bizarrely empty place, it is a gaudy, multi-lane highway strewn testament to the power of the generals who ruled this country. Gigantic spaces between occasional ministries, government buildings, malls and hotels are one of Nay Pyi Taw’s most striking features, and the city is divided into different ‘zones’, with most foreigner-registered hotels being situated in three hotel zones. Tonight’s hotel is a grand affair with a fabulous swimming pool.

Day 4 – Naypyidaw to Inle Lake (Nyaung Schwe)

Some of the finest mountain views to be had in south east Asia are on offer today as take some incredibly winding roads up through the Shan State. After lunch we will ride up and adjacent to the entire Eastern Side of Inle Lake. The town of Nyaung Shwe is located about five kilometres to the north of Inle Lake. Inle Lake is famous for its floating villages and gardens and the unique way

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Phone: +353 (0)53 22415 Email: info@overlanders.ie Web: www.overlanders.ie

of life of the local Intha people, with their living communities based entirely on the water. The lake, which measures 22 km long by 10 km wide, and sits in a valley between two mountain ranges, feels like a different world to the rest of Myanmar: in villages and towns across the lake, wooden houses are built on stilts and fishermen steer their one-man boats with a characteristic rowing style, wrapping one leg around their oar. Along with fishing, traditional handicrafts are an important part of the local economy, and you will get to see silk weavers and silversmiths plying their trade on the lake. And as with all of Myanmar, religion plays a massive part in local life, and numerous pagodas and monasteries can be found on the lake and its shores. There also are many restaurants dotted around, where you can indulge in their delicious catches of the day.

Day 5 – Rest Day at Inle Lake

You will want to set off early in the morning for your trip on or around Inle Lake. Nyaung Shwe is where you will find the best budget and the most vibrant town atmosphere in the Inle Lake area, with a number of restaurants and bars to enjoy after a day spent on the lake.

Day 6 – Inle Lake to Mandalay

After a relaxing day yesterday exploring all that Inle Lake can offer we set off for another great days riding through the mountains of the Shan State and onwards to Mandalay. The name ‘Mandalay' is perhaps the most evocative of any destination in Myanmar and yet it is a city whose significant charms need to be uncovered. But if you take the time to explore, there is much to be enjoyed, including many temples, monasteries and markets, as well as great street food and panoramic views from Mandalay Hill. Our hotel tonight is in downtown Mandalay, close to the Royal Palace and has a great garden bar and swimming pool.

Day 7 – Mandalay to Bagan

Well rested we head out today for a pleasant ride through the hills of Mandalay, heading for the incredible UNSECO world heritage site of Bagan, thousands of temples that are spread across the plains of Bagan are the most impressive testament to the religious devotion of Myanmar’s people – and rulers – over the centuries. They combine to form one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia and provide views quite unlike anywhere else on earth. We’ll arrive at lunchtime leaving the afternoon free to roam the ancient ruins of the old City. One of the beauties of spending time in what is now officially called the Bagan Archaeological Zone is that, you have the freedom to explore this vast and fascinating area at your own leisure. Bagan is in general more touristy and possibly less of the ‘real Myanmar’ than other parts of the country, but despite obvious sales ploys such as the multitudes of children selling hand-drawn postcards, you will rarely suffer the hard sell – and the locals remain warm and friendly.

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Phone: +353 (0)53 22415 Email: info@overlanders.ie Web: www.overlanders.ie

Day 8 – Bagan to Ann

Today we are heading south out of Bagan and then west into the Rakhine state on what will be some of the most adventurous and exciting twisty roads of our entire trip.

Day 9 – Ann to Ngapali

An easy and pleasant days ride close to the coastline of the Bay of Bengal, heading for Ngapali beaches, Ngapali (pronounced Napally and said to be named after the Italian city of Naples) is Myanmar’s premier beach destination. Located on the Bay of Bengal coast in Rakhine State, its main feature is an idyllic stretch of white sand and palm tree-lined coast, with a number of resorts spread out next to traditional fishing villages. Ngapali is about relaxing and enjoying the sun.

Day 10 – Rest day at Ngapali Beaches

Spend the day soaking up the sun, you will be spoilt for choice with of all of the fantastic seafood restaurants widely available.

Day 11 – Ngapali Beach to Yangon

With a long days riding ahead we head out early heading for Yangon, we head out onto the coast road to Gwa where you will have views of The Bay of Bengal to one side and the Mountains to the other side. We will take on some twisty roads for about seventy kilometres until we drop onto the central plains of Myanmar. Myanmar's largest and most vibrant city, Yangon is a place that many visitors to Myanmar pass by all too quickly. Its historical importance as a trading post means that for centuries it has been home to a fascinating melting pot of ethnicities and religions, and it is host to the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia. Today, it has thriving cultural and social scenes. Tonight's hotel is a majestic affair located on the side of Kandawgyi lake with stunning views across to Schwedagon pagoda.

Day 12 – Rest day in Yangon

Myanmar’s main city with the best nightlife the country has to offer. It’s time to let the hair down and let loose.

Day 13 – Yangon to Myawaddy

Leaving the wild nightlife behind us we head out onto the central plains of Myanmar for a long days ride to the border of Myawaddy. Myawaddy is a dusty town on the Thai border, situated in Karen (Kayin) State. What it lacks in character, it makes up for in practicality and interest, the crossing here currently offers the most convenient over land route between Myanmar and Thailand, being the closest to Mount Kyaiktiyo (the Golden Rock), Hpa An, Mawlamyine and Yangon. The new road which connects Myawaddy with the rest of

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Phone: +353 (0)53 22415 Email: info@overlanders.ie Web: www.overlanders.ie

Myanmar and passes through the beautiful Dawna mountain range. The town of Myawaddy itself is centred around its main road, which runs east-west, it is a direct continuation of the border road that crosses the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge leading to Mae Sot.

Day 14 – Myawaddy to Chiang Mai

With an early start this morning we plan to take the road up along the border of Myanmar via Mae Sariang. Arriving back in Chiang Mai marks the end of our trip. A land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes, a playground for seasoned travelers, a paradise for shoppers and a delight for adventurers. With long, leafy boulevards, Chiang Mai presents an alluring alternative to the Thai capital, Bangkok. Instead of traffic-choked urban sprawl, travelers find a picturesque downtown easily navigated on foot, where the air is clean and the climate mercifully cool.