Essential Cycling tour from Mandalay to Bagan

Cycling is the perfect way to explore Myanmar at your own pace. This 8 days essential cycling tour will take you to the ancient temples from Mandalay to Bagan through the beautiful rural countryside, sample flavorful regional cuisine, chat with local traders, farmers, and artisans.

8 days 7 nights

Myanmar

Cycling Tours

Attractions

Mandalay - Amarapura - Bagan

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Code

MCY2

Overview

Overview
Cycling is the perfect way to explore Myanmar at your own pace. This 8 days essential cycling tour will take you to the ancient temples from Mandalay to Bagan through the beautiful rural countryside, sample flavorful regional cuisine, chat with local traders, farmers, and artisans. Start our trip with the second largest city Mandalay, bike along the Ayerwady River to Sagaing and take a boat trip to Mingun. Next start biking to Monywa and observe historical vestiges, mountainous landscape, and river scenery, villages with cottage industry, monasteries and nunneries along the way. Continue your journey toward to Bagan to visit the ancient capital and bike to Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano with spectacular views and home of the Myanmar guardian Nat’s (spirits). This trip is ready to provide you with everything you need for your journey: bikes, safety gear and any spare supplies you may need. With its panoramic landscapes and fresh clean air, Myanmar is a cyclist’s dream waiting to be discovered

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Cycling to the east part of Mandalay with fantastic ride and the taste of rural life
Cycling along the river and then past Saggaing with its many golden topped Stupas
Passing by villages on the way from Yezagyo to Pakkoku and getting a chance to interact with locals
Climbing up the Popa hill and visit home of the 37 Nats.
Explore around the temples by bike, visit the pagodas and to get some historical context around them

Itinerary

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In the morning, pick up you at the hotel in Mandalay or Mandalay International airport. In the afternoon drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries and visit Mahagandayone monastery, is Myanmar’s best known monastic college complex. This is a teaching monastery where monks and novices learn the Buddhist teachings and scriptures along with meditation and scholastic studies like reading, writing, languages etc. You will have an opportunity to see monks living quarters, school areas, administration buildings and the main dining halls. The monastery is set up with numerous small temples and pagodas along with other facilities including their own primary school, clinic, library, lecture hall, computer room, guest rooms and an ordination hall
The evening, enjoy a walk through 200 years old U Being Wooden Bridge and fantastic sunset over the bridge. The U Bein Bridge is about 1.2km long, lying across the lake Tayngthaman. According to locals, the bridge was built from the wood harvested from the palace in Amarapura, when King Mindon decided to move the capital to Mandalay in 1857. The U Bein Bridge attracts visitors not only because of its structure but also the daily routine of the community living on both sides of the bridge. The bridge was voted as one of the most beautiful sunset views in the world by CNNGo tourism site. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay
Biking distance: None

After breakfast we start cycling to Ava, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. We cycle around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds' eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Although the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, temples and monasteries still remain. We then continue cycling to Sagaing with the first visit to Buddhism University of the area and its highlights: Buddha Cave, Khaungmudaw Stupa if time permits. In the afternoon you will be transferred to a jetty for a private boat across the Ayeywarwaddy River. From here we start our cycling trip to visit Mingun including of Mingun Pagoda, unfinished pagoda which might have been the biggest pagoda in the history of Buddhism, Mingun bell, the world largest ringing bell, and Myatheindan Pagoda. Then take a downstream cruise to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay
Biking distance: 50-65 km

After breakfast at hotel, we will be transfer to the cycling point with car. Then start cycling to Monywa located in the Valley of Chindwin River and a pleasant destination for the visitors. Lunch served at a local restaurant on the way. You can enjoy the local way of life. Late afternoon, arrive at Monywa and enjoy your exciting sightseeing tour to visit to Thanboddhe pagoda with over 500,000 Buddha images, a monumental reclining Buddha image and Boddhi-tataung Pagoda, home to a grove of ancient 1000 banyan trees. Dinner served at a local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Monywa
Biking distance: 50-75 km

After breakfast we start biking to Monywa jetty where we will be crossing Chindwin River by ferry to visit Phoewin cave on the other side of the river. Begin our bike to Shwe Ba Hill and Phowin Taung caves to see the seldom visited 15th Phowin Taung temple complex where more than 450,000 sandstone Buddha’s were carved in the hillsides in caves and tiny niches. Return to Monywa and dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel
Biking distance: 60 km

After breakfast we head south of Monywa, a port city set south of the Chindwin confluence. On the way stop to visit Pakhangyi where one of the oldest ornate teak monasteries is located. Upon arrival in Pakokku, visit the local market, weaving industry, peanut snacks making cottage. Here we will cross newly build bridge over Ayeyarwaddy River. Transfer to your hotel in Bagan and overnight in Bagan
Biking distance: 70 km

Today we will have a full day cycling tour of Bagan with the most fascinating sites. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes NyaungOo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, a famous temple with the ancient religious architecture and sanctuary of Myanmar. The pagoda was constructed under the reign of King Anawrahta, founder of the kingdom of Bagan. This is the first golden pagoda built in Myanmar and is also the prototype for the padoda later. The main chedi of the pagoda is gilded and then placed on a square background, making the temple a solid figure. Especially under the tower hanging many small bells make the temple more prominent and splendid.
We then continue to Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue cycling to to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi-color mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan
Biking distance: 30 km

After breakfast, we will cycle to the Mt Popa. Mount Popa has been a significant part of Myanmar’s culture, religion and history since the earliest times. On the way you can visit the toddy glove and toddy trees how to produce the jiggery sweet and way of lifes in local villages. Lunch served at a local restaurant. Visit the shrine on the top of Mt. Popa and enjoy the spectacular view of Popa. Then cycling back or drive back with car to Bagan and take rest at the hotel for a while. Overnight in Bagan
Biking distance: 50 km

After breakfast, transfer to Bagan airport to flight back Yangon or you can extend another destinations to beach or Inle Region as your delight with optional extension tours.
Biking distance: None

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

Accommodation in a double or twin share room at hotels/local houses/local monasteries with daily breakfast as mentioned in the itinerary
Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
Mountain bikes and helmets
Season fresh fruit & snack during cycling days
Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge
Local boat trip as mentioned

Tour excludes:

Myanmar Visa stamp fee
International airfare and departure taxes
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
Early check in/ late check out
Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
Compulsory Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December
Surcharged for Public holidays
Drinks and meal not mentioned
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
Gratuities/ Tipping
All other services not specified in the itinerary