Southmost Myanmar Cycling Challenge

📍 Transfer from the airport to hotel: up to 1 hour

Upon arrival meet our representative and transfer to hotel for check in. There should be time to freshen up before we venture out for our evening activity.

In the early evening, we head to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered.

Welcoming Dinner will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Total Transfer Time: 3-4 hours Cycling distance up to: 30km Elevation: +278 m / -252 m Difficulty: Medium

After breakfast, we will transfer to Bago, which is located 80kms to the northeast of Yangon, and served as the capital of the Mon Kingdom of Lower Myanmar during the 15th century. Our short visit to Bago begins at Shwethalyaung Temple which houses a beautiful 55-meter long reclining Buddha.  Continue to the Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar and whose 114 meter spire is taller than the one at Shwedagon Pagoda.

We continue our transfer to a tiny town Moke Pa Lin in the Mon State, where is our starting point to rock offroads to Golden Rock. From here we change to pedal power and enjoy the Burmese countryside as your surroundings alternate from small plantations and tiny villages where no tourists go.

We enjoy a local lunch along the way.

Then in the afternoon, we will reach the town of Kinpun, also known as ‘basecamp’ for the journey to the Golden Rock. From the base of the mountain we will be transported by a local, open-air truck along a winding road for around 45 minutes and dropped off near the top before continuing on foot to Golden Rock.

A huge boulder covered by over 60 tons of gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, Golden Rock is one of Myanmar's main pilgrimage sites.  The pagoda here is said to hold a hair of the Buddha and Buddhists from across the country come here to pay homage. 

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling distance: up to 54 km Elevation: +333 m / -297 m Difficulty: Medium Transfer time: 2 hours

This morning there is the option to visit the Golden Rock again to see the rising sun and cast its rays upon the rock. Local pilgrims gather by the rock to make offerings in the solitude of the morning. Then, return to base camp by foot and open-air truck.

Today, we will start our ride on country road from the base-camp until a small town of Belin. On the way, we will make a stop at Kyaikhtisaung Pagoda lies on Mya Oo Mountain. This pagoda was built around 2,600 years ago and made with only laterite soil.

From Belin, we will take a transfer to Hpa An for our today overnight. Just before our arrival, we visit Kawgun Cave which is only two miles from Hpa An township. It is a natural lime stone cave and measures 200 feet high and 300 feet in length. Inside the cave there are thousands of Buddha images of various sizes and shapes in ancient styles, carved out of the stone.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Hpa An.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling distance: up to 78 km Elevation: +372 m / -373 m Difficulty: Medium

Set off with the bikes to Lumbini Garden, home of a thousand of Buddha Images located at the base of Mt. Zwekabin, this uniquely-shaped mountain is important for local Karen people. Next up is Kyauk Kalatt Pagoda, which is built on layers of natural rock formations and Flanked by a Lake. The scenery guarantees a great photo opportunity. Then, we ride to Saddan Cave for some exploration, a natural cave that can be traversed by a 20 minute walk through a long dark tunnel (there is Electricity) until we reach the light of day. From the exit we take a short canoe ride passing under a stone cave and amongst endless paddy fields surrounded by lush landscape.

Finally, we will continue to our next destination Mawlamyaing, the first capital of British Burma between 1827 and 1852. Once known as Moulemein, as written by Rudyard Kipling in his poem Mandalay, the city still retains some of the atmosphere of the colonial times. En-route, we will take a short rest at Kawhnat-Kadoe village, home of U Nar Ouk. During the colonial times, U Nar Ouk ran a local ferry boat company that fell into competition with the famed Ayeyarwaddy Flotila group. A price-war ensued, resulting in free ferry travel for all locals. This business tale is famous in Myanmar and still taught in the text books of all primary school children. Then visit a monastery built and donated by U Nar Ouk, where you still can see many ancient arts and crafts for decoration.

In the afternoon, we will arrive in Mawlamyine and proceed to the beautiful Seindon Mibaya, a wooden monastery over 100 years old. Continue to Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, the city's tallest and the nearby viewpoint to enjoy beautiful sunset views over the harbor and across the River. And finally, we will explore Mahamuni Pagoda, built in traditional Mon-style before we check in to the hotel.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Mawlamyine.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling distance: up to 77 km Elevation: +449 m / -447 m Difficulty: Medium Transfer time: 2 hours

Today, we continue our journey to Ye by riding on the beautiful country road. We will make a stop at Win Sein Taw Ya where the largest reclining Buddha exists. Then, we continue our ride to Thanphyuzayat to visit the Allied War Cemetery. This beautifully-landscaped, peaceful area is the final resting place for more than thousands of Allied Soldiers who perished during the World War II campaign in Myanmar.

From there, load our bikes on the truck, rest our legs and relax on the transferring coach to Ye. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and leisure for this evening.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Ye.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling distance: up to 86 km Elevation: +770 m / -752 m Difficulty: Hard

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. We have the chance to stroll through the busy morning market of Ye located close to the river before we hit the road.

Another long ride today as we continue our riding to the capital of Southern Myanmar, Dawei. The journey takes us on unpaved roads and across a stunning mountain range which divides the Mon and the Tanintharyi State, the hills are dotted with white and golden pagodas. The long ride will finish in Kalain Aung and climb a hill to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the area. Then shuttle to Dawei for 90 min.

In the late afternoon we arrive to Dawei and transfer to the hotel.

Dawei, the capital of Thanitaryi division in the south of Myanmar. It was also known as Tavoy in colonial times. Dawei was one of the first cities settled by the English after the first of the three Anglo-Burmese wars, as a result the town has a long history with interesting architecture from the colonial era.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Dawei.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling distance: up to 50 km Difficulty: Medium Transfer time: 30 minutes

Once we’re fully fueled up, we will start our ride across Dawei River to a local beach!

Along the way we visit a rubber plantation which is one of the area’s major industries. We’ll visit San Maria Beach and the nearby Myaw Yit Pagoda which is connected by a bridge to the mainland. We then ride to a Maungmagan beach to enjoy another breathtaking sunset over the Andaman Sea while drinking a refreshing cocktail (own expense). 

In the evening we will be transferred to Dawei.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Dawei.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer time: Dawei to Lounglon: 1 hour Transfer time: Myin Khwar Awe to Dawai: 2 hours Cycling distance: up to 56 km Elevation: +510 m / -524 m Difficulty: Medium

Today, we explore the downtown area and all its elegant colonial buildings. We will stroll through the main busy market of Dawei where they sell a wide array of products. Then take about an hour drive to our starting point, Launglon Township.

Now, it’s time to start our cycling trip for the day riding in a southwest direction towards Myin Khwar Awe (horse shoe bay). Dawei Peninsula juts out into Andaman Sea, with its only village known as Kyat Hlut.

Myin Khwar Awe Beach boasts clean and clear aqua blue water lapping onto a white sand bay and surrounded by coconut jungle. Cycling to the beach will take about 4 hours on a half paved road through beautiful landscape. At times we cycle by the cliffs with stunning views of Dawei River gulf and the mountains. Along the way there are many local villages where we can make short stops for drinks and snacks. Next up is Shin Maw Pagoda where, for those that are interested, we can get blessed for future good luck and then enjoy the stunning color play a magnificent sunset over the Andaman Sea.

We then, drive back to Dawei in the evening.

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Dawei.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer to airport: up to 1 ½ hours

Today after breakfast, transfer to airport for our flight back to Yangon.

Upon arrival in Yangon we transfer downtown to have lunch followed by a visit to Bogyoke Market which is famously known as Scott’s Market, where there’s time to browse among the dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods. (The market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

Celebrate farewell dinner at Monsoon Restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer to airport: up to 1 hour

Free time before being transferred to the airport for our flight back home.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast