Day 1: Arrival in Yangon & Connect to Inle - Biking 10 km ( L, D )

We meet in the domestic terminal of the Yangon Airport at 9 am. Several inbound international flights will get you there in time. The flight and subsequent drive up to Inle take 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 in 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.

Day 2: Bike and Kayak Inle Lake - Biking 25 km ( B, L, D )

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 motor 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 to an early lunch, then after a short rest, we ride up along the east bank to return to the hotel.

Day 3: Transfer & Cycle to Pindaya - Biking 5 Km ( B, L, D )

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.

Day 4: Fly to Mandalay & Climb Mandalay Hill - Biking 25 km ( B, L, D )

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.

Day 5: Cycle Ava & Transfer to Bagan - Biking 25 km ( B, L, D )

Downstream on the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay is Ava, the ruins of a walled city that were 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 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.

Day 6: Cycle to Explore Bagan - Biking 25 km ( B, L, D )

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, and 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 of free time before we board a little boat out on the Irrawaddy River to take in the sunset with snacks and drinks.

Please consider the environment before printing