In November, President Obama traveled to Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, as the first sitting U.S. president to do so. The visit, according to Christian Chumbley, Backroads regional manager of Asia, Pacific and Africa, helps legitimize the democratic process in the country and sends a signal they’re headed in the right direction.
Backroads is giving travelers the opportunity to visit this long closed-off country beginning January of 2013 on the heels of the President’s visit to the country. Long a favorite of Trip Leaders who enjoyed side tours to Myanmar while traveling to neighboring countries, Backroads is excited to finally be able to offer this Myanmar tour to groups looking to discover truly off-the-grid destinations. For the last year, we’ve had many requests to travel to Myanmar and the volume only increased after President Obama’s visit.
We are extremely excited about the itinerary and think you’ll be surprised that Myanmar, also called “the Golden Land,” is such as sunny scenic place. On the bike tour, you’ll participate in an evening candle-lighting tradition at a sacred Buddhist site, travel past 2000 temples and pagodas, hike up 777 steps to the summit of an extinct volcano and visit a cave filled with more than 2,000 Buddha statues and shrines. You also get to interact with its people, many of whom have never met anyone from outside their village, much less their country.
We’ve chosen only our most sought after Trip Leaders to guide you on this Myanmar biking tour. Trip Leader Matt Allen, for example, grew up in the region and lived in what was then Burma for several years with his family as a young man. Matt has been in and out of the country dozens of times and has witnessed firsthand its changes over the last 20 years.
Chuck Bartlet, who comes highly recommended by past guests for his extensive knowledge and above-and-beyond service, has been leading our popular Vietnam biking tour for years along with our India adventure tours and will also be leading the Myanmar tour.
While our January dates are all booked up, we still have room in February and March, but hurry because this bike tour itinerary is filling up fast. This is your chance to explore a country largely undiscovered by outsiders and enjoy its natural charm. “Myanmar’s character has not been all that influenced by travelers and feels really emergent and genuine,” says Chumbley. “There’s something truly authentic about all the villages, towns and people.”
We’re also working on a Myanmar walking/hiking tour for the end of 2013 if you miss this one. Call us today at 800-462-2848 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific to discover Myanmar for yourself!