What is it to be extraordinary? Rudyard Kipling knew. So when he described Burma as "unlike any land you know about," trust him. One hundred years later, his assessment still stands. For nearly 20 years we've been exploring this mysterious and long-cloistered world by bike. Let us show you why we keep coming back to Myanmar. It's the temples. The landscapes. The complex history and diverse culture. The authenticity of the people. How often can you leave the ordinary behind for something truly magical? That's what we thought. Don't forget your memory cards.
Day 1 Soak up sights and sounds of secluded areas rarely seen by outsiders
In bustling Yangon, stroll with a monk through the stunning 6th-century Shwedagon Pagoda Take part in an evening candle-lighting tradition, and soak up the powerful ambience of this sacred Buddhist site, hailed by The New York Times as a "mirage-like mountain of gold."
Days 2-3 Lose yourself amid some 2,000 temples and pagodas in Ancient Bagan,
a place that for many visitors exceeds the wonderment of world-renowned sites like Angkor and Chichen Itza Explore two striking temples with a local archaeologist, then travel by horse-drawn cart to a remote site for a marvelous sunset viewing Cruise by traditional boat up and down the Ayeyarwady River, witnessing farmers tilling fields with oxen right up to the base of ancient ruins They've been doing this for centuries, but you may feel like the very first visitor to come across this site in hundreds of years!
Days 4-5 Enjoy authentic interactions with Burmese who have been yearning for contact with the outside world
Pedal to the gold and glass spires of holy Mount Popa and into the realm of the 37 Burmese nats, powerful animistic spirits Here on this extinct volcano, amid the scampering of resident macaque monkeys, you can tackle the precipitous walk up the 777 steps, perhaps joining local Burmese on pilgrimage to the summit.
Days 6-8 Pedal to heavenly Inle Lake and behold floating gardens, ancient pagodas and entire villages built on stilts
In the valleys and mountains of the Shan State, visit traditional markets and fascinating spiritual enclaves Investigate a cave containing more than 2,000 Buddha statues and shrines, and slurp some unbelievably tasty noodles at a remote mountain monastery Explore Inle Lake by boat, visiting silversmiths, silk weavers and a private home - all set on fixed platforms in the middle of the lake.
Trip Highlights
- Soak up sights and sounds of secluded areas rarely seen by outsiders
- Lose yourself amid some 2,000 temples and pagodas in Ancient Bagan
- Enjoy authentic interactions with Burmese who have been yearning for contact with the outside world
- Pedal to heavenly Inle Lake and behold floating gardens, ancient pagodas and entire villages built on stilts
- Embrace serendipitous moments and unexpected discoveries off the tourist-trod path
Casual Inns
The Strand (1 night): This Leading Hotels of the World member and national landmark property offers luxury, charm and Colonial Victorian style throughout. (spa)
Aureum Palace Hotel (2 nights): This sprawling resort property is among the very best in Bagan, with private villas and a pool that affords stunning views of the pagodas that dot the landscape below. (pool, spa)
Popa Mountain Resort (1 night): Perched on a volcanic peak, this resort offers airy villas surrounded by gardens and lovely views of Taungkalat Monastery below. (pool, spa, golf)
Conqueror Resort (1 night): Situated on 20 acres at the foot of Shwe Oo Min Cave. (pool, spa)
Aureum Resort & Spa (2 nights): Nestled on the edge of the Inle Lake, this resort is the epitome of rest and relaxation. The spacious guestrooms are lavishly decorated and feature whirlpool tubs and private terraces to take in the views. (pool, spa)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
On this trip, we'll be using titanium mountain bikes that are just right for the non-technical dirt road riding as well as the paved riding. (approximately 25% dirt and 75% paved).
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 11/17-24 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1320 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $470
- 12/14-21 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1320 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $470
- 12/23-30 Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1320 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $470
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
2014 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/1-8 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 1/3-10 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 1/21-28 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 1/28-2/4 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 2/6-13 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 2/8-15 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 2/15-22 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 2/24-3/3 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 2/26-3/5 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 3/5-12 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 3/14-21 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
- 3/23-30 Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.), Internal Air: $510
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
After 15 years of traveling through most of Asia, Burma is still my favorite travel experience. Why? It has such a deep and complex history and fascinating culture, yet remains so unknown to most of us. Because of that, every interaction - from visiting ancient ruins to having tea with a local - is revelatory. And for now, at least, it remains its own place. And the people are wonderfully hospitable, too!- Regional Manager for Asia