Burma Adventure by Bike, 14 Days, Cycling Myanmar

With plenty of flat picturesque landscapes mixed throughout the low hills and one or two tough slopes we’ll ride, the Burma bike tour route is a great mix for both experienced and novice cyclists. Journey off-road amid peaceful pine trees and stunning countryside. And challenge yourself to the gentle 10 km gradient up to the limestone caves of Pindaya to view over 9,000 Buddhas.

Yet, the Burma adventure by bike is so much more than just cycling, it’s an opportunity to visit the many wonderful sights this country has to offer. Take in Asia’s longest teak bridge, the famous U Bein bridge, and hear the clear ring of the world’s largest bell at Mingun Pahtodawgyi. Admire the talented Intha fishermen, who famously row their boats with one leg, and enjoy Burmese hospitality as we cruise the Irrawaddy River. All this and so much more.

Burma Bike Tour Details

On this Burma bike tour we’re using mountain bikes, where we cycle 498 km on country lanes and quiet roads. Though 80% of our riding will be on tarmac, the road can be in poor condition in spots. We take some dirt roads, but these are not technical; they are just to take you off the beaten track.

The first few days of riding are up and down the Shan plateau, but the gradient is very gentle. We will pass through many villages, and you will find the people curious, friendly, and polite. We share the road with ox carts, cyclists, and waving children. The second phase of the tour are flat rides or on gentle rolling hills and cut through rice fields, ancient cities, and scenic countryside. The averagely fit cyclist will have no problems.

The trip is fully supported; an air-conditioned bus follows us for the entire journey, so exhausted riders can skip the tougher sections if they wish. On major roads, riders can find their own pace and meet up at prearranged points along the way. There is an unbelievable amount to see throughout the tour, and we stop frequently to view temples, rural scenes (especially if riding during rice harvest), and villages.

Is This Burma Bike Tour Suitable for Me?

This Burma bike tour is a touring bike journey suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. There are some long rides, and one or two tough climbs; participants who cycle the whole distance should expect a fairly challenging two weeks. But with the excellent support, inexperienced riders, and even non-riding partners, can be catered for and are more than welcome to join this tour.

Biking Conditions

Although the Burma bike tour covers around 498 km in 7 full cycling days and 3 half days, it is still quite demanding. This trip has a variety of roads, some in quite good condition to broken tarmac roads, to vehicle-wide dirt trails. There is no technical riding on this trip, but there are some long days.

Bikes

Because some people can’t imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of the Burma cycling tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. The bikes are Trek mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, disc/v-brakes, and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, in good mechanical order.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader for the Burma bike tour is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

Health

Recommended vaccinations include typhoid, polio, tetanus and Hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required if arriving from an infected area within the prior six days. Some areas of Burma may be considered malarial areas. Please check with your doctor prior to departure for the most recent information.

Weather

Myanmar has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27 and 40˚C, and with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to September, but temperatures are slightly lower, because of the effect of the rain. The cooler season (particularly in the mountains) is from September to February, with average temperatures between 20 and 30˚C. It will be much cooler at night in the hills in Shan state, where we spend 2 nights, and adequate cold weather clothing – gloves, hats, jacket – is advised.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local dishes and feature noodles, rice, curries and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price. Beer is freely available everywhere, but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

We do not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps £10, for incidentals. It is customary to tip local tour guides and drivers, however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. As a general guide we suggest£3-4 per person per day is appropriate.

Money

Burma’s everyday currency is the kyat. The kyat is used to cover buying small items, bottle of water or a snack, while dollars are used for everything else and the euro is also increasingly being accepted. The exchange rate in Yangon is generally better than upcountry. ATMs from CB Bank and KBZ Bank are available in Yangon and Mandalay. There is a 5000 kyat service fee and the maximum withdrawal is 300,000 kyats. Credit cards are only accepted in some upscale restaurants and some hotels do accept credit cards (surcharge of 3-8%) but it is not recommended to rely on this service as the Internet often shuts down during the day making payment by card impossible. Travellers Checks currently CANNOT be used or exchanged in Myanmar.

Burma Cycling Tour Key Facts