Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
guide - about $20. There's not much in the way of food or drink to buy in the Chin
villages so pack any food and water you'll need.
Mt Victoria (Nat Ma Taung)
The most accessible destination in Chin State is
Mt Victoria (Nat Ma Taung)
, roughly 80
miles west of Bagan. The 10,016ft (3053m) mountain, Myanmar's second highest, stands
amid a 279 sq mile national park and is a prime spot for
birdwatching
. It's best visited in
November when the rhododendron bushes that cover the slopes are in full bloom.
Visiting Mt Victoria is done via Nyaung U, and begins with a eight- to nine-hour jeep
ride on rough roads to Mindat town. From here, options include a short trek to the peak,
followed by camping on Mt Victoria, or staying at a village at the base of the mountain.
From the village on the opposite side of the peak, Kanpetlet, it's a seven- to eight-hour
ride back to Nyaung U.
Permits are no longer required to visit Mt Victoria, but for all intents and purposes, a
guide is, which means that everybody approaches Mt Victoria in a guided tour. A typical
trip to Mt Victoria spans from four to six days, and is generally only possible from ap-
proximately October to May. The cost for two people, including accommodation and
transportation, will run to about $1200.
Several tour agencies have itineraries covering Mt Victoria, including the Yangon-
vehicle and bicycle tours to the area led by experienced guide Mr Saw; and Bike World
Explores Myanmar (
Click here
), with both trekking and cycling tours.
Paletwa & Around
Another generally accessible destination in Chin State is
Paletwa
, a predominately Chin
town on the banks of the Kaladan River, approximately 10 miles west of the border with
Bangladesh.
The countryside surrounding Paletwa is home to traditional Chin villages and a few
still visible remnants of World War II fighting, including bomb craters and even a few
burnt-out tanks. Head upstream another half day and you'll reach
Taung Pro
, an even
more remote, traditional Chin outpost.
Visiting Paletwa takes a minimum of five days, and is best done during the winter,
from approximately November to February. You'll need advance permission from MTT
