Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chin States. You'll find plenty of opportunity everywhere for dirt-road and off-road ped-
alling. A sturdy mountain bike would make a good alternative to a touring rig, especially in
the north, where main roads can resemble secondary roads elsewhere.
Some of the key routes around Myanmar:
»
Thazi to Inle Lake via Kalaw
»
Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) to Lashio via Hsipaw
»
Mandalay to Bagan via Myingyan
»
Mandalay to either Monywa, Pyin Oo Lwin, Sagaing, Inwa (Ava) or Amarapura.
November to February is the best time to cycle in terms of the weather.
There are basic bicycle shops in most towns, but they usually have only locally or
Chinese-made parts to equip single-speed bikes. You can also buy lower-quality motor-
cycle helmets here; many are disturbingly adorned with swastikas - a fad, not a political
alliance. Bring reflective clothing and plenty of insurance. Don't ride at night.
Travellers on a bike may end up needing to sleep in towns few travellers make it to, and
a lack of licensed accommodation may be an issue. Technically, you will need permission
from local immigration to stay at such places. Be patient. Most cyclists get permission
from local authorities to stay one night, but the paperwork (coming with some frowns) may
take an hour or so to arrange.
It's possible to store your bicycle in the undercarriage storage on buses, though you
may have to pay a little extra. On smaller buses it's possible you'll be asked to buy a
'seat' for your bike.
Some bike tours connect the dots of Myanmar's greatest hits - going, for example, up
the Pyay highway to Bagan then Mandalay, and back to Yangon via Meiktila and Taun-
goo. It's more rough going, but nicer riding, to reach some mountainous areas, like Inle
Lake.
Recommended tour companies:
Bike World Explores Myanmar
(BWEM; in Yangon 01-527 636;
www.cyclingmyanmar.com
)
Yangon-based company that also sells and rents bikes and
can offer touring advice. It has eight itineraries from easy day trips around Yangon (from
$140) to 10-day adventures in Chin State (from $1128).
Exotissimo
( in Yangon 01-860 4932;
www.exotissimo.com
; 147 Shwegonedine Rd,
Bahan) Runs high-end cycle tours covering Mandalay to Bagan, the Shan Hills and sights
in Mon State.
Spice Roads
( in Bangkok 02-381 7490;
www.spiceroads.com
) Bangkok-based opera-
tion, offering two 14-day itineraries (including eight days of riding) from $2150 per person.
One follows part of the old Burma Road from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay.
