Cycling around Myanmar (Burma)

Outside the major cities, bicycles are a trendy method for locals to go around and can easily be hired around the land by visitors.

Myanmar

Around Town

At popular tourist spots in Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake you will see'bike rental'signs; rates start at K2000 each day; top-end hotels and occasionally more far-flung places charge up to K4000. Most guesthouses in these places keep a few bikes handy; in any other case, staff can track one down. Note the health of the bike before employing; examine the brakes and pedals in particular. Many rental bikes have baskets or bells, but don't expect an accident helmet!

Sturdier Indian, Chinese or Thai imports are available (from K100,000) if you would rather buy one. Some tours provide bikes, therefore you may be able to rent better made ones from agents (eg EXO Travel in New Bagan).

Other than in Yangon and Mandalay, vehicular traffic is quite light.

Long Distance

A handful of visitors bring their own touring bikes into Myanmar. There ought not to be any risk with customs provided that you make the right declarations upon entering the country.

Gradients are moderate in many elements of Myanmar which are offered to tourism. Frontier regions, conversely, are often mountainous, particularly Shan, Kayin, Kayah and Chin states. You'll find a good amount of opportunity everywhere for dirt-road and off-road pedalling. A sturdy bike will make a good option into a touring rig, especially in its northern border, where main roads can resemble secondary roads elsewhere.

Burma

Many 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 with the idea to Monywa, Pyin Oo Lwin, Sagaing, Inwa (Ava) or Amarapura

November to February is the best time to cycle due to the weather.

There are actually basic bicycle shops in most towns, however they usually have locally or Chinese-made parts to equip single-speed bikes. A lower quality motorcycle helmets here; nearly everyone is disturbingly adorned with swastikas – a fad, not really a political alliance. Bring reflective clothing and many insurance. Don't ride at night.

Travellers with a bike may turn out needing to sleep in towns few travellers arrive at, and an absence of licensed accommodation could possibly be an issue. Technically, you'll need permission from local immigration to live at such places. Be patient. Most cyclists get permission from local authorities to live one night, though the paperwork (coming with a bit of frowns) could take a couple of hours to arrange.

You can store your bicycle in the undercarriage storage on buses, though you may have to pay slightly extra. On smaller buses it's possible you'll be asked to purchase a'seat'on your bike.

Some bike tours connect the dots of Myanmar's greatest hits – going, by way of example, up the Pyay highway to Bagan then Mandalay, and back to Yangon via Meiktila and Taungoo. It's rougher going, but nicer riding, to achieve some mountainous areas, like Inle Lake.

Recommended tour companies:

Myanmar Cycling Tours: Indochina Cycling Tour is focusing on package and customized tours, Classic, Cycling tours,Adventures, Trekking, cruise tours… for travelers to Vietnam, Laos Cambodia and ThaiLand

Bike World Explores Myanmar Yangon-based company that sells and rents bikes and might offer touring advice. There are several itineraries from 72 hours of biking around Yangon (from US$450 minimum two people) to longer adventures heading out of Bagan into Chin State.

EXO Travel Runs high-end cycle tours covering Mandalay to Bagan, the Shan Hills and sights in Mon State.

Spice Roads Bangkok-based operation, offering five different itineraries, including to be able to cycle from Bangkok to Yangon over 14 days (from US$3595 per person). Another tour follows area of the old Burma Road from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay.

Think Asia Travel & Tours Yangon-based agency offering bike tours at Inle Lake, Kalaw and Mandalay.

Unchartered Horizons Along with its great half- and full-day cycling tours around Yangon, this Yangon-based company runs adventurous biking and trekking tours in Chin, Rakhine and Shan states.