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The day has arrived and it’s finally time for the long-awaited departure to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. Here we meet the rest of our team and the Charity Challenge representative, before saying goodbye to family and friends.
Touching down in Mandalay, the nerves turn to excitement as we disembark the flight and head for our bike fitting. Remember to bring any additional cycling gear you require (such as clip-in pedals and gel seats), as this is the best opportunity to adapt your bike for your comfort before setting off. We will spend the night in a hotel and enjoy our first team dinner together.
After a quick transfer to the small town of Myin Mu, it’s bums on seats for our first day. The road to Monywa is paved and we make plenty of stops to acclimatise, including visits to Thanbodday Temple and Boditahtaung Pagoda. As we head deeper into the countryside, we come face to face with the traditional Burmese way of life. Overnight at a hotel in Monywa.
Transfer to Chaung-U before setting off on our 48km ride, with steep gradients and tougher terrain. Stopping for lunch, you may have the opportunity to rack up some extra kilometres by cycling directly to Pakkoku depending on the time. Otherwise you will be transferred there, for your scenic cruise to Bagan. Then it’s time to transfer to our elevated terrace to watch the sunset. Your reward will be dinner and a comfy bed in a Bagan hotel.
You will need your strength to explore the back roads that lead to Mt. Popa and Taung Kalat, a volcanic plug at 1,518m. It’s a tough uphill climb to the entrance to Mt. Popa, rewarded by dramatic views over the Myingyan Plain. Once here, you will get off your bike and begin the hike up the 770 steps to the summit of Taung Kalat. Following the hike, we transfer to Meiktila for the night.
Take it easy on an enjoyable flat route for the first 40km, before a hilly climb up to undulating terrain. The air gets cooler as we reach 600m – perfect for the series of hills that follow. Lunch is a traditional Burmese affair, before the final push to the charming town of Kalaw. The group will have the opportunity to explore this former British hill station before dinner.
The penultimate day of the challenge begins with a thrilling descent to Aungban, before powering back up into the hills. Cycling around the flat of the Heho Plains, we are led through a series of climbs in the Nyaung Shwe Valley. We stop for a packed lunch as we pass towns and villages, eventually reaching our destination: Nyaung Shwe, just north of Inle Lake.
It’s the final day of the ride and just a picturesque 30kms to the finish line. En route we explore the village of Khaung Daing, crossing canals and pedalling past paddy fields. Then, feeling triumphant, we say goodbye to our bikes and board a private boat across Inle Lake. Sailing down a small canal, we reach an idyllic spot for a picnic. Return for a celebratory meal.
Fly from Heho to Yangon for the final day of the trip. As the hard work is over we indulge in a sightseeing tour of the city, taking in the Shwedagon Pagoda, the country’s most revered Buddhist temple. Built more than 2,500 years ago, this massive temple complex offers breath-taking views and the perfect finale before we transfer to the airport for the flight home.
It’s a poignant time as we arrive back in Britain, happy and proud of our achievements – though sad to say goodbye to new friends and cycling partners.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
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