Page 33 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

GettinG around BASICS 31
to May) when water levels are low and the vessels – But you certainly aren’t limited to short bicycle
particularly the large, heavy iWt ferries – can get excursions, and an increasing number of saddle-
stuck on sand banks. Fares for boat journeys are hardy travellers are cycling all over the country –
quoted throughout the Guide. the mountainous frontier areas in particular are
especially rewarding for cyclists. Several tour
LUXURY RIVER CRUISES operators are now organizing multi-day bicycle
Amara Wamaragroup.net. Offers scheduled trips from Mandalay to tours of the country (see below).
Bhamo aboard a pair of beautiful small teak boats with just 5–7 cabins; in some parts of the country it is also possible to
also available to charter. rent a motorcycle, typically for K8000–40,000 a
Belmond Wvoyagesinmyanmar.com. 2- to 4-night cruises between day plus fuel, depending on bike quality and size.
Mandalay and Bagan aboard the large and lavish Road to Mandalay note that motorcycles have been banned in
riverboat, and from Mandalay up to Bhamo on the old-style Orcaella. central Yangon since 2003 when, rumour has it, a
Pandaw 1947 Wpandaw1947.com. 5- to 10-night cruises north up motorcyclist almost knocked over a senior general.
the Ayeyarwady as far as Bhamo and all the way down to Yangon on a Petrol can be bought at filling stations or, more
luxurious sixteen-berth vessel built in 1947 to the same design as the commonly in the countryside, from stalls set up
original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s steamers. along the roadside selling one-litre bottles. Safety
Princess Pahnwar Wiglucruise.com. 16-night cruises between helmets may be provided, although not always –
Bagan, Mandalay and Yangon. be aware that you can be fined for riding without
Sanctuary Ananda Wsanctuaryretreats.com. One of the most one. Before renting a motorbike, check that
luxurious boats on the river, offering 3- to 11-night cruises from your travel insurance covers you for such activities
Mandalay north to Bhamo and south to Yangon. (see box, p.49).
The Strand Cruise Wthestrandcruise.com. Cruises between Bagan there are numerous hazards for cyclists and
and Mandalay on board a ship run by the same team as the famous motorcyclists: traffic can be very heavy in the
Strand Hotel in Yangon (see p.65), with plenty of luxurious, colonial-style cities, while in rural areas the roads are often in
character. poor condition. adding to these dangers is the
fact that most cars are right-hand drive imports
By car from Japan or thailand even though Myanmar
drives on the right (see p.388), meaning that cars
as yet, self-drive holidays are not really a realistic have large blind spots.
prospect in Myanmar – current laws require that Motorbike touring is relatively new in Myanmar.
foreign drivers get permission from two different Mandalay Motorbike rental (Wwww.mandalay
government departments and have a local driver motorbike.com) organizes group motorcycle tours
on board at all times. red tape aside, at the time as well as rentals, and Southeast asian motorbiking
of writing no international car rental companies site Gt rider (Wgt-rider.com) also has some basic
had a presence in Myanmar, although this will information on riding in the country.
surely change. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to
arrange a car and driver (from around $40 per CYCLING TOUR OPERATORS
day) through your accommodation or a tour Grasshopper Adventures UK T020 8123 8144, US T1 818 921
operator – it’s best to work through the latter if 7101, Australia T03 9016 3172; Wgrasshopperadventures.com.
you want anything more complicated than a Specializing in cycling tours, Grasshopper organizes half-day tours around
day-trip. Straightforward as it may be to find a Bagan and Mandalay, as well as longer trips (6–13 days) around Inle
man with a car, do take care to specify exactly Lake, Bagan and Mandalay.
what is included. useful questions to ask include Myanmar Cycling Tours Myanmar Wwww.myanmarcycling
how much mileage or petrol will be included, tours.com. The local branch of Indochina Bike Tours, this Yangon-based
who will pay for the driver’s food and accommo- company organizes everything from half-day cycling tours of Yangon and
dation and whether you are expected to tip or Mandalay to 18-day countrywide fly-and-cycle tours.
not in addition to the daily rate. Spice Roads Thailand T66 2 381 7490, Wspiceroads.com.
Southeast Asian cycling specialists, Spice Roads offer several multi-day
By bike and motorcycle bike tours of Myanmar, including a great 14-day trip from Bangkok to
Yangon.
Cycling is a brilliant way to explore parts of Veloasia US T1 415 731 4377, Wveloasia.com. Organizing
Myanmar, and bicycle tours of Bagan and Mandalay small-group trips on a single 12-day itinerary that takes in the
are a particular highlight for many visitors. Bikes are “Big Four” sights, this firm also customizes cycling trips for couples
widely available to rent for around K2000 per day. and families.

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