Vietnam

Land of the Rising Dragon

Trekking in the Chin State

Private Tour

Starting from $1799 pp

Overview

Chin State

If you want to experience one of the most incredible trekking and cultural opportunities available in Asia then look no further. Trekking in the Chin State is just magical; even if you are not a big walker this trip is hard to ignore. Apart from the incredible countryside, clean air and the feeling that you are escaping the world the interaction with the Chin people on this tour creates a very special experience. The tour is also a photographer’s dream!

This magical getaway has been secretly developed by the Asia For Expats team for the past 3 years now. We understand there needs to be a balance between the number of tourists and the effect we are having on the local minorities. Unfortunately, a government initiative to build a road closer to these minorities may do more harm than good, which potentially means we need to be even more respectful when visiting.

As well as spending 3 wonderful days in the hills. You also get to see the mesmerising temples in Bagan and get a glimpse of city life in Yangon. This makes for the most memorable time away in Myanmar, it will leave you yearning for more.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1: Arrive Yangon & Shwedagon Pagoda

On arrival in Yangon you will be met by an Asia for Expats representative and transferred to your hotel. In the late afternoon you will enjoy an introduction to Myanmar by visiting the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda, a stunning gold stupa which symbolises the heart of Buddhist Myanmar.

Day 2: Yangon to Bagan (Bagan Temple Tour)

After a short flight you will start your Bagan temple tour by first exploring the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda (Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine). From here you’ll visit the 12th Century Cave Temple and Htilominlo, continuing to the Ananda Temple – a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture. In the afternoon, you take a horse cart tour through the Tharaba Gateway and to Shwegugyi, the tallest of all temples, measuring 61 meters and dating back to 1144.

*(B)

Day 3: Bagan to Mindat

Today the real adventure begins as you take a ferry across the Irrawaddy River to Let Pan Che. From here you will travel on the dusty roads through the Pontaung mountain ranges to Mindat, the administrative town for southern Chin State. You will see the topography of the region change and become more rural as you travel deeper into the area.

*(B)

Day 4: Mindat to Kyar Do and Aye Sakan

After breakfast we continue to Che Chaung to start your hike to the Chin settlement villages and observe the daily lives of these remote tribes. The Chin women are famous for wearing various patterns of tattoo on their face and attractive amber necklaces. Their houses are decorated with animal skulls and sacrificial posts which is the symbol of wealth and success. After a packed lunch at a village we’ll continuing the trek to Aye Sakan where you will enjoy dinner and accommodation at a local home.

*(B, L, D)

Day 5: Aye Sakan to Kampelet (Mount Victoria)

After breakfast you will visit a village where an ironsmith has been producing Chin tribal equipment for several decades. After that we drive uphill through the national park amongst large oak trees and laurels which later change into rhododendron bushes. Once at the base of Mount Victoria you trek up to enjoy the panoramic views and a picnic lunch before heading back and continue to the British hillside town of Kampelet.

*(B, L, D)

Day 6: Kampelet to Bagan

Today you will depart Kampelet and travel to Bagan. Start by driving down through the Chin Hills to the lowlands where you will feel the weather warming up again. Continuing along dusty roads and local villages until arriving in Saw, a thriving village with rich cultivation due to the Saw and Yaw creeks which flow all year around. After lunch you continue your drive to Kazunma, a paradise for birders. Once in Bagan you are free to relax after the exciting journey and your Chin State adventure.

*(B, L, D)

Day 7: Bagan to Yangon and Depart Yangon

Today you catch a flight back to Yangon and then your international departure back home.

*(B)

Activities

Activities in Yangon

Sunset Tour of the Shwedagon Sunset Tour of Shwedagon Pagoda
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: from 2 hours
Start with a visit to the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to see the huge reclining Buddha. Continue to the beatiful Lake Kandawgyi before arriving to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the ‘heart’ of Buddhist Myanmar.

Train and Rural Expereince Tour (Half Day) Train and Rural Experience Tour (Half Day)
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: 4 hours
From Yangon’s Central Railway Station take a circle train from downtown and out into the suburbs. An hour’s journey out of the city brings you to Insein, where you can explore the area before continuing to Bogyoke Market. Here you can find a wide array of souvenir and gem stalls.

Yangon City Tour (Half Day)
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: 4 hours
Visit Sule Pagoda, the Independence Monument, Central Telegraph Office, High Court, Custom House and Strand Hotel. During the tour you will get an insight into the history of Yangon and Myanmar. The tour ends with a visit to the Bogyoke Market to see Myanmar’s wide range of handicrafts and for a spot of shopping.

Yangon City Tour (Full Day)

Yangon City Tour (Full Day)
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: from 6 hours
Starting at Nanthida Jetty and following the course of the Yangon River, you’ll visit the harbour area, Pansodan Street, the High Court and General Telegraph Office. You will also visit the Independence Monument, St Mary’s Cathedral, Botataung Pagoda, Bogyoke Market and the the famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

Twante Day Trip with Ferry Cruise
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: from 6 hours
Travel from Nanthida to the Dala Jetty before continuing to Twante town. On arrival you will enjoy a sightseeing tour by trishaw or horse cart. Visit the Shwesandaw pagoda and local market as well as stopping at a pottery workshop.

Sunset River Cruise
Minimum Number: 2 People
Duration: from 2 hours
Discover Yangon’s waterways and landscapes that lie along the banks of the Yangon River on the Sunset Cruise. Observe the Lighthouse of the Twante Canal, see the Shwedagon Pagoda from a different perspective and enjoy the amazing glow of lights along the river banks as the sun gently sinks below the horizon.

Activities in Bagan

Bagan Full Day Temple Tour
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: 8 hours
Visit Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine and continue to the ‘Cave’ Temple. Explore Htilominlo and Ananda Temples before taking a horse-cart tour through the Tharaba Gateway to the Shwegugyi Temple. Finally we visit Thatbyinnyu Temple, the tallest temple in the area.

Mount Popa
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: 8 hours
This volcano is located about 50 km southwest of Bagan. Visit the picturesque Popa Taungkalat Shrine and enjoy the magnificent scenic view of the Ayeyarwaddy River and the surroundings from the top. On arrival in Bagan you will go straight to the banks of the river for a sunset boat ride, the perfect end to the day.

Half Day Remote Temple Cycling Tour
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: from 4 hours
This afternoon bike tour allows you to soak up the atmosphere and sheer scale of the temples around Bagan with a guided cycling tour of the area. Witness the incredible view across this ancient city from Bu Lei Thee Pagoda and discover the temple complex in a different way.

Hot Air Balloon Ride
Minimum Number: 1 Person
Duration: from 2 hours
See the ancient city of Bagan from the sky. Fly over the thousand of temples and stupas of the area and get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful surroundings.

Expat Tips

Top Expat Tips

Try a local favourite dish of Chin bean soup
Buy a local tapestry in Kampelet market
See the temples from the air with a magnificent hot air balloon ride

Challenges:

Take a picture of yourself at the top of Mount Victoria and send it to us (Prizes awarded for the best picture at the end of each season)
Spend some time looking for gold in the river just past the Chin minority village

For Families:

Interact with the local children that you meet along the way

Information

Tour Includes:

Land transportation within Myanmar by private vehicles.
English speaking guide
Accommodation listed
Breakfasts each morning on the tour
Excursions as mentioned
All admission fees at activities mentioned in the itinerary, temples and attractions.
All taxes

Tour Excludes:

Flights to/from Asia. (Our team can help you arrange flights if requested)
International airport departure taxes
Visa fees
Meals, unless otherwise mentioned
Beverages and personal expenses
Other excursions and entrance fees
Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness).
All other services not listed in “Tour Includes”.

Flights

We will arrange all flights and transportation within Asia as mentioned in the itinerary. Our team can arrange bonded ATOL flights to/from Asia upon request. Please complete the enquiry form with the necessary information to issue a quote for your international flights.

Visa

A visa is required to enter Myanmar. Our team will happily advise you on visa requirements.

Passport

Please ensure your passport has a validity of at least six months beyond stay. Also at least one blank page for each of the countries you are visiting and 4 passport-size photos are needed.

Insurance

Please make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance adequate for your holidays and the activities you want to undertake. Your insurance must cover medical costs related to hospitalisation, repatriation and emergency travel.

Vaccinations

Please consult your doctor, clinic or your national Department of Health for recommended vaccinations and medication when travelling to Southeast Asia. It is important to arrange the necessary appointments well in advance of your trip.

Currency

US Dollars (USD) are accepted in some places in Myanmar. You can exchange US Dollars for the local currency Burmese Kyat (MMK) once you arrive. For currency conversion please click here.

How to Book

Only once you are fully happy with your tailor-made itinerary you will receive an invoice. In order to secure availability for your booking, tour, activities and accommodation we require a 20% deposit.

Responsible Travel

Asia for Expats is committed to promote tourism that creates better places to live in and better places to visit. As expatriates living in Asia we care about the people and regions where we travel. Please read our Responsible Travel section to find more.

Please note:

Our prices are correct at the time of publishing. They are subject to changes and can only be confirmed after receiving an enquiry.

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