Northern Frontier trekking 12 days tour

Destination: Yangon/Putao/Upper Shangaung/Wasandam/Ziyadam/Mulashidi/Machanbaw/Namkhan/Htawadan/Myitkyina

This 12-day adventure tour is designed to start and finish in Yangon. You will have trekking days through the Northern frontier visiting the cultural tourist destinations such as capital Yangon with a visit to stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, Putao, Shangaung, Wasandam, Ziyadam, Mulashidi, Machanbaw and Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Yangon arrival (G)

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz– a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”

Day 2: (Tuesday) Yangon/Putao by flight (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for your flight to Putao (via Mandalay, Myitkyina). Upon arrival at Putao, transfer to a guest house. Depending on the arrival time, we may walk to a Lisu village along the paddy field. In the dinner, a brief introduction to local staff and the group. Overnight in Putao guest house.

Day 3: (Wednesday) Putao/Upper Shangaung/Wasandam (B, L, D, G)

Moring drive to Upper Shangaung by jeep. Six villages to pass by where Lisu and Rawan tribes inhibit. The distance is approximte 17 km and take an hour ride. Upon arrival, load off our staff and start the trek to Wasandam, a small village home to Rawan village nestle along the Namlan creek. Lunch will be on the way. The trek today is around 21 km (approx: 6 hrs). Overnight in the village.

Day 4: (Thursday) Wasandam/Ziyadam (B, L, D, G)

Set of our journey to Ziyadam in the early morning after breakfast. Ziyadam, the last nothermost frontier village, is mainly a Rawan tribe. Today trek would be a little easier than the previous day as the landscape is mostly flat and few ups/downs. We will pass Awadum village after 7km trek in 2hrs. It was a Lisu village earn their live by growing paddy. Lunch break there. And continue the trek for 2hrs and at the end of the suspension bridge saw the Ziyadam village. Overnight in the village.

Day 5: (Friday) Ziyadam/Wasandam (B, L, D, G)

Farewell to the villagers and the blue mountains in the skyline. Trek back in different way. 6km away from Ziyadam is Khalang village surrounded by rice fields and mountains. The village is known for its walnut and persimmon. Arrive Wasandam and overnight in the village.

Day 6: (Saturday) Wasandam/Upper Shaugaung/Putao (B, L, D, G)

Trek back to Upper Shangaung and drive to Putao. Overnight in the guest house

Day 7: (Sunday) Putao/Mulashidi/Machanbaw (B, L, D, G)

Today after breakfast, we visit attractive Putao Market full of colorful tribes such as Kachin, Lisu, Rawan, etc. The drive to Mulashidi and take pictures at the suspension bridge in crystal clear water. Back to Putao and proceed to Machanbaw by car. Visit to stone-dragon and sightseeing in small town. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Guba guesthouse.

Day 8: (Monday) Namkhan/Htawadan/Putao (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast trek to Namkhan village (10km). Lunch and continue 3miles to Kaungmulone Pagoda, which is most revered Pagoda in the north. Drive back to Putao by car. Overnight in Putao guest house.

Day 9: (Tuesday) Putao/Myitkyina by flight (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Putao airport for your flight to Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. After checking in at the hotel, sightseeing around Myitkyina with busy local market on the Strand Road. After lunch, you’ll drive to Win Maw, a Kachin village to see the beautiful scenery of Ayeywarwaddy River and crops cultivation along the road. Overnight at the hotel in Myitkyina.

Day 10: Excursion to confluence of Ayeyarwaddy (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll drive to the confluence of River Ayeyarwaddy, 45 km north of Myitkyina. The mighty Ayeyarwaddy begins here and enjoy the panoramic view of the confluence. On the way back, drop by at Karing-Naw resort to relax with a Kachin ‘Churu’ ( Kachin local sprit) and visit Kachin villages to see traditional back strap weaving of Kachin Longi (sarong) and shoulder bags. If time permits, we can visit native Orchid garden where you can see the famous “black orchid” and naturally dwelling bee hives at water tank which is the main source of water supply for Myitkyina. Drive back to Myitkyina and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Myitkyina/Yangon by flight (B, G)

Leisure till your departure time and mid morning transfer to airport for your return flight to Yangon (via Mandalay). Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Yangon.

Day 12: Yangon departure (B, L, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.