Last year our ‘Burma Motorcycle Adventure’ was included in a travel feature in The Independent newspaper. Written by Sarah Baxter, the article gave information about adventurous and exciting ways to explore this mysterious and magical country.
We were very proud that TBAC was mentioned in the article alongside other well-known tour companies such as Selective Asia and Exodus. Thank you Sarah for including us!
When Burma first 're-opened' to visitors almost five years ago, there were few tour options to choose from. Since then, infrastructure has improved, more areas have become accessible and operators are introducing ever-more inventive itineraries. However, infrastructure is still years away from the likes of Thailand’s, which means that budget travel isn’t easily achieved.
British visitors can now apply for an e-visa online (evisa.moip. gov.mm) if they are arriving via the major international airports. So whether you’re trekking or trucking or riding a motorbike, now is the time to plan a visit.
By motorbike
The Big Adventure Company’s 'Burma Motorcycle Adventure' (01225 634 000; bigadventureco.com) is a first – a thrilling 18-day motorcycle journey from northern Thailand’s twisty mountain roads into Karen state, via Kalaw hill station and temple-packed Bagan, past buzzing night markets and peaceful pagodas. From £3,399 excluding flights. Next trip is in January 2017.
By train
Selective Asia (01273 670 001; selectiveasia.com) offers a Railways Old & New itinerary, using the Hti Khi crossing to explore the Burma Siam “Death Railway”. The trip takes in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi and river Kwai bridge, before heading into Burma to see a more northern section of the infamous track, plus the Allied war cemetery at Thanbyuzayat. You’ll also ride the Yangon circular commuter train and take the overnighter to Mandalay. A tailor-made 18-day trip costs from £2,603 excluding flights.
On foot
Visit the Chin Hills of north-west Burma for verdant valleys, tea plantations, animist tombs and traditional villages. Exodus’s (0845 805 5482; exodus.co.uk) 16-day Trekking in Burma trip peaks with an ascent of 3,053m Mount Victoria. From £2,949 including flights.
The Phongun Razi & the Burmese Ice Mountains trek with Mountain Kingdoms (01453 844 400; mountainkingdoms.com) is a tougher challenge, and one of the first organised hikes in the north, overlooking the eastern Himalayas. The 18-day adventure includes summiting 3,635m-high Phongun Razi. From £3,170 including flights.
By truck
Overlanding trips really entered Burma only last year, but now Dragoman (01728 885 101; dragoman.com) offers several. Its 9-day Yangon to Bangkok trip rumbles between highlights including the Golden Rock, Yangon’s dazzling Shwedagon Paya and the Andaman coast. From £518 excluding flights.
By boat
The Mergui archipelago has long been virtually off-limits to tourists – securing the necessary permits was a tricky business. However, Wild Frontiers (020 7736 3968; wildfrontierstravel.com) now has permission, and its Sea Gypsies of Burma trip spends five days navigating the 800-odd islands by boat and meeting the nomadic Moken tribe. From £3,295 for 10 days excluding flights.
Note from The Big Adventure Company:
If you'd like to join our 'Burma Motorcycle Adventure' in January 2017 please call us on +441225 634 000 or you can send an email to info@bigadventureco.com to request further information.
