Day - 1

Bagan, Pagan, Pugan or my favourite Arimaddana-pura lit. “the City that Tramples on Enemies” is probably the most amazing pagoda-peppered landscape you will see in your life. People wanting to sell you post cards and oil paintings will chip away at that sense of wonder, which is why mountain bikes are an awesome way to take in the splendour.

Dhammayangyi and Ananda Temples, supreme temples from an architectural point of view, are a must-see, but travelling down smaller off roads and sandy pathways takes you back in time like no other mode of exploration.

Two hundred thousand people once lived amidst the 1000 stupas, 10,000 small temples and 3000 monasteries. Mongols, and earthquakes reduced this to a small scattering of active functional temples and villages, and eery but fascinating ruins.

Overnight on Bagan
Cycling Distance: 30 km

Day 2
Bike through Bagan's outskirts and explore a land of endless fields, today palm farms and rolling hills. Along the way pedal by villages, stopping in to see what traditional rural life is like and meet with the curious locals. This guided day trip travels along narrow lanes inaccessible to cars and buses, taking you well off the tourist trail.

Warm up your legs with a 2 kilometer ride on paved roads before turning westwards into the countryside. You’ll follow a small dirt track alongside a water supply canal for the first part of your journey. During the morning’s ride you’ll continue along this path, venturing off from time to time to explore the local villages. Aside from the fabulous views of rice paddies, toddy palms and distant temple spires, you’ll also pass by a unique colonial-style monastery and ancient trees, like the shady tamarind tree in village.

Around midday we’ll reach the base of the hills and bike parallel to them, affording great views of Shwe Pon Taung Pagoda and Bu Kin Pagoda.