As Myanmar has only relatively recently started to welcome visitors, much of the country is still unexplored and it can be hard to get off the defined tourist trail in comfort. But at cazenove+loyd that is what we specialise in: exploring the lesser-known pockets of countries, so that every trip we create is extraordinary. Of course, when visiting this spectacular country, you must see the golden temples of Bagan and explore bustling Yangon, but there are many wonders that lie beyond the obvious in Myanmar, just waiting to be discovered.
I have just returned from a trip to Myanmar and have detailed three of my best secret finds below.
CYCLING IN MANDALAY
Mandalay should not be deemed just an industrial city. At first, it might not appear to be the most charming part of Myanmar, but we say otherwise. Discovering exhilarating new activities is what we love most and recently in Mandalay, we hit the jackpot. We found the perfect combination to make for a truly memorable experience: remote, untouched countryside and a sturdy bicycle.
We work with top expert guides in Myanmar who can take you on a tremendous adventure on your bike through some of the most wonderful parts of the country, completely undiscovered by tourists. This four-hour trip is a treat for the senses, passing quaint villages, schools, small markets, animals and ancient ruins.
You will see the country in a completely different light. Everything feels organic and you become far more immersed into the raw culture than you ever would in the back seat of your air-conditioned car. This extraordinary journey ends at the U Bein Bridge, which is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world and is one of the classic symbols of Mandalay and indeed Myanmar.