374TRANSPORT
GETTING AROUND^
Bicycle
You’ll sure see a lot of these:
bicycles are clearly the
number-one means for locals
to get around and can easily
be hired around the country
by visitors.Around Town
At popular tourist spots in
Mandalay, Bagan and Inle
Lake you’ll see ‘bike rental’
signs; rates start at K1000
per day; top-end hotels and
occasionally more far-fl ung
places charge up to K4000.
Most guesthouses in such
places keep a few bikes on
hand; if not, staff can track
one down. Note the condi-
tion of the bike before hiring;
check the brakes and pedals
in particular. Many rental
bikes have baskets or bells,
but don’t expect a crash
helmet!
Sturdier Indian, Chinese
or Thai imports are around
(from $100) if you’d rather
buy one. Some tours provide
bikes, so you may be able to
rent better quality ones from
agents (eg Exotissimo in New
Bagan).
Apart from in Yangon and
Mandalay, vehicular traffi c is
quite light.Long Distance
A few visitors bring their own
touring bikes into Myanmar.
There doesn’t seem to be
any problem with customs as
long as you make the proper
declarations upon entering
the country.
Gradients are moderate
in most parts of Myanmar
that are open to tourism.
Frontier regions, on the other
hand, tend to be mountain-
ous, particularly Shan, Kayin,
Kayah and Chin States. You’ll
fi nd plenty of opportunity
everywhere for dirt-road
and off -road pedalling. A
sturdy mountain bike would
make a good alternative to a
touring rig, especially in the
north, where main roads can
resemble secondary roads
elsewhere.Some of the key routes
around Myanmar:» (^) Thazi to Inle Lake via
Kalaw
» (^) Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) to
Lashio via Hsipaw
» Mandalay to Bagan via
Myingyan
» (^) Mandalay to either Mo-
nywa, Pyin Oo Lwin, Sagaing,
Inwa (Ava) or Amarapura
November to February is the
best time to cycle in terms of
the weather.
If you’re bringing your
bike, bring the spare parts
you need. There are (at least)
basic bicycle shops in most
towns, but they usually have
only locally or Chinese-made
parts to equip single-speed
bikes. You can also buy lower-
quality motorcycle helmets
here; many are disturbingly
adorned with swastikas – a
fad, not a political alliance.
Bring refl ective clothing and
plenty of insurance. Don’t
ride at night.
Travellers on a bike may
end up needing to sleep in
towns few travellers make
it to, and a lack of licensed
accommodation may be an
issue. Technically, you will
need permission from local
immigration to stay at such
places. Be patient. Most
cyclists get permission from
local authorities to stay one
night, but the paperwork
(coming with some frowns)
may take an hour or so to
arrange.
It’s possible to store your
bicycle in the undercarriage
storage on buses, though you
may have to pay a little extra.
On smaller buses it’s pos-
sible you’ll be asked to buy a
‘seat’ for your bike.
Some bike tours connect
the dots of Myanmar’s great-
est hits – going, for example,
up the Pyay highway to
Bagan then Mandalay, and
back to Yangon via Meiktila
and Taungoo. It’s more rough
going, but nicer riding, to
reach some mountainous
areas, like Inle Lake. Recom-
mended tours companies:
Bike World Explores
Myanmar (%09 513 4190;
http://www.bwemtravel.com))
Yangon-based company that
also sells and rents bikes
and can offer touring ad-
vice. It has eight itineraries
from easy day trips around
Yangon (from $140) to 10-
day adventures in Chin State
(from $1128).
Exotissimo (%01-255
266; http://www.exotissimo.com))
Bangkok-based firm that
has offices in Myanmar, and
runs high-end cycle tours
covering Mandalay to Bagan,
the Shan Hills and sights in
Mon State.
WARNING – THINGS CHANGE
The information in this chapter is particularly vulner-
able to change, and this is especially so in Myanmar.
In terms of international travel, prices are volatile,
routes are introduced and cancelled, schedules change,
special deals come and go, and rules and visa require-
ments are amended. Always check directly with the
airline or a travel agent to make sure you understand
how a fare (and ticket you may buy) works. In addition,
the travel industry is highly competitive, and there are
many perks.
The upshot of this is that you should get opinions,
quotes and advice from as many airlines and travel
agents as possible before you part with your hard-
earned cash. The details given in this chapter should be
regarded as pointers and are not a substitute for your
own careful, up-to-date research.