trek Burma highlights

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Take on s challenging Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; explore isolated hill tribes and stay in traditional, working monasteries before celebrating the end of the challenge in the

actionchallenge in remains one of the last unexplored countries in Southeast Asia; it has preserved its traditional charm, unique culture and remarkable temples making for an incredible setting for

On this demanding trek, you can observe traditional life in remote hill tribe villages, take in breathtaking views of the Shan highlands dotted with ancient ruins and Buddhist shrines and finally end

We transfer up to the central highlands to the pretty town of Pindaya perched on the banks of the Botoloke lake and explore caves filled with thousands of Buddha images before setting off into the

1 Take on s challenging Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; explore isolated hill tribes and stay in traditional, working monasteries before celebrating the end of the challenge in the serene setting of Inle Lake. actionchallenge in remains one of the last unexplored countries in Southeast Asia; it has preserved its traditional charm, unique culture and remarkable temples making for an incredible setting for this challenge. On this demanding trek, you can observe traditional life in remote hill tribe villages, take in breathtaking views of the Shan highlands dotted with ancient ruins and Buddhist shrines and finally end this challenge relaxing in picturesque Inle Lake. We transfer up to the central highlands to the pretty town of Pindaya perched on the banks of the Botoloke lake and explore caves filled with thousands of Buddha images before setting off into the Shan hills through hill tribe villages, staying in traditional monasteries along the way. Our challenging trek takes us across farmland, tea plantations and paddy fields, with some steep climbs to ascend, rewarding us with spectacular views across the valleys and encounters with the friendly, mountain people who populate this region. Our final descent takes us to the shores of Inle Lake where we are transferred by boat to the local village then celebrate together as a group at the end of our challenge. There isn t a better location to relax and rewind after the strenuous trek, as you admire the traditional life of the Intha people in their stilted villages, watch the serene leg-rowing fishermen go about their day and sit back in awe of the impressive scenery. Our challenge ends in capital Yangon, where you are met with bustling streets, colonial architecture and the glimmering Shwedagon Paya, the most sacred site in the country for Burmese Buddhists. at a glance Activity: Trekking Location: Myanmar Duration: 10 days, 5 days trekking Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 82 km Group size: highlights Trek through breathtaking, untouched beauty of Myanmar Meet remote hill tribes and discover their traditions Take in magnificent views across the Shan Hills Overnight in traditional, working Buddhist monasteries Relax in the picturesque Inle Lake with its stilted villages Experience the capital, Yangon Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since Our trips enable people to experience the world s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.

Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to will begin as soon as you register!

If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising.

2 Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to will begin as soon as you register! You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings, where you can meet our leaders, members of your group and to prepare you for this demanding challenge. On the day of departure you meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to, ready to take on this fantastic trekking challenge. brief itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Depart London Arrive Myanmar Myin Hmu: Oo Min Caves: The Shan hills: 17 km 21 km 18 km Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Hti Taing: 17 km Kaung Dhine: 9 km Inle Lake Depart Arrive London dates 24 Oct - 5 Nov Feb 2019 Please visit our website for more details cost All inclusive cost: 2,165 for 2018 Initial 399 deposit to sign up. Three payment options available. how tough is the challenge? This challenge requires a good level of fitness to trek the route, the terrain is varied with some uphill climbs and downhill sections. You will need a good level of stamina and endurance to ensure you make the most out of the challenge. extensions Why not stay on after the challenge and explore some more of s highlights? Extensions include: Explore Bagan s famous temples Visit cultural Mandalay what s included International and domestic flights Action Challenge Trek Leader Action Challenge UK Medic Full support team, including local English-speaking guides All accommodation, on a twin share basis All meals, except in free time Airline taxes (except fuel surcharges) Rest stops en route, with snacks & water All transfers in local vehicles National Park entrance fees Celebration dinner at the end of the challenge Invitation to a pre-challenge briefing in London Discounts on UK training weekends (see website for details) Fitness and training guide Discounts from UK retailers Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health when to go One of the best times to visit and complete the challenge is between October and May, in the dry season. Temperatures may range from 25 C to 35 C, so be prepared for the heat! There will be plenty of water available as well as snacks at rest stops to keep you hydrated.

Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; itinerary DAY 1 - Departure from London We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the airport and check in together

On arrival we make our way to our hotel where we have some time to relax, before meeting again for dinner and a briefing in our hotel. food Local Myanmar food should be expected on the challenge.

3 Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; itinerary DAY 1 - Departure from London We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the airport and check in together before boarding our flight to. Meals: On flight DAY 2 - Arrive We arrive in Yangon and transfer for our domestic flight to Heho. On arrival we make our way to our hotel where we have some time to relax, before meeting again for dinner and a briefing in our hotel. food Local Myanmar food should be expected on the challenge. There are similarities to Thai/Vietnamese flavours and dishes. Breakfasts each morning will be at our accommodation. Lunches will be en route and evening meals will be at our accommodation or at a local restaurant, except in free time. We can cater for all dietary requirements if informed in advance. Meals: L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 3 - Myin Hmu Village This morning, after breakfast, we transfer to pretty Pindaya where we visit a cave housing more than 2,000 Buddha images. We are then transported 60km to the start of our five day trekking challenge, taking us through six villages and visiting the Danu and Taung Yoo tribes. Each village offers insight into the daily life of these mountain tribes still practising the same traditions as their forefathers. We will be trekking on trails through lush green forests and into the vast tea plantations that support the local villages. Lunch is at Kayuk Kya village before our final 3 hour trek to Myin Hmu. Dinner and overnight stay is at the Myin Hmu Monastery. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Homestay Distance: 17 km DAY 4 - Oo Min Limestone Caves This morning you will fuel up with a good breakfast before setting off on another amazing day of trekking. The route today takes you further into the Pindaya area and includes many stops at hill tribe villages. You traverse through pine forests and at times many of the trails will be fairly wet underfoot. Our first stop is in Naung Ye village and then we continue to Oo Min to visit the limestone caves where you have lunch at the Monestary. This afternoon you will continue to trek through villages and open agricultural land, visiting Di Gone before arriving at Nawa Taung where we have dinner and spend the night in the local monastery. kit & equipment A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of registration. Many everyday items can be used on this challenge, and we offer a kit hire service to keep costs down. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Homestay Distance: 21 km DAY 5 - The Shan Hills We rise early this morning to set off further into the Shan Hills. Our first village that we come to high in the mountains is the lovely Myin Ka. These rolling hills are dotted with villages like Luot Pyin where we stop for lunch before continuing through the mountains. This afternoon we head towards Nan Ta La Te where we have dinner and stay for the night. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Homestay Distance: 18 km additional costs Travel Insurance - price varies on cover Visa - 45 Vaccinations - check with your doctor Tips for local staff - recommended $80 Airline fuel surcharge - capped at 170

Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; DAY 6 - Hti Taing We awaken to the sights and sounds of Nan Ta La Te coming to life.

After a visit to the village, you will continue for two hours to Kgone Hla village where you stop for lunch.

4 Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; DAY 6 - Hti Taing We awaken to the sights and sounds of Nan Ta La Te coming to life. We can witness the locals gathering water, preparing fires for the day and heading to the fields for Baw Hnin Kgon village, a mere one hour away. After a visit to the village, you will continue for two hours to Kgone Hla village where you stop for lunch. Your trek this afternoon is considerably flatter than previous days but make sure to keep hydrated as the tree cover fades away and exposure to the sun is heavier. Today s path is well travelled by local commuters walking from their villages to the markets and plantations. You will experience the serenity of small rice paddy fields where you will see farmers knee deep in water preparing the season s harvest. As the openness of the plantation fields and rice paddies begin to get covered by the tree line, you will approach the evening s stop, Hti Taing. Dinner and overnight in Hti Taing village. land only If you are planning on travelling to /South East Asia before or after the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land only option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the itinerary. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Homestay Distance: 17 km DAY 7 - Kaung Dhine Village For your final trekking day you set off for the final leg to In Dein where you can explore the incredible crumpling ruins before you stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards travel by boat to Kaung Dhine village on the eastern shores of Inle Lake. The people living here are known for their delicious soy bean crackers, tofu and other treats. Walking around the village you can observe all steps of the process of creating these local items. Celebration dinner at hotel and overnight in Inle Lake. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 9 km DAY 8 - Inle Lake Today is a free day where you will can explore the beautiful Inle lake. After breakfast, visit the lake s morning market which rotates its location around the lake s villages in a 5 day cycle and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes whose income is from selling and trading. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf and explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. Visit villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people, observe the leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. We spend a second night in our Inle hotel. accommodation All accommodation will be in 2-3* hotels and local homestays in monasteries. All accommodation is on a twin/triple share, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible. If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. Meals: B Accom: Hotel DAY 9 - Yangon Sightseeing - Depart This morning we transfer early to the local airport and fly to Yangon where we have a tour of the main sites of the capital city. We then return to the airport in time for our return flight to the UK. Meals: B DAY 10 - Arrive UK single supplement If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate for this in the hotel stays, just let us know at sign up.

Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of 399 is required to secure your place, paid in full by card at the time of registration

It s then completely up to you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice.

5 Trek through s central Shan highlands filled with breathtaking views; payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of 399 is required to secure your place, paid in full by card at the time of registration Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost. Full details are on our website. 1) SELF FUNDED For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It s then completely up to you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice. ATOL ATOL is a scheme that protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Action Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which provides you with full financial protection. On receipt of your registration fee, you will receive an ATOL certificate explaining your protection. The total all inclusive cost of this trip is 2,165 for 2018 and 2,265 for 2019, which, after you pay the 399 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of 1,766 for 2018 or 1,866 for This final balance is due for payment 10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least 3,600 for 2018 or 3,800 for 2019 via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 3,600 for 2018 or 3,800 for 2019, your charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 1,766 for 2018 or 1,866 for 2019 (the same as if you were you were Self Funded ) - the charity will retain at least 1,834 for 2018 or 1,934 for 2019 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. 3) MIXED FUNDED A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal for anyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT is happy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with your registration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights & accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship in respect to the challenge component of their trip. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 2,100 for 2018 or 2,300 for 2019, your charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, 1,016 for 2018 or 1,116 for At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance yourself, which will be 750 for 2018 or 2019 (these two amounts add up to the same as the Self Funded final balance) - the charity will retain at least 1,084 for 2018 or 1,184 for 2019 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. how to book To book on to this challenge, please visit our website; for a full list of prices and all available dates. private groups If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 15 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please call us on +44(0) or you can send us an to for more information. social contact us Action Challenge UK Ltd United House North Road London N7 9DP United Kingdom

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