Sample Itinerary - Actual may vary.
Fri - Day 01. Arrival - Putao.
Upon arrival at Putao airport in the remote far-north of Myanmar, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your guest house. Putao lies in a flat valley and is the jumping-off point for trekkers who want to explore the region’s deep forests, villages, wildlife sanctuaries and snow-capped mountains. After a brief freshen-up we shall take an orientation walk in and around Putao. We shall have our dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Sat - Day 02. Putao - Machanbaw – Alangga. (truck/jeep)
After breakfast we depart the guesthouse to start our adventure to the remote hills of the far north. First we head for Machanbaw, a small colonial-style administrative town located across the Malikha River from Putao. We cross over a 213 metre-long suspension bridge on foot, while our truck crosses the river. After meeting up with our transportation again, we proceed onwards to today’s destination, the village of Alangga, situated at 1,510 ft, 460 metres above sea level. The distance is only 42 kilometres but the rough road means that our journey will take around 8 hours. This challenging, but scenic road winds its way through low mountains, across streams and past small waterfalls. We shall have dinner and overnight at a local home in Alangga.
Sun - Day 03. Alangga – Ratbaw. (truck/jeep)
After breakfast we re-board our truck for the journey to the trailhead. The section of dirt road between here and our destination, Ratbaw, is considered one of the worst in the country, but the scenery makes it worth it with splendid views and varied forest. We cover a distance of 66 kilometres today, passing the villages of Htangga, Uringga and Babaw en-route. We will reach Ratbaw, at 1,740 ft, 530 metres, after around 8 hours on the road. We shall have dinner and stay overnight at a local village home.
Mon Day 04. Ratbaw - Gattu – Langsahtu. (trek)
After two days in the truck we get to stretch our legs today. We set off on our long trek after breakfast, making for Gattu, a small Rawan village with about 10 houses, via a suspension bridge over Kasan Creek. Situated at an altitude of 1,750 ft, 533 metres, Gattu is a convenient place to stop for lunch. We then continue onto today’s destination, Langsahtu, situated at 762 metres. It will take us around 7 hours to cover the 14.5 kilometres, trekking through dense sub-tropical forest with lush vines and creepers entwining the trees. We have dinner and bed down for the night at a local house.
Tue - Day 05. Langsahtu – Gawle. (trek)
We shall have a relaxing, easy morning today, as we have a relatively short distance to cover to our next overnight stop. We shall have an early lunch and then start on our trek to today’s destination, Gawle, situated at 2,200 ft, 670 metres. It will take us some 6 hours to cover the 13 kilometres through a similar landscape of dense sub-tropical forest with lush evergreen trees. We will reach Gawle Htu, situated at the confluence of the Raninti, Shinshanti and Wanguti Rivers, by dusk. We will then prepare dinner and again overnight at a local home.
Wed - Day 06. Gawle – Shingsangkhu. (trek)
The first part of the trail today crosses relatively flat land, but once we cross a small suspension bridge the trail heads uphill, through dense evergreen forests and past beautiful waterfalls. Legendary British explorer and botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward passed through this area in the 1920’s, and described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever been. Today, this is still a paradise of old-growth climax forest. Although we are only trekking 14.5 kilometres today, this will be the most challenging day of the trek so far. The trail climbs 600 metres and near the top crosses a 60 metre-long bamboo bridge near Sanya Falls. After a tough 8 hour trek we arrive at our destination, Shingsangkhu, situated at 4,000 ft, 1,220 metres and make camp for the night.
Thu - Day 07. Shingsangkhu – Panindin. (trek)
Today’s destination is Panindin, situated at 3,500 ft, 1,060 metres above sea level; a 10 kilometre trek which should take us about 4 hours. The trekking path goes steadily uphill all day, passing along the shoulder of the 6,700 ft, 2,042 metre Mt. Wipiep Razi, the peak that separates us from the Maykha River valley. Upon cresting the hill we catch our first glimpse of the Maykha River, winding through the deep forests below. After an extremely steep descent through thick forest we finally cross the Maykha (locally known as the Nantaming) River via a 91 metre suspension bridge. We reach our camp, Panindin, after a further half hour walk. Panindin is situated next to the crystal-clear river, by a suspension bridge that crosses to the village. We shall visit the village while our team prepares dinner for us. We shall have our dinner and overnight at camp.
Fri - Day 08. Panindin – Lonat. (trek)
After breakfast we continue our trek, today heading for the village of Lonat. We cover 11 kilometres today, which should take us about 4 hours, with the path meandering from the riverbank to mountain ridges. On arrival at Lonat, which lies at 3,070 ft, 936 metres above sea level, we can interact with the villagers and relax whilst our evening meal is prepared. We shall have dinner and overnight at a local village house.
Sat - Day 09. Lonat – Ngawa. (trek)
Another 4 hour trek today, to the village of Ngawa, situated at 3,450ft, 1,051 metres. Ngawa is a paddy-producing village of just 16 houses, on a plain 12 kilometres from Lonat. The trail again varies from riverbank walk to mountain ridges and crosses two suspension bridges en-route. We shall again have our dinner and overnight at one of the local homes.
Sun Day 10. Ngawa – Wangsiwang. (trek)
Following our breakfast we continue our trek to Wangsiwang, located at 3,600 ft, 1,098 metres above sea level, a distance of 15 kilometres which should take us about 5 hours. Today’s trek mainly follows the course of the fast-flowing Maykha River, along a narrow earthquake-damaged mule trail originally built by the British. In some places the path passes along the hillside with a deep gorge to one side, and the mountain to the other. After crossing the Dazun River by rattan suspension bridge we arrive at Wangsiwang Camp, where we will prepare dinner and overnight.
Mon - Day 11. Wangsiwang – Gawai. (trek)
Gawai, a mixed Rawan and Lisu village situated at 3,750 ft, 1,143 metres is our destination today. The 10 kilometre route (which should take us about 4 hours) winds up and downhill and along the spine of the mountains, and consists of a mixture of mule trail and narrow footpath. From the highest points of the trail we can see the meandering Namtamai River in the distance. We shall have our dinner and sleep overnight at a local home.
Tue Day 12. Gawai – Thazundum. (trek)
After our breakfast we shall continue our trek to Thazundum, situated at 4,400 ft, 1,341 metres above sea level. Our first challenge today is to cross the noisy, fast-flowing Namtamai River; the rattan suspension bridge here is very basic, with the footpath consisting of just 2 bamboo poles. We continue on along a narrow valley; there has never been a mule trail here thus we have to walk through the gorge and along the riverbank. As we are nearer to the river’s headwaters, the gorge is deeper than before and studded with boulders. After travelling for about 11 km, which should take us about 4 hours, we arrive at Khalawandum Camp, on the riverbank with a sandy beach. In the afternoon we continue onto Thazundum, a further 6 kilometres and 3 hours trekking, and arrive at the confluence of three rivers; the Namtamai, Seinkhuwan and Adungwang. Downstream, these waters flow into the Maykha River and ultimately, the Ayeyarwady. Here we come across the Htalu tribe for the first time, a group culturally distinct from the neighbouring Rawan and Lisu. You will notice that their houses are constructed from timber, since there is no bamboo growing in this region. We shall have dinner and overnight at our forest camp.
Wed Day 13. Thazundum - Tazahtu – Thalarhtu. (trek)
This morning, after breakfast, we head northwards along the Adungwang River valley to Tazahtu. Situated at 4,799 ft, 1,463 metres, this village sits on the Eastern bank of the Tadunwan River, near the confluence of the Tashuwang and Adungwang Rivers. The Htalu tribe who live here cultivate wheat on the plateau and supplement their diet with wild berries. The trek here is about 11 kilometres which should take us around 6 hours to cover. Just before we reach the village we have to cross the Adungwang River via a 70 metre suspension bridge.
We have our lunch with the Htalu who, in addition to farming, are known for their hunting skills. Tribes people head out on hunting trips into the surrounding river valleys, and also visit the high mountains searching for medicinal plants. After lunch we continue our trek to today’s destination, Thalarhtu, situated at 1,311 metres. The path crosses another suspension bridge and then alternates between following the riverbank and clinging to the side of the mountains. The trek is uphill, and you will notice a change in the make-up of the forest, with more temperate-zone pines appearing. We shall cover another 3.5 kilometres in 3 hours before reaching the village, where we can stay at a local home.
Thu - Day 14. Thalarhtu - Kraung – Tahaungdum. (trek)
After breakfast, we shall trek for the village of Kraung (as known as Adundam), situated beyond the Adundam River at 6,004 ft, 1,830 metres above sea level. This morning’s trek covers about 10 kilometres and should take about 3 hours, passing the beautiful Aroungwang Waterfall, flowing off Mt. Fiming Razi, along the way. There is beautiful panoramic scenery at this higher altitude, featuring patches of pine trees and village plantations. A suspension bridge heralds our arrival in Kraung, a village known for its unique inhabitants, the Tarong, the last Asian pygmy tribe. We will stop for lunch and interact with the local people with the help of our guide.
Following lunch we trek for our ultimate destination, Tahaungdum, situated at 6,300 ft, 1,920 metres. The river gets smaller and smaller as we progress, and is sometimes hidden altogether behind large boulders. Once we reach the plateau the scenery changes completely; snow-capped Mt. Gwelang Razi looms above the blue pine and scarp forest. After a 7 kilometre, 3 hour trek, we cross the Adungwang River by suspension bridge and arrive at Thazundum, surrounding by rich wheat fields, and framed by snow-capped mountains. This is an ethnic Tibetan village; you will notice the Buddhist prayer flags and prayer wheels as we approach. The village is well-known as being the home of Namar Johnson, the only Myanmar national ever to conquer Mt. Hkakaborazi, in 1996 with Japanese climber Takashi Osaki. This tiny village is composed of 8 wooden houses and a Buddhist monastery, and is the last village to be found on the trek to the Himalayas. We shall have our dinner and overnight at one of the local village houses.
Possible extension
Beyond the Last Village - Hkakaborazi Base camp trek
Fri - Day 15. Tahaungdum – Kraung. (trek)
We shall have a relaxing morning at the last village. After an early lunch, we trek back to Kraung and spend rest of the day with the Tarong, learning about their culture and life in this remote area. We will have our dinner and spend the night here at a village house.
Sat - Day 16. Kraung - Tazahtu – Thazundum. (trek)
After breakfast we will trek back to Thazundum via Tashuhtu. The route descends steadily over the first leg of the journey before levelling out nearer Thazundum. We shall have our dinner and overnight at a local home here.
Possible extension
Switzerland of Myanmar
Sun Day 17. Thazundum – Gawai. (trek)
After our breakfast we shall head for Gawai along the trail through the Maykha Valley, crossing small rattan suspension bridges and covering a distance of some 19 kilometres in about 6 hours. We shall have our dinner and overnight at one of the local homes.
Mon - Day 18. Gawai – Wangsiwang. (trek)
Following breakfast we shall leave for Wangsiwang, trekking downstream alongside the fast-flowing Namtamai River, and then following the Maykha valley crossing more small rattan suspension bridges. We will prepare dinner and camp in the valley tonight.
Tue - Day 19. Wangsiwang- Ngawa. (trek)
We can look forward to another night of wilderness camping tonight as we make our way downstream to Ngawa, along the Maykha River.
Wed - Day 20. Ngawa - Lonat – Panindin. (trek)
After breakfast today we trek steadily downhill to Lonat, and then continue onward to Panindin along a trail following the Maykha Valley. Along the way we pass the entrance point to Hkakaborazi National Park, where we first glimpsed the mighty Maykha River ten days ago. We shall have our dinner and overnight at camp.
Thu - Day 21. Panindin - Shingsangkhu – Gawle. (trek)
We can look forward to an easy morning today, before trekking to Gawle. We climb out of the Maykha Valley via a pass and head back towards the Putao Valley. We shall have our dinner and overnight at a local home in Gawle.
Fri - Day 22. Gawle – Ratbaw. (trek)
Today is not only our last day of the trek, but also the longest as we have to cover some 27 kilometres to reach our destination. We shall have our dinner and overnight at another village home.
Sat - Day 23. Ratbaw – Alangga. (truck/jeep)
Following breakfast we meet our truck for the start of the rugged, two-day journey back to our starting point. The truck slowly and carefully makes its way via the villages of Magweza, Babaw, U Rainga and Ahtangga villages, to arrive in Alangga by nightfall. We shall have our dinner and overnight at a local home.
Sun - Day 24. Alangga – Putao. (truck/jeep)
Upon arrival at Machanbaw, we bid farewell to our driver, cross the suspension bridge on foot and hop onto the awaiting jeep for the last stretch of road to Putao. Here we can have a hot shower and rest for a while on a comfortable bed. Later in the evening we shall have a farewell dinner with our fellow group members, including our guide and porters, to commemorate the experience that we've shared over the past three weeks in this unique part of the world. Overnight at our comfortable guesthouse.
Mon - Day 25. Putao / Mulashidi.
We can have a leisurely breakfast this morning and relax at the guesthouse following our long trek. In the afternoon we board the jeep and set off for the attractive Lisu settlement of Mulashidi; a 35 km journey that should take us about one hour. The village is famous for its picturesque 159 metre long suspension bridge that spans the Mula River. We can explore the village and enjoy the beautiful scenery set against a backdrop of high mountains, snow-capped in winter. We return to Putao late afternoon for dinner at the guesthouse.
Tue - Day 26. Onward Departure.
Enjoy your last breakfast in the far-north at the guesthouse. After breakfast there may be time to visit the market for some last-minute shopping and photography. Should time permit, you will visit one of the local villages where you can interact with the local people and observe a traditional Rawan or Lisu dance performance. Your northern adventure ends with a transfer to the airport and your onward flight to Mandalay, Yangon or Myitkyina.
