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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 - Shangaung – Wasandum. (jeep/trek)

After breakfast we visit the attractive Putao market, which often fills with colourful ethnic minority peoples from the surrounding villages. Later we depart by jeep or truck (depending on group size) to Upper Shangaung, a distance of 17 km which takes us about one hour along a rugged road. Shangaung consists of two separate villages and is inhabited by both Lisu and Rawan peoples. Our adventure starts as we get off the jeep and start trekking to Wasandum, a walking distance of 20 km which should take us about 6 hours. The first half of the day’s trek follows a winding trail uphill to Mt. Shangaung at 4,468 feet, 1362 metres. From here on, the trail descends all the way to the village of Wasandum at 860 metres. Wasandum is a small Rawan village situated by Namro creek. We check in at our guesthouse and those who wish to freshen up may go down to the creek to bathe in the crystal clear water. We shall have our dinner and spend the night at Wasandum guest house.

Sun - Day 03. Wasandum - Awadum - Kalang – Ziyadum. (trek)

Following our breakfast we shall leave the village for today’s destination, Ziyadum, along relatively flat land with just a few ups and downs. First we cross Namro creek to Awadum, 7.4 km away and about a 3 hour walk. Awadum village is mainly inhabited by Lisu people and is separated into two halves by a large paddy field. Here we cross a suspension bridge spanning Namlang Creek and continue onto Kalang, a distance of 4.8 km which should takes us about 1.5 hours. The last stretch of the day takes us onto Ziyadum village, a further 6.4 km away - a pleasant 2 hour trek through deep evergreen forest. Ziyadum, at an altitude of 3,440 ft, 1,048 meters is the most North-westerly and last frontier village in the Putao region, and mainly inhabited by Rawan people. It is recommended to visit Ziya Creek for a fantastic sunset view of the blazing snowy Mountains to the West, the source of the sparkling clear Creek. We have our dinner and spend the night at Ziyadum guest house.

Mon - Day 04. Ziyadum - Camp I. (trek)

After breakfast we gear up for the real adventure and set off for camp I through lush evergreen forest. After a couple of hours walking we reach Phangran Creek, which we shall be following for the next few days until we reach camp IV. At this point we shall have to change our hiking boots for trainers (sneakers) as we will have to wade across the creek several times. After about 5 hours trekking along the riverbanks we finally reach today’s destination, Camp I, located at approx 4,140 ft, 1,260 metres above sea level. We can then wash and relax around the campfire whilst our cook and porter prepare our dinner and accommodation.

We can enjoy the natural beauty of our campsite this morning whilst our cook prepares breakfast for us. Then we set off for today’s destination, Camp II, situated at approx 4,480 ft, 1,366 metres. After some 6 hour trekking along and through this remote creek we will arrive at camp. We can relax or help prepare the tents as the cook gets to work on preparing our evening meal.

Wed - Day 06. Camp II - Camp III - Cave Camp. (trek)

We can enjoy another beautiful morning in the deep lush evergreen forest, set against a backdrop of high mountains. Later, we have our breakfast and set off for camp III, located at 5,330 ft, 1,624 metres. We trek mostly through the water or along the side of the valley. After Camp III We continue onto today’s destination, Cave Camp, located at an elevation of 7,400 ft, 2,255 metres. After about seven hours of challenging trekking we finally reach our campsite. As usual, whilst we wash and dry ourselves by the campfire, the rest of the team will prepare our tents and evening meal.

Thu - Day 07. Cave camp - Camp IV or Choung Sone Camp. (trek)

If you wake early today, you can witness the sun rise and light up the snow-covered mountains, whilst the thick, dark jungle broods in shadow. After breakfast we set off for today’s destination, Camp IV, located at 9,570 ft, 2,917 metres. Today’s journey will be the most challenging of the trek; the small pebbles of the Creek’s lower reaches are replaced by large boulders and the occasional waterfall. The terrain is now steeper, and the climbing more strenuous. After a long, hard day we finally reach camp IV, located right at the foot of the snow-capped mountains. Warm up by the campfire as the weather at this altitude is freezing cold at night. We have our evening meal and turn in for a well-earned night’s sleep.

Before start off today, we shall have to prepare for climbing through snow, as the mountain and trail will likely be snow-covered between here and the summit. We will also have to carry a supply of canned, or pre-prepared food as cooking may not be possible at base camp. Two hours trekking will bring us to the top of a small plateau at an elevation of 12,000 ft, 3,650 metres. There are gorgeous views from here and many glaciers around. At this point we will see the peak of Mt. Phangran Razi right ahead of us, towering high on the horizon. This is the spot to make our final decision on whether or not we should continue to trek for the summit; weather changes from this point onwards are rapid and we would have to turn back if conditions are too harsh.

Should we decide go forward we will form into smaller teams. We continue to trek along a downward slope and then steadily upwards. After a steady trek of 3 to 4 hours we will reach our base camp, located at 12,200 ft, 3,720 metres. The so-called base camp has no facilities; it is just a small stone cave shelter, large enough to pitch two medium-sized tents. Sometimes the wind makes it impossible to light a fire for warmth or cooking, so we huddle tightly together in the small space for warmth. We shall have a light dinner and get some sleep before the attempt on the summit.

Sat - Day 09. Base camp - Summit Mt. Phangran - Camp IV. (mountaineering)

We will try to make the summit at 14,200 ft, 4,328 metres at first light of day to beat the weather change. The route will be steadily upwards along a narrow trail and the gusty wind may make this short trek challenging. If we are lucky we will reach to the summit at an early hour of the morning. We try to stay some time on the top, making a record of our successful ascent; not many other people have ever scaled this mountain. Later, we start the steady descent to base camp and continue onward, back to camp IV. Once we pass the small plateau, the downhill trek becomes easier. Coffee and refreshments await us as we reach camp. We plan to enjoy a sumptuous dinner celebration this evening around the bonfire. Overnight at camp IV.

We bid our farewell to the mighty mountain and set off for camp II, passing by camp III en-route. The return journey will be faster although by no means easier, as we descend from 2,900 to 1,400 metres. After countless water-crossings we finally reach camp late afternoon. We shall have an early dinner and overnight at camp II.

Mon - Day 11. Camp II – Ziyadum. (trek)

We can enjoy a relaxing morning today as we have a much shorter trek ahead of us. After an early lunch we head off along the creek. As we descend the river current becomes swifter, meaning we have to be increasingly careful when crossing. We leave the river and head into the forest; civilisation is announced by the sight of smoke from cooking fires as we reach the Ziya plateau. A hot shower and a warm bed await us here, welcome comfort after many days spent wilderness camping. Tonight we have a celebratory dinner over the bonfire and we overnight at Ziyadum guesthouse.

Tue - Day 12. Ziyadum – Wasundum. (trek)

We can enjoy another lazy morning in and around the village today, as our return journey today is easy and relatively short. After an early lunch we bid farewell to the locals and head back to today’s destination, Awadum, crossing suspension bridges and walking the beautiful evergreen avenues. We shall have our dinner and overnight at Wasandum guest house.

Wed - Day 13. Wasundum - Shangaung – Putao. (trek/jeep)

Today’s trek takes us from the wilderness back to the farmland of the Putao Valley. The first stretch of the trek is uphill, to the plateau of Mt. Shangaung, before continuing rapidly downhill to Shangaung village where our jeep meets us and carries us back to Putao. This evening, we will go out for a farewell dinner with our fellow group members, including guides and porters, and commemorate the experience that we've shared for the past 12 days in this unique part of the world. Overnight at our guesthouse.

After our breakfast we depart by jeep for Naungkhine village, a distance of 22 km which should take us about one hour. Here we cross the 211 metre long Malikha suspension bridge on foot to the colonial-style administrative town of Machanbaw. We will walk around this charming town and also visit ‘Stone Dragon’ Park (about a 20 minute walk away). We return to Naungkhine where our jeep awaits us to take us onto Mulashidi Lisu village, a distance of 35 km which should take about one hour to drive. Here we visit the attractive Lisu settlement and cross another suspension bridge across Mula river, enjoying the beautiful mountain backdrop, snow-capped in winter. Later in the afternoon we return back to Putao for dinner and overnight at our guesthouse.

Fri - Day 15. 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.