A trekking adventure through Shan State Hills

The rural Shan State in northeast Myanmar is home to many traditional Palaung villages hidden in its many hills. On this six-day adventure, you will delve deep into the hills to meet villagers and experience their traditional way of life, staying in homestays and visiting tea plantations and bamboo paper mills.

Day 1: Pyin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw

Take a historic eight-hour train to Hsipaw along the rails originally engineered by the British to connect the center of Myanmar to the Northern Shan State. Once you arrive in Hsipaw, spend the afternoon biking along the river Myit Nge before enjoying an incredible sunset from the hill of the five Buddhas. You will stay overnight at the brand new Hsipaw resort.
Day 2: Hsipaw

Spend the day exploring the town of Hsipaw, a former Sao Pha (royal) hideaway in the Northern Shan State. After breakfast, visit the Shan noodle factory, followed by a tour of the Hsipaw palace to learn the history of the royal town. Later, enjoy a boat journey up the Myint Nge to explore a traditional Shan village. After a sunset cruise back to Hsipaw, enjoy a second night at the Hsipaw resort.
Day 3: Hsipaw - Kyauk Me - Pansan

Today, head out of Hsipaw to begin your three-day trek – but not before paying a visit to the pagoda Bawgyo, an incredible ancient Shan-style monument that is said to be over 2,000 years old. Afterward, you’ll drive 45 minutes to Kyauk Me, the kick-off point of your trek in the hills of the Shan State. On this first day, you’ll trek four hours to Pansan, a traditional Palaung village where you’ll stay overnight in a homestay.
Day 4: Trek to Pan Hon

Trek for five hours through the heart of the Shan State, visiting several Palaung villages and meeting villagers, including women wearing traditional red skirts and silver hoops around their waist. Spend time exploring a local tea plantation and enjoy an overnight homestay.
Day 5: Trek to Man Kyoung; Tuk Tuk to Kyaung Me

Today is the last day of trekking. End the exploration of the Shan State hills in the village of Man Kyoung, where you’ll head back to Kyauk Me on a traditional tuk-tuk. After settling in at the Ayar Yon Oo Guest House, enjoy the rest of the day exploring the village monasteries, visiting local bamboo paper mills or – if your leg muscles will allow – climbing the large hills that surround the village.
Day 6: Kyaung Me - Pyin Oo Lwin - Mandalay

Depart from Kyaung Me and spend some time back in Pyin Oo Lwin, a former British stronghold that served as a cool retreat from the surrounding cities, thanks to its high altitude. Visit the old colonial mansions and take a walk through the sprawling botanical garden – just one of the town’s many British legacies. Finally, you will head back to Mandalay and stay overnight at a hotel before departing from the group the next day.