The Road to Mandalay Challenge 2012

The Road to Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)

15 - 24 November 2012

Trek - 2 days - and Cycle – 4 days

This will be  G4G's 41st challenge.

Up to 25 people will join us on our trip to Burma. 2 days of hiking and 4 days of cycling will test your physical fitness, while stays in small guest houses and visits to pagodas, temples & deserted royal cities will reveal the hidden secrets of Myanmar, it's incredible history and diverse cultures.  We'll hike the Chin hills, including Mt Victoria (3,053m), then cycle through the Irrawaddy river valley until we reach Mandalay, the historic royal capital of Myanmar. 

Level: This is a DIFFICULT test of our fitness, but achievable by anyone in good health, willing to train to build fitness and stamina.  Trekking is at low altitude but strenuous. G4G run a number of free training sessions before the challenge.

Number of participants: max 25

Registration Fee: AED 2,200/-

Minimum Sponsorship: AED 18,500

Assistance provided in advance by G4G: Fund-raising ideas; training & fitness suggestions; safety & medical advice; clothing & equipment advice.

What G4G provides on the Challenge: Flights and transfers, hotels/family run homestays/monastery, food, guides, medical & vehicle back-up.

Essential to leave behind: Day-to-day problems.

Essential to bring: Determination & a sense of humour!

Closing date: As soon as the first 25 people are registered

Road to Mandalay Challenge 2012 (Burma)

15 - 24 November 2012

2 days Trekking and 4 days Cycling

OUTLINE ITINERARY - more details to follow

Day One - Thursday 15 November

Upon arrival at the Yangon International Airport we will be transferred to our overnight guesthouse.  

Overnight in guesthouse in Yangon

Day Two - Friday 16 November

After breakfast we will be transported to Yangon Domestic Airport (beside the Yangon International Airport) for an internal flight to Nyaung Oo.

 Upon arrival we will be taken to our hotel in Nyaung Oo.

We will then have time for sightseeing around the many temples in Bagan.

Overnight in hotel in Nyaung Oo

Day Three - Saturday 17 November

Trekking 20km

After breakfast we will commence with a 20km trek from a village on the outskirts of Bagan to Mt Popa.  This route will pass through several villages and forests on an open terrain of flat and undulating tracks.

Upon arrival we will be checked into the Popa Mountain Resort where we will sleep for 2 nights.

Overnight in Popa Mountain Resort

Day Four - Sunday 18 November

Trekking 12km

Around 12kms trekking today, including an optional afternoon walk up to a nearby temple.

After breakfast the trek to the summit of Mt Popa will commence. The upward trek will take approximately 2 hours.

Upon arrival at the summit of this extinct volcano, refreshments will be taken before the return leg is commenced.   The views today are excellent - a just reward for the steep ascent!

In the afternon, there is a lovely an optional afternoon walk up to a nearby temple which you may take.   Alternatively, you could relax at the hotel before hopping on your bikes tomorrow!

Overnight at the Popa Mountain Resort

Day Five - Monday 19 November

Cycling - 8km

This will be the first day of four spent on mountain bikes.   Today's ride will take us 80km to Myingyan via sealed roads with very light traffic.   The route will pass through several villages and a few sand-filled water crossings.   The tree-lined road
will offer much appreciated shade.

We will stop for a mid-day meal at one of the villages along the way.

Evening meal and overnight guest house in Myingyan

Day Six - Tuesday 20 November

Cycling - 89km

Following breakfast, we will start our cycle for the day and pass through rural areas as well as many villages.

We will stop for our lunch at one of the villages enroute.

Upon arrival in Myittha we will proceed to a monastery where there will be basic accommodation - one large common room for males and another similar room for females.

We will sleep on mattresses on the floor under mosquito nets.

Overnight at the monastery

Day Seven - Wednesday 21 November

Cycling - 84km

After a light breakfast we'll start cycling the 84kms to Mandalay.

At Kyauksei we will stop for an early lunch before getting back on to the final leg of the journey from Mt Popa to Mandalay.  

The first 55kms of the day will be on quiet country-roads, the last 30 or so kms on the (almost-deserted) toll road into Mandalay.

Accommodation for the night will be at a hotel which offers grand views of the  Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River.

Overnight in Mandalay Hotel

Day Eight - Thursday 22 November

Cycling - 50km

Following breakfast, we'll start the final day of cycling from the hotel to Mingun which is located beside the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River on the opposite bank to the hotel.

The route will pass through Amarapura, Sagaing & Inwa townships before arriving at Mingun which is famous for a very large bell sited at the foot of a huge mass of bricks which was to be used to house the bell until an earthquake stopped the project some 200 years ago.

The return leg to Mandalay will be via a river boat which will berth very near to the hotel.  The remainder of the day will be used for our charity visit giving challengers the opportunity to meet the Head Monk, teachers as well as the children.  

A Celebratory Challenge dinner will be held this evening.

Overnight at hotel in Mandalay

Day Nine - Friday 23 November

In the morning, we will have a short tour of the centre of Mandalay before going to the Mandalay Airport for the flight to Yangon.  

Upon arrival in Yangon, the group will transfer by foot to the Yangon International Airport next door to catch the return flight to Dubai.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR MYANMAR:

1. Please note that credit cards and traveller cheques are not accepted in Myanmar and that visitors must be bring sufficient cash (best in US Dollars, but Euros also increasingly accepted) to change and make any purchases and payments. Please bring new US Dollar bills ("big heads" instead of "small heads") and with series numbers not starting with CB as these are not accepted in Myanmar due to rumours that these series are counterfeit.

2. Furthermore, you should NOT change money at the exchange booth at the airport just after immigration, as the market rate in town is MUCH better.

3. A surcharge might apply for peak season dates (Water Festival 12-18 April, Christmas, New Year, etc.)

4. Travellers to Myanmar are required to have a travel insurance policy covering the cost of medical evacuation flights.

5. Visas are required by all visitors to Myanmar and Passports must be valid 6 months after arrival date.

6. The schedules of domestic flights in Myanmar are provided as an indication only. Once a booking is confirmed we can provide more precise timings, but these remain nevertheless subject to change without notice by the airlines until travelling date. It might therefore in some cases be necessary to amend your program and itinerary due to such schedule changes. 

Additional notes: This itinerary may change due to unforeseen changes of country regulations, unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, group strength, etc. We will endeavour to keep to the planned itinerary, but cannot be held responsible for last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, the group leader will have the final say.

This itinerary is tough and you may encounter poor weather. The challenge is not for the unfit or the faint-hearted.

Most of our challenges have occasional exposure to sheer drops. Therefore, should you suffer from vertigo, you should discuss the itinerary with a member of our team.

Climate

November sees the start of the cooler, drier winter months. The average min temperature is 23 ºC and the average max temperature is 25 ºC. Expect low humidity.

Health

The most important and simple thing you can do to prevent illness is to be properly immunized. Our medical adviser recommends that you should be immunized against Cholera, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Polio, Rabies, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Malaria, and Dengue Fever. All necessary immunizations should be taken 6-8 weeks before travel to allow time for the shots to take affect.   Contact your GP for more information.

In Dubai, these are available at the Travel Clinic at Al Mankhool Health Center in Bur Dubai: 04 502 1200 (walk in clinic open Sunday – Thursday from 7:30am – 2:00pm. CASH ONLY) Clinic Medicentres International in Motor City:  04-360-8866 & Prime Medical Center - 04-349-4545.

Dr. Kersten Elliot, a chiropodist/podiatrist from Dubai Physiotherapy and Family medicine Clinic, 04 349 6333, is happy to provide a 50% discount on consultation fees – please take your G4G Registration Cover Letter as proof that you are a registered challenger.

Training

You will be trekking/biking for several hours per day.  Therefore, it is important that you start a gym or training programme several months prior to the challenge.  Most gyms will be happy to assist you in achieving your fitness (and some may even sponsor you!) 

The challenge is rated as Difficult.   Good fitness is required - start training as early as possible.  Keep hydrated by drinking water regularly.

Visa information

Check if your passport is valid for at least 6 months after arrival date.  You should also have a couple of clean pages (no stamps!) left in the passport. 

A system of visa on arrival is available in both Yangon (Rangoon) and Mandalay.  Visitors to Myanmar can apply for the arrival visa at Yangon (Rangoon) International Airport and Mandalay International Airport.

Under the system, visitors no longer need to apply in advanced.   They can apply at the airport for the 28 days tourist arrival visa, which cannot be extended.   Visa fees will be US$30 per person.   All nationalities except those in the Government black list will be issued arrival visa.   Again, make sure you have double checked and have all the necessary requirements covered.

Travel & Medical Insurance

G4G can arrange travel and medical insurance for all participants traveling from abroad.  You will be required to pay your insurance premium in addition to your sponsorship target. Further details about the premium, type of cover, insurance terms and conditions, etc. are available on request. (Aed 20 per day) If you have your own Insurance cover, please ensure that you are covered for activities such as trekking in Myanmar and provide us a copy of the policy. Please note that travellers to Myanmar are required to have a travel insurance covering the cost of medical evacuation flights.

Sponsorship

A comprehensive sponsorship booklet is included in your challenge pack.  There are many different sorts of activities you could consider to help build support for your challenge amongst family, friends and colleagues.  Seeking sponsorship in this way increases your profile, creates more goodwill and raises awareness of the work of the nominated charities.  The G4G office can give you names of previous challengers who will be happy to offer advice and maybe even assistance. Be aware that there are rules and regulations controlling public fundraising in the UAE – if you have any questions, contact our office.

Safety

We take your safety very seriously.  It is our first and never forgotten priority.  Please listen to your guides and follow their instructions. 

Respect for the Environment

We maintain a firm commitment to conserve the areas we work in and ask you to do the same.  Take only photographs and leave behind only tyre/footprints!

A Typical Day

A typical day varies according to the activity, terrain and distance. However you can expect a normal day to start at 6am with breakfast served at 7am. You should have packed up and be ready to leave by 8.00am.  In the morning there are usually 3 -4 hours of trekking/biking before the stop for lunch, followed by 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Before dinner, there is time to relax, socialize, play games or explore the area.  Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.  Drinking water is available throughout the day.

Mental Preparation

It is well within you to complete this challenge.   Remain in a positive state of mind, without being overly confident.   This mental stamina will make the more difficult parts easier to complete.  Always focus on your goal and do not get involved in inconsequential matters that will rob you of your concentration.   Being physically prepared assists a great deal in being mentally confident for the physical part of the Challenge, so train hard!

Miscellaneous Information

Local Currency: Myanmar Kyat, or MMK

Currency conversions as at 4 Dec 2011

1MMK = 0.156 USD

1USD = 6.41 MMK

Notice: The black market MMK rates may vary significantly.

DO NOT change money at the exchange booth at the airport just after immigration, as the market rate in town is MUCH better.

Please note that credit cards and traveller cheques are not accepted in Myanmar and that visitors must be bring sufficient cash (best in US Dollars, but Euros also increasingly accepted) to change and make any purchases and payments.  Please bring new US Dollar bills ("big heads" instead of "small heads") and with series numbers not starting with CB as these are not accepted in Myanmar due to rumours these series are counterfeit.

Electricity in Myanmar is 240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second.   If you travel to Myanmar / Burma with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

Outlets in Myanmar / Burma generally accept 3 types of plug: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and Type F" Schuko. Also reported to be in use is the "Type D" Indian socket.
Three round pins arranged in a triangle
Two round pins
Two parallel flat pins with ground pin

A good reference book is Myanmar Travel Guide from the Lonely Planet publications, available in Dubai from Magrudy's, Borders, etc. 

Personal Equipment 

Travel light!  Do limit the weight of your luggage to less than 15 Kgs overall (Duffle Bag and Bag Pack inclusive) All bags are to be clearly marked and lockable. 

Do not take or wear any valuables on the trip, it is best to leave them at home. 

Please refer to the Kit List .  All the items required for the trip can be purchased from major sports shops & camping suppliers in U.A.E. – please see the list of outlets provided in your challenge pack.

How to Pack 

Your clothes and equipment should fall into two categories:

What you are going to wear and need on the Challenge.  This should fit into a single soft-sided bag and will be transported each day from site to site.  For your convenience, G4G has custom made duffle bags that are waterproof and easy for transportation for Aed 100 a piece.

What you are going to carry in your daypack.

In The Day Pack:

It is important that you pack carefully the smaller Day Pack that you carry yourself.   Anything you need during the course

of the day should be in your Day Pack, including, most importantly, something warm and something waterproof.

Sun glasses / Moisturizing/Sun screen lotion / Prescribed medicines/ Camera and spare film / Binoculars-optional / Note book & Pencil / Water bottle and Camelback bladder / Snacks / Permits, if any / Toilet paper / rain gear / Energy powder mix / Warm layer  / Extra shirt*

* It’s advisable to carry an extra T-shirt in your daypack. You may feel cold after sweating and need to change your shirt or add a layer to prevent chills.

Thoughts and ideas

Be kind to your feet! If you plan on purchasing new shoes, do so well ahead of time and allow yourself time to break them in.  Bring some extra moleskin or Second Skin (Compeed) for fast foot treatment, plus zinc oxide tape, and watch out for blisters.

Cotton is wonderful in warm weather, but once it becomes wet, it drains your body heat.  Plan on bringing at least one synthetic shirt that dries quickly. Suggestions are Capilene, M.T.S. and Thermax.

Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear.  Use different sizes and colors to differentiate the contents.  Plastic bags are also helpful to separate clean and dirty clothing, as well as giving an extra layer of waterproofing inside your bags.

If you normally wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from dust.

Some of the trails can be rutted and dusty.  It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in plastic bags to protect them from the dust.  This is in addition to their normal cases. 

Also bring some lens cleaning material.

Laundry is difficult on this trip but you can hand-wash a few quick-drying items.

Make 1 copy of your passport and take it with you; we will have a second copy in our files.  

The following notes are from the local Ground Handler who will be leading the trek:

1. Food and Drinks

On the trek, the ground handlers will serve you wholesome food for replenishment and to meet your energy requirements. Special dietary requirements can be provided on request. Our cooks are trained in matters of hygiene and cooking and even the dishes are washed in mild disinfectant solution. The water provided is pressure boiled and iodized.

Water bottles may be filled at night, so that you have cool water to drink the following day. Mineral water in bottles can be bought on many trek routes.

2. Your Staff On The Trip

Will consist of one English-speaking Guide/Escort who will be wholly responsible for the execution of the trip once it hits the trail. Helpers who will pitch the tents, serve food and guide the members on the trail will assist him. Cooks, assisted by kitchen staff, will do the cooking and surprise you with both western and local culinary delights in remote conditions.

3. We (the ground handler) will provide

2 share dome tents, group camping equipment, daily meals, water, and accommodation. All your gear will be transported each day to the night stop, except daily necessities carried in your own bag pack.

4. Sanitation and Personal Hygiene

A dugout latrine will be made at every camp and a toilet tent pitched over it, with folding toilet seats. Toilet paper will be provided. Limited hot water and Dettol soap will be provided twice a day for washing.

5. Daily Wear

Your Trek guide/escort can help you plan your daily wear before each day's walk. Please carry an extra shirt or T-shirt and rain wear, along with a light jacket in your backpack. The mountain air is cold, so you can keep dry and warm after sweats and chills.

6. General Matters

Your personal belongings will be looked after by our staff, so please help them by not leaving them unattended in villages and other public places.

Campfires will be enjoyed wherever dead wood and driftwood are available. We do not want to add to the large-scale deforestation problem in the country.

You will find the local people friendly, charming, inquisitive and quite ignorant about the West. We request you to maintain and follow the local customs. Sometimes handouts by trekkers have led to increased begging especially among village children, affecting their independent-spirited nature. As dental hygiene is a big problem no chocolate and sweets for the children, please. The leader/Escort can advise you if you are keen to help locally.

General Matters

Your personal belongings will be looked after by our staff, so please help them by not leaving them unattended in public places.

Money on the Trek

 You may want to buy drinks at wayside shops and souvenirs from the locals. Small change should be carried.

Tips 

It is difficult to give precise amounts as it obviously varies by each country; however the suggested amount is normally AED 100 – AED 180 per challenger for challenges lasting up to a week. Tips are usually collected at the end of the challenge by the G4G rep and given to the ground handler rep for distribution to the concerned staff.

The project to be supported by The Road to Mandalay Challenge in November 2012 is to build a new school building at the OCK school in the Mandalay division/region of Burma.   This building will be made up of 10 classrooms and 5 toilets to serve 512 children (250 girls / 262 boys), with 11 teachers (5 males / 6 females) to take care of the students.

Established in 1965, OCK school is located in the Mandalay division of central Myanmar.   Being one of the few rural schools in the area, this school plays an important role in providing kindergarten to grade 5 classes to more than 500 children from the community.

In spite of their proximity to the Irrawaddy River, the communities are located in the “dry zone” area of Myanmar with desert-like conditions, which makes farming difficult.   Hence, most villagers are dependent on daily jobs on construction sites and/or making fences and mats.  The average household income of the community is 1,000 kyat per day (or approx. USD 0.8 per day).

With limited resources, classes were being conducted in a building that is at least 70 years old.   This building withstood World War II and a massive fire accident in 1994; hence, it had undergone numerous rounds of repairs and renovations over the years.   Today, it is in a state that is beyond repair and is neither safe nor suitable for use.

The Gulf for Good funded building will replace this with a new and safe environment for the children to study.

This building is a project of Child’s Dream, which is a charitable, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering marginalised children and youth in the Mekong Sub-Region, which includes Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

For more information about Child's Dream, please go to our charity page for Child's Dream - CLICK HERE

Kit List 

The best way to ensure that you are dressed correctly is to wear the correct fabrics, against the body. The biggest mistake made by people is to have cotton against the skin. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly, but has absolutely no wicking properties. “Wick” means that the fabric draws moisture away from the body and allows it to evaporate on the outside. Cotton against the skin will trap moisture, so your body could be chilled by the wind (esp while cycling). So, don’t take chances with incorrect clothing.

Camera

Taking pictures with a fully automatic camera at altitude is perfectly possible, but always have a new battery in your camera when going into cold areas. A mechanical camera works just as well, provided you have the knowledge to operate it successfully. Cameras exposed to cold do not cease functioning, but if you keep it inside your jacket and the lens is warm, it will likely form condensation when suddenly exposed to cold. This condensation will freeze under certain conditions. Therefore, keep your cameras dry at all times.

There are numerous classic photo opportunities.

Packing

Remember that you will be on the go for at least 9 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period.

You clothes and equipment should fall into the following categories:

1. What you are going to wear on the trail
2. What you are going to carry in your daypack
3. What you would like the porters to carry for you

Mental Preparation

It is well within you to complete this challenge. Remain in a positive state of mind, without being overly confident. This mental stamina will make the more difficult parts easier to complete.  Always focus on your goal and do not get involved in inconsequential matters that will rob you of your concentration. Being physically prepared assists a great deal in being mentally confident for the physical part of the Challenge.

DayPack

Make sure your daypack is properly packed and complete by the time you start each day You will be unlikely to see the rest of your luggage during the day.

Miscellaneous

Electricity - 220V 50 cycles/sec

Electric Plug Details - They accommodate both flat prongs (like in the U.S. and Japan) and round prongs (like much of Europe and Asia).

Outlets in Myanmar generally accept 2 types of plug:

Flat blade plug  

Two round pins  

Mandalay, is 2.5 hours ahead of UAE time.

Take US$ in cash to change.

USD 1 = 6.50 Burmese Kyat (as at Jul 2011)

A good reference book is “A rough Guide Special: First Time Asia”, available in Dubai from Magrudy’s and other book shops.   We have a copy in the office - for reference, not for borrowing!

Check list - tick as you collect

Mandatory

• Walking poles
• 2 Season Sleeping Bags (Nights can be cold)
• Cycling Helmet & Cycling Gloves
  
• Sun Glasses for all days

Footwear

• Medium weight hiking boots (Gore-tex recommended or treated leather boots or equivalent) with new laces
• Trainers or running shoes for biking
• Several pairs of lightweight socks

Bags:

• A lockable, good sized duffle bag or suitcase with a top length zipper & name tag (name tag provided by G4G).   A suitcase is not appropriate
• A 25-30 ltrs light, small and comfortable daypack with outside pockets, preferably waterproof, to carry all small personal items needed during the day

Outerwear

• Lightweight Waterproof, breathable jacket/Rain coat/Poncho
• Warm jacket
• Wind shell/wind breaker

Additional Gear:

• Wide-brimmed hat for sun and rain
• Gel Saddle
• Sunscreen min SPF 15+
• Lip Balm /chap stick with sunscreen/sun block
• 1 Headlamp or flash light, pocket sized
• Personal wash bag (include wet wipes & a water free 'hand wash')

Pants:

• 1 pair walking shorts, supplex nylon or similar.
• 2 pairs of cycling shorts for cycling and kayaking. Padded shorts are advisable to prevent rubbing
• 1 Pair long hiking pants, light weight  not cotton (avoid jeans)
• Tracksuit bottom (essential for winter)
• Long Trousers or Skirt and long sleeved top for visiting Temples

Trekking shirts/t-shirts:

• 3 T-shirts (or more), preferably quick-dry material
• 1 long sleeve shirt, lightweight and light coloured for sun protection
• 1 long sleeve shirt, warm
• Sweatshirt (essential for Winter)
• 2 water bottles: 1 Lit size
• 4 extra passport-sized pictures for visas and permits (just in case!)
• Travel documents, including copy of passport
• Cash currency (US$ and Burmese Kyats)
• Toilet Paper
• Personal toiletries and medication
• Plastic bags for packing & zip-lock bags – assorted sizes are very useful for storing and keeping dry all sorts of things!
• Wet Wipes