Myanmar Tour Program Name >>Myanmar Eco Tourism : Phinganrazi Ice-Capped Mountaing Expedition (16 nights/17 days)
Cover Area: Yangon, Myitkyina, Putao, Upper Shangaung, Wasondum, WarSar Dam, Awa Dam, Lona Dam, Zi Yar Dam, Chaung Sone, Thit Pin Gyi Camp , Yekhe Ahsat.
Tour Code: IOTT#0404/0708

MOUNTAINEERING
Phonganrazi ice capped mountain expedition Duration - 17 Days
Availability - October to May
Phongan Razi Mountain is situated in Putao Township, northernmost part of Myanmar. Phongan Razi Mountain is easiest one to go among ice and snow capped mountains in Myanmar. Except in August and September the mountain is capped with ice and snow all year round. Pongunrazi Mountain is 11500 feet (3505 meter) high and located between N latitude 27 5' and E longitude 97. Today Ministry of Forestry designated the region around Phongan Razi Mountain as Phongan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary. 
 

Day 1 : Arrival and Yangon Sightseeing
Arrived at Yangon by morning flight, welcome and proceed Yangon sightseeing by visiting at Kabaraye (World Peace) Pagoda and Chaukhtutgyi Pagoda, the reclining Buddha Image, and the Karaweik floating Hall on the royal lake is to study the pilaster work of Myanmar Architecture. Drive to Sule Pagoda and visit in the downtown. Visit Great Shwedagon pagoda, the landmark of the country and overnight.
 

Day 2 : Yangon - Myitkyina - Putao (By Flight)
After breakfast transfer and take morning flight to Putao, small town located at the extreme north of the country, the foot of the southern slope of the Himalayas. In the evening, enjoy in sightseeing during allowing times such as strolling in the town.
 

Day 3 : Putato - Upper Shangaung
Depart for the trek through the lush and green forests. Arrival at the higher village of Shangaung (495 m), populated by Lisu and Rawang tribes, two monitories of Kachin, which populates the north of the country. Discover the local life and overnight at a local house.
 

Day 4 : Shangaung To Wasondum
Trek to the Jade Mountain while crossing an old bridge made of bamboo. On the way, discover the charming villages. Trek up to the ranges of the Jade Mountain located at 1400 m above sea level. Then hike down about 2 hours in the forest and you can hear rhythmic sound of monkeys and stags and deer barking. Arrive at Wasondum (895 m), small village of the Rawang minority and overnight at a local house.
 

Day 5 : WarSar Dam - Awa Dam - Lona Dam - ZiYar Dam - 13 miles
Hike through flat and plain region for 13 miles today. On the way, there is a Zi Yar river near Awa Dam (Lisu) village. Pass over a 400 feet long rattan suspension bridge and then observed a pleasant forest and later will arrive at Lona Dam village. The rattan suspension bridge is useful in raining season and when water level is high. If there is no raining and water level is low, there is a bamboo bridge built on river stones. Left Lona Dam village and continue journey to Zi Yar Dam village about 7 miles. Zi Yar Dam village is in the north-western most part of Myanmar, which is nearest to the Phongan Razi Mountain, 3,300 feet above the sea. There are 18 houses in the village. Most of the villagers are Rawan, Lisu and Lisu- Rawan national races. Their livelihood is cultivation and hunting, overnight at Zi Yar Dam village.
 

Day 6 : Zi Yar Dam - Chaung Sone camp (River confluence)
Trekking about 7 miles Up and down hill slopes and crossing several streams along the way. You will cross small Phongan River before confluence of Phongan and NamLan rivers. Normally it is possible to walk through to the other side. But if water level is high, we need to cut trees and make a bridge. It is better to make a pre arrangement if river need to build a bridge. Soon or later, we will get to confluence and camping for overnight.
 

Day 7 : Chaung Sone Camp - Thit Pin Gyi Camp
Leave Chaung Sone camp in the morning crossing over Phongan River again. Today we are going to climb onto over 6000 thousand feet high. Along the way, the orchids growing on trees and branches where the forest became dense and the slope became deep and trekking is slow. When we get higher the forest is changing with pines and rhododendron trees. In the evening arrive our camp.
 

Day 8 : Thit Pin Gyi Camp - Yekhe Ahsat or Ice Camp
Today will be hard trekking about over 6 miles. First depart for Khan Taun Mit (or) Kyant Lu Ai camp at 8260 feet above sea. And continue journey to Ice camp. Depend on weather condition, ice and snow line of demarcation is changing. When it is more snow, you are going to trek on ice after Kyant Lu Ai camp of 8260 feet. Due to severe cold, all of the trees have shed their leaves and there were only dry branches on the trees. The ground was covered with ice and no more orchids could be seen growing on the trees. Finally you will get to ice line where to stop overnight. Find a place to pitch camps.
 

Day 9 : Ice camp - The summit
From the camp to Summit will take 3 to 6 hours depend on location of your ice camp, if it is good weather, you will have time about an hour or more and if it is bad weather not more than 30 minutes. Return to Ice camp.
 

Day 10 : Ice camp - Chaung Sone Camp
The whole day trekking down to camp if there is full of water in Phongan River that we need to stop for overnight near the river and cross the river next day, overnight at camp.
 

Day 11 : Chaung Sone camp - ZiYar Dam village
Return along same route. It is a great opportunity to celebrate a party for your memorable and successful trip at village.
 

Day 12 : Zi Yar Dam - War Sar Dam village

Day 13 : War Sar Dam - Upper Shan Kaung

Day 14 : Upper Shan Kaung – Putao

Day 15 : Putao - Mandalay (By Flight)

Day 16 : Mandalay - Yangon (By Flight)

Day 17 : Last minutes visit and departure.
Visit the National Museum where large collections of Royal Regalia of the last monarch of Myanmar are displayed. Our last King Thi Baw who was deposed to India used those Regalia’s that made of real gold studded with precious stones such as rubies, emerald, sapphire, diamonds, etc. and left to airport for evening departure.