Phonyin Razi Putao Trekking Peak – 12 Days

Upon arrival to Putao airport you will be welcomed by Discovery DMC local guide and transferred to your hotel / guest house in Putao. After check-in and lunch we take a walk around the town to get a feel of the local life and meet the friendly people. Putao previously known as Fort Hertz by its colonial name was the furthest out post of the British Burma. A number of expeditions and surveys trips were conducted by the British and international explorers to record the unique flora and fauna of the region however large parts remain unexplored. Like many other parts of Burma access to the far north was restricted for decades. Putao remains a sleepy and isolated town situated in a flat valley surrounded by forests and has only seasonal overland access from Myitkyina.

Meals included: Dinner
Overnight stay: In a hotel or lodge in Putao

After breakfast we take a morning walk to Putao market, where ethnic minorities often come trade their produce. You may find some simple supplies and snack here for the trek if needed. Transfer by jeep or truck approx. 1hr/17km to Upper Shangaung, a Rawang minority village where many of the porters reside and where we start our trek. Visit a local school & church before starting ascent from 1000m elevation up a serpentine trail climbing over jungle covered Mt Shangaung (1362m) range after high pass the trail contours forested mountain slopes gradually descending to small Rawang minority village, Wasandum (850m), located on the lower slopes of the mountain range facing the Namro Creek.

Trekking: Trekking time approx. 8hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at lodge, packed lunch during trek, dinner at lodge
Overnight stay: In a local homestay in Wasandum

Wake up with the village and enjoy breakfast prepared by our cook. Today’s trek is less challenging as our trail follows the Namro creek to Awadum, a small Lisu minority village who are farmers. After lunch stop in Avadum we continue the trek through lush forests following the river valley until we cross a hanging bridge over the Zia creek and enter Ziadum Rawang minority village also known as the “Last Village”. It is the last inhabited place in North West Myanmar. In the afternoon free time for walks around Zia creek, (weather permitting) enjoy fabulous views over snowcapped peaks of Phonyin and Phangran bordering India. In the evening you can enjoy social interactions with the hosts or other villagers.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.7hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at lodge, packed lunch during trek, dinner at lodge
Overnight stay: In a local homestay in Ziadum

In the morning you can enjoy the marvelous view of the snow-capped mountains surrounding the village. We will then set off on our trip, leaving the village heading north. The first one and a half hour of our route will be open flat terrain of reeds, and then we will reach the confluence of Phangran and Phoyin creeks. We will wade through the Phonyin creek. The rest of the trek will be along narrow tracks in the marsh forest along the Phangran creek. Our destination is the first camp which is located on the banks of Phangran creek at 1518 meters. Once we arrive at the camp we can spend the late afternoon relaxing and cooling off the waters of the creek. We will then spend the night at the camp.

Trekking: Trekking time approx. 7hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at lodge, lunch, dinner at camp
Overnight stay: Camp I shelter & tents

As you wake up and wash your face by a small tributary at Phangran creek, you will hear melodious sound of the nature, birds, gibbons and other forest creatures. After breakfast, we will start climbing up a gradually ascending track through deep forest and some bamboo groves. After approx. two hours of trekking we will reach camp II built at the foot of a small ridge We will have lunch there and then resume our trek to Camp III, ascending more steeply through dense forest for about three hours until reaching our camp site. Enjoy free time and relaxing in the late afternoon.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.5hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at camp, packed lunch, dinner at camp
Overnight stay: Camp III shelter & tents

Today’s route is the toughest and most challenging of the trip traveling through varied and rapidly changing terrain and alpine forests. In the afternoon we reach the base camp site near snow line. The camp is small so the cook and porters may need to prepare food further away where it’s possible to build fire. We will pitch our tents and spend the night at the base camp.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.7hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at camp, packed lunch, dinner at camp
Overnight stay: Tented camp at Base Camp

Early breakfast, and 3-6hr climb (depending on snow condition) to the summit of Phonyin Razi at 4282 masl. Once we reach the peak, you can enjoy spectacular views of a beautiful lake down below and panorama of snow-capped mountain ranges of Himalaya. Weather permitting we will enjoy our lunch on the peak. Then return back to the base camp same way and spend one more night under canvas. Bring along your binoculars on the climb as we may get glimpse of rare wildlife. Thakin, musk deer, wild goat, and other rare animals are often spotted in this region.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.6-9hrs. Depending on snow conditions
Meals included: Breakfast at camp, packed lunch, dinner at camp
Overnight stay: Tenting at Base camp

We say goodbye to the peak and begin our descent along the challenging route of up and down terrain to Camp III. We will stop for a lunch break at the Camp III. In the afternoon continue decent to Camp III where we stop for the night.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.8hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at camp, packed lunch, dinner at camp
Overnight stay: Camp II shelter & tents

In the morning we will walk down along the gradually descending trail to first camp for about one and half hours. From the first camp we continue trekking through the marshy vegetation of Phonyin creek. After crossing Phonyin creek, and two hours of trekking through the forest we will reach Ziadum village by the Mula creek. We will spend another night here in a local village house. (Hot shower/ bucket shower may be available at extra cost in the village.)
If lucky we can get to enjoy fresh fish caught by the locals from the nearby glacial creek.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.8hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at camp, packed lunch, dinner at lodge
Overnight stay: In a local home stay in Ziadum

Early in the morning, do not miss spectacular view of the snow mountains from the village and take time to explore the village before breakfast. When our group is ready we will take a different route to Kalang village. The route is relatively flat, shady and pleasant to walk, moreover there are some beautiful suspension bridges to be crossed. It will take us about two hours to reach Kalang, a beautiful Rawang village in a rural setting. From here we will continue to Awadum village and along the way we will be crossing the long Kalang suspension bridge. We will have lunch at a local house in Awadum which houses the only shop in village and then proceed to Wasandum to stay overnight.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.6hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at lodge, packed lunch, dinner at lodge
Overnight stay: In a local home stay in Wasandum

After breakfast, we will begin a dramatic ascent up of Mt. Shaungaung for an half hour, and then the route becomes winding up with alternative low and high terrain up to the vicinity of the peak where the trail rises dramatically. We will enjoy lunch near the summit and then continue trekking for one and a half hours to upper Shangaung where a jeep will be waiting for us. After we say farewell to our porters and cook, we will depart the village by jeep for Putao. On the way there will be some small bridges in bad condition and we will have to get off the jeep for our safety and walk across. This will provide us a with good opportunity to meet local people from all walks of life traveling on motorbike, on bulllock cart, on bicycles and on foot across these bridges. Once we reach Putao you can enjoy dinner and a hot shower at the Putao lodge.

Trekking: Trekking time approx.7hrs
Meals included: Breakfast at lodge, packed lunch, dinner at lodge
Overnight stay: In a hotel or lodge in Putao

Morning sightseeing and last souvenirs and transfer to Putao airport for your onward flight.

Meals included: Breakfast