River Journey Tour at Kachin (4 Nights / 5 Days)

Kachin State (Eastern Of Myanmar)

About Kachin State
Myanmar’s Kachin State in the Eastern Himalayas remains one of the least visited wilderness areas on earth, offering unique opportunities for true frontier exploration. It has only recently become possible to obtain permission to visit many areas of this little known destination. Nowadays, we can arrange rafting and trekking journeys into this tribal land of dense forests and snow-capped mountains, which to this day remains completely cut off from the modern world.

With little in the way of roads or development the Northern Myanmar ecosystem remains incredibly intact and is internationally recognized as a hotspot of biodiversity. Climax old growth forest is common, supporting a huge range of animal and bird life while in the high alpine meadows many of Asia’s rarest flowers thrive. This is a place of pristine beauty, exotic cultures and some of the most radical topography on earth. Traveling in Kachin State is full of simple delights and opportunities that can no longer be found elsewhere, providing timeless and unpretentious experiences.Our Program base at The Lisu Resort * newly operate & the best place in Putao, we provide a whole range of adventures from shorter half-day excursions to month-long hardcore expeditions. With the highest attention to operational safety, equipment and service, visitors can rest assured that they are in the best of hands. Our holidays are all about adventure, excitement, and a journey through the natural beauty and cultural diversity of some of the planet’s last remote areas.

Based on our exploratory first descents we are initially offering two very different river trips. One standard river trip will be an exclusive three-day wilderness journey on the pristine western headwaters of the Ayeyarwaddy. By contrast, the Maykha River is the most extreme multi-day river expedition offered on the planet. This is our “Everest of Rivers” and the expedition in early 2006 will be the first commercial raft descent. 

Duration : 4 Nights / 5 Days

Routing : Putao Area, Wang Lai Dam to Mulashidi

Recommend Season : Starting from October to end of April

Detailed Itinerary for NAM LANG RIVER JOURNEY TOUR (5 Days / 4 Nights)

This program is three day wilderness journey on the pristine western headwaters of the Ayeyarwaddy.
The Nam Lang River combines the thrill of Class 3 and 4 whitewater through thickly forested canyons, with a closer insight into a people and way of life unchanged for centuries. This river journey is an incredible combination of white water, scenery, villages, and truly quiet and introspective evenings in our private camps.
• Difficulty 3-4
• From Wanglai Dam to Mulashidi
• Distance 60km
• 1 days trek, 2 river days
• Av. River Gradient 25 ft per mile
• Best Season Late Oct – Early April
• Minimum group size 4
• Maximum group size 14

Day 01 : Putao ( L, D)

Arrive at Putao Airport and transfer to Malikha Lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure in the grounds of our beautiful wilderness lodge, with time for a refreshing swim or spa treatment. Group dinner and drinks at the main lodge in front of our open fireplaces, and briefing from Ayeyarwaddy Expeditions on the following day’s adventure.

Day 02. Putao – Upper Shangaung – Nam Lang Valley (B , L , D) Trekking
Trek to Nam Lang Valley. An hours drive from Malikha Lodge we pass the village of Upper Sangaung which marks the beginning of the jungle. The road continues on for a few more km, towards the pass leading into the Nam Lang Valley to the beginning of our trek. We trek at a moderate space for five to six hours, four hours to the top of the pass, and another two down to our river camp. In traditional style the porters carry all the expedition food and equipment ahead, leaving us free to enjoy this scenic trek through untouched subtropical forest and giant bamboo. Our river camp lies close to the first river canyon, which is marked by a spectacular rattan and bamboo bridge across the river.

Day 03. Nam Ze Area (B, L, D) Rafting

First day rafting. The following day, after breakfast everyone is fitted with their specialist rafting gear, while the trip leader and safety kayaker give an extensive lesson in river safety and paddling technique. We pass by the remote Lisu village of Nam Ze, at the foot of more snow-capped peaks. This is our last contact with “civilization” as we take an isolated loop into the lower canyons. Two hours below this village and we encounter some excellent technical rapids. From here we raft down to our final river beach camp at the beginning of the second canyon.

Day 04 : Puato ( B, L , D )

Second day rafting. After a hearty breakfast, we start the final and most challenging days rafting. An hour later, we reach three exciting and technical rapids stacked in succession in a tight bedrock canyon. The trio of rapids ends with a bang in a series of drops between massive boulders. From here it is about three hours rafting and leisurely cruising back to our home at Malikha Lodge, where a glass of champagne and long hot shower awaits.

Day 05 : Puato – Myitkyina – Yangon Or Mandalay ( B)

Return to Mandalay/Yangon. After a final leisurely breakfast at Malikha Lodge, check out and late morning transfer to Putao airport to connect with your flight back to Mandalay and the rest of your itinerary.

* * * * * * End Of Our Services * * * * * * *

Personal Items to bring for Rafting and Trekking
Since all our rafting expeditions include at least one trekking day, clients will also need to bring items as prescribed on our trekking list.

As a general rule when packing for one of our wilderness expeditions please keep personal gear to a minimum. Clothing should be lightweight, dry quickly, and provide insulation even when wet. Synthetic fibres are preferable to cotton on the river for this reason. For any other personal items not included on our detailed equipment list below, please feel free to contact us directly.

1. For camping and travelling:

A sleeping bag. Your sleeping bag should be at least a three-season bag, either down or synthetic filled. If you do not have a sleeping bag we do have them for hire or purchase. A Therma-rest (inflatable sleeping mattress) is provided by Ayeyarwaddy Expeditions for your comfort.

Lightweight pants and jacket. The brushed nylon pants and windbreakers made by a variety of companies are ideal for trekking and general travel wear.

Long sleeved thermal, top and bottoms (long underwear). These are synthetic clothing such as Patagonia Capaline which maintain their insulating value even when wet, and are therefore ideal for wearing around the campsite and on the river. The zippered turtleneck is particularly handy, as it can be vented and keeps the sun off the back of your neck. Light and medium weight weaves are the handiest.

Socks: Two pairs of polypropylene or polypro mix athletic socks.

Cotton underwear.

Lightweight long sleeved shirt. These are particularly useful as sunscreen in camp. In addition temperatures in the shade remain cool throughout the season

Two cotton T-shirts.

A fleece jacket. Polypropylene is preferable.

A Gore-Tex or similar material raincoat and pants. This will keep you warm and dry in a variety of situations. A simple shell design is preferable, as they can be packed away into very small bundles.

Small Towel

Toiletries: keep it to a minimum. Bring plenty of moisturizing lotion.
Spare glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries.
Water bottle
Toilet paper and lighter –We do provide it on all trips, but also advise you carry your own supply for convenience. The lighter is for burning the toilet paper after you’ve used it.
Insect Repellent: Our Nam Lang river camp has screened areas where insects are not a problem, but while trekking and rafting in the jungle bring plenty of insect repellent.
Lightweight cotton gloves are also handy as additional insect protection.

2. River Wear:

River sandals or wet suit booties are the preferred footwear on the river. Tevas, Alps, or other high quality river sandals or booties should be brought from home. It is essential that all rafters have footwear that they can wear in the raft, which will not come off in the event of a swim, as this is considered standard safety equipment. One of the best options is simple wetsuit booties used for diving or windsurfing. These also offer additional protection from insect bites.

River shorts Good quality, such as Patagonia Baggies or Guide Shorts. These are by far the best all around river wear, as they are durable, dry quickly, and provide the pockets you will need for little items you’ll want to keep close. Two pairs are enough.

Swimming costume – (or you can just get by with river shorts).
A sarong for women (a long piece of cloth wrapped around your waist) is another good option, and can be purchased cheaply in Myanmar. This is invaluable for visiting villages and respecting local custom for dress. It can also be used to replace your towel for drying after washing.
A baseball style cap and good sunglasses equipped with a retaining device to keep them on your face where they belong.
Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater and waterproof) is essential
Lip Balm, SPF 15 minimum

3. Trekking:

A daypack. It should be a medium volume daypack without a frame, and again, the most important criteria are how well it fits and works.

Lightweight hiking boots or running shoes of good quality and preferably worn in are a must. For people who do not routinely walk in the mountains, light hiking boots are strongly recommended. Heavy mountaineering boots are not recommended.

For longer treks and Higher Altitude treks waterproof pants, gaiters, additional socks and thermal hats and gloves are highly recommended.

4. Optional:

Camera and film. Also bring a good cleaning kit, as field conditions are harsher than in towns. Spare batteries are also handy. There will be waterproof Pelican Cases supplied on the rafting trips. Packets of silica gel will help reduce humidity in the camera case.

Small binoculars for wildlife viewing. If you’re an avid bird watcher you may want to bring a more substantial pair of binoculars with a waterproof case.

Pocketknife or multi-tool.
Fishing equipment.
Reading and writing material.
Personal first aid kit.
Personal linen, pillow case or under sheet

5. Provided by us:

We will provide the following equipment for all clients on our rafting and trekking expeditions:

All safety and trek / river gear (except clothing and personal items – see personal equipment above) On river trips we provide lifejackets, helmets, spray jackets, wet suits when required, dry bags, camera barrels, satellite phone and comprehensive first aid kits.

Tented accommodation while on your trip.

Mattresses or thermo-rests to sleep on

Cooking equipment including all kitchen utensils, pots, pans, plates and glassware