Phongun Razi Expedition (12 Days)

Adventure Trekking :

Putao – Ziyadum – Mt. Phongun Razi – Putao 

Witnessing the pristine purity of biodiversity!

Mt. Phongun Razi – Towering 11920 feet above the sea is the most suitable peak to scale among the many peaks in the region. Generally covered with snow between November and May is about 53 mile north-west of Putao near Myanmar – Indian border. The remoteness and difficult accessibility of the region has help maintain the pristine purity of it forest and eco-systems offering unparalleled opportunities to present-day professionals in the field of zoology, botany, forestry, environmental protection, conservation and ecology as well as hardy eco-tourists and mountaineers who prefer the challenge of a testing back-packing trip in the mountain fastness to a routine attractions in the more accessible urban centers.

Day 01:    Arrival, Putao

Upon arrival at Putao airport we will be met by Putao Trekking House’s representative and transferred to our lodge. Putao lies in a flat valley, jumping-off point for trekkers who want to explore the region’s deep forests, wildlife sanctuaries and snow-capped mountains etc. Putao town and fort was built during 1914-15 by Commissioner Mr. Hertz along with Fort which later known as Fort Hertz. Later a Missionary basing the Rawan and Lisu tribe as initial and introduce Grapefruit, Washington Naval, Vlincha Orange, Ruby Oranges, King Orange and King Mandarin plus America Lime were introduced. After a brief fresh up take a walk around Putao for the orientation. Dinner and overnight at Putao Lodge.

Day 02 :   Putao – Shangaung – Wasandum (elevation 1450 feet to 4600 feet, then to 2850 feet)

Early in the morning we visit attractive Putao market often fills with colorful ethnic minorities. Later we depart by jeep to upper Shangaung, 10½ mile through the valley across several smaller villages and open fields. Our adventure starts as we get off the jeep and start trek to Wasandum, located at 2844 feet above sea.  This is consider a challenging trek as not only it goes toward the shoulder of Mt, Shangaung at 4606 feet (14½ mile, approx. 7 hour). First 6 mile will be straight up along the trail winding up to the top of Mt. Shangaung from then trail goes all the way down to Wasandum located at the Valley of Namro River. Though the trek itself is challenging but we enjoy the trek goes deep in to primary forests where we see many birds and heard sounds of monkeys in the near distance. Wasandum is a small Rawan tribe village situates by Namro creek. Dinner and overnight at Wasandum guest house.

Day 03:    Wasandum – Awadum – Ziyadum (elevation 2850 feet to 3540 feet)

Breakfast and we trek to our today destination at Ziyadum, located at 3540 feet above sea. At first we cross Namro creek to Awadum I (3 mile, approx. 2 hour). Awadum is mainly inhabited by Lisu and separate in to two by a large paddy field. From here we walk pass vast paddy field to Awadum II (1½ mile, approx. one hour). From here the trail goes through lush evergreen forests and enjoyable scenery towards Ziyadum (5½ mile, approx. 3 hour). Ziyadum is the most northwestern and last frontier village in Putao region, mainly resident are Rawan tribes. After a brief fresh up we visit Ziya creek for a fantastic sunset view with a blazing snow Mountains in the west which spark in to steady flowing Ziya creek. Dinner and overnight at Ziyadum guest house.

Day 04      Ziyadum – Chaungzone – Thitpingyi (elevation 3540 feet to 4800 feet)

Breakfast and continue trek to Chaungzone (6 mile, approx. 3 hour) leaving human inhabitant behind. At first we cross Phangran creek by a suspension bridge and trek through tropical rain forests with slightly ups and downs. Lunch stop and continue trek, cross another suspension bridge spans over Namya creek. From here trail goes steep and uphill trek on mule track until we reach to lower Thitpingyi camp, situate at 4800 feet above sea level (2 mile, approx. 2 hour). This is our first night in the wildness camping. We explore the surrounding while our crew prepare accommodation. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 05 : Lower Thitpingyi – Upper Thitpingyi – Khantautmyit (elevation 4800 feet to 8500 feet)

Breakfast and continue trek uphill to upper Thitpingyi camp (1½ mile, approx. one hour) along the mule trek. From here we are on the jungle trail through Khantautmyit camp, situates at 8500 feet above sea (3 mile, approx. 3 hour). As we traverses further we get ourselves into the challenging trail goes through deep ups and down with narrow shoulder ridge of a smaller cliff. We witness variety of forest type and bird life as we passing through tropical evergreen forest in to hill pine and now into moist upper deciduous forest. We notice Rhododendron flowers in their blossom and trees having thick moss on them. Khantautmyit is one of the most beautiful spots having large tree with colorful Rhododendron bushes around. Dinner and overnight at Khantautmyit camp.

Day 06:    Khantautmyit – Snow line (elevation 8500 feet to 10000 feet)

Breakfast and we continue trek to snow line, elevation 10000 feet above sea (4 mile, approx. 4 hour) trek depends on camp site location. Trek route will be a challenging one with narrow line however beautiful pine elevation with moist upper deciduous forest yet fill with Rhododendron make the scenery impressive. There are three different camp sites on snow line and we will find right spot for camping according to the snowfall. Tonight we will have to prepare for cold weather as temperature could be freezing during the night. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 07:    Snow line – Mt. Phongun summit – Khantautmyit (elevation 10000 feet to 11900 feet,  then to 8500 feet)

Breakfast and we prepare ourselves to scale the summit of Mt. Phongun at 11920 feet above sea. The distance is just little over 2 mile, but depending on snow conditions, it could take us anything between 3 to 5 hours. Also the time we could spend at the summit will depend on weather conditions. If the weather is clear, it is possible to experience spectacular views all round and see as far as the lands of India’s Arunachal to the west. Once we descend from the summit, we have a quick lunch and continue journey back to Khantautmyit camp. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 08 :      Khantautmyit – Thitpingyi

Breakfast and we relax through the morning admiring the fantastic surrounding. After early lunch we trek back to Thitpingyi camp through the trek winding ups and downs with constantly changing topography, flora and fauna. The trek is relatively easy as we will be mostly on mule trek. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 09:     Thitpingyi – Chaungzone – Ziyadum

Breakfast and we shall be heading for Ziyadum passing Chaungzone camp through nice and easy down hill on mule trek.  Once we cross Namya creek by suspension bridge we get in to dense evergreen forest and route goes through winding along Phangran creek with ups and downs. Hot shower and a warm bed by all mean will be of a greatest enjoyment and comfort after several rugged camping nights in the jungle crawling in a tent. We have a celebrating dinner over bonfire and enjoy comfortable night. Overnight at Ziyadum guest house.

Day 10  :  Ziyadum – Wasandum

We have a lazy morning to enjoy the site and sounds of this frontier environment. After early lunch we bid farewell to the locals and head back to Wasandum. Here we took a different route which goes through Kalang (4 mile, approx. 2 hour) through primary forests and cross Phangran creek with suspension bridge. After Kalang we again had to cross another suspension bridge which span Namlang (Mula) river to Awadum I (7 mile, approx. 3 hour).  We have lunch at this village and later trek back to our Wasandum guest house (3 mile, approx. 1½ hour) for the night. Dinner and overnight at Wasandum guest house.

Day 11 :    Wasandum – Shangaung – Putao

Having left the wilderness behind and returning to the clutches of human civilization. As soon as we start the trek goes challenging trek uphill to the plateau of Mt. Shangaung, before rapidly downhill to Shangaung where our jeep would meets us and takes us back to Putao. Dinner and overnight at Putao trekking house.

Day 12:       Departure

Breakfast and perhaps a last minute shopping at Putao market and further visit in and around Putao with suggestion by our guide. Lunch and we afternoon transfer to airport for our onward departure flight to conclude this unique experience.

SERVICE INCLUDE:

• Ground transport (coach, jeep, boat)

• Accommodation (lodge, local home stay & village house)

• Escorted English language leader, cook & porters

• Full board meal, safe drinking water

• Travel permit

SERVICE EXCULDE:

• Domestic airfare

• Insurance (please refer to Terms & Conditions)

• Expenditure on personal nature such as laundry, beverages, gratitude to guides & porters etc.,

• Any cost associated with transportation of the equipment (except for personal use which is necessary for the trek)\

Remark :

 Although costing is based on minimum one person, Myanmar Hill Lodges reserves the right to combine to make decent group size due to shortage of trek leaders and support staff.