12 Days / 11 Nights Putao - Mt. Phongun Razi

Day 01 MANDALAY – PUTAO (D)

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 Trekking House.

Day 02 PUTAO – SHANGAUNG – WASUNDUM (elevation 1.450 feet (442 metres) to 4.600 feet (1.402 metres), then to 2.850 feet (869 metres) (B, L, D)

Early in the morning we visit attractive Putao market often fills with colorful ethnic minorities. Later we depart by jeep to upper Shangaung, 12 km 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 2.844 feet (867 metres) above sea. This is consider a challenging trek as not only it goes toward the shoulder of Mt, Shangaung at 4.606 feet (1404 metres) (23½ km, approx. 7 hour). First 10 km 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 WASUNDUM – AWADUM – ZIYADUM (elevation 2.850 feet (869 metres) to 3.540 feet (1.079 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and we trek to our today destination at Ziyadum, located at 3.540 feet (1.079 metres) above sea. At first we cross Namro creek to Awadum I (5 km, 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 (2½ km, approx. one hour). From here the trail goes through lush evergreen forests and enjoyable scenery towards Ziyadum (9 km, 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– LOWER THITPINGYI (elevation 3.540 feet (1.079 metres) to 4.800 feet (1.463 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and continue trek to Chaungzone (10 km, 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 4.800 feet (1.463 metres) above sea level (3½ km, 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 4.800 feet (1.463 metres) to 8.500 feet (2.591 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and continue trek uphill to upper Thitpingyi camp (2½ mile, approx. one hour) along the mule trek. From here we are on the jungle trail through Khantautmyit camp, situates at 8.500 feet (2.591 metres) above sea (5 km, 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 8.500 feet (2.591 metres) to 10.000 feet (3.048 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and we continue trek to snow line, elevation 10.000 feet (3.048 metres) above sea (6½ km, 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 10.000 feet (3.048 metres) to 11.900 feet (3.627 metres), then to 8.500 feet (2.591 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and we prepare ourselves to scale the summit of Mt. Phongun at 11.920 feet (3.627 metres) above sea. The distance is just little over 3½ km, 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 CAMP – THITPINGYI (B, L, D)

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 (B, L, D)

Breakfast and we shall be heading for Ziyadum passing Chaungzone camp through nice and easy downhill 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 – KALANG - WASANDUM (B, L, D)

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 (6½ km, 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 11 km, approx. 3 hour). We have lunch at this village and later trek back to our Wasandum guest house (5 km, approx. 1½ hour) for the night. Dinner and overnight at Wasandum guest house.

Day 11 WASANDUM – SHANGAUNG - PUTAO (B, L, D)

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 PUTAO – MANDALAY (B, L)

Breakfast and perhaps a second visit to Putao market and further visit in and around Putao with suggestion by our guide. Lunch and afternoon transfer to airport for your flight to Mandalay.