12 Days / 11 Nights Putao - Mt. Phonyin 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 - WASANDUM (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, 17 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 (1.404 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 WASANDUM – 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 – CAMP I (elevation 3.540 feet (1.079 metres) to 4.980 feet (1.518 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and we set off for camp I, located at 4.980 feet (1.518 metres) above sea (approx. 5 hour) by the side of Phangran creek. After two hour walking reach to confluence of Phonyin and Phangran creeks. Here we cross Phonyin creek by bridge and keep trek up and down along Phangran creek until we reached to our today destination at camp I (approx. 2½ hour). We enjoy the site and sound of the surrounding while our crew prepare out night meal and camp. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 05 CAMP I – CAMP III (elevation 4.980 feet (1.518 metres) to 8.020 feet (2.445 metres), then to 10.000 feet (3.048 metres) (B, L, D)

We enjoy morning beauty of the nature surrounding while our team prepare breakfast for us. Breakfast and we set off for camp II, situates at 8.016 feet (2.444 metres) above sea (approx. 2 hour) along the route steadily ascending. Lunch stop and continue our today destination camp III, situates at 9.996 feet (3.047 metres) above sea, with the trail mostly step up (approx. 3 hour). Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 06 CAMP III – BASE CAMP (elevation 10.000 feet (3.048 metres) to 12.000 feet (3.658 metres) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and set off for today destination at base camp, locates at 12.000 feet (3.658 metres) above sea, (approx. 7 hour). At this point trek become challenging going up and down rapidly. As we gain altitude the climb becomes deeper and strenuous. We reach the base camp after a hard and long day on the rough terrain. The base camp situates rather awkward and not enough space available to pitch more than 2 tents. At this stage it’s not possible to make fire due to heavy snow and no firewood but we just have to get by with cooked meal using gas stove and stay freeze during the night. Dinner and overnight at base camp.

Day 07 BASE CAMP – SUMMIT – BASE CAMP (elevation 12.000 feet (3.658 metres) to 14.050 feet (4.282 metres), then to 12.000 feet (3.658 metres) (B, L, D)

Early in the morning we set off for the summit at 14.050 feet (4.282 metres) above sea (3 to 7 hour). Just about one hour climb to reach on the glacier from where we see a beautiful lake down. If the weather clear we enjoy the view of the many other snowcapped mountains in the region. The view from this spot is spectacular as one literally standing one of the highest spot in the region and most of the other summits were right below you. At this stage weather change may be rapid than ever and the visibility getting limited to just a couple of feet with strong wind. Return back to base camp and spend another freezing night. Dinner and overnight at base camp.

Day 08 BASE CAMP - CAMP III – CAMP II (B, L, D)

We bit farewell to Phonyin Razi and set off for our destination camp II passing by camp III which should take us a good 7 hours. Our return journey will be no easier having descended quite rapidly although it was not as strenuous as up journeys. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 09 CAMP II - ZIYADUM (B, L, D)

We listen to the bird's call and enjoy the environment. We have a rather relax morning as the distance to day will be much shorter. After early lunch and set off for Ziyadum through the trek ups and down the valley. After a last up hill trek we reached to Ziya plateau with a smoke from the farm which was the first sign of the civilization ever since we left Ziya one week ago. A warm shower by all mean was a greatest enjoyment. Dinner and 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 (11½ 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 uphill to the plateau of Mt. Shangaung, before continuing rapidly downhill to Shangaung where our driver meets us and takes us back to Putao. Dinner and overnight at Putao Lodge.

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.