Kachin Information

Northern Myanmar (Kachin State)

Kachin State is situated in the extreme north of Myanmar. Most of Myanmar’s snow-capped mountains are located within the state of Kachin. Its approximate area is 34,379 square miles. This region is full of variety of geographical zones, snow-capped mountains, zoology, botany and forestry etc. The famous place in this region is ‘Myitsone’ (in Myanmar means the confluence of Maihka and Mailikha River which join together and become as Ayeyarwaddy River, the important source of Myanmar). Indawgyi Lake, the largest natural lake in Myanmar (40 miles long and 70 miles broad). Myitkyina is the main city of Kachin State. People of Kachin, Rawun, Lisu, Jingphaw and Khamti-Shan are the representative nationalities who living in Kachin state.

People
Although located within the Kachin State, area around Putao has only a small population of Kachin people and there are more Kanty Shan, lawan and Risu peoples. There live many Lisu people married to Chinese. At the foot of the Mt.Hkakaborazi is the village if Taphungdan where some Tibbetan people live and they still maintain the custom of sharing a same wife among brothers. Ages ago Taron people of average 110 cm height were seen here. Unfortunately today there remains only one genuine Taron - blood man and the tribe is almost vanishing. Village of Taphungdan has no genuine Taron anymore yet there live many Tarons married to other tribes, who grows taller and show no physical sign of Tarons. In Putao, there lives one Tibet lady married to a Lisu man who owns a shop of medical herbs and other products at the Putao’s market.

Agriculture
Mainly grows rice and corn but some areas are not appropriate for rice field. Corns are used as winter preservation food as well. On trekking and mountain climbing tours, rice is purchased at Putao. Rice is also used as part of a payment for portage service as well as money on the way to Mt.Hkakaborazi, thus we will carry bags of rice all the way from Putao on our tours.

Life
Rawans mainly work in agriculture but some do fishing and hunting especially during the off-field season. As guns are not available, stone-made crossbows with poison on the edge are widely used to hunt animals like bears and dears. Chinese buyers will come promptly from Putao and buy animals once hunted. Rawans also gather wild herbs from mountains and bring them to Putao to sell as medicines in order to make some cash income.
Some Lisu people do trading of illegally hunted ivory of elephants on Chinese borders. In general, more Lisu people deal in border trade than Rawans and some cross the border to Chinese territory for business. Recently more and more Lisu people deal in jade produced in Putao area.


Myitkyina
Myitkyina is the capital of Kachin State in Myanmar Nation. It is far from Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, about 900 miles. And there is also famous place (Miytsone); Ayeyarwaddy River was born by combining the two rivers Maikha and Mailikha. Myitkyina is the centre of Myanma Jade Market and also main production area. Major site to visit are Mount Pong-kan-ra-zi, Mount Gam Lam Razi and Myitsone (the confluence of two rivers). And moreover Kachin woolen bag attaching with the silver belles would be an unforgettable present in your memory.

Myitsone

Myitsone, in Myanmar means the confluence of Maihka and Mailikha river which join together and become as famous Ayeyarwaddy River, the important source of Myanmar. Myitsone view is panoramic and silence that you can touch the beauty of nature. It will be favorite scene of your memory.

Village

Ziyadum (1,100m)
Ziyadum is junction for Mt.Phonekan & Mt.Phangram as mentioned the below, and the best place to see the snow capped mountain ranges from Jan to April. There is 5 Nights/ 6 Days tour from/to Putao.

Pon-kan-ra-zi (3600m height)
Pon-kan-ra-zi (snow-capped mountain) is in the northernmost part of Myanmar. It is just 4 miles away from Indian border where Mishimi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, in India, Mountains of Pongkan in Myanmar peak in the sky. It is situated in the northwest of Pauto Township in Kachin State, Northern Part of Myanmar. Pon-kan-ra-zi has a height of 11500 feet to the summit. Accessible by hard trekking.

Mt. Pangram (4,655m height)
Highest peak in the Phonkan Mountains. Beautifully shaped peak. There is a crystal-clear water lake under the top. No other mountains have lakes on top in Myanmar-Himalayas Mountains.

Mt.Phonyin (4,560m height)

Again, no foreigners have accessed to its peak yet. 16 Days/ 15 Nights program from /to Putao. Accessible by very hard trekking.

Mt.Kakaborazi (5886m height)

“razi” means mountain in Rawan language. Highest peak in Southeast Asia. Trekking tour to the villages of Taphungdan at the foot of the mountain is already popular among FIT travelers from Europe and USA . Most of them are not just trekkers but with vast knowledge of wild orchid, butterflies or bird watchers.
Kachin State which rich of nature beauty and have many research things: birds, butterfly, plant and ethnic tribes’ nature should visit as the one of interesting place in Myanmar.

How to get there

Myitkyina can be reached mainly by air, road, and rail. Air Bagan and Myanmar Airways airline can operate. The visitor can reach there by train and car from Mandalay.

Tour program
Yangon – Putao – Myitkyina – Yangon
8 Days / 7 Nights

Day 01
Flight from Yangon to putao by flight . Enjoy secence of Hkakaborazi, the snow capped mountain. Relax and catch the tranquil atmosphere of putao. Dinner and overnight in Putao.

Day 02
Morning leave putao to Machanbaw, known as Switzerland of Myanmar by car. Visit Malikha rope suspension bridge, Excursion to legendry stone Dragon (or) Kyauk Na Gar,1.6 km from town. Dinner and overnight in Putao.

Day 03
Early in the morning visit to candle light bazaar in Putao and Mularshidi suspension bridge over the icy river. Afternoon excursion to Pan Hlaing shan tribe village. Dinner and overnight in Putao.

Day 04
Morning at leisure. Afternoon leave Putao to Myitkyina by flight. Transfer to YMCA Hotel. Afternoon visit to Guise Kachin Town church in Myitkyina and river bank. Dinner and overnight in Myitkyina.


Day 05
Morning drive to Myitsone 27 miles from Myitkyina, where the two great Mountain Streams Maikha and Malikha rushing down from Mt.Hkakaborazi meet and flow together thus forming the Ayeyarwaddy river. Dinner and overnight in Myitkyina.

Day 06
Morning sightseeing karing Naw resort. After breakfast visit Kachin cultural Museum, displaying old silver and colorful costumes worn on traditional ceremonies. Proceed to Kyunpintha ward to watch the product of Kachin national dress at the weaving centers. Dinner and overnight in Myitkyina.

Day 07
Morning market at the river bank after breakfast visit waimow village the other side of Ayeyarwaddy river and Washaung Dam. Dinner and overnight in Myitkyina.

Day 08
After breakfast visit old Airport near Myitkyina University. After lunch transfer to Airport. Arrive back Yangon.

Phonekhan Snowcap Mountain Program
N – 27.30.437
E – 96.56.119

Day 1 - Yangon – Putao by flight
Prepare for porter and meals

Day 2 - Putao – Upper Shangaung Village by car/ trekking.
Overnight at Local house.

Day 3 - Upper Shangaung - Wazadam Village. Trekking 8 hours trek – 3 / 4 hours climb to Pertaik ( Salimardim Pass) & down way to Wazadam Village, foot hill of the mountain 4 hours trek. Nihgt stop at Local house.

Day 4 - Wazadam – Ziyadam Village
5 / 6 hours trek, throughout and pass Awadam (1) and (2) Villages, Kalam Villages. Night stop at Local house.

Day 5 - Ziyadam – Thitpingyi Camp
2 hours trek to creak junction and 3 / 4 hours. Climb to Thitpingyi Camp. Night stop at Camp (Tent).

Day 6 - Thitpingyi – Snow Line Camp
8 hours trek & climb to edge of the snow line camp. Night stop at Camp.

Day 7 - Snow Line Camp – Summit – Snow Line Camp
4 / 5 hours climb to Summit. Come back down to Snow Line Camp. Night stop at camp.

Day 8 - Snow Line Camp- Thitpingyi Camp
6 hours down to Thitpingyi Camp. Night stop at Camp.

Day 9 - Thitpingyi Camp – Ziyadam Village
2 hours down to creak junction and then 2 hours trek to Ziyadam Village. Night stop at Local house.

Day 10 - Ziyadam – Wazadam village
5 / 6 hours trek. Night stop local house.

Day 11 - Wazadam Village – Upper Shangaung Village
3 / 4 hours climb to Pertaik pass down to Shangaung village 3 / 4 hours. Night stop at Local house.( if you want to go Putao by car. We need to arrange booking for car.) 200 for car rental fare

Day 12 - Upper Shangaung – Putao
4 hours trek.

Day 13 - Putao- Yangon by flight.

1. Phangran Trip (14000’ over ) Real Adventure ( Feb-May)(Oct- Nov)

Putao-Ziyadam
Ziyadam-Peak 10 days (+ 2)

2. Mt. Phon Yin (14000’ over)  ( Feb-May)(Oct- Nov)
Putao-Ziyadam
Ziyadam-Peak 10>12 days

3. Mt.Ziyadam  (Feb-May)(Oct-Nov)
Putao-Ziyadam
Ziyadam-Peak 8>10 days

4. Mt.Madawe (15000’ over) (Feb-May)
(Oct-Nov)
Putao-Peak 18>20
20>22 days


***(Vergin Peak)

• 2nd highest Mt.Ganlanrazi (19000’ over)
  Putao-Ganlanrazi mountain base camp (15 days) (July-Aug-Sept)
- 1 week (summit)
- Rock Climbing gear
- Pressure Gas stove