Hpa An Myanmar – Top Thrilling Things to Do and to See
Whilst some travellers prefer to explore the area independently, as tourism in the area grows there are more outlets offering various tours and daytrips which can make it a lot easier to see the sights local to Hpa An, as well as to get a better understanding of the history and culture of Karen state.
Many choose to book tours through their accommodation as this is typically a lot easier than trying to find reliable tour operators when a lot of people don’t speak English, and hostels and hotels are well used to meeting the needs of their foreign guests.
Mountain biking and cycling tours
If you’re looking for an active tour, there’s plenty in and around Hpa An to keep you busy. Some of the most popular tours include mountain biking and cycling tours of the area. For the really adventurous, it’s even possible to arrange a biking tour that lasts a few days and covers the wider region, including places like Golden Rock and Mawlaymine and is great for cycling fans.
Other popular cycling options include half day tours of Hpa An, and those with an additional extension to Sadan Cave which are then a full day tour. Costs vary but expect to pay around USD50 and upwards depending on which company you opt for.
Exploring the caves
As the caves on the outskirts of the town are one of the most popular tourist attractions, it makes sense that there are a lot of tours that are geared towards helping travellers to explore these amazing places. These tend to include transport to and from your accommodation to the town, as well as guided tours of the caves themselves. Always try to visit the Bat Cave at sunset, where the couple who are based there will bang drums vigorously to help get the bats to fly in more interesting formations for even better pictures!
Customized tours fron Hpa An
The Soe Brothers guesthouse is one of the most popular places to stay and they have built a reputation for their day tours of Hpa An. If you explain to them where you want to go and what places you are interested in seeing they will design a customised ‘tour’ for you. Costs vary but it’s a budget friendly option that basically consists of a tuk-tuk driving you to each of the places on your itinerary, at which point you can explore them. If you manage to get a full tuk-tuk then costs can be as little as USD3-4 per person.
A popular itinerary is to see at least one of the caves, together with Mount Zwegabin, whilst some choose to spend a full day just exploring the local caves. Your itinerary is sure to depend on how much time you have to explore the local area before moving onto your next stop.
Where to book a tour
All in all, as it’s a little off the beaten path you won’t find anywhere near as many tours advertised online as you will for other areas in Myanmar. Many will be trips to Hpa An that are included within a broader tour itinerary which is perfect if you’re looking for group travel options but not so helpful if you’re looking for day trips. It’s often easier to do a bit of research into places you know you would like to see, and then investigate more on arrival, as pretty much all tour options are easier to find and often cheaper once you arrive in Hpa An.