Chin Land

Location

Chin State is located in the west of Myanmar, sharing borders with India in the north and west, with Rakhine State in the south, and with Sagaing and Magway Divisions in the east. It covers an area of 13,907 sq. miles.

Population

The population of Chin State is about 500,000, and the population density is 32 persons per square mile. In southern Chin state, Dai or Daai population is the biggest population of the resident.

Inhabitants

A large majority of the people are Chins. Daai, Mros (Mayo), Khamis and Yaw Ta (1% of population) form significant numbers in the southern and western parts of Chin State. In land Chin state there are pure Chin people are living.

Religion

The majority of the local people are Christians and there are also 1'% population of Buddhists.

Dialects

Because Chin State is hilly and access is difficult, there is a slight difference in the languages spoken from one region to another. There are more than 18 mother tongues of native people languages.

How to get there?

Day 01

Bagan - Kanpetlet

Pick-up at your hotel in Bagan and drive (34 km- 1 hr) to Chauk, South of Bagan and cross over the mighty Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawady) river. Continue your journey (106 km, 7 hrs) to Kanpetlet located on the South Eastern side of Mt. Victoria.

The drive from Chauk will take you across the vast plains and gentle hills of Magway Division. This region becomes extremely dry during the hot season in the spring time but will revive and flourish during the monsoon rains in the summer. Erosion caused by the rains changes the landscape and the road conditions every year, making this journey a 4WD safari travelled mostly on dirt tracks. You will pass on bumpy and dusty roads through the villages and towns of Ka Zun Ma and Nga Ga Bwe, where people are still living very isolated from the rest of the world. Lunch will be served at a simple local restaurant en-route. Once reaching Saw town, at the foot of Chin Hills, the nature becomes suddenly more lush and green. Continue up the Chin Hills on a winding road and forested slopes until reaching Kanpetlet, a beautiful village set on a mountain ridge between deep valleys on both sides. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation.

Day 02

Kanpetlet - Hla Laung Ban

After breakfast at the resort, trek to Oak Pho (approx. 1,770m, 2 hours), one of the Chin minority villages. Learn of the traditions, customs and beliefs of the local people. See the local way of life, farming methods and look out for orchids and other rare species of flora and fauna while trekking. Enjoy a picnic lunch en-route in a natural setting and continue to Hla Laung Ban village (approx. 2000m). In the evening experience the traditional dances of the three different Chin tribes: Daai, Moon and Ya who are the inhabitants of the surrounding region. Meet ladies with tattooed faces and listen to the sounds of flutes played by nose.

Day 03

Hla Laung Ban - Kau Thu Village

After breakfast at the camp, trek to Htet She and Kau Thu villages following the green mountain slopes and small trails. Look out for eagles that are often sighted to glide over the rising mountain slopes. The trails will climb up to 2670m, 4hrs north of Hla Laung Ban, where you can observe Chin minority people and their traditional way of living in the unspoilt natural setting and scenic beauty of the Chin Hills. Enjoy a picnic lunch en-route.

Day 04

Kau Thu Village - Mt. Vitoria - Kanpetlet

After breakfast at the camp, hike up to a seasonal mountain road connecting Kanpetlet and Mindat. Meet your jeep driver and transfer 1 hr by car to Mt Victoria base camp, the starting point for the summit trek. Climbing time to the summit will take around 3 hours depending on the pace and condition of the participants. En-route you will encounter mountain meadows, tropical hardwoods, Taugzalat (rhododendron) and pine wood forests. If lucky some of the local wildlife may be seen such as barking deer, sambal deer and several species of birds may be seen. Mt. Victoria is also home for a number of rare orchid species. The route to the summit follows gently the ridge of the mountain range allowing great views both sides. Some orchids can be seen along this route on a seasonal basis. There is no technical climbing involved and no steep and dangerous cliffs. Enjoy a picnic style lunch on the summit, with panoramic views to the mountain ranges of India in the distance. Descend back to the base camp, 1½ hrs, and drive back to Kanpetlet town.

Day 05

Kanpetlet - Bagan

After breakfast, morning sightseeing around Kanpetlet before a drive back to Bagan (160km, approx: 7½ hrs). Decend back to Saw and continue to Seikphyu. Cross the recently built Anawrahta Bridge, spanning the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River and continue to Bagan passing through the oil town of Chauk. Enjoy lunch at a simple local restaurant en-route. On arrival to Bagan transfer directly to your hotel.

Important note: A special permit is required for all nationalities in order to be allowed to enter the Chin State. Interstar will obtain such permits at the discretion of the Myanmar government. We require all client passport details as well as your occupation, latest 30 days prior to arrival. This is a unique tour and only a few foreign visitors have had the privilege to experience this route. It is intended for guests who are well aware of bumpy driving stretches and of simple infrastructure in accommodation and meal quality.

Links:

http://www.interstartours.com/sample-tours/5-days-4-nights-trekking-chin-tirbes-and-mt-victoria.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chin_State

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dai-History