Travel advisory: The US government advises against all travel to Myanmar, and the UK advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay and against all travel to Sagaing and the area north of the city. Fighting, drone attacks, curfews and internet shutdowns continue, and many sites were damaged in the March 2025 earthquake. Check the US State Department and UK FCDO before making any plans.

Adventure Tours in Mandalay

Mandalay has not been a destination for adventure tourism in the usual sense. It is a city of monasteries, workshops and river trade, and the adrenaline activities sometimes linked to it are hours away in other regions.

Places sometimes linked to Mandalay

• Mandalay Hill: a pilgrimage climb on covered stairways, historically done at sunset. It is a religious site rather than an adventure activity, and access is unconfirmed.
• Inle Lake: located in Shan State and a long journey from Mandalay. It is not a Mandalay excursion, and no kayaking tours are suggested here.
• Mount Popa: located near Bagan, far from Mandalay, and not a local outing.

Tours of any kind in this area are affected by the official warnings above, by the damage left by the 2025 earthquake and by checkpoints and curfews. Independent travel is no safer. Anyone with a booking should ask their operator and their insurer in writing what is covered.