Myanmar Itinerary

I am planning trip to Burma either this year beginning of December or early March next year. I may have someone to travel with me but it is also possible that I will travel alone (middle aged woman). As I am coming from Vancouver, Canada, I am considering on this trip to visit Cambodia (just Siem Reap attractions 4 days) and maybe Vietnam. But I really can’t take more than 3 weeks of vacation and I will arrive late second day of my vacation to Bangkok and can’t risk it to fly to Yangon right away next morning. So, basically I will be in Yangon on my 4th day of vacation. Questions:

- Is this itinerary workable? Are flights cancelled often or not? Should I introduce a “joker” day?

- Is it possible to have flight from Yangon, via Bangkok to Siem Reap on same day? Online timetables tell that it is, but is it in reality?

- Any suggestions? I live in city blessed with spectacular mountains, lakes and ocean so it is the reason of the short visit to Inle lake.

- Also per an advice I found in this forum I have opted to spend 2 days in Bagan without going to Mt Popa. Any comment on that?

- Is there any chance that I join any existing daily tour and cut cost that way?

- What would be the highlight in Vietnam ? I am considering Hanoi and Halong Bay.

DAY 01 ARRIVE YANGON

Morning transfer from YANGON airport to hotel.

Afternoon Yangon tour:

• SULE PAGODA,

• Chauk - Htat - Kyi Pagoda with reclining Buddha

• Royal Lake with a %26#39;hamsa-bird-shaped%26#39; floating barge

• KARAWEIK HALL

• BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET.

• SHWEDAGON PAGODA with sunset

DAY 02 YANGON - BAGAN

Transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to BAGAN. Upon arrival transfer from airport to hotel and visit following sites:

• Nyaung Oo Market

• SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in 11th century (Nyaung U %26amp; Wetkyi-in)

• KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and

• ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images. (Old Bagan)

• MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059 and explore the (Myinkaba)

• MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, UNESCO protected mural paintings.

• SHWE SAN DAW PAGODA - watching sunset over Ayeyarwaddy river (Old Bagan)

• The pagoda on Hgnet Pyit Taung (Nyaung U %26amp; Wetkyi-in)

• Thatbyinnyu , the highest building on the Bagan plain (Old Bagan)

• Buphaya - sunset (Old Bagan)

• Dhammayangyi (Old Bagan)

• Dhammayazika (Pwasaw)

• Htilominlo Temple, the largest temple of Bagan (Old Bagan)

• Gawdawpalin Temple (Old Bagan)

• Myingabar Gubyaugyi Temple, Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence

• Phwar Saw village and Tharabar Old Gate

DAY 03 BAGAN

Visit temples not visited previous day.

DAY 04 BAGAN – MANDALAY

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to MANDALAY. Transfer to hotel in Mandalay. Sightseeing includes:

• MAHAGANDAYON MONASTERY

• Atumashi monastery

• MAHAMUNI PAGODA.

• SHWE INBIN MONASTERY;

• GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, (Shwenandaw Monastery )( wooden building)

• KUTHODAW PAGODA the world’s largest book made of marble.

• MANDALAY HILL for sunset.

• Kywezun water – front

• Kyauktawgyi Pagoda

DAY 05 MANDALAY - MINGUN – AVA - MANDALAY

After breakfast, an excursion by boat on the Ayeyarwaddy River to MINGUN, about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay. Visit:

• unfinished MINGUN PAYA,

• one of the world’s largest bells; the 90 ton weighing MINGUN BELL and

• HSINBYUME PAYA

• Pahtodawgyi pagoda.

Return back to Mandalay.

In the afternoon, drive and embark for a short boat ride over a river and explore the former Royal Capital INWA (AVA) by horse cart. Visit:

• NANMYINT WATCH TOWER,

• MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco;

• BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous woodcarvings

• Mahargandaryon Monastery.

• U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782

• Sunset viewing

DAY 06 MANDALAY – HEHO – INLE LAKE

Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to hotel by boat to Inle Lake. Visit:

• Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda

• Ywa-Ma village, gold and sliver smiths’ workshop

• Jumping Cat Monastery and floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the famous leg rowers.

• In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat

Overnight stay at Paradise Hotel Nyaung Shwe (**, Superior room).

DAY 07 INLE LAKE - HEHO – YANGON (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast, transfer to HEHO airport (25km – 1 hour) for domestic flight to Yangon ~ 1 ½ hour flying. On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. Drive to BAGO (84 km - 1½ hour) to see:

• SHWEMAWDAW PAGODA

• Reclining SHWE THA LYAUNG Buddha,

• Four giant Buddha images at KYAIK PUN PAGODA.

Return to Yangon.

DAY 8 DEPART YANGON

Depart Yangon with early morning flight to Bangkok and catch flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia on same day.

Myanmar Itinerary

You should be in the Canadian sprint team at the Bejing Olympics!!

Whilst your travel arrangements , including flights , should be fine and your Siem Reap connections in Bangkok should not cause you concern I believe you are attempting to see too many sights each day.

Your target visits in Bagan are a three day trip , as are the Mandalay excursions and to see everything at a sensible pace in Yangon/Pagu is certainly a three day tour.

The local experts will , I am sure, come up with a shorter itinerary that is achievable.

Leave your running spikes at home!

Myanmar Itinerary

we were in Myanmar 4 years ago and will be there again this fall. My candid opinion is that if you cut the sites by 2/3 you will be seeing more that you can remember. The main site in Yangon is the Shwedagon and I would see it in the afternoon and in the evening. the market and most of the other sites, to me are too much. Uoi can walk around the Sule Pagoda and the lake and the market aren%26#39;t worth the effort. If you contact me, I will give you the name of our guide in Bagan. He was fabulous and very reasonable. Better to cut some of the stupas and spend one evening one the river at sunset and at one pagoda the other sunset. agaain, my opinion is day 4 and 5 - too much. Mingun and Ava definitely worth the trip. At this point, most of the pagodas are going to blend into all of the other ones. You need some ';rest'; time. We didn%26#39;t do Inle Lake last time so will only go to Bagan and Inle Lake this visit. we loved Siem Reap and we have a great guide there also. I will check back on some of my notes if you are interested.

SH - Minnesota

Jeez, you have quite a plan. I agree with the other posters: pare down your daily plans so that you can relax and enjoy the people. As lovely as the country is, and it IS lovely, the people are what make it unique.

If you have to go yourself, it will not be a problem. Myanmar is as safe a destination for a solo woman as exists anywhere.

One other thing: In March it will be getting a bit hot, especially in and around Bagan and Mandalay.

I just got back a couple of weeks ago, and foreigners are scarce and very needed right now.

Thanks everyone. I am adding an extra day for Bago and cuting down number of temples and pagodas in Bagan and Mandalay.

Regarding travel in March, somepne on this forum told that the weather is OK until mid March. I plan to leave Vancouver either on February 28th or eventualy 21st.

Do you think it is better to go end of November? I was told that airfares from Vancouver are more expensive in December and that usually last days in November are selling fast.

Also I am still looking for someone to join me. There is chance that someone joins me but she still doesn%26#39;t know when she can get vacation. It would be nice to have a small group so we can cut the cost for the car and driver and guides.

Early March is ok, but count on hot weather in Mandalay and Bagan regardless.

I think it is a big mistake to skip Popa. Actually, I%26#39;ll rephrase that: Do not miss Popa. To skip it will be to miss out on an immensely important part of Myanmar culture.

Why not try late November - the weather can be much better than March,when the heat builds up on the plains.

Suspect air fares will be similar to March-who knows the fuel surcharges could be greater by then!

I agree. If you have a choice, November is definitely preferable.

I envy you. I wish that I could visit Myanmar again for the first time.

Regarding the weather, have you seen this website:

http://www.thebesttimetovisit.com ?

I have sent out price requests to some agencies for the modified itinerary I have posted above. First one to respond was www.eugeniatour.com. I am still waiting for other replies, but just wonder has anyone used this agency before? What was the experience?

Thanks

My feelings:

Go through an independent guide rather than an agency. Any good guide will always have references, and you%26#39;ll end up with an even better experience.

Hi

We have visited Burma twice and both times arranged our itinerary with Columbus Travels in Yangon. Have recommended them to others who have been extremely satisfied. We usually travel there in October. Give them the number of days you have available and the places that are top of your list and also ask them for any suggestions.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Columbus Travels

586 Strand Road

Ianmadaw Township

Yangon

Tel: +95 1 229245

Fax: +95 1 229246

Our contact: Ohnmar

columbus03@baganmail.net.mm

other email: columbus@mptmail.net.mm

www.travelmyanmar.com