Suggestions for 7 days in Myanmar, airlines, hotels, tours

Wife and I are independent travellers planning a 3 1/2 week trip to Southeast Asia in December. Flying international using UAL points -- not the best flights or airlines but free. We will be arriving in Yangon to start our adventure. Planning 2 nights Yangon (after 31 hour flight from Florida), 2 nights Bagan, 2 nights Inle, 1 night Yangon. Looking for Myanmar hotel suggestions and best ways to book them -- generally trying to stay under $100/night US double. Is it best to book this itinerary as a ';tour'; or is it reasonable to just do it on our own? Any suggested sights or changes in itinerary appreciated. Thoughts on the balloon over Bagan tour ($250pp) -- is it best AM or PM or should we skip it?

We leave Yangon for Siem Riep (Le Meridien 4 days) then to Phuket (Holiday Inn 2 days) then Khao Lak (Le Meridien and Raft Houses in Khao Sok 9 days total) and finally Bangkok (Royal Orchid 2 days). Hotels chosen due to SPG and Holiday Inn memberships (free).

Suggestions re booking Discover pass on Bangkok Airlines? Will the flight to Siem Riep via Bangkok require 2 coupons or 1 coupon; same question flying Siem Riep to Phuket? Other cheaper/better flight options appreciated.

Suggestions for sights around Siem Riep? In Phuket we plan a day-long speed boat trip around the Phi Phi Islands. In Khao Lak we%26#39;ll spend at least 3 nights and possibly more in Khao Sok national park on national park raft houses on the reservoir -- rest of the time is just to kick back and enjoy the beach/hotel. (Stayed there 2 years ago and loved it -- but did only 1 night on the lake in Khao Sok that time.)

Does the sky train run from the new Airport to downtown Bangkok yet?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions ...

Suggestions for 7 days in Myanmar, airlines, hotels, tours

For Myanmar.

1. Best way to book the hotel is through travel agent.Hotels in Myanmar have to rely on travel agent and they have great discount . Direct to hotel may more expensive than travel agent.

2. In Yangon,Bagan and Mandaly most of the hotels are under USD 100/ . Only few hotels have more than USD 100/- . December is consider high season and you have to pay more. Sedona Hotel, (Yangon and Mandalay) , operated by Sedona Hotel International Singapore, Traders Hotel , Yangon ( Operated by Shangrila), ex:- Hotel Nikko Royal Lake( Back to Thailand owner and Name changed to Thai name) , Grand Plaza Parkroyal, Kandawgyi Palace Hotel in Yangon are foreign management.

3. In Mandalay, Sedona Hotel, Mandalay Hill Resort, Hotel by red cannel, Rupar Mandalar Hotel are recommended.

4. In Bagan, The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate, Bagan Golf Resort, Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sakura , Thazin Garden , Bagan Hotel, Bagan Thante Hotel.

5. in Inle, the price under 100/- will be Treasure Resort, Amazing Nyaung Shwe, Paramout Inle, Shwe Hintar , . I am not sure about Inle Resort and Inle Lake view, but they may have over 100/ . The best hotel in Inle is Inle Princess Hotel.

6. You should not skip ';balloon over bagan'; See some comment on '; Balloon Over Bagan'; on this forum.

Suggestions for 7 days in Myanmar, airlines, hotels, tours

Just a couple of comments on mz good recommendations.

Consider the Savoy (small but in a nice position,with pool) in Yangon or possibly Inya Lake Hotel which has twins at $50 inc breakfast and although somewhat away from down town , has a tranquil position and is 20 min from airport (ideal for a tired arrival and also for your almost certain dawn flight up country)

Sky Train was not connected to Airport in January , although under construction.

Who knows whether it will be finished this year?

Hi Ann %26amp; Steve,

To avoid dear price and to have rooms for sure, you are strongly suggested to book in advance. December is a peak time and all hotels here are small type with few rooms, except in Yangon (Like traders, Sedona and Nikko royal lake) and Mandalay (Sedona, Mandalay Hill Resort).

Your budget is pretty workable to your accommodation within 4 star category in Myanmar. Regarding hotel name you got it here, you can goggle it to search for more information how it looks and so forth. Individual difference may exist. If you have any preference we can minimize the recommendation.

Regarding balloons over Bagan, it depends how you love to watch the sun, because they operate the balloon before the sunrise and sundown. To me, PM is the best to see.

There are plenty of sights offer in a myanmar web portal called myanmars dot net. You should check it out.

Regarding Bangkok Airways, I%26#39;m afraid Bangkok, Yangon and Siem Reap all the destinations you intend to travel are not included in the discovery airpass program of Bangkok Airways. But you can buy separately. In this case, you are going to have 2 coupons minimum for three destinations in and out.

If you think about the beach, you should consider on the beaches of Myanmar, Ngapali or Ngwe Saung. All hotels are seafront and charming nature.

COPY-PASTE TOUR PROGRAM FROM SOME WHERE FROM WEB FYI:

DAY (01) YANGON ARRIVAL

Arrival at YANGON Airport. Overnight in Yangon.

DAY (02) YANGON - BAGAN (BY FLIGHT)

Breakfast. Early morning transfer to YANGON Airport. Flight from Yangon to Bagan by private domestic airlines. From the airport, start your full day BAGAN sightseeing tour includes a visit to NYAUNG-U MARKET; SHWEZIGON PAGODA, the prototype of Myanmar stupas; 12th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of KYANSITTHA CAVE TEMPLE. WET GYI INN GU BYAUK GYI TEMPLE , with superb mural paintings of Jataka scenes; HTILOMINLO TEMPLE noted for its plaster carvings ; and ANANDA TEMPLE, an architectural masterpiece and its Groundwork resembling a Greek Cross. Afternoon, visit MANUHA TEMPLE in Mon style built in 1059; NANPHAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha; MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE with its fine mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. At the end of the day watch sunset over the majestic AYEYARWADY RIVER from one of the temples. Overnight in Bagan.

DAY (03) BAGAN - MT. POPA

Breakfast. Morning drive to MT. POPA, the core of an extinct volcano last active 250,000 years ago, known as the %26#39;Mt Olympus%26#39; of Myanmar, the abode of Myanmar%26#39;s most powerful NATS, the most important NAT Worship Centre. En route visit to the village and observe the daily life of toddy palm climbers. Return to Bagan. In the afternoon, observe Myanmar Traditional Lacquer-ware workshops. Today we enjoy the wonderful sunset view from boat on the Mighty AYEYARWADY RIVER. Overnight in Bagan.

DAY (04) BAGAN - MANDALAY - AMARAPURA - AVA - SAGAING (BY FLIGHT)

Breakfast. Morning transfer to BAGAN Airport. Flight from Bagan to Mandalay by private domestic airlines. On arrival, start your full day excursion to AMARAPURA, 11km south of Mandalay. This trip will take you to MAHAGANDAYON MONASTERY where more than a thousand monks live and study, to see their last meal of the day in total silence. Continue to U BEIN WOODEN BRIDGE built in 1782. And observe Myanma traditional hand-woven silk workshop. Continue to AVA, tour highlights include the 27-metre-high Masonry Watch Tower, the NANMYIN (or) the ';Leaning Tower of AVA';; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN OK KYAUNG, a brick and stucco Monastery; AVA BAGAYA MONASTERY built with 276 teak pillars and observe Myanma traditional Alms bowls workshop. Afternoon across AVA Bridge, built by British engineers, to visit picturesque SAGAING HILL which is perhaps the living centre of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Continue to visit KAUNGHMUDAW Pagoda, with its huge egg - shaped dome in Ceylonese style. Return to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY (05) MANDALAY - MINGUN

Breakfast. Morning boat trip to MINGUN, just 12km on the west bank upstream from MANDALAY. Upon arrival, MINGUN PAHTOTAWGYI PAYA, one of the world%26#39;s largest chedis built by Bodaw Paya; the World renowned ringing MINGUN BELL weighing 90 tons. Take a ride by ox-cart to a village near by to see village life. Return to MANDALAY. Afternoon sightseeing includes ROYAL PALACE, known as ';The Golden City'; or ';The Center of the Universe';; MAHAMUNI BUDDHA IMAGE, covered with thick layers of gold leaves. Continue to Tapestry Workshop; Marble carving and Bronze carving workshops; SHWENANDAW KYAUNG or GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb traditional wooden building; KUTHODAW PAGODA, known as the World%26#39;s Biggest Book with the collection of 729 stone slabs on which are inscribed the whole of the Buddhist scriptures. In the evening enjoy the sunset from MANDALAY HILL. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY (06) MANDALAY - INLE LAKE

Breakfast. Morning transfer to MANDALAY Airport. Flight from Mandalay to Heho by private domestic airlines. Transfer from Heho Airport to Nyaungshwe, on the edge of INLE LAKE. En route visit SHWEYANPYAY MONASTERY. Continue to INLE LAKE, well known for its unique leg rowers and scenic beauty with wonderful floating Gardens. Afternoon, visit traditional pure SILK WEAVING FACTORY in INPHAWKHON Village and KNIFE MAKING BY BLACK-SMITH in PHEKHON Village. Overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY (07) INLE LAKE

Breakfast. Full day sightseeing of INLE LAKE, tour highlights include; 5 day rotation MARKET (if available ) at one of the village; NATIVE%26#39;S METHOD OF FISHING; GOLD AND SILVER SMITH WORSHOPS at YWAMA Village; CHEROOT and BOAT MAKING WORKSHOPS in NAN PAN Village. Continue visit to PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA, housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images. Afternoon, visit SHAN SHOULDER BAG WEAVING CENTER; FLOATING GARDEN and NGA PHE CHAUNG MONASTERY, better known as ';Jumping Cat Monastery';, a beautiful old teak wood building. If time allow, visit a village to see village life. Overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY (08) INLE LAKE - YANGON (BY FLIGHT)

Breakfast. Leave the hotel by boat and drive down to HEHO Airport. Flight from Heho to Yangon by private domestic airlines. Overnight in Yangon

Thanks for the replies. Could someone please elaborate on the Bangkok Discovery Airpass. Does it operate for example from Yangon to Siem Riep and does that flight require 2 coupons (1 from Yangon to Bangkok and 1 from Bangkok to Siem Riep -- even though we would not stayover in Bangkok but simply connect?)

Ann %26amp; Steve

Yangon to Siem Reap must go in 2 coupons traditionally. You can do it so. But to some sources, it is sometimes cheaper to get a ticket to Bangkok from Yangon, Siem Reap from Bangkok separately. separate tickets but same company! I hope it%26#39;s clear.

Hi guys, my wife and I have been traveling the world for the past 7 years. We have been to very spectacular places (last November Nepal and TIBET!!!!!!!!!!!!) and my wife has alway%26#39;s had a dream of going to Burma. I read your 2006 about Burma and we would love to get some insight from you on going there. Let%26#39;s see what you think. I realize the political situation is less than great but we%26#39;re pretty adventourous and want your opinion on...

Going in Jan...weather, where to go, where to stay, how long to stay, costs, should be hire a driver, what are some of your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Roger and Osia

January is perfect time for travelling in Myanmar and it is cold season. Temperature is depend on where you go. For example Yangon is around 18~30 C at night and day but Kalaw will be around 4 at night and around 20 C at day.

Hello Ann y Stev,

We took ballon in the morning , it was mavelous sonmetime windy at evening , our suggestion hotel Yangon Trader hotel 60 usd , Mandalay Sedona 80 usd , Bagan Taraba hoitel 80 , Inle Inle princess 140 usd , Balloon 250 p/ pax . We book through www.myanmartravel.info

Belisima