One night in either place is worthless. It doesn't even get you one full day. I'd say choose one - either Bagan or Inle - and spend three nights there, which will give you two full days. Which one to choose depends on your interests.

Sometimes photos help. Her are our photos from 2009: www.marlandc.com/Burma/index.html There are photos of both Bagan and Inle in this set. When we re-visited in 2011, we went back to Bagan, but didn't go back to Inle: www.marlandc.com/Burma2011/index.html

I could do 2 nights each way...but that means perhaps skipping Mandalay...i wanted to skip Yangon but looks like i need a day there coz the flights out of Yangon to any city only goes around in the morning - no afternoon flights i heard

No question, skip Mandalay. Mandalay is interesting. Bagan and Inle are compelling. Even two nights in a place isn't enough to get a taste. Whatever you heard about flights is probably wrong. There are afternoon flights as well as morning flights, but the flight times will change half a dozen times between now and when you go - even if you are going next week. You will need a day in Yangon before you leave.

When does your flight get into Yangon? We always take the early morning Thai Air flight, so we can catch a flight an hour or two later to get us to our first destination.

How many days total do you have in Burma? And can you cut any days from another destination to get a couple more days in Burma. The rest of SE Asia will be same same next year, but Burma will not.

Thanks Kathie! Here's how it's looking like so far:

Bangkok - Aug 28 and 29
Yangon from Bangkok (via Air Asia 7am) - Aug 30
Yangon to Bagan - Aug 31 and Sep 1
Bagan to Inle - Sep 2 and Sep 3
Sep 4 I fly back from Inle to Yangon, the to BKK.

Most likely skipping Mandalay...

Skip Yangan and Mandalay and spend as much time as you can in Bagan and Inle. If you prefer temples, spend slightly more time in Bagan. If you prefer the water, spend more time at Inle. We just returned from a 2 week trip and so strongly preferred being outside the cities!

Do you need both of those days in Bangkok? If not, I'd say

Aug 29, fly Bangkok to Yangon at 7 am, immediately transfer to a flight to Inle
Spend 3 nights at Inle (Aug 29, 30, 31) then fly to Bagan (sept 1)
Spend three nights at Bagan (Sept 1, 2, 3) fly to Yangon Sept 3
Spend a day visiting a couple of places in Yangon, fly back to Bangkok on Sept 4.

This would be the best use of your time to see some of Burma.

I concur - Kathie's plan is perfect...