Two weeks in Myanmar - Travel guide and driver or not?
Jun 20th, 2012, 08:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two weeks in Myanmar - Travel guide and driver or not?
Hello,
We'll be in Myanmar for two weeks in August. In Yangon, then Bagan, to Mt. Popa, back to Bagan, Mandalay, then to Inle lake, and back to Yangon for a night.
We booked our flights and hotels through our agency and they've offered a driver and guide, or a private boat when necessary for the entire trip for approximately $1400.
Does this seem worthwhile/needed? I assume we'll need a driver in Bagan and for excursions outside Mandalay.
Is it worthwhile booking and paying in advance or are we better or doing it when there?
We'll be in Myanmar for two weeks in August. In Yangon, then Bagan, to Mt. Popa, back to Bagan, Mandalay, then to Inle lake, and back to Yangon for a night.
We booked our flights and hotels through our agency and they've offered a driver and guide, or a private boat when necessary for the entire trip for approximately $1400.
Does this seem worthwhile/needed? I assume we'll need a driver in Bagan and for excursions outside Mandalay.
Is it worthwhile booking and paying in advance or are we better or doing it when there?
Jun 20th, 2012, 10:58 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You certainly don't need a driver/guide for the whole trip. You will need transport to the ancient cities around Mandalay. Personally, I didn't feel a guide was necessary.
At Bagan, you'd be better off with a horsecart to see the temples. You do need a driver if you want to go to Mt. Popa.
At Inle, the only time you need a driver (other than airport transfers) is if you want to go to Kakku. Don't have the travel agency set up your boat and boatman at Inle, let your hotel do it.
You really don't need a driver or guide in Yangon, IMO.
You might find it useful to take a look ay mu Burma trip reports:
2009 www.fodors.com/community/asia/burma-at-last.cfm
2011 http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...d-by-burma.cfm
Note that all of the info about money form the 2009 report has changed. Current info is in the 2011 report.
At Bagan, you'd be better off with a horsecart to see the temples. You do need a driver if you want to go to Mt. Popa.
At Inle, the only time you need a driver (other than airport transfers) is if you want to go to Kakku. Don't have the travel agency set up your boat and boatman at Inle, let your hotel do it.
You really don't need a driver or guide in Yangon, IMO.
You might find it useful to take a look ay mu Burma trip reports:
2009 www.fodors.com/community/asia/burma-at-last.cfm
2011 http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...d-by-burma.cfm
Note that all of the info about money form the 2009 report has changed. Current info is in the 2011 report.
Jun 20th, 2012, 11:37 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathie,
That entire 2011 topic is a wealth of information. Thank you. It seems we'll engage a driver in Mandalay for all the driving outside Mandalay. I did not intend to hire a car or driver in Yangon. In Inle, was it easy to get a boat to go around? I assume the hotel should be able to arrange this if we must. I thought we'd need a car a Bagan for sure, but your horsecart suggestion sounds way more interesting. If we choose not to book through the travel agent, is it relatively easy getting transportation on a last minute/day before basis?
Thank you for all your responses. Ironic that the internet is such a resource for a place where the internet is still a rarity.
That entire 2011 topic is a wealth of information. Thank you. It seems we'll engage a driver in Mandalay for all the driving outside Mandalay. I did not intend to hire a car or driver in Yangon. In Inle, was it easy to get a boat to go around? I assume the hotel should be able to arrange this if we must. I thought we'd need a car a Bagan for sure, but your horsecart suggestion sounds way more interesting. If we choose not to book through the travel agent, is it relatively easy getting transportation on a last minute/day before basis?
Thank you for all your responses. Ironic that the internet is such a resource for a place where the internet is still a rarity.
Jun 20th, 2012, 11:55 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, your hotel at Inle should be able to arrange a boat easily. many hotels have their own boatmen. Where are you staying? You will need someone (either an agent or the hotel) to arrange airport transfers from HeHo to your hotel at Inle. You need to do this ahead of time.
Getting airport transfers on your own at Bagan and Yangon is easy and cheap. Mandalay is an hour outside of town, so we had the agent arrange transfers for us.
In general, you hotel can arrange whaever transport you want/need.
Cars are usually real wrecks in Burma, so if you need a car for a longer drive, it may be worth it to arrange with an agent.
Getting airport transfers on your own at Bagan and Yangon is easy and cheap. Mandalay is an hour outside of town, so we had the agent arrange transfers for us.
In general, you hotel can arrange whaever transport you want/need.
Cars are usually real wrecks in Burma, so if you need a car for a longer drive, it may be worth it to arrange with an agent.
Jun 20th, 2012, 12:15 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. We're staying at a relatively new property called the Villa Inle Resort. Speaking with you, it seems I'll stick with what I was thinking/hoping - book a car with the agent for our Mandalay stay and wing it for the rest. We're taking a one night trip to Popa, so will probably book that in advance as well. If there is anyone you used and think is worthwhile, I'd definitely look into them. I'll leave Yangon, Inle, and Bagan car less until we arrive.
We've traveled to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya etc. etc. and this the rawest planning of them all. Exciting in its own way.
We've traveled to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya etc. etc. and this the rawest planning of them all. Exciting in its own way.
Jun 20th, 2012, 01:15 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been getting many mixed reviews on Popa. Some have loved it and some haven't. We figured we might as well decide for ourselves. Would have love to go to Mrauk U instead, but seems like a bad idea for when we're there in August.
Jun 20th, 2012, 01:25 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you really can't get to Mrauk U in August.
I would book a car in advance to get you to/from your hotel at Inle.
Take a look at my reports - I have a guide/horsecart driver in bagn who is excellent. His brother drives a taxi so he can arrange airport transfers for you at the standard rate (6000 kyat in Nov) and his brother does drive people to Mt. Popa at a rate much lower than travel agencies.
You are so right that planning for Burma is so differnt than planning for anywhere else. Come back and ask more questions after you've had time to digest my two reports.
I would book a car in advance to get you to/from your hotel at Inle.
Take a look at my reports - I have a guide/horsecart driver in bagn who is excellent. His brother drives a taxi so he can arrange airport transfers for you at the standard rate (6000 kyat in Nov) and his brother does drive people to Mt. Popa at a rate much lower than travel agencies.
You are so right that planning for Burma is so differnt than planning for anywhere else. Come back and ask more questions after you've had time to digest my two reports.
Jun 21st, 2012, 01:28 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your two reports are incredible. You can easily package them to be an informal guide to Myanmar. I feel relatively comfortable with what we've put together based on your reports. We're in Yangon for three full days and will be skipping any driver etc. there. From Yangon we head to Bagan for a day and night then to Mt. Popa for a day and night, then back to Bagan for two days and two nights.
I'd love to have the information for the horsecart person you used in Bagan. In Siem Reap, we stumbled upon a former college professor who was "guiding" visitors for a living. He made our trip far more valuable than it ever could have been. If we can have some half as good as him, we'd love it.
In Mandalay, we've booked four nights and will be traveling to the ancient cities, and also find our way to Mingun, Pyin Oo Lwin. It seems to me that it will be beneficial to have a driver here for all the driving/boating we might do. I'll check with agency to see about their costs etc. and determine whether its better to just do it on the fly. Do you happen to recall what you paid per day? I know that we've paid significant premiums when booking through a hotel, and really don't mind paying the same to someone directly. If you know anyone there, I'd graciously accept that recommendation as well.
At Inle Lake, we're spending three nights and we'll book any rides at the lake. That seems to be the consensus and we might as well stay with it.
Many thanks for all of your input. Reading your reports, I realized that you follow an almost identical pattern to ours when traveling.
I'd love to have the information for the horsecart person you used in Bagan. In Siem Reap, we stumbled upon a former college professor who was "guiding" visitors for a living. He made our trip far more valuable than it ever could have been. If we can have some half as good as him, we'd love it.
In Mandalay, we've booked four nights and will be traveling to the ancient cities, and also find our way to Mingun, Pyin Oo Lwin. It seems to me that it will be beneficial to have a driver here for all the driving/boating we might do. I'll check with agency to see about their costs etc. and determine whether its better to just do it on the fly. Do you happen to recall what you paid per day? I know that we've paid significant premiums when booking through a hotel, and really don't mind paying the same to someone directly. If you know anyone there, I'd graciously accept that recommendation as well.
At Inle Lake, we're spending three nights and we'll book any rides at the lake. That seems to be the consensus and we might as well stay with it.
Many thanks for all of your input. Reading your reports, I realized that you follow an almost identical pattern to ours when traveling.
Jun 21st, 2012, 01:51 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad you found my reports useful.
Our guide/horsecart driver in Bagan is Min Thu [email protected] Reserve him as far in advance as possible. If you want his brother to take you to Mt. Popa, ask about that as well... it will be much less expensive than an agency (and his car is in good condition).
Sorry, I don't remember what we paid per day for our driver in mandalay, but I do think it was a good idea to get a driver from our agency.
Have a wonderful trip. Burma is an exceptional place.
Our guide/horsecart driver in Bagan is Min Thu [email protected] Reserve him as far in advance as possible. If you want his brother to take you to Mt. Popa, ask about that as well... it will be much less expensive than an agency (and his car is in good condition).
Sorry, I don't remember what we paid per day for our driver in mandalay, but I do think it was a good idea to get a driver from our agency.
Have a wonderful trip. Burma is an exceptional place.
Jun 21st, 2012, 02:12 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks a bunch. I'll write him tonight. Any restaurants that you might have loved in any of these places? Seems we'll be going to Ashoka fort sure, but haven't look much into others.
