I am getting a quote from Diethelm in BKK on an itinerary in early March for Myanmar. After reading some posts on this site, I wonder about this part of the proposal.
Is it possible/advisable to do Mt. Popa and Salay in one day? What about an overland drive to Monywa? I had thought we would simply stay the recommended 4 nights at Bagan w/o having to change hotels again. Comments would be appreciated!!
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Full day to explore the countryside around Bagan. Drive out of Bagan to visit Mount Popa (46km- 1hour), home to Myanmar's intriguing 'nats' (spirits). The 777 steps and path climb steeply up Mount Popa – an energetic climb rewarded by fabulous views from the top.
In the afternoon, drive to Kyaukpadaung and visit the local market. Continue drive to Salay. Visit Yokesone Monastery, which is the oldest surviving wooden monastery hall, built on 154 teak posts with beautiful wood carvings decorating the outer walls. (closed on Mon, Tues & public holidays). Continue to Payathonzu, a complex of three brick shrines with mural paintings from the Bagan period, and see Man Paya - a large lacquer Buddha image, said to date from the 13th century. Return to Bagan through Chauk (53km- 1hour), where you will see old Burma Oil installations ('nodding donkeys'), and the banks of the Ayeyarwady River. Arrive in Bagan and transfer to hotel.

Day 5 Leave Bagan in the morning and take a private local boat across the Ayeyarwaddy River to Pakkoku (approx. 3 hrs by boat), an un-spoiled small town famous as a tobacco trading centre and for its weaving shops. This river journey is interesting because you see all types of local boats along the river as well as the local river life. Arrive Pakokku and visit the local market and see genuine indigenous regional open-air market with a vast array of things for sale including locals snacks, fresh vegetables, ingredient, textiles, handy crafts, etc. If time allows, continue to see the small Thanaka vendor, cheroots factory and slippers workshop and wood carving sculpture. Then continue drive (approx. 4 hrs) to Monywa. Arrival Monywa and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation at Hotel, Monywa.