Is Pwin OO Lwin Worth a Visit?
 

I just about have my itinerary in place for my 2 week visit to Burma in Dec. On one day they have me visiting Pwin OO Lwin. From what I've read, it does not look very interesting, but maybe I've just not read the right books. Should I go or not? Is the scenery really spectacular on the drive up or would I be better off visiting small villages outside of Mandalay or spending an extra day in Yangon? Also, I'm terrified of snakes. I know that Burma has more than its fair share of them, but I'm hoping that on the tourist trail I won't run into any of them. Do I need to be concerned?

I never saw a snake so not to worry. Pwin OO Lwin is an interesting town and has a very interesting cave complex. We enjoyed our day there but we were there almost a month. What's the rest of your itinerary?

I truly appreciate your input. Here's what my itinerary at the moment. I'm wondering if I need another day in Yangon. Any thoughts or comments you have would be very welcome.

30. Nov. arrival, 1/2 day sightseeing
01. Dec Yangon sightseeing
02. Dec Yangon-Mandalay by morning flight, sightseeing
03. Dec Mandalay-Mingun-Sagaing-Amarapura
04. Dec Mandalay-Pyin Oo Lwin-Mandalay
05. Dec Mandalay-Bagan by day boat
06. Dec Bagan sightseeing
07. Dec Bagan sightseeing
08. Dec Bagan Mt. Popa - Saley - Bagan
09. Dec Bagan-Heho flight - Kalaw
10. Dec Kalaw visit some villages, Kalaw-Pindaya
11. Dec Pindaya-Inle Lake
12. Dec Inle Lake - Indein - Inle
13. Dec Inle Lake - Tha Kaung -Sagar
14. Dec Inle Lake - Kekku - Heho - Yangon afternoon flight
15. Dec morning international departure flight

i think you could add another day to yangon or maybe 2...

I was thinking that as well. Unfortunately, I can't extend my time in Burma so I'd have to exclude a day somewhere else. Any suggestions?

I would consider either eliminating the day to Pwin OO Lwin and/or the day to Mt. Popa and add a day in Yangon and perhaps another one in Kalaw or Pindaya. The area there is more beautiful and more interesting than in Pwin OO Lwin. And while Mt. Popa is interesting I would put it in the second tier of things to do and see in Burma.

Don't miss the fish market in Yangon and make sure you spend some time in the tea shops. Also, go to the war cemetary -- it's very moving.

Thanks Gloria. Just a few minutes ago I was able to move my flight back one day so that will give me the extra day in Yangon. I'm using ff miles and that departure date was unavailable until today. I'm dropping the Pwin OO Lwin trip. Your advice confirmed my gut feel about it.

In terms of Kalaw or Pindaya, will I be able to see the interesting sights without a lot of trekking or difficult walking? In a previous email you said that Nyi Nyi took you to a village. Was it fairly accessible?

We never treked. We drove and then walked a bit but the village was within a short walk of where he could drive. Now the drive was up a dirt road but the cars and drivers are used to it. The villagers themselves walked of course.

Thanks Gloria.