Hello fellow Fodorites!

Since you steered me in terrific directions on my last 2 trips to Asia, I'm hoping for your wisdom and insights again. This July my son and I are off to volunteer at Thailand's Elephant Nature Park (again) and then onto Burma for 9 days.

I've already contacted Santa Maria travel and below is the itinerary they sent back.

Day 1- fly from Chiang Mai >BBK> Yangon (haven't booked flights yet, hoping to arrive by 11am
Day 2- fly Yangon>Bagan at 6:30 am. Stay at Tharabar (I'll contact Min-Thu for the next few days)
Day 3-4- still at Bagan
Day 5- fly to Heho at 8:10 am. Drive to Kalaw for 1/2 day trek to Palaung village. Overnight at Hilltop villa resort
Day 6- Drive to Taunggyi then visit Kakku Pagoda. Drive to Nyaungshwe and boat transfer to hotel at Inle lake (Stay at Inle Lake view resort for 3 nights)
Day 7- Inle lake (no guides)
Day 8- Inle lake, visit Sagar
Day 9- Fly back to Yangon arriving at about 11am. Fly to BKK about 4:30 pm

So here's my longwinded question:
I feel my time is Yangon is somewhat squeezed and I haven't worked out my arriving flights. I think its more likely I'll be arriving at 3pm. Basically not giving us much time in Yangon at all. Should I take out the excursion to Kalaw/overnight at Hilltop villa and add overnight in Yangon at the end?

Thanks again everyone.

Yes, I would cut the short side trip to Kalaw. You will be there at the height of the rainy season, so trekking is likely to be miserable. It also makes your itinerary so tight that there is no room for travel glitches.

So fly to HeHo and have Santa Maria arrange a car to take you to Kakku (not a pagoda, but thousands of stupas) before taking you to your hotel at Inle. By the way, if you are staying at Inle Lake View, you can get there by land - no need for a boat transfer. Travel agencies always offer a boat transfer but you don't need it and it's more expensive. So tell Santa Maria no boat transfer.

I think it's wise to be back to Yangon the day before your flight out. This will also give you enough time to do a bit of sightseeing in Yangon.

I'm sure it will be a wonderful trip!

I totally agree with Kathie. You need the extra night in Yangon, not Kalaw. I am not sure, but I thought there was a flight from Chang Mai to Yangon. Did you check on this? Have a great trip.

You have just about the same itinerary as my daughter and I did July 2 years ago. In our 9 day trip, we limited ourselves to Yangon 1 night on each end, Bagan and Inle lake. In that amount of time, I would not add another destination. Enjoy!

Thanks for your guidance. Will do. I've literally been following in your footsteps for a few years now and you haven't steered me wrong. And talking about weather, it seemed like Inle Lake would not be too rainy this time of year. Am I wrong about that?

Shelley, I've been checking on Kayak to see if there were any direct flights from Chiang Mai and couldn't find any. If anyone knows of any, I'd much prefer that!

And BTW...I booked my first night in Yangon at The Strand on agoda.com. I paid $160 for the night. Seemed like an awesome deal especially when I checked back today on agoda, the same room was $196! I've booked all my hotels stays in SEA on agoda and it's been very reliable. Does anyone have experience with booking Burma hotels on there? Is it still reliable?

Seasonally, Air Bagan has had a flight from Chiang Mai to Yangon several days a week. I doubt you'll find accurate listings on kayak for Burma flights. Ask Santa Maria about the flight.

Agoda should be reliable, even in Burma. I haven't used agoda in Burma, though I know people who have. Have Santa Maria book your other hotels, as they can usually get the best prices. $160 at the Strand is a good price. It's off season, so all of the places will be cheaper.

Agree too, you need at least a night in Yangon ( Shwedagon is fabulous at night) The Strand or the Savoy are both nice places to stay in Yangon, we too had SM book flights and hotels and they got great rates for us.

Just checked air Bagan. They do have a flight on Sunday at around 5pm for $118. YAY!. I'll get back to Santa Maria now with all this new info and have them book the rest of the trip.
Thanks!

We stayed atThe Savoy our first night in Yangon and The Governor's Residence our last. We enjoyed both, but they were both being painted and the pool was empty and being repaired at The Governor's Residence - we got great prices, but the renovations may have been the reason. I suspect you have to expect that during the summer. We used Santa Maria for Burma, although I agree Agoda was terrific elsewhere in Asia. And yes, give yourself more time than you might expect at Schwedagon. It is glorious.
The weather that July was hot in Bagan and Yangon, but pleasant early mornings and evenings. Take a break mid-day. At Inle the temperature was lovely but it rained every day. We actually enjoyed it, though. The hotel provided the guests with beautiful huge bamboo/paper umbrellas, which was functional and picturesque. When we were out on the lake the captain kept a close eye on the clouds and managed to slow down or speed up to avoid the deluged that eventually arrived. Of courrse weather can't ever be totally predictable, but I would happily go back to Burma during July.

Deb, in case you are browsing fodors, if we will be at the same place during any of these stops, it would be nice to meet. I don't know if there is a way to do a private message on fodors?

Hi Deb. I've been searching the internet for clues as to how to navigate Burma/Myanmar in July and came across your posts. Then I saw you and your son are going to be at ENP the same week my husband and I are - July 2? We're there for a week then heading south for a bit. Then we head to Burma July 17 for 2 weeks. I'll head back to Los Angeles, but the hubs is going to India for a couple weeks. Anyway, I've enjoyed following your Burma schedule. I don't really know what to expect this time of year and don't really care - just up for the adventure. Thanks to everyone else who posted, as well. All good information. See you soon!

Hello Heather!
Coincidently, I was crossing over with another fodorite in Burma. But I see from the removed post that exchanging personal information on this blog is against the rules. Sorry Fodor moderators. I honestly didn't mean to cause any trouble.
In any case..we will be at ENP the week of July 2nd and it is our second volunteer visit to the park.
Needless to say, it is an absolutely amazing experience. The people, the eles, and Lek is so wonderful. It is a very authentic place that is not only a haven for eles, but for people, and dogs as well! You will love it. There are usually about 25-30 volunteers of all ages and we all work closely together. I have no doubt we will meet our first night there and I look forward to seeing you there. Can't wait!

My gosh, Deb, I didn't write down you last name, I didn't realize that our posts would be removed. I hope I can find you at Inle lake! Have a safe trip in the meantime.

FromDC,
I made note of your name. And, I think we'll be easy to spot. I'm a single mom traveling with my very tall 18 year old son. I got a feeling we'll find each other. Have a safe trip and I look forward to meeting you.
And if I get the chance to meet up with 2 different Fodorites on my travels... how cool is that?

Great, see you in a few weeks

Hi debnyc, this is debT from NYC! Not sure if you are actually going to get this since I know your post is old. I am thinking about going to Burma this July and wanted to ask you how the weather was when you went. I am hearing different things. I would only spend five days (and then spend time in Thailand). Any feedback would be great!
Thanks,
Deb

DebT, if you want some help with your plans, do post your own thread, as this one is now 5 years old.

DebT--we are planning an 8 day trip to Burma in late July as well and wondered if you had had any more information in response to your post. Biggest concerns are the amount of rain in Bagan and Inle that might adversely impact the enjoyment of the trip. Any help is most welcome.

jake, please post your question as a separate post, rather than tagging on to this 5 year old thread. At the top of this page there is an orange button that says "post new topic." Just click on that and post your questions.