From what I can see on weatherbase.com it appears that the weather is least hot during Jan-Feb-March timeframe. Is that the best time to go if heat is an issue? Any other suggestions about timing for a two-week trip?

Second: I took the Pandaw Mekong cruise and loved it. Can't say I want to spend 10-14 days on another boat, however. I get cabin fever! But if that is the preferred way to see the country, I will do it. Thoughts from those of you who have done the country with and without the cruise? Should I add Yangon on the end if I do the Pandaw?

Thanks!!

Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb will be best. March it will be getting hotter.

I've been to Burma twice, and opted not to cruise, I've heard good things about the cruise, but I have to say that I can't imagine going there without spending three or four nights in each Bagan and Inle Lake. A cruise doesn't give you that.

Take a look ay my two reports:

2009: www.fodors.com/community/asia/burma-at-last.cfm

2011: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...d-by-burma.cfm

photos of both trips are at www.marlandc.com

It's great that you are getting started now to plan for a trip in 2013/2014. All the Pandaw cruises for this coming season are sold out, and it appears that all mid and upper range accommodations are fully booked. Now that Burma has become THE destination, the very limited tourists infrastructure is swamped.

Start you planning now by reading trip reports (go to the top of the page and choose view by country), buying the LP guidebook and reading more about the country. Here are some suggestions:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-bookshelf.cfm

Kathie - any chance you can send over Min Thu's contact information? Given your glowing review of him in your trip report, I'd be interested in seeing if he can be a guide for my time in Bagan. Also do you have any guide recommendations for Inle Lake? Is one necessary? Thanks!

No guide necessary at Inle. You will have a boatman, and if you go to Sankar you will get a mandatory Pa-O guide. My one caution at Inle is to do your homework first - know where you want to go, otherwise the boatmen assume that you want to go to all of the workshops and the horrible floating market. Go to the five-day market at another location.

email MinThu at [email protected]

Happy planning!

Kathie: Thanks for the information! I will read your reports with interest. Have ordered the LP guide and look forward to reading that as well. I was actually thinking of trying to book for Feb. 2013 but it sounds like that will not be possible from what you say?! Also explains why the Pandaw is only showing cruises starting in August...

Yes, Pandaw is sold out for this season. If you really want to go Feb 2013, contact Santa Maria now and see if it is possible to book anything. Rumor has it that everything - flights and accommodations - are fully booked for this high season.