emdee

Any suggestions and especially any agents one should use.
Prefer higher end hotels.

Kathie

Is a week all you can spare? I suggest 10 days for a first trip: 4 nights each in Bagan and Inle, two nights in Yangon. We used Santa Maria for both of our trips and I'd use them again. They are excellent. We also like high-end hotels, so I am going to refer you to my two trip reports:

2009: www.fodors.com/community/asia/burma-at-last.cfm This covers Inle, Bagan and Yangon. Note that the info on changing money is out of date.

2011: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...d-by-burma.cfm This covers Mandalay, Bagan again, Mrauk U and Yangon

Photos for both trips at www.marlandc.com

emdee

Thanks Kathie,'I have sent off an email to Santa Maria.
I was thinking Governors and Aureum as the two hotels.

Kathie

I recommend against the Aureum. It's out in the hinterlands in New Bagan. I'd recommend a place in Old Bagan, great proximity to the temples. We stayed at the Tharbar Gate first trip - best location, and at the Trypitsaya the second time (in a riverfront suite). If you aren't convinced by the location, do read the TA reviews (which I usually think are worthless) for the accounts of people being shocked and even electrocuted in the showers at the Aureum. It's also the site of the incredibly ugly tower, a monument to Tay Za's ego.

The Governor's Residence is in a lovely setting in the suburbs, green and lush, none of the grittiness of downtown Yangon.

Smeagol

We stayed at the Aureum in Bagan and it was really great. We had a temple view room ( I think it was called) lots of space and great service. Food ok.

emdee

Thanks, Shall do the research on old vs new Bagan.
Do not want to be electrocuted though!

Smeagol

I can vouch for not being electrocuted at Aureum!

Kathie

I'm glad you weren't electrocuted, Nikki, but some other people have been.

gretchengary

I am presently in Myanmar with General Tours of Keene, NH and I highly recommend them. But you shouldn't wait to come as it is not so crowded now and is only going to get worse beginning next year.

Kathie

Burma will be packed in November. You are traveling in low season, Gretchen. Travel agents in Burma are telling people who contact them nor to try to come in November as everything is already fully booked.

By the way, I would only use a local agent in Burma. They can get you better rates at hotels than you can get yourself. If you deal with a foreign tour company, you will pay more - much more.

Smeagol

we are thinking of going to Myanmar in November 2014. Las time I went was August 2011 so low season and we booked about 3 months out and didnt have any problems with flights, hotels etc but i am thinking I would probably need to contact Santa Maria early 2014??? What do you think?

Smeagol

Ok that should say November 2013......

Kathie

Yes, if you are planning on going in Nov 2013, contact Santa maria right after the high season rush, so, say, Feb/Mar 2013.

mareeS55

There's no point going anywhere on travel for a week. It's a waste of your precious time. A week in Burma is a waste of your time, a week with my cousins all trussed up would be horrible.

Hanuman

I disagree with mareeS55. Some of my best trips/holidays are those that lasted a week or less especially those trips that were close by and jet lagged was not a problem.

My first "real" trip to Myanmar was for 7 days and six nights and was very enjoyable and memorable.

mareeS55

Sorry, Hanuman, I disagree. A week is OK in Tokyo or Taiwan or Seoul, or even Georgetown on Penang, where we are considering a week of well-spent time.

A week won't do it in Burma. Mind you, a day is enough in Rangoon.

Hanuman

Perhaps you can write a trip report mareeS55 so that I can understand how your trip was different than my whirlwind version.

Notice you keep bringing up old Myanmar thread and commenting on old posts. Time to start your own!

Kathie

Hanuman has the advantage of living in Thailand, so he doesn't have to contend with long flights or jetlag like the rest of us.

And for people whose schedules only allow for a short trip, I think a short trip to Burma is better than none.

appalaw

We spent 16 days in Myanmar in August and could have used another week

Smeagol

I only had 6 days for my first trip to Myanmar ( as I needed to squeeze in Singapore and Bangkok) and it was a wonderful taster for the country. So, I would agree wholeheartedly with Hanuman and Kathie. Sure, longer is better but hey we don't all have tons of holiday/ cash.