Keilor18

hello all, I am trying to figure out our itinerary for Myanmar. We only have 8 nights there. We also plan to visit Sri Lanka (9 nights) and Thailand (Koh Samui -5 nights). Here is what I have so far and wondering what your thoughts are and if it makes sense. And the dates we are planning to be there are in July. There will be 8 of us traveling together. We are from New York and my mother/brother/wife/kids are from Melbourne, Australia.

July 5 -Yangon (stay one night in Yangon)

July 6 -flight from Yangon to Bagan

July 6-July 8 : Stay 3 nights in Bagan (should we hire a driver to take us around? if so, we would need 2 cars)

July 9- flight from Bagan to Inle Lake

July 9-11 -stay 3 nights in Inle Lake (should we hire a driver to take us around?)

July 12 -Flight from Inle Lake to Yangon

July 12 -stay one night in Yangon

July 13- flight from Yangon to Sri Lanka

Is this too many flights for 8 nights in Myanmar? Do you think it is better to hire a car to take us around the whole time? I feel like we need to save time and fly instead.

Thanks for your help.

Sue

Kathie

Frankly, I think you are trying to cover way too much ground on your trip. My recommendation would be to choose just one or two countries. I fear that at the end of this trip you will have seen wonderful places, but they will all be a blur. These are three different countries with different cultures and a few days in each really doesn't give you a chance to learn about the countries.

I would suggest that you consolidate all of your Yangon time at the end. So, when you fly into Yangon, immediately fly out to Bagan. This way, you have fewer travel days and have a full day in Yangon so can actually do/see experience something of Yangon. I think it makes no sense to try to drive the whole country. Flights are the most practical.

Your group is large, which makes logistics more complicated. In Bagan, your group may want to split up - some of you take horsecarts around Bagan, some use a car and driver. At Inle Lake you will need several boats to accommodate all of you.

Keilor18

hi Kathie,

I appreciate your advice. I will discuss with the family and see what they think.

Thanks again,

Sue

julies

We are just back from Myanmar. I too think perhaps overall on your trip you are tackling more than you will actually enjoy, but to each his own.

July is rainy season in Myanmar, and the real joy of Inle Lake is being out on the lake. How much would you enjoy sightseeing in an open boat in the rain? Nyaung Shwe itself (main town at north of Inle Lake) isn't particularly interesting.

Drive time in Myanmar is slow, so flights are the way to go. However, even with flying you still lose a lot of time in transit. Have you looked at flight schedules to see when flights actually are so that you know how much of your day will be eaten up in getting to the airport, flying to your destination and transferring to the next place?

Everyone told us that the real tourist season is over by April and doesn't really pick up again until October. My guess is that airlines would thus significantly reduce their flight schedules, and you may not have many choices as to times for flights.

nina88

We were in Myanmar late Oct.=early Nov., 2016 and had the same itinerary as yours though we were in another SE country for 2 weeks. We thought the 8-night visit was just enough and had a great time. We planned our itinerary, priced it ourselves and when we realized that a local agency priced it the same, had them do it for us (though we had to prepay it and was charged a certain % for using our cc). Still, it was worth the hassle and the extra services provided us. We had a driver for 2 days in Bagan (provided by the TA) and 1/2 day (through the hotel). IMO, the horsecart looks inviting but wouldn't trade in with the comfort of an air-conditioned car...yes, it is very dusty in Bagan!. In Inle Lake, we did the same thing: (2 days with boat/operator provided by the TA; and 1/2 day provided by the hotel). The few things that stay in my memory are the people... such gentle, humble and kind people; Inle Lake - such beauty amidst poverty; Bagan - otherworldly, ethereal temples and stupas and Yangon - such horrible traffic

planningtravel

Was in Myanmar earlier this year. Wouldn't consider visiting the country during the rainy season.

Yangoon is a city, a chaotic, congested Asian city and not the most interesting place to see in Myanmar. In Bagan and Lake Inle you need to he outdoors to explore the sights.

amlwin_oc

Using flights in Myanmar is a good way to travel. You can save the time, more relax.
Try to contact with Oriental Century T&T, they are well organize in trip planning.
www.orientalcentury.com.mm
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