Need help with planning for 11-12 days in Myanmar in January
May 12th, 2017, 06:40 PM
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Need help with planning for 11-12 days in Myanmar in January
We have decided to do trips that require long flights rather sooner than later (while we still can), so for 2018 we are planning two trips - to Burma (January) and Bhutan (October)
I already posted my questions on Bhutan thread, but now would like to ask for help on Myanmar.
As I said, we plan to travel in January, and we will have two weeks for an entire trip.
I am planning to buy tickets to Hong Kong, have 1-2 days stopover in Hong Kong (never been), and then fly to Yangon from there. I know we are loosing our precious time in HK, but unfortunately, it is hard for me to make an entire flight from Chicago to Yangon with no rest.
With that, we will have 11-12 days in Myanmar (depending on how many days we stay in HK).
After browsing thru a couple of travel books and reading trip reports, I would like to plan 1.5 days in Yangoon, 2-3 days in Bagan, (explore by horse ridden carriage; take air balloon ride), 2-3 days on Inle lake (to see less touristy part), and..... ??? I am not sure how to spend the remaining days.
One option of course to go classic way - go to Mandalay and see sights around that city. However, after reading about it and looking at pictures, there is nothing really attracts me except U Ben bridge.
I would love to see Mrauk U, but it does require at least 4 days, so I am not sure this option is reasonable within such a short period of time. I would love to go though...
Kengtung sounds attractive as well, as we like seeing tribal villages, local life, nature... We can do a lot of walking during the day, but not up to major trekking, so not sure how much we will be able to see.
I really would like to hear your recommendations. I love seeing local markets, local villages, local life, wonder around, and I am into photography .... I looked at photography specialized tours as well, but they are way too expensive for us if done on a private basis, and my husband does not photograph
I am planning to use Santa Maria Travel agency, as it seems to be highly recommended here.
As always thanks in advance for your help!
I already posted my questions on Bhutan thread, but now would like to ask for help on Myanmar.
As I said, we plan to travel in January, and we will have two weeks for an entire trip.
I am planning to buy tickets to Hong Kong, have 1-2 days stopover in Hong Kong (never been), and then fly to Yangon from there. I know we are loosing our precious time in HK, but unfortunately, it is hard for me to make an entire flight from Chicago to Yangon with no rest.
With that, we will have 11-12 days in Myanmar (depending on how many days we stay in HK).
After browsing thru a couple of travel books and reading trip reports, I would like to plan 1.5 days in Yangoon, 2-3 days in Bagan, (explore by horse ridden carriage; take air balloon ride), 2-3 days on Inle lake (to see less touristy part), and..... ??? I am not sure how to spend the remaining days.
One option of course to go classic way - go to Mandalay and see sights around that city. However, after reading about it and looking at pictures, there is nothing really attracts me except U Ben bridge.
I would love to see Mrauk U, but it does require at least 4 days, so I am not sure this option is reasonable within such a short period of time. I would love to go though...
Kengtung sounds attractive as well, as we like seeing tribal villages, local life, nature... We can do a lot of walking during the day, but not up to major trekking, so not sure how much we will be able to see.
I really would like to hear your recommendations. I love seeing local markets, local villages, local life, wonder around, and I am into photography .... I looked at photography specialized tours as well, but they are way too expensive for us if done on a private basis, and my husband does not photograph
I am planning to use Santa Maria Travel agency, as it seems to be highly recommended here.
As always thanks in advance for your help!
May 12th, 2017, 06:54 PM
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What a great travel year you will have!
I would suggest that you when you fly into Yangon, you immediately fly onward to your first destination. You will have to be back in Yangon a day ahead of your international flight. (I'm assuming you can fly from HKG non-stop to RGN and return.) So fly to either Inle Lake or Bagan as soon as possible.
To get three days on Inle Lake, you'll need to have 4 nights there; likewise to have three full days in Bagan, you will need to spend 4 nights there. If you want 1.5 days in Yangon, you'll need to either two nights there. That takes up all of the time you have for this trip. True, you could cut Bagan and Inle short to visit Mandalay, but I don't recommend it. Myanmar is a place that rewards slow travel.
If you could add another week, I'd say go to Mrauk U, but you don't have the time. Even cutting out HKG wouldn't buy you much time.
As you likely know, I have three trip reports here: 2009, 2011, and 2015. Photos are at www.marlandc.com
Do lots of reading before you go. This is a place that rewards lots of research.
I would suggest that you when you fly into Yangon, you immediately fly onward to your first destination. You will have to be back in Yangon a day ahead of your international flight. (I'm assuming you can fly from HKG non-stop to RGN and return.) So fly to either Inle Lake or Bagan as soon as possible.
To get three days on Inle Lake, you'll need to have 4 nights there; likewise to have three full days in Bagan, you will need to spend 4 nights there. If you want 1.5 days in Yangon, you'll need to either two nights there. That takes up all of the time you have for this trip. True, you could cut Bagan and Inle short to visit Mandalay, but I don't recommend it. Myanmar is a place that rewards slow travel.
If you could add another week, I'd say go to Mrauk U, but you don't have the time. Even cutting out HKG wouldn't buy you much time.
As you likely know, I have three trip reports here: 2009, 2011, and 2015. Photos are at www.marlandc.com
Do lots of reading before you go. This is a place that rewards lots of research.
May 12th, 2017, 06:57 PM
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Oops - I misread your title and thought you had 11-12 nights in Myanmar. Instead you have 11-12 days total, meaning you must have 12-13 nights for this whole trip. Thus, you really don't have time for more than Yangon, Bagan and Inle.
May 12th, 2017, 07:38 PM
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Kathie, I was hoping you would anwser 
as i saw photos from all your 3 trips!
You actually read me correctly first time. We can have up to 12 nights in Myranmar (assuming we stay only 1d/2n in HK), and this will allow us to go back to HK a day prior our international flight (direct flight from HK to Yangoon and back).
as i saw photos from all your 3 trips!You actually read me correctly first time. We can have up to 12 nights in Myranmar (assuming we stay only 1d/2n in HK), and this will allow us to go back to HK a day prior our international flight (direct flight from HK to Yangoon and back).
May 16th, 2017, 11:47 AM
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Still hoping to get some additional perspective
Basically, I narrowed down to two options:
1. Option 1 - 2 days Yangon, 3 days Bagan, 3 days Inle (Sankar, Indein, Kakku), 3 days Mandalay and around
2. Option 2 - 2 days Yangon, 3 days Bagan, 3 Days Inle, 3 days Loikaw from Inle by boat via Sankar and car (for hill tribies).
I would love to hear your recommendations. I am leaning to option 2, since it seems provides experiences I am looking for
Thank you!
Basically, I narrowed down to two options:
1. Option 1 - 2 days Yangon, 3 days Bagan, 3 days Inle (Sankar, Indein, Kakku), 3 days Mandalay and around
2. Option 2 - 2 days Yangon, 3 days Bagan, 3 Days Inle, 3 days Loikaw from Inle by boat via Sankar and car (for hill tribies).
I would love to hear your recommendations. I am leaning to option 2, since it seems provides experiences I am looking for
Thank you!
