We (2 couples) are planning a trip to Chiang Mai and Myanmar for Feb 08 and plan to fly from Australia via Singapore to Yangon and spend 7 nights in Myanmar and then fly from either Mandalay or Yangon to Chiang Mai and then to Bangkok and home via Singapore.
Couple of questions - where should we spend the 7 nights? - we don%26#39;t want to be too rushed but would like to see some interesting sights - I%26#39;m thinking Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan and Mandalay or is this too hectic and is it better to fly from Yangon (ie more frequent flights) or Mandalay to Chiang Mai - suggested 7 day itinerary including mode of transport (including suggested airlines) would be appreciated.
Thanks very much
Mez
Help needed for Myanmar trip
7 days is not enough to cover the 4 places that you mention. Probably 14 to 21days would be pushing it even...
Any form of travel incl. air in Myanmar takes a lot more time that in most other places.
It is possible to fly from Chiang Mai to Mandalay... non-stop..(once a week... Thursday)... But the return is via Yangon... and pretty much all other flight are through Yangon.
If you are serious about visiting Myanmar.. i%26#39;d suggest you do a lot of reading.... There%26#39;s just too much to see there to warrent such a short trip... You could (perhaps) ';do';.. Yangon and Bagan in that time.
Get your visa in Australia before you leave.... Make sure you erad up on the money situation also...Happy travels.
Help needed for Myanmar trip
This past January I spent 7 nights in Myanmar. While we always wish visits were longer I found a week adequate. My itinerary was first night in Yangon (arriving late with just enough time to go to the Shwedegon Pagoda, and leaving for Bagan early the next day), 2 nights at Bagan, 2 at Inle Lake, then returning to Yangon for the final 2. It would be possible to squeeze in Mandalay en route from Bagan to the lake but I did not want to give up a night at Inle. See on this board my posts of 18 July - and keep in mind Kipling%26#39;s words about Burma! For 25 years I have been drawn back to the country so hope you also enjoy your travels there.
Do not miss Inle lake around that enough for 2 days in there,if you like ancient buildings you should go Bagan,Yangon is entrance of the Burma
welcome to Burma
Thank you all for your great advice - yes I realise its not much time but we figure if we love the place we%26#39;ll go back for a more extensive experience. Sounds like Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake will be plenty for us. Are the flights from Yangon to Chiang Mai daily? How much will it cost in airfares to do Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, back to Yangon and then Chiang Mai?
Thanks again
Mez
While someone who already know their way around Myanmar or someone who%26#39;ve done a great deal of reading.. may.. and I say it again... MAY be able to enjoy 3 areas in 7 days.. I%26#39;d still try and extend your saty there if you can.. Guess it also depends on if you are counting arrival and departure days into the 7 days.. I still suggest that you choose fewer places and make the most of those... However I do agree that you could go to Bagan and Inle.. and just see the ShweDagon in Yangon ...
The Chiang Mai to Mandalay flight is on a Thursday and last year the Yangon to Chiang Mai was Thursday and Sunday. (Mandalay air)...
Bangkok to Yangon daily with airasia or Bagan air.. The third airline in Myanmar (worth using) is Yangon air... But they only do domestic flights.
Jetstar Asia has Singapore%26gt;Yangon flights...
Other airlines to look at would be Thai, Malaysian and Singopore (Silk). and also Bangkok airways.. Airasia is the cheapest..
Airfares:... internal flights range from around USD 35.00 (Mandalay to Bagan or Bagan to Heho (Inle))... to around USD 80.00 Yangon to Heho (Inle) or Yangon to Bagan.
Mandalay Air Chiang Mai to Manbalay is around USD 120.00 (incl. Thai departure tax). I%26#39;m not sure of the Yangon to Chiang Mai fare.. but probably about the same... Airasia Bangkok to Yangon return around USD 120.00 (depending on flight date and how early in advance you book).
Myanmar departure tax is USD 14.00.. cash at time of check in.
Yagon- Heho- Mandalay- Bagan-Yangon
8 Days/ 7 Nights Program (Valid until 30 Apr 2008)
Day 01 Arrival Yangon, Yangon sightseeing (-/-/-)
Arrival at Yangon Int’l airport by (flight #MI516, 1025/1145) and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to including the awe-inspiring SHWEDAGON PAGODA; CHAUKHTATGYI, a colossal reclining Buddha and the NATIONAL MUSEUM, which is filled with artifact and cultural exhibits of Myanmar. Overnight at Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel (or) similar hotel.
Day 02 Yangon- Heho (flight ), excursion to Inle Lake by Boat (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight (#) to Heho. Arrive at Heho airport and drive to unique and magical INLE Lake, which is located 1,328 meters above sea level and is 22 km long and 11 km wide. Highlights include the fisherman rowing in the one-legged style characteristic of Inle Lake boatmen and the gardens of grass and earth floating on the surface of this shallow lake used for growing vegetables. Besides the enjoyment of the scenery we can also visit the ‘jumping cats’ monastery, PHAUNGDAW U PAGODA, silk weaving, cheroot making and other cottage industries. Overnight at Golden Island Cottage Hotel (or) similar hotel.
Day 03 Inle – Pindaya – Heho – Mandalay (flight) (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Pindaya by car. PINDAYA is located 40 km north of AUNGBAN and noted for its extensive limestone caves and picturesque lake. We will be passing through the pa o and Danu villages of Pwehla and Ji Chanzi and endless fields of dry cultivated mountain rice and potato. Inside the Pindaya Caves there are nearly 9,000 Buddha images which have been placed there over the centuries as a form of merit making. Made of various materials and of different sizes, the statues are situated in every nook and cranny throughout the many cave chambers. We can also visit a local Shan umbrella-making factory. In the afternoon drive back to Heho airport to take the flight (#) to Mandalay. Overnight at Mandalay Swan Hotel (or) similar hotel.
Day 04 Mandalay- Amarapura –Sagaing sightseeing. (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning travel to the former royal capital of AMARAPURA. Highlights include MAHAGANDAYON monastery, which is a school for young monks and U BEIN bridge which is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km is the longest teakwood span in the world. Afternoon visit the former royal capital of INWA, founded in 1364 which lasted nearly 400 years. Highlights include the ‘leaning tower of Ava’, the MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN, which is a brick-and-stucco monastery, and the elegant teakwood monastery BAGAYA KYAUNG.
Afternoon visit to Sagaing, a former capital of the Shan kingdom in the 14th century, is slightly down river from MANDALAY and has many interesting stupas scattered over SAGAING Hill. Today it’s mostly known as a religious center. The highlights include THABYEDAN Fort, TUPAYON PAYA, AUNGMYELAWKA PAYA, ONHMIN THONZE, SOON U PONYA SHIN PAYA, HSINMYASHIN PAYA, and KAUNGHMUDAW PAGODA. Drive back to Mandalay and overnight at Mandalay Swan Hotel (or) similar hotel.
Day 05 Mandalay – Bagan by Boat (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure from MANDALAY Port on board the local MANDALAY-BAGAN ferry boat service. A colorful and relaxing nine hour journey down the Ayeyarwady River -- Kipling%26#39;s ';Road to MANDALAY.'; Arrive at BAGAN and transfer to the hotel. Late afternoon sightseeing if we arrive on time. Overnight at Bagan Thande Hotel (or) similar.
Day 06 Bagan Fullday sightseeing (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. We are off on our sightseeing tour of one of Asia%26#39;s most popular archeological destination. We will visit colorful BAGAN market and visit some of BAGANS most famous pagodas, including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas; GUBYAUKGYI, a 13th century ‘cave temple with interesting fine frescoes of scenes from the jatakas; and ANANDA PAGODA, one of the finest, largest and best preserved in Old BAGAN.
Return to the hotel for a rest before our afternoon visit to a lacquerware factory. We will also visit DHAMMAYANGYI PAHTO, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in BAGAN. As the sun goes down we will be at one of the ideal viewing sites selected by our tour guide. Overnight at Bagan Thande Hotel (or) similar hotel.
Day07 Bagan-Yangon (flight), Yangon sightseeing. (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight (#) back to Yangon. Arrive at Yangon and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to BOTATAUNG PAGODA, which is hollow and through which you can walk and see many ancient relics and artifacts. Then visit to the famous BOGYOKE (SCOTT’S) MARKET, a sprawling 70 year old complex noted for it’s variety of handicrafts and other items which provide an excellent opportunity for one last shopping spree. Evening sightseeing at CHINA TOWN area. Overnight at Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel (or) similar hotel.
Day 08 Depature Flight (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time at leisure until transfer to airport to take flight (#MI515, 1245/1710) back home.
Seat-in-coach, minimum 2 persons, rates in 1039US$ per person in a party of 2!
Just a couple of thoughts about bluedragononline%26#39;s detailed itinerary:
1) I urge anyone to visit the Schwedagon in the evening rather than the afternoon, preferably when other tourists are having dinner elsewhere. Over the years I%26#39;ve been there at all hours %26#39;til closing and in the evening the lighting is at its best - pure magic - and mainly local people enjoying the beauty.
2) I am no doubt spoiled by earlier trips but Scott%26#39;s Market is far less interesting than it used to be. At one time the stalls were filled with unusual items from all over the world but with rising rents many of the merchants have gone elsewhere. Great place for T-shirts, however.
I%26#39;m convicted and it%26#39;s no doubt every where on the planet is an outpost fot tourist attraction and souvenior....it on your nerve,,, and......it is a culture for every women who buys here there everywhere.. on futuristic planet..
Victor
Wow Thanks for all the great information - I assume this itinerary is through a tour company - any recommendations on whether or not to use one and if so which ones are reliable and is this a reasonable price?
Thanks Mez
gloss
