Planning a trip to Myanmar -where should we go

My husband and I have decided to start planning a 2 week trip to Myanmar for next year. I have started my research but I have several questions:

When is the best time to go?

Where shoud we go and how long should we stay in each destination?

I want to visit Yangoon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay and Ngapali beach. How long should we stay in each place?

I want to sight see but I also want time to shop and explore will I have enough time for all of this?

Lots of Questions. Please help!

Planning a trip to Myanmar -where should we go

The most inportant thing to come to terms with for travel in Myanmar is this... everything happens at a very slow pace.... 2 weeks is hardly enough... you may need to drop the beach...

Really not time to laze about ... If you want to do the other things you mention.

Perhaps add a few more days.. or do the beach thing in Thailand.. I assume you will use Bangkok as the entry point into Myanmar? You can fly Chiang Mai to Mandalay.. and who hnows.. perhaps by then directly into Bagan. But most people arrive from Bangkok... AirAsia has the cheapest flight there.

I%26#39;d suggest about 3 to 4 days in each place... Yangon perhaps just 2.... (one for the ShweDagon), and you are using about 1 day between places... even if you fly. Mandalay and Inle (Heho) airports are a fair way from town... on pretty bad roads.... Bustravel is very slow and pretty rough.

Boat between mandalay and Bagan is fun but takes a whole day.. so perhaps a boat trip from Mandalay to Mingun would be enough on the Ayeyarwady River.

A good guidebook would be a fine start... also check out Lonely Planets Thorn Tree forum.

Best time is from November untill March... Wet before November and hot as you get into March.Myanmar is a place where it can be dusty and muddy at the same time.

Planning a trip to Myanmar -where should we go

Mosegrisen has given you v.good advice.

We were there for 12 days last October (3rd trip). Yangon/Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock Mountain - stayed overnight) by car. Yangon/Heho (Lake Inle) by air and car - 2 days. Heho/Mandalay by air (boat trip to Mingun and other sightseeing) - 2 days. Mandalay/Kyaing Tong by air - 3 days there especially for hill tribe trekking (2 days) (highlight of this trip). Kyaing Tong/Yangon. It was a tight schedule so 2 weeks should be enough. As Mosegrisen said, you need to allow an extra day for travelling from place to place.

We booked through Columbus Travels last two trips - gave them our preferences and time available and they did two itineraries for us to chose from, arranged flights, airport transfers, hotels and guide and private car. Reasonable cost and easier and quicker than arranging yourself with limited time.

We did Yangon/Bagan/Inle/Mandalay/Yangon on a previous trip.

You can shop at the markets in Yangon, Mandalay and Inle.

Beautiful country and people. You will enjoy.

Columbus Travels

586 Strand Road, Ianmadaw Township

Yangon

T. +95 1 229245

columbus@mptmail.net.mm

www.travelmyanmar.com

Great help! Thanks so much for all of your advice and insight. Glad I asked.