Myanmar in late January early February.

[Cossie]

Myanmar has been on my want list for a long time, I should have gone there in 1978 when I had the chance!

I want about 2 weeks there, but I don't want to do a long river cruise. As well as the usual must see places I would also like to get to the coast west of Yangon. Don't mind doing a tour, but would also like to do some things by ourselves. Normally we like to travel independently, but our 'backpacking' days are over. I'll read through the trs on here as well.

Can anyone recommend a good agent/agency that could point us in the right direction?

TIA.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I went to Myanmar back in 1996 on a small group tour with Intrepid Travel but I don't think they go there anymore.

There are some reviews on Trip Advisor with some local TA recommendations.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g294190-i9408-k5702149-Myanmar_Travel_Agents-Myanmar.html

 

[drron]

A cruise on the Irrawaddy is worthwhile as you can visit some remote villages.We loved it.There are 3 day cruises from Mandalay to Bagan or reverse that would give you a taste and Bagan really is a must do.
However the 8 day cruise between the 2 is a good idea.Usually if you end in Bagan the last 2 days will be there and I think with all such cruises you will see the U-bien bridge at sunset which is also highly recommended.
We went in December/January.it is the dry season so river levels are low so you really cant do the extended river cruise further up the Irrawady or the Chindwin.
Apart from booking the cruise we made all the other arrangements ourselves.
My TR-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....search-empire-siam-burma-singapore-64691.html

 

[andmiz]

My wife and I went earlier this year and we used a travel agency called One Stop Myanmar, who we were quite happy with. My wife and I blogged about the trip at Myanmar a One Week Itinerary with Expat Getaways which will hopefully help you out a bit.

 

[Cossie]

Ok, down the track a bit, but we still haven't been there. I know Myanmar isn't paricularly p.c. at the moment, but we have a only a 7 day window due to other commitments, we will go back later and do a river trip and see more of the country, but at the moment that isn't possible.

I had a look at the link in the above post and was thinking something similar, although I was wondering if it was worth staying in Yangon for the week given that we will arrive late on the 21st Feb and probably won't see much on the last day which will be the 28th , so that really means only 5-6 days sightseeing.

I'm open to any thoughts on this, should we try 2-3 days in Yangon and 2-3 days in Bagan, or go straight to Bagan for the bulk of the time.
Yangon has always appealed and as I said in my first post I regret not going there much earlier.

As I said, I know we will revisit and then spend much more time there, probably on an organised trip, including hopefully the south.

Thanks in advance.

 

[RooFlyer]

A couple of days in Yangon would be worthwhile. Some fantastic temples and you can wander around and see the relics of colonial empire.

Also a couple of days in Bagan. I can't recommend ' Balloons over Bagan' highly enough. Very highly professional. Strictest 'safety demo' I've ever had. " Pay attention. If we don't think you have listened and understood, we may put you off" type of thing. ( Not sure about the time of year. Wind dependent of course).

I'll link to my TR there when I find it.

 

[RooFlyer]

TR here:. 10 days in Burma (Myanmar) - men in sarongs (longyi)

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I agree with RooFlyer - Bagan is a must do and the hotair balloon ride is also a must - absolutely fantastic !! Book early and go for the least number in the basket - we had six in our basket - you pay more but it SOOOO worth it.

 

[drron]

And my TR is here.
In search of an Empire.Siam,Burma and Singapore.
Burma starts with Post 33.
Balloons over Bagan at the top of page 12.We also highly recommend them.
Spending a couple of days in Yangon would be easy.Our Yangon experiences are at the beginning of our Burma stay and then from Post 265.
Note I say Burma as several local said that is their name for the country,Myanmar is the General's name.

 

[Milboo]

Following with interest for tips! I fly out in 4 weeks - covering Yangon and Ngapali, and maybe Bagan.

No travel agent though as I have knowledge from locals to rely on.

 

[RooFlyer]

And AFF

 

[Milboo]

And that yes!

I used my friend’s recommendations for hotels and airlines.

 

[Cossie]

Following with interest for tips! I fly out in 4 weeks - covering Yangon and Ngapali, and maybe Bagan.

No travel agent though as I have knowledge from locals to rely on.

This was something I was considering as well, the beach for a different perspective and save Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake later for an organised tour.

 

[Cossie]

And that yes!

I used my friend’s recommendations for hotels and airlines.

Can you share these details?

 

[romney]

I was in Myanmar for a two weeks in February this year. I'm not sure if I can post a direct link here, but there is a whole post on my time in Myanmar on my blog which is linked in the signature below. We were on a year long trip so travelling mostly on a budget, although our accommodation in both Bagan and Inle Lake were not so much of the budget variety.

For the OP, a couple of days in Yangon would be good - the whole time in Bagan would be too much I think.

For others, Inle Lake and Mandalay are both worthy of a couple of days too.

 

[Cossie]

I was in Myanmar for a two weeks in February this year. I'm not sure if I can post a direct link here, but there is a whole post on my time in Myanmar on my blog which is linked in the signature below. We were on a year long trip so travelling mostly on a budget, although our accommodation in both Bagan and Inle Lake were not so much of the budget variety.

For the OP, a couple of days in Yangon would be good - the whole time in Bagan would be too much I think.

For others, Inle Lake and Mandalay are both worthy of a couple of days too.

Thanks, your blog looks very interesting, looks like I'll be spending a few hours reading it along with the ones mentioned above.

 

[Milboo]

Can you share these details?

I booked Novotel Max in Yangon. If budget was not a factor I would have booked the Belmond! The Strand also looks amazing.

Other recommendations for Yangon were:

$100-$200 AUD per night

1) Chatrium Hotel https://www.chatrium.com/chatrium_hotel_yangon/default-en.html

2) Pan Pacific Hotel https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-yangon.html

3) Novotel Yangon Max https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-9045-novotel-yangon-max/index.shtml

4) Melia Yangon https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/myanmar/yangon/melia-yangon/index.html

$200+ AUD per night

1) Belmond Governor’s Residence https://www.belmond.com/hotels/asia/myanmar/yangon/belmond-governors-residence/

2) The Strand https://www.hotelthestrand.com/

3) Savoy Yangon https://www.savoy-myanmar.com/

4) Lotte Hotel and Serviced Apartments http://www.lottehotel.com/yangon/en/


For Ngapali - the recommendations were for south end of beach - which is the more popular end with the sandy beach

1) Ngapali Bay Villa and Spa http://ngapalibay.com/

2) Sandoway Resort http://www.sandowayresort.com/

3) Aureum Palace http://aureumngapali.htoohospitality.com/

4) Art of Sand Resort http://artofsandresort.com/

5) Amata Resort http://www.amatahotelgroup.com/

6) Pristine Mermaid Resort http://www.pristinemermaid.com/index.php/en/

I decided to stay at the north end of the beach at the Hilton as I am a diamond member.

Bagan - choice there is Aureum Palace.

 

[RooFlyer]

I stayed at Aureum plalace at Bagan and got the stunning sunsets over the temples as shown in the TR.

 

[Cossie]

Belmond and The Strand, yep I agree, maybe next time! At this stage I'm leaning towards The Pullman Yangon Centrepoint for it's location and as per RooFlyer The Aureum in Bagan.

Regrettably the beach will have to wait for another time....

 

[Milboo]

Friends are booked into the Pullman for this trip too.