Mingalabar! Our 11-Days Travel Itinerary in Myanmar (Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake)
Tuesday 22 April 2014
11 days,
Amarapura,
Backpack,
Bagan,
Burma,
Bus,
downtown,
Hotel / Guesthouse,
Inle Lake,
Innwa (Ava),
Itinerary,
Malaysia Airlines,
Mandalay,
motorbike,
Myanmar,
Sagaing,
Taunggyi,
travel tips,
Trip,
Yangon / Rangoon
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Mingalabar! We're back & have just been catching our breath after a challenging trip! The sole reason why we decided to travel to Burma was because I wanted to see Bagan, one of the most photogenic plain in the world with over 2,000 phayas stood mightily for hundred years.
We spent 11 days (24 December 2013 - 3 January 2014) in Burma, and here's what we did for our trip <Yangon / Rangoon - Bagan - Mandalay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Innwa (Ava) - Inle Lake - Taunggyi - Yangon/Rangoon>
24 Dec 2013:YANGON / BAGAN
Arrived Yangon International Airport - Proceeded to Aung Mingalar Highway Compound for overnight bus from Rangoon/Yangon - Bagan (approx. 8-9hrs journey)
Departure time: 7.00p.m. / Arrival time: 3.00-4.00a.m.
25 Dec 2013:
BAGAN - Arrived Nyaung U, Bagan - Proceed to Aung Mingalar Hotel - Ananda Temple - Thatbyinnyu Temple - Bupaya Pagoda - Shwegugyi Temple - Dhammayangyi Temple - Gadawtpalin Pagoda - Mahabodhi Temple - Shwesandaw Pagoda
BAGAN -New Bagan and Central Plain - Minnanthu Village Area - Mani Sithu Market at Nyaung U - Sulamani Temple - Dhamma Ya Zi Ka Pagoda
27 Dec 2013:
BAGAN / MANDALAY - Took morning bus from Nyaung U, Bagan - Mandalay (approx. 5-6hrs journey) - Proceed to Queen Hotel, Mandalay - Explore Mandalay downtown in the evening by foot
Bus departure time: 8.00a.m. / Arrival time: 2.00p.m.
28 Dec 2013:
MANDALAY - Mahamuni Temple - Amarapura, Inwa (Ava) - Sagaing - U Bein Bridge
* We rented a self-drive motorbike and explore Mandalay downtown, Inwa (Ava) and Sagaing by ourselves which cost us about 20,000 - 30,000 Kyats per day which is still slightly cheaper than hiring a taxi! However, the Mandalay town can be a bit crazy at the intersections.
29 Dec 2013:
MANDALAY - Explore Mandalay downtown
Shwenandaw Kyaung - SandamuniPaya - KuthodawPaya - Atumashi Kyaung - Kyauktawgyi Paya- Mandalay Hill - Mandalay Palace
Overnight bus from Mandalay to Inle Lake/ Nyaung Shwe town (approx. 8 hrs)
Bus departure time: 7.00p.m. / Arrival time: 4.00a.m.
30 Dec 2013:
NYAUNG SHWE (INLE LAKE) - Arrived Nyaung Shwe Town - Proceed to Golden Empress Hotel, Nyaung Shwe - Nga Hpe Chaung/Jumping Cat Monastery- Ngapal Kyaung -Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda - Yawma (Long Neck Lady) - Nan Pan - Cigar Factory - Inn PawKoung Village - lotus & silk weaving - Floating Market - Aung's Marionette Puppet Show
31 Dec 2013:
NYAUNG SHWE (INLE LAKE) - To visit Taunggyi and Kakku Pagoda Complex, we rented a van for 1-day which we booked via our hotel receptionist. Besides that, you have to also obtain your permit which cost USD3/pax and a tour guide for USD5 (which is compulsory) for the Kakku trip. Our tour guide is a personable young Pa-O woman.
01 Jan 2014:
NYAUNG SHWE (INLE LAKE) - Visit Mingalar Market & Explore Nyaung Shwe town in the morning - Take overnight bus back to Yangon (approx. 11-12hrs)
Bus departure time: 7.00p.m. / Arrival time: 6.00a.m.
02 Jan 2014:
YANGON / RANGOON - Arrived Yangon about 6.00am - 7.00am - Sule Pagoda - China Town - Bogyoke Aung San (Scotts) Market - Botataung Paya - Chaukhtatgyi Paya - Shwedagon Pagoda
03 Jan 2014:
YANGON / RANGOON - Explore China Town
Return Flight : Rangoon- Kuala Lumpur- Penang
Air Itinerary Details:
Malaysia Airlines (MH) Penang- Kuala Lumpur- Rangoon / Rangoon- Kuala Lumpur- Penang
Accommodation:
(i)Bagan - Aung Mingalar Hotel, Bagan
Si Pin Thar Yar Road, Bagan, Myanmar
Tel : 95-61-60847
Fax : 95-61-61169
Room Rate: Approx. USD40/night
(ii)Mandalay - Queen Hotel, Mandalay
No.456, 81st Street; Between 32ndx 33rd Street,
Chan Aye Thar Zan Township, Mandalay, Myanmar
Room Rate: Approx. USD45/night
Contact: greenandgreen.travel@gmail.com (Ms.Yamin Moe Moe Thu)
(***For Mandalay, we booked our hotel through a local agent: greenandgreen.travel as the rates were substantially cheaper than the travel booking sites)
(iii)Inle Lake - Golden Empress Hotel, Nyaung Shwe
19, Phaung Taw Pyan Street; Nyaung Shwe
Phone: +95 81 209 037
e-mail: goldenempresshotel@gmail.com
Room Rate: Approx. USD35/night
(***highly-recommended, the best hotel I've stayed during my entire Myanmar trip! Please book in advance due to limited rooms available)
(iv)Yangon - Aung Tha Pyay Hotel, Yangon
No.74/80, 38th Street (Middle Block), Near Merchant Street,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Phone: (+95) 01378663, 01378664
e-mail: aungthapyayhotel@gmail.com
Room Rate: Approx. USD65/night
Local Transportation:
◊Yangon - Bagan via Shwe Mandalar Express
Rate: 15000 Kyats/pax (2-1 seater bus)
Contact: shwemandalar.express@gmail.com
◊Bagan - Mandalay
Rate: 7500 Kyats/pax (1-1-1 seater bus)
Contact: greenandgreen.travel@gmail.com (Ms.Yamin Moe Moe Thu)
◊Mandalay - Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake)
Rate : 14000 Kyats/pax (1-1-1 seater bus)
Contact: greenandgreen.travel@gmail.com (Ms.Yamin Moe Moe Thu)
◊Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake) - Yangon
Rate: 22,0000 Kyats/pax (2-1 seater bus)
*You may book your bus ticket via ticketing agent / your hotel receptionist.
◊Mandalay downtown - Amarapura - Sagaing - Innwa (Ava)
Rate: 20,000 - 30,000 Kyats/2-seater motorbike/day (inclusive gas) together with a local guide that offers you guided routes for your entire 1-day journey!
Contact person: Mr. Ko Zaw (well-versed in English)
Phone: (+09)402512327
e-mail: mandalay.city.tour@gmail.com
Other Services:
◊ Boat rental approx. 7am - 5pm (Inle Lake) - 9000 Kyat/pax
◊ Bike rental (Mandalay) - 35000 Kyat/day
◊ Taxi rental (Bagan) - 16000 Kyat/day
◊ Horse cart rental (Bagan) - 32000 Kyat/day
Entrance Ticket Fees:
◊Inle Zone (Inle Lake) - 10USD/pax
◊Mandalay Archaeological Zone (compulsory for all visitors) - 10000 Kyat/pax
◊Bagan Archaeological Zone - 10USD/pax
◊Mandalay Hill (Mandalay) - 7500Kyat/pax
◊Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon) -8USD/pax
◊Kakku Ancient Pagodas (Taunggyi) - 3USD/pax + 5USD (compulsory language tour conductor fee)
◊Aung's Marionette Puppet Show (Nyaung Shwe) - 3000Kyat/pax
◊Sagaing Hill - 400 Kyat/pax
◊Inwa (Ava) - 6000 Kyat/pax
Places to Eat:
◊Black Rose Restaurant (New Bagan)
◊Golden MyanmarⅡ(Bagan)
◊Mann Restaurant (Mandalay)
◊Nylon Ice Cream (Mandalay)
◊Green Chilli Restaurant (Inle Lake)
Travel Tips:
**Important Notice: We highly recommend that you change your Kyat currency at the official money exchange counters in Yangon International Airport upon arrival to avoid receiving fake Myanmar currency notes (based on recent real incident happen to tourist). Any individual found to be carrying fake currency will face up to seven years (or even more) in jail as well as a fine.
**It is also recommended that you bring a torch light when staying in some remote areas (Inle Lake, Nyaung Shwe, Shan State) as power cuts frequently occur throughout the country, which we experienced it in Nyaung Shwe!!)
Visa Application Procedures:
**For Malaysians: Visit Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Kuala Lumpur) for more details (Visa application cost per person: approx. RM140 (RM110 for visa application, RM30 service fee via local travel agent)
**For International Tourist: Visit official website of the Ministry of Immigration and Population of Myanmar for e-visa application (USD50 for visa application)
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| Yangon, also known as Rangoon famous for its colonial architecture built by the British |
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| Yangon, also known as Rangoon famous for its colonial architecture built by the British |
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| The Telegraph Office in Rangoon |
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| Street scenes: Public Transportation in Rangoon |
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| Street scenes: Public Transportation in Rangoon |
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| Street scenes: Local Mamak Stalls / Tea shops and food stalls in Rangoon |
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| Street scenes: Rangoon, a busy city |
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| The most famous landmark in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda |
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| House of Aunt Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy (NLD) |
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| Their most common form of communication is the landline phones found along the streets |
The distances of just a few hundreds kilometres can take 10+ hrs due to the terrible road condition. The road trip was bumpy, we felt so sick, & I finally vomited during my 11 hours bus journey back to Yangon. I am in general not a "bus" person, and luckily this time I brought with me my motion sickness pills. Yangon is amazing, yes but it is murder hot & dusty!!!
Bagan was my favourite destination, and is truly a must-visit place for temple & history lovers. The sunrise & sunset were the highlights of our trip & the best way to explore Bagan is by horse-carts.
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| Bagan waking up in the morning |
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| Bagan waking up in the morning |
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| Bagan is indeed a magical place |
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| This is Bagan |
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| The best way to travel in Bagan is by Horse Cart |
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| Bagan - Lives of Buddha are painted on the walls |
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| Bagan - Gate to Heaven |
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| Bagan - Indeed Magical! |
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| This is Bagan! |
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| Ananda Temple, one of the finest temple in Bagan. Built by King Kyansittha in 1091 A.D |
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| Mandalay’s U Bein Bridge / Amarapura - world's longest teak bridge |
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| Burma's arts and crafts : Teak wood carving |
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Met many kind and valiant people along the way     Soon U Ponya Shin Paya Temple on Sagaing Hill, Mandalay      |
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| Ancient Town - Amarapura, Inwa (Ava) |
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| Ancient Town - Amarapura, Inwa (Ava) |
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| Ancient Town - Amarapura, Inwa (Ava) |
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| Blue sea in the Shan hills - One last catch before the sun sets over the mountain ranges ringing the lake. A place for celestials |
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| Blue sea in the Shan hills - One last catch before the sun sets over the mountain ranges ringing the lake. A place for celestials |
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The Padaung women live in remote villages over the mountains, with the brass coils round their neck   Life is carried out by the banks of lake and river - which is used to wash everything! |
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The floating garden at Inle Lake  |
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| One simple way to start the new year at Nyaung Shwe Town |
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| One simple way to start the new year at Nyaung Shwe Town |
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| Local Villagers at Inle Lake |
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| Street scenes: Indian food is common. No western chain stores such as McD in the country |
People also love smoking cheroots – cigars wrapped in green leaves
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| No matter if you're young or old - Their faces are smeared with thanaka, a paste made from ground bark that protects from the sun and acts as makeup |
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| Young monks in Mandalay all wear maroon robes |
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| The Burmese people - friendly, welcoming, and excited to people from other parts of the world |
Read more about our travel experiences @ Southeast Asia:
This is Saigon! Our 13-days Travel Itinerary in Vietnam
Hanoi - iWalk, iEat, iTaste, iSnap and iPho. Our 13-days Travel Itinerary in Vietnam
Beautiful Halong Bay. Our 13-days Travel Itinerary in Vietnam
Never forget that little Sapa, the true nature of Vietnam. Our 13-days Travel Itinerary in Vietnam
"Traveling allows you to feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way, like little else can. In other words, it makes you more human" - Jeff Goins
Welcome to Small World! This blog is not a travel agency, but rather a personal site which allows us to share our past travel experiences in a straightforward and far-reaching way. We often made great use of other peoples travel blogs and sites every time we plan for our travel itinerary as they often contained most updated information and invaluable resources from their past travel experiences. We hope that you will find every piece of information & images contained within our blog handy and useful. Thank you very much for reading our post(s) and feel free to leave a comment/testimonial or click "Like/Share" if you love reading them all. xoxo Both Chengy & Camel are passionate travelers who enjoys speaking to young keen travelers about the freedom to get cultured and to taste the fullness of life. Feel free to contact them if you need any travel advice, guidance or tips or if you have any burning questions with regards to your upcoming trip(s)/ journey
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