Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by PowersToTravel
Welcome to my Myanmar Travel Blog. We visited Myanmar in early Dec 2017 as a part of our quasi-independent 65-day Southeast Asia Odyssey. We first flew into Mandalay on Bangkok Airways, drove to Monywa, then Bagan, and finally flew to Yangon on Air KBZ.
Preparation
We chose a local travel agency to coordinate our travel in Myanmar – One Stop Travel and Tour Myanmar. I’ve written a review about them here. To sum up their service, staff and itinerary – Fantastic!
We had to obtain eVisa approval letters ahead of time in order to enter the country. We got them online at the official Myanmar government website. See the section “Get e-Visa Approval in 4 Steps” under “Services” on the home page.
We went to our local travel clinic. Due to the particular Southeast Asia itinerary I created, we ended up being on malaria pills the entire trip. They don’t bother me and give me confidence. That said, there was very little evidence of mosquitoes in Mandalay, Monywa, Bagan and Yangon during late November / early December.
We had to bring all cash to Myanmar to pay One Stop – all in 100 dollar bills, brand new. We sat in our hotel lobby the first night, as the One Stop representative carefully inspected each bill. Actually at the airport where we exchanged some cash some of our bills were rejected, perhaps some were partially used?
Myanmar Itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival in Mandalay and night at Yadanarpon Dynasty Hotel, Mandalay. We stayed in one of the rooms in the hotel block with views forward-facing over the grounds. Good rooms.
- Day 2 – Sightseeing in Amarapura (questionable watching of monks lining up for lunch), Sagaing (authentic monastery school, lovely temples, and lunch) and Inwa (boat trip and horse cart ride to many historic temples).
- Day 3 – Sightseeing in Mandalay (several temples) and Mingun by private river boat.
- Day 4 – Drive to Monywa and visit to the giant Buddha of Mudon, and caves at Phowintaung
- Day 5 – Drive to Bagan via Pakokku and Pakkangyi
- Day 6 – Bagan temples sightseeing
- Day 7 – Dawn balloon ride over Bagan, more Bagan sightseeing and private sunset river cruise
- Day 8 – Free day in Bagan – museum and relaxation
- Day 9 – Fly to Yangon, visit to Yangon city center and temples: Shwedagon, Botathaung and Chauk Htat Gyi reclining Buddha.
- Day 10 – Fly onward to Ho Chi Minh City to continue our 65 day odyssey.
Diabetic Travel Tips
I’ve written a complete article to give you the scoop on all tips that may help you out. You don’t have to be a diabetic to benefit from this health information!
Summary
Read all about Myanmar in my Myanmar Travel Blog articles.
I’ve also posted video slide shows of the entire 65 day Odyssey. Click here to see them all.
