Originally Posted by
calbear2005
If limited to those two options, I would do option 1. I've only been to Yangon, Bagan, and Mandalay, so I can't really opine about Inle Lake. I felt that three days (what I did) was a good amount of time in Bagan to hit all the major sites, but two days could work if you planned things out well. From your itineraries, it looks like you only have 3.5 days to sightsee. No way to swing more time? If 3.5 days is all you have "on the ground," I would suggest not spending time in Yangon and going directly to either Bagan or Inle Lake/Heho, whatever your preference is.
It's really more like 4.5 days since I fly standby, so I can push a late flight (which exists) out of Bagan or Inle Lake on Friday. I'll arrive in Yangon early (around 8AM) on Monday.
Originally Posted by
sandy86
Bagan was most highly city for our trip in Myanmar. Quite peaceful and lovely city. You should spend more time in Bagan rather than spending time for flights or if possible I would like to suggest our itinerary as below. But we took overnight bus from to Inle Lake
Day 1: Fly to Mandalay
Day 2: Mandalay, bus or car to Bagan ( this route is very nice), it takes about 4 - 5 hours
Day 3: Bagan
Day 4: Bagan - flight to Inle Lake
Day 5: Flight back to Yangoon
I think with as little time as I have, it may be worth flying over driving, although when you account for getting to/from the airport and waiting, it's probably equal.
Any reason for the preference for Mandalay over Yangon? It seems to be about 50/50 with everything I've read. Yangon seems to be better for pictures.
Originally Posted by
CrazyInteg
I've never been to Inle Lake or Heho, and never taken a domestic flight in Myanmar, but I would be worried about missing my flight home on both of your options.
How about this:
Day 1 - Arrive Yangon in the morning from BKK, SIN or HKG, afternoon flight to Bagan (not sure if this exists)
Day 2 - Bagan
Day 3 - afternoon flight to Yangon
Day 4 - Yangon
Day 5 - Yangon, evening departure
Ideally you add an extra day and spend an extra day in Bagan
I like this one. I may however do Inle Lake instead of Yangon on the latter half of the trip. Gotta check flights to see if it's even doable.
Originally Posted by
calbear2005
I'll get in on planning an itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive in Yangon in the morning; sightsee; overnight bus to Bagan at 20:00
Day 2: Arrive in Bagan at 05:00; sightsee
Day 3: Bagan; sightsee
Day 4: Bus to Mandalay; arrive at night (there are multiple buses every day, ~6 hours one way)
Day 5: Fly out of Mandalay
Or the OP could fly into Mandalay on Day 1, making a roundtrip to Bagan.
This is another one I've actually kicked around, skipping Yangon entirely (other than connecting flights). Why the preference for Mandalay over Yangon, out of curiosity, not calling you out or anything?
I think I'd skip the buses with as little time as I have. The overnight bus is a good cheap idea but I'll probably be wiped arriving in the country, so an overnight with a proper bed is probably my best bet. There are super early morning flights to Bagan so I only lose a few (early at that) hours flying. It's more expensive but it's vacation, so I can swing it.
Slightly updated itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Yangon, sightsee.
Day 2 - Morning flight to Bagan, sightsee (including sunset photo op)
Day 3 - Bagan most of the day, afternoon/evening flight to Heho/Inle Lake
Day 4 - Inle Lake sunrise, sightsee all day
Day 5 - Maybe a morning day tour somewhere nearby? Someone on Lonely Planet recommended biking around the countryside. Afternoon/evening flight to Yangon, off to somewhere else in Asia to head home from there.
That's the most expensive itinerary but it gives me at least a full day in Yangon and Inle Lake plus, more or less, two days in Bagan which would be rushed but doable.
Anyone know about booking last minute in person domestic flights? Since I'm flying in standby, if anything happens, I don't want to book such a tight itinerary ahead of time. From what I've read, prices are usually all the same and flights are usually open, so it shouldn't be a huge issue.