Myanmar/Burma
 

I am planning a trip to Mynmar in Jan-Feb 2015, with my daughter.
We are not serious trekkers but want to visit out of the way places, meet local people, with fewer buddah and temple sites. We like to travel in small groups (like in Vietnam when local travel agents organize day tours), being flexible with number of days and time spent in different locations.
Also, budget accomadations, but with hot water. Any help is much appreciated

Myanmar/Burma
 

Try "Burma travel guide by Triposo" it is a free app

Recognize that you are asking for travel conditions normally associated with high end travel.

-small number of travellers (private tour)
-ability to dictate own itinerary

Myanmar is far from fully independent travel. It's only fully been open to travel groups for a few years.

I would recommend reaching out to high end hotels and arranging a guide and car for the day if you really want to get off the beaten track. The Governors Residence in Yangon can arrange this.

Alternately, you probably need to find a group to go with up country to Bagan / Mandalay that caters to budget travelling.

I can't help you out with the budget travel. Other than the backpacker culture hasn't fully arrived just yet.

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Asia Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Welcome to FlyerTalk. You might get some helpful tips in this recent thread, including at least one recommended tour guide:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asia/...ar-travel.html

You'll likely find other past discussions in this forum that may have useful information, as well.

Good luck!

I think a travel agent should be able to arrange such a trip. Unless you know the language, meeting locals might be tough in out of the way places. And even in in the way places.

I did essentially a private tour a few years ago. An agent should be able to arrange a trip including whatever level of hotels you want. The places I stayed were certainly a step above what you are looking for but most of them were somewhat basic compared to most other places. They can arrange transport, guides, etc. for you. Keep in mind that the tourist infrastructure isn't so developed there yet.

It is perfectly possible to travel to Myanmar on a budget even if most travellers there tended towards the higher end.

Each town has hotels for local travellers, that are basic but much cheaper than the tourist oriented hotels but they are very basic. I think the last time I stayed in one about 18 months ago it was USD15 a night for an ensuite room with AC (but no TV no internet etc).

I would recommend Taunggyi the Capital of Shan state as somewhere to base yourself. There is plenty of hiking around the area, Inle lake is very close. It also has enough tourists so that there are a range of places to stay and tourist guides.

I am currently n the UA lounge at SFO on the way to a 12 day private tour vacation in Myanmar. I used Myanmar Shalom to put the trip together at the budget I had. They were excellent to work with. After I return I will have feedback to share.

I paid $1800 each for 11 nights for all hotels, 4 flights, and guides and drivers. I thought the price very fair.

thanks for the info. Enjoy your trip, and i will wait to hear how successful your trip was.

Coming to the end of 1 day in Yangon, 4 days in Bagan. So far everything planned day Myanmar Shalom has worked out great. There was a small miscommunication about what we were supposed to have done yesterday, so MS just change d the plan as being okay with us. We have had 2 guides so far and both were so helpful and friendly. Even the weather has cooperated up to today, when it rained. Be aware it is very very hot here.

In Bagan we are at Amazing Bagan Resort. Nice place but a bit out of the way. There is nothing in walking distance for restaurants.I'd stay in another area if I ever comexperienced back.

I'll be checking in at the Amazing Bagan Resort on Wednesday for two nights. Almost everything is booked out this time of year, so glad I just have a room.

Last week we stayed at the Sky Palace Hotel in New Bagan. There are several decent restaurants within 5 to 10 minutes walking.

Just finished up 2 nights in Mandalay where we stayed at Hotel Yadarnabon. Nice place, good location in the city, very nice 6th flook rooftop restaurant where the breakfast is served.

Now in Nyaung shwe for 2 nights at Amazing Nyaung shwe Hotel. Seems like a nice place.

I had expected WiFi to be slow and limited but all hotels have had an excellent signal.

Oh how things have changed in four years. When I was there in 2010, not only was there no such thing as WiFi, all the internet sites had to route through proxies just to get to Google. (Not to mention the speeds were akin to dial up).

Chris