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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 12:15 am
  #46  
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Any recommendations on 7 - 10 day tour? - I can also do something shorter, and then spend time in Yangon or Mandalay on my own.

Also, I assume all areas likely to be frequented by tourists will be safe / not affected by the refugee crisis ?
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 4:50 am
  #47  
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Originally Posted by eethan
Any recommendations on 7 - 10 day tour? - I can also do something shorter, and then spend time in Yangon or Mandalay on my own.

Also, I assume all areas likely to be frequented by tourists will be safe / not affected by the refugee crisis ?
In February this year I went on a small group tour organised by a UK-based company, Exodus Travels. It was a 14 day tour but they also do a 9 day tour if your time is limited. The tour visits all the major tourist destinations: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalaly and Inle Lake. I have traveled with this company many times though the actual tours are run by a local company with a local guide/tour leader.

The recent refugee crisis is in the northern region of Rakhine State, some distance from the areas visited.
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 6:35 am
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If you don't go to Sittwe/Rakhine you probably won't have any idea anything is going on. For a while tourists weren't allowed to go to Rakhine after the initial 2012 insanity. But I believe those restrictions were lifted.

If you stick to the Big 4 you will see tourists. I arranged my trip using Purple Dragon who are based in Bangkok and partner with a local tour company. I was on my own private tour. I'd say it's safe enough in most places you would go. I had my shoes stolen in Bagan which was an unfortunate lesson.
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 9:36 am
  #49  
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Originally Posted by londonba2014
Sort of jumping in on this thread, as was going to ask a similar question.

I'm heading to Yangon for 4 days in November, have people got any recommendations on what to see and do? Also if anyone could recommend a good day trip from the city that would be great!

Thanks!
londonba thinking of going mid - late December this year. Interested in your experiences, particularly any "complications" due to the current muslim exodus etc ? Thanks.
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 10:18 am
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Originally Posted by HMPS
londonba thinking of going mid - late December this year. Interested in your experiences, particularly any "complications" due to the current muslim exodus etc ? Thanks.
You won't see anything like that if you're in the tourist areas of the country.

If you're worried because you are a Muslim, I don't think you will have any issues in the major tourist areas.
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 1:23 pm
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it's my understanding that hotels are still not keeping up with the number of tourists. So if you're planning to visit this high season you probably want to get planning yesterday.
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 7:56 pm
  #52  
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Originally Posted by CrazyInteg
You won't see anything like that if you're in the tourist areas of the country.

If you're worried because you are a Muslim, I don't think you will have any issues in the major tourist areas.
Thanks.
No not a muslim. So no worries. The question was more geared towards crowds, demonstrations etc.
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 9:41 am
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Can anyone recommend a good hotel in Yangon? I'm going in late May for a short visit. Under $200USD per night, ideally. Currently leaning toward the Savoy ($125), which is the lest expensive option among: Belmond ($247), Strand ($194) and Shangri-La ($160).

I have a very early flight (5:50AM) on my departure day, so I'd prefer not to be a huge ride from the airport. Of course traffic should be light at 4:30AM.
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:46 am
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Seems like you're looking for a hotel that is somewhat fancy?
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 11:05 am
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Originally Posted by CrazyInteg
Seems like you're looking for a hotel that is somewhat fancy?
I'm flexible, but I'll be coming off two red eyes in a row, so I'd like to ensure a quiet clean room with good a/c and a hot shower. In other words, I'd rather spend $120 and know I'll have a good stay than spend $60 and risk a bad hotel. But since I posted my original question, I've eliminated the Strand and Belmond (location and cost). But I did add the Lotte and Chatrium Hotels to the mix. Ideally, I'd like to stay around $100-125 per night.
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 1:07 pm
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Valid concerns for Yangon. Hopefully somebody with more knowledge will chime in soon.
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 1:12 pm
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Shangril-La (the former Traders) your best bet for balancing comfort, location and rate.

I do like that rate for the Governors Residence, which is by far the best hotel in townand eligible for Virtuoso benefits that are almost worth more than the total for a one night stay.
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 1:58 pm
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Originally Posted by MattEvan
I do like that rate for the Governor’s Residence, which is by far the best hotel in town—and eligible for Virtuoso benefits that are almost worth more than the total for a one night stay.
How so? I'm not familiar with how Virtuoso benefits would work for me.

Edit: Nevermind. Figured it out. The benefits for the Belmond are:
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Buffet breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests, served in restaurant
  • A complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two people, per room, once during stay
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
None of this matters to me and wouldn't be worth tripling my spending.
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Old Apr 6, 2018 | 9:02 pm
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The Shangri-La is well located for sightseeing - the Bogyoke Aung Sann Market is just around the corner, Shwedagon Pagoda is not far away and lots of side streets to explore. I didn't stay there myself but a friend was so I had a brief look inside and it seemed ok. I stayed across the road at the East Hotel which was quite modest but everything worked and was clean so I was fine with that choice.
Have fun!

Originally Posted by swingaling
Can anyone recommend a good hotel in Yangon? I'm going in late May for a short visit. Under $200USD per night, ideally. Currently leaning toward the Savoy ($125), which is the lest expensive option among: Belmond ($247), Strand ($194) and Shangri-La ($160).

I have a very early flight (5:50AM) on my departure day, so I'd prefer not to be a huge ride from the airport. Of course traffic should be light at 4:30AM.
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Old Aug 30, 2018 | 5:59 pm
  #60  
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Thanks for the information on the Yangon Sule Shangri-La hotel. We will be staying there in Oct.
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