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We don't yet have arrangements for Bangkok - definitely up for suggestions. We would want to stay "central" (though don't know quite what that means, lol) in a safe, fun, and clean place where we could meet others. We definitely want a private ensuite room (if possible, quiet).
I think we'll take your advice and catch the early flight, though anticipating the loss of sleep brings me pain...
The travel agent I've been working with finally sent me the breakdown of the itinerary she prepared, along with the per person cost. To me, it seems absurd - $1,254 per person for 7 days. This includes everything from hotels to driving from Kalaw to Inle (not sure if it's a group tour or private car), domestic flights (Yangon to Bagan, Bagan to Heho). It also includes the "services" delineated below:
• English speaking guide station guides (One city one guide)
• Transfers and sightseeing by private air-con vehicle with drivers, as mentioned in program
• Private local boat fare for Inle excursion
• Entrance fees and zone fees for the visits mentioned
• Day return trekking from Kalaw to Painnebin trekking including lunch
I was hoping to keep this leg of my SE Asia trip to under $800.
I would love feedback from this community as to the price quoted for everything, and whether or not you would think we could do it on our own for cheaper or if we should just book this!
Thank you!!
Day 1 (07th Jan, Mon) YANGON ARRIVAL
Welcome at Yangon International airport upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your EPG Guide and transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing includes colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda. Finish our tour with a visit to the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda which towers over all of Yangon. It is perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia and is one sight that no visitor to Myanmar should miss.
Overnight in Yangon .
Day 2 (08th Jan, Tue) Yangon/Bagan by flight, Bagan excursion
(ETD – 06:30,ETA – 07:50)
Early morning transfer to airport for taking a flight to Bagan. Arrive Bagan and start our sightseeing tour of one of Asia’s most popular archeological destination highlights busy Nyaung Oo Market; and Bagan’s distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Wetkyi-in- Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century ‘cave temple with interesting fine frescoes; Ananda Pagoda, one of the finest, largest and best persevered in Old Bagan; and next to it we visit Ananda Ok Kyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery buildings from the Early Bagan period and Htilominlo Temple which is known to be the last Myanmar Style temple built in Bagan.
After lunch time break, we return to the hotel for a rest before our afternoon visit to Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan and Thatbyinnyu Temple which towering above the other monuments of Bagan. As the sun goes down we will be at one of the ideal viewing sites selected by our tour guide for a panoramic sunset view over the temples.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 3 (09th Jan, Wed) Bagan-Popa-Bagan excursion
Morning drive to Mt. Popa, which supposedly rose from the ground in a massive earthquake in 442 BC. Mt. Popa is famous as the abode of the Nats (Spirit Gods) and for its panoramic view of the local tropical region. There is a volcanic plug with a temple on top that we can climb up to if we like. On the way to Mt. Popa visit a local toddy palm farmer and see how toddy palm juice and sugar are produced. Return to Bagan. The rest of the day is leisure. Overnight at Bagan.
Day 4 (10th Jan, Thur) Bagan/Heho by flight, Pindaya-Kalaw excursion
(ETD-07:50/ETA-09:05)
Arrival at Heho airport and drive to Pindaya which is noted for its extensive limestone caves filled with Buddha images. Driving there we will be passing through the PaO and Danu villages of Pwehla and Ji Chanzi and endless fields of dry cultivated mountain rice and potato. Inside the Pindaya Caves are nearly 8,000 Buddha images that have been placed there over the centuries as a form of merit making. Made of various materials and of different sizes, the statues are situated in every nook and cranny throughout the many cave chambers. Proceed to Kalaw for overnight.
Day 5 (11th Jan, Fri) Kalaw-Painnebin dya return trekking
Starts at (8:00 am) after breakfast, takes car to the junction of the trekking point. 2 hrs climb upto village. On the way to village, have to see tea, cheroot leaf, orange and vegetable gardens. The village situated at 1500 meter heigh above sea level. In the village, excursion Palaung costume, Red longi, colorful jacket and lacquered waist-hands. After visiting the village, have lunch at monastery. Study about Palaung scripture and monastic regulation also study about traditional law and culture. Late afternoon, return back to the cas as the same way. Walking hrs about (4 hrs) arrive back to your hotel at 5:00 pm . Overnight in Kalaw .
Day 6 (12th Jan, Sat) Kalaw-Inle , Inle full day tour
Today we are driving to unique and magical Inle Lake, located about 900 meters above sea level and 20 km long by 6 km wide. Arrive Nyaung Shwe jetty and start our sightseeing by long tailed boat to Innpawkhone Village where you can see lotus and silk weaving industries. Next to is Nanpan to see the traditional boat making, cheroot (Burmese cigar) making factory. Lunch time break.
And then continue our visit to Phaungdaw U Pagoda and if we have time, take a short visit to Leshae Village where you can see the making of Buddha image from dried flower powder. Later visit to ‘jumping cats’ monastery and floating gardens. Overnight at your resort.
Day 7 (13th Jan, Sun) Heho-Yangon by flight, Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Fly to Yangon with morning flight.
Arrival in Yangon, if time permits visit the famous Scott Market, a sprawling complex built in 1926 and noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items which provides an excellent opportunity for a shopping spree . Then, you return to the airport for your international flight . Say good bye and end from this unique experience in Myanmar.
I think the hardest part of this is figuring out how we would get from place to place when airtravel isn't involved. I'm thinking of just doing cities with airports even though I know we'd miss some amazing sights. What do travelers think? Is it hard to get transport from Pindaya to Kalaw and back to Heho?
Thanks for your advice. What about flying from Bagan to Heho, then ride to Inle? We don't mind spending some dough to save on time.
Our big concern at this point is pulling this together, making it a worthwhile trip that's reasonably affordable (ie: $600-800/person vs. $1250/person).
OKHere goes last time:
after 7am breakfast Inle take pick up to junction and grab first bus / pick up that passes by to Kalow 2+ hrs will get you there for around 11 am leave your luggage with bus comany (not valuables)for overnight bus to Yangon and then walk to station or maybe take mobo driver to beginning of steps up mthn to monastary at top walk down and bear left after station level crossing dula carriageway to Bhudda caves then through army camp up mtn to top of generals golf course past temple red house on left down hill to town fanstasic views of Kalow and then into tea shoppe after before bus have good meal in Pineland or chaepo boodles opposite if open thenup to bus company opposite winner hotel and drink le peye until bus comes around 6pm and take snacks for on bus next day rrive o mingalar bus station around 5am and if no free pick up to station car park take number 43 bus 4 = looks like ? mark wrong way and 3 one that looks right way ? to traders Hotel check in and spend day enjoying shwedigon bogyoke mkt if not mon closed and street stalls and walk to docks etc etc have a great time.
I personally would take bus as flights often get delayed from Heho and so you have wasted a full day
Party name 2 pax
Period of stay : 08 - 15 Jan'13 (8 days / 7 nights)
Accommodation:
9-11 Jan'13 Bagan - Bagan Umbra Hotel, Superior Room 2 nights 1 Twin $50.0 $100.0
11-13 Jan'13 Kalaw - Pine Breeze Hotel , Superior Room 2 nights 1 Twin $39.0 $78.0
13-14 Jan'13 Nyaung Shwe (Inle) - Aung Mingalar Hotel, 1 night 1 Twin $38.0 $38.0
14-15 Jan'13 Yangon - Beauty Land Inn II, Standard Room 1 night 1 Twin $44.0 $44.0
Domestic Flight Tickets:
8-Jan-13 Yangon - Nyaung U train 2 pax $55.0 $110.0
11-Jan-13 Nyaung U - Heho flight 2 pax $95.0 $190.0
14-Jan-13 Heho - Yangon flight 2 pax $135.0 $270.0
Entrance fees:
Pindaya Pindaya zone fees 2 pax $5.0 $10.0
Inle Inle zone fees 2 pax $5.0 $10.0
Land Cost with private air-con car and driver
8-Jan-13 Delivery charges for the necessary documents 2 pax $11.0 $22.0
9-Jan-13 COA 2 pax $- $-
10-Jan-13 Bagan free 2 pax $- $-
11-Jan-13 Airport transfer for the flight to Heho (Clients Own Arrangement) 2 pax $- $-
Heho airport to Pindaya - Kalaw transfer with stationed guide 2 pax $45.0 $90.0
12-Jan-13 Kalaw(Painnebin trekking) with stationed guide 2 pax $45.0 $90.0
13-Jan-13 Kalaw - Inle sightseeing with stationed guide 2 pax $52.0 $104.0
14-Jan-13 Inle lake to heho airport transfer with stationed guide 2 pax $35.0 $70.0
Airport transfer (Clients Own Arrangement) 2 pax - -
15-Jan-13 Departure transfer (Clients Own Arrangement) 2 pax - -
English speaking stationed guide in Shan State (Kalaw & Inle) 2 pax $131.0 $262.0
Total cost for 2 pax $1,488
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15
Thanks again for your amazing info/advice!!We don't yet have arrangements for Bangkok - definitely up for suggestions. We would want to stay "central" (though don't know quite what that means, lol) in a safe, fun, and clean place where we could meet others. We definitely want a private ensuite room (if possible, quiet).
I think we'll take your advice and catch the early flight, though anticipating the loss of sleep brings me pain...
17
Hi friends (can I call you that yet?),The travel agent I've been working with finally sent me the breakdown of the itinerary she prepared, along with the per person cost. To me, it seems absurd - $1,254 per person for 7 days. This includes everything from hotels to driving from Kalaw to Inle (not sure if it's a group tour or private car), domestic flights (Yangon to Bagan, Bagan to Heho). It also includes the "services" delineated below:
• English speaking guide station guides (One city one guide)
• Transfers and sightseeing by private air-con vehicle with drivers, as mentioned in program
• Private local boat fare for Inle excursion
• Entrance fees and zone fees for the visits mentioned
• Day return trekking from Kalaw to Painnebin trekking including lunch
I was hoping to keep this leg of my SE Asia trip to under $800.
I would love feedback from this community as to the price quoted for everything, and whether or not you would think we could do it on our own for cheaper or if we should just book this!
Thank you!!
18
Here's a more detailed explanation of the itinerary (still not seeing how this could cost $1,254/person!)Day 1 (07th Jan, Mon) YANGON ARRIVAL
Welcome at Yangon International airport upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your EPG Guide and transferred to your hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing includes colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda. Finish our tour with a visit to the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda which towers over all of Yangon. It is perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia and is one sight that no visitor to Myanmar should miss.
Overnight in Yangon .
Day 2 (08th Jan, Tue) Yangon/Bagan by flight, Bagan excursion
(ETD – 06:30,ETA – 07:50)
Early morning transfer to airport for taking a flight to Bagan. Arrive Bagan and start our sightseeing tour of one of Asia’s most popular archeological destination highlights busy Nyaung Oo Market; and Bagan’s distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Wetkyi-in- Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century ‘cave temple with interesting fine frescoes; Ananda Pagoda, one of the finest, largest and best persevered in Old Bagan; and next to it we visit Ananda Ok Kyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery buildings from the Early Bagan period and Htilominlo Temple which is known to be the last Myanmar Style temple built in Bagan.
After lunch time break, we return to the hotel for a rest before our afternoon visit to Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan and Thatbyinnyu Temple which towering above the other monuments of Bagan. As the sun goes down we will be at one of the ideal viewing sites selected by our tour guide for a panoramic sunset view over the temples.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 3 (09th Jan, Wed) Bagan-Popa-Bagan excursion
Morning drive to Mt. Popa, which supposedly rose from the ground in a massive earthquake in 442 BC. Mt. Popa is famous as the abode of the Nats (Spirit Gods) and for its panoramic view of the local tropical region. There is a volcanic plug with a temple on top that we can climb up to if we like. On the way to Mt. Popa visit a local toddy palm farmer and see how toddy palm juice and sugar are produced. Return to Bagan. The rest of the day is leisure. Overnight at Bagan.
Day 4 (10th Jan, Thur) Bagan/Heho by flight, Pindaya-Kalaw excursion
(ETD-07:50/ETA-09:05)
Arrival at Heho airport and drive to Pindaya which is noted for its extensive limestone caves filled with Buddha images. Driving there we will be passing through the PaO and Danu villages of Pwehla and Ji Chanzi and endless fields of dry cultivated mountain rice and potato. Inside the Pindaya Caves are nearly 8,000 Buddha images that have been placed there over the centuries as a form of merit making. Made of various materials and of different sizes, the statues are situated in every nook and cranny throughout the many cave chambers. Proceed to Kalaw for overnight.
Day 5 (11th Jan, Fri) Kalaw-Painnebin dya return trekking
Starts at (8:00 am) after breakfast, takes car to the junction of the trekking point. 2 hrs climb upto village. On the way to village, have to see tea, cheroot leaf, orange and vegetable gardens. The village situated at 1500 meter heigh above sea level. In the village, excursion Palaung costume, Red longi, colorful jacket and lacquered waist-hands. After visiting the village, have lunch at monastery. Study about Palaung scripture and monastic regulation also study about traditional law and culture. Late afternoon, return back to the cas as the same way. Walking hrs about (4 hrs) arrive back to your hotel at 5:00 pm . Overnight in Kalaw .
Day 6 (12th Jan, Sat) Kalaw-Inle , Inle full day tour
Today we are driving to unique and magical Inle Lake, located about 900 meters above sea level and 20 km long by 6 km wide. Arrive Nyaung Shwe jetty and start our sightseeing by long tailed boat to Innpawkhone Village where you can see lotus and silk weaving industries. Next to is Nanpan to see the traditional boat making, cheroot (Burmese cigar) making factory. Lunch time break.
And then continue our visit to Phaungdaw U Pagoda and if we have time, take a short visit to Leshae Village where you can see the making of Buddha image from dried flower powder. Later visit to ‘jumping cats’ monastery and floating gardens. Overnight at your resort.
Day 7 (13th Jan, Sun) Heho-Yangon by flight, Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Fly to Yangon with morning flight.
Arrival in Yangon, if time permits visit the famous Scott Market, a sprawling complex built in 1926 and noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items which provides an excellent opportunity for a shopping spree . Then, you return to the airport for your international flight . Say good bye and end from this unique experience in Myanmar.
19
One last post before I wait for responses (haha):I think the hardest part of this is figuring out how we would get from place to place when airtravel isn't involved. I'm thinking of just doing cities with airports even though I know we'd miss some amazing sights. What do travelers think? Is it hard to get transport from Pindaya to Kalaw and back to Heho?
23
Herbie,Thanks for your advice. What about flying from Bagan to Heho, then ride to Inle? We don't mind spending some dough to save on time.
Our big concern at this point is pulling this together, making it a worthwhile trip that's reasonably affordable (ie: $600-800/person vs. $1250/person).
24
Yes you can fly Bagan to Heho but will cost more, flight is about $70 and taxi from Heho to Inle is about 25,000kyat, so that will cost you about $65 more each. It will save you about 6 hours in time. Flights are the biggest cost, how about night bus to Bagan from Yangon that will save money and lose no time. I think 2 full days in Bagan is enough unless you really into temples.25
Can you drive from Inle to Kalaw and spend a day there hiking? How would that work?26
Hang on leah I've been trying to tell you that in all your p[ostings lolOKHere goes last time:
after 7am breakfast Inle take pick up to junction and grab first bus / pick up that passes by to Kalow 2+ hrs will get you there for around 11 am leave your luggage with bus comany (not valuables)for overnight bus to Yangon and then walk to station or maybe take mobo driver to beginning of steps up mthn to monastary at top walk down and bear left after station level crossing dula carriageway to Bhudda caves then through army camp up mtn to top of generals golf course past temple red house on left down hill to town fanstasic views of Kalow and then into tea shoppe after before bus have good meal in Pineland or chaepo boodles opposite if open thenup to bus company opposite winner hotel and drink le peye until bus comes around 6pm and take snacks for on bus next day rrive o mingalar bus station around 5am and if no free pick up to station car park take number 43 bus 4 = looks like ? mark wrong way and 3 one that looks right way ? to traders Hotel check in and spend day enjoying shwedigon bogyoke mkt if not mon closed and street stalls and walk to docks etc etc have a great time.
I personally would take bus as flights often get delayed from Heho and so you have wasted a full day
28
Monty, thanks for your time in describing "Burma on a shoestring," lol. I may email you separately as I'm a bit cloudy on some details.29
Requesting feedback on the following Agent proposed itinerary of Myanmar! I'd like to know if you think these prices are reasonable (especially with relation to the guides), and if the hotels are adequate.Party name 2 pax
Period of stay : 08 - 15 Jan'13 (8 days / 7 nights)
Accommodation:
9-11 Jan'13 Bagan - Bagan Umbra Hotel, Superior Room 2 nights 1 Twin $50.0 $100.0
11-13 Jan'13 Kalaw - Pine Breeze Hotel , Superior Room 2 nights 1 Twin $39.0 $78.0
13-14 Jan'13 Nyaung Shwe (Inle) - Aung Mingalar Hotel, 1 night 1 Twin $38.0 $38.0
14-15 Jan'13 Yangon - Beauty Land Inn II, Standard Room 1 night 1 Twin $44.0 $44.0
Domestic Flight Tickets:
8-Jan-13 Yangon - Nyaung U train 2 pax $55.0 $110.0
11-Jan-13 Nyaung U - Heho flight 2 pax $95.0 $190.0
14-Jan-13 Heho - Yangon flight 2 pax $135.0 $270.0
Entrance fees:
Pindaya Pindaya zone fees 2 pax $5.0 $10.0
Inle Inle zone fees 2 pax $5.0 $10.0
Land Cost with private air-con car and driver
8-Jan-13 Delivery charges for the necessary documents 2 pax $11.0 $22.0
9-Jan-13 COA 2 pax $- $-
10-Jan-13 Bagan free 2 pax $- $-
11-Jan-13 Airport transfer for the flight to Heho (Clients Own Arrangement) 2 pax $- $-
Heho airport to Pindaya - Kalaw transfer with stationed guide 2 pax $45.0 $90.0
12-Jan-13 Kalaw(Painnebin trekking) with stationed guide 2 pax $45.0 $90.0
13-Jan-13 Kalaw - Inle sightseeing with stationed guide 2 pax $52.0 $104.0
14-Jan-13 Inle lake to heho airport transfer with stationed guide 2 pax $35.0 $70.0
Airport transfer (Clients Own Arrangement) 2 pax - -
15-Jan-13 Departure transfer (Clients Own Arrangement) 2 pax - -
English speaking stationed guide in Shan State (Kalaw & Inle) 2 pax $131.0 $262.0
Total cost for 2 pax $1,488
