We are planning to travel by (rented) car from Bagan to Mrauk-U in a few weeks. Has anybody done this before and can give some tips on time required, pricing, where to best stay overnight and possibly where to book.
Currently we have offers comparable to the price of the flight to Sittwe via Yangon for 2 people and duration is anywhere between 15 and 20 hours.
Also happy to share if anybody wants to join, departing around 22nd or 23rd September.
And I assume you are renting a car with driver as there is no self drive Rent-a-Car facilities for foreigners in Myanmar.
SS
There has been major flooding in the whole area around Mrauk U recently, to the point that it was almost cut Off! Also most of the temples there were damaged in the recent earthquake as well. Maybe you should check up on the current situation there before attempting to travel There! The mountain road that goes to Mrauk U is also prone to landslides during the monsoon season which could possibly add a long time onto the journey time. I would also make sure that any car you are hiring is properly road worthy because it is a seriously long mountain road journey through a remote area and not the sort of place you want a car to break down In!
Hi guys,
Thanks for the valuable feedback. Very true, at the moment the weather situation is not stable enough to allow for a road trip to Mrauk U (with a driver of course). The weather towards the end of September is usually much better though with average rainfall well below current levels.
We will probably only decide a few days in advance whether to take a plane or a car.
Yes, considerable damage to the temples but probably still enough to see to make it worthwhile - and - tourists who spend money are probably what they need most there now I guess.
Would still be happy to hear if anybody has done the trip by car and to hear about experiences and tips.
There is an article in today's Myanmar Times. It appears the earthquake damage in Mrauk U was quite substantial. The authorities there are planning to cover the damaged temples with scaffold in order to repair them. I guess for the time being it won't make them very appealing to look At!
provided we ever get there... :-)
Luckily we have some time left to decide and may even only decide when in Bagan on short notice.
For everybody how is considering whether to go to Mrauk U or not, I received this response from the Prince Hotel in Mrauk U when asking them about flooding and quake damage:
The flood was over since June, and the area had get back to normal condition, the earth quake effect one pagoda but not serious. Recenntly, we have guest staying and enjoying their visit to our place. So if you plan to vsit to Mrauk U in the end of September, it is the end of raining season so the emviroment is so green and beautiful with weather.
So we will definitely make the trip in September unless there are serious new unforeseen events
I would not rely on a Hotel for information, it's like asking a barber do I need a haircut.
The worst floods seem to have been around Mandalay. They started in June and were still affecting areas in August: http://floodlist.com/tag/myanmar
Mrauk U was affected in July: http://floodlist.com/asia/myanmar-floods-rakhine-sagaing-kachin-july-2016