Skipping Yangon

What else do you want to do in your two weeks?

Two weeks just in Mandalay seems like a lot to me.....

Your question does not really make sense to me. If you are not interested in trekking, nature, beautiful scenery, hanging out in little villages then why not visit Yangon?
I mean if you hate big busy cities then skip Yangon by all means and go up north ...

Yes, I didn't undertand if the OP meant ''we ARE interested in''........otherwise the reference to Yangon doesn't make sense here.

Mandalay is sweltering hot at the end of April- temperatures into the 40s, very humid and dusty. You can go east from Mandalay to Pyin oo lwin, Hsipaw and Kyaukme which are a bit cooler because they are higher up in the hills.

Not sure what the OP is interested in. Maybe best to tell us. Yangon gets mixed reports, some like it and others don't. There is quite a bit of traffic and pollution now. Only real cities in Myanmar are Yangon and Mandalay, I would want to spend 2 weeks there. I don't mind Yangon I just prefer the smaller towns in Myanmar and you don't traffic issues and costs, I prefer Mandalay, there is more to see close to the city than Yangon. Yes April will be hot or baking hot, Yangon probably more humid than Mandalay. I spend 2 weeks around Mandalay last year, longest bus trip was to Hsipaw which was 6 hours. You could do Kyaukme and Hsipaw but check security situation first as has been some fighting in that area recently. I also visited Shwebo, Monywa and Pakkoku. First time I would probably add Bagan and Inle. Bagan can be very hot even in November its up to 35C, in April it could be over 40C. Inle should be a bit cooler as nearly 1,000m above sea level.

Urghh! MASSIVE APOLOGIES to everyone who took the time and care to reply to this... lucapal is completely correct... I meant to say we ARE interested in trekking etc. I completely agree that what I initially posted didn't make sense. Again apologies and thanks for trying to assist.

So now that's dealt with... given we're primarily interested in nature, trekking and small villages, would it be completely stupid to skip Yangon?

No.I don't think so.

I agree with most above..its a hot,dusty and noisy place.I like it personally but many people don't ;-)The Schwedagon is a great temple,one of the best I've ever been to,but apart from that there is nothing amazing there for me.

There are plenty of other parts of the country nearer to what you are looking for I think.....have you looked at Kalaw and the trek to Inle for example?

I don't believe seeing all the 'sights' gives you anything more than staying put for a few days, and appreciating the local atmosphere. When I went to Myanmar I stayed in the south, and didn't go to Yangon, so you are not alone. I did the same in Vietnam, and by passed Hanoi, because I can easily stop off there another time, and was more interested in other places further afield. It is your trip, so suit yourself, not others! Wherever you go, it is all Myanmar.

Thanks everyone.

I have had a quick look at Kalaw to Inle. It does look nice but I think we'll look for something more challenging with more forest walking and a greater chance of seeing wildlife. I'm looking at Chin State (but I've read a few ambivalent trip reports); or Kyaukme or Hsipaw. Putao looks great but may be too difficult to get to and too expensive.

Do you have any tips?