Slow train to/from Kalaw

Yeah, your itinerary sound good but one day in Mandalay is not really enough for you, better stay two full day and visit to Mingun also. Another, there is no bus from Bagan to Thazi, only need to hire a private transfer from Hotel in Bagan.
Yeah, if you take the route from Kalaw to Thazi, you will get dark on the train, if the train late in case, then, you may miss some scenery. You better take the train from Thazi to Kalaw is great. Just do like that, this is the most suitable for you. Have a nice trip. :)

All the rest is ok but if you have time to take trekking in Kalaw for two day, it's not really worthy for you. better do the two day one night trekking to Inle because the scenery of Kalaw to Inle from the train will not be attractive to you after you took the route from Thazi to Kalaw. So, you should do the hike to Inle from Kalaw if you have time. :)

Okay. I read that there is a bus leaving Bagan at 7 pm and arriving in Thazi at midnight. So this is not the case, then?

Yes it does seem very short in Mandalay. We were considering maybe just skipping Mandalay and maybe spending that extra day somewhere else.

Yes, that is why we want to take the quickest route to Mandalay, and also not be spending too much time on the trains. I do however want to take one of the scenic routes on slow train to really get the landscape and interact with the locals ect.

Thanks for the tips.

I have read there are buses from Bagan to Thazi also, not sure about times though, most buses go in the mornings. You can buy bus tickets from your guesthouse usually.

I see train from Kalaw to Thazi is longer than 5 hours: http://www.seat61.com/Burma.htm#Yangon or Mandalay to Inle Lake

So yes it will be dark before you arrive. Remember trains are often running late, the stock is very old. Having said that all the trains I saw were on time at Hsipaw and Kyaukme.

Would it be possible to take the bus to Naypyidaw from Yangon, spend a few hours sightseeing there, and then take a bus or a taxi to Thazi to take the train in the morning to Kalaw? We were recommended to stop by in Naypyidaw as it is a very weird place to see.

The Yangon - Mandalay/Bagan buses all go through Naypyidaw as far as I know, so yes it would be possible to get off there. Its weird and very well light up at night but not money well spent IMO. You can even take the train to Thazi at 1.57am.

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