Hey everyone, #rafcarlosaid here! Welcome to another Asian adventure! I’m excited to share my experience in the beautiful country of Myanmar! 🇲🇲 Those last-minute bookings were totally worth it, as there are so many amazing places to explore here! It just so happen that I was the only tourist at the places I visited, which made the experience even more special and allowed me to connect with the beauty of this country.
Despite the current situation in the country, Myanmar remains safe and full of surprises! You'll find many smiling faces and curious, helpful, and artistic people who are living life, even in challenging times.
My curiosity led me to explore this incredible country, and I’m excited to share my full itinerary, tips, and guides for anyone planning to visit Myanmar!
A special shoutout to my tour guides: Mr. Ong for my Yangon trip and the wonderful Nway Nway for my time in Bagan and Mandalay. Thank you both for making my experience unforgettable! Contact Nway Nway on her Facebook page for any queries you have.
Day 1 - Flight to Yangon & Tour
Flight from Manila to Suvurnabuhmi Airport
Transfer to DMK Airport via Grab
08:00am Flight to Yangon
Arrive & Pick-up at Yangon International Airport
**Start of Yangon City Tour
Lucky Seven 49th Street (Lunchh)
Roam around Indian Town
Arrive in Bus Terminal
07:00 PM Night bus trip To Bagan (Includes bus stop for Dinner & Another for toilet break)
Day 2 - Bagan Tour
06:00 AM - Arrive in Bagan Bus Terminal, Pick-up & Transfer to hotel & Rest
Breakfast at a nearby tea house in Bagan.
09:00 AM - Start of Bagan Tour
Sulamani Temple
Dhammayangi Temple (Biggest Temple)
Thatbyinnyu Temple
Kheminga Temple
Htilominlo Temple
Nyaung Let Phet View Point
Three Sisters Temple
Shwe Myanmar Restaurant (for dinner)
Ngakyawnadaung (The Oldest Stupa)
Nathlaungkyaung Temple (Hindu Temple)
Ananda Temple (Most Beautiful Temple)
Yinmanyar View Point (For Sunset)
Only "Bagan" Sign
Nyaung-U Town for Dinner & Streetfood market
Overnight at Bagan (Ostello Bello Hostel)
Day 3 - To Mandalay
Breakfast near Hotel
Ayeyarwaddy River at New Bagan
11:00 AM - Pick-up at the Hotel to Bus Station.
12:30 PM - Bus to Mandalay
06:00 PM - Arrive at Mandalay & Drop off at Hotel (Ostello Bello Mandalay)
New Yangon Restaurant (For Dinner) (Near Hostel)
08:00 PM - Back to Hostel
Overnight at Mandalay
Day 4 - Mandalay Tour (+ Inwa & Amarapura Trip)
Breakfast at Hostel
09:00 AM - Start of Mandalay Tour
Kuthodaw Pagoda (World's Largest Book)
Shwepalin Restaurant (For Lunch)
Start of Inwa + Amarapura Tour
Myint Mo Taung Complex
U-Bein Bridge (For Sunset)
Fun visit at Coco Convenient Store
Mini Chinatown (For Dinner)
Overnight at Mandalay (Ostello Bello Mandalay)
Day 5 - Flight Back to Bangkok + Free day
05:30 AM - To Mandalay Airport
08:30 AM - Flight to Bangkok
10:00 AM - Arrive in Bangkok
Leave Luggage at Hotel (GN Luxury Hotel)
Siam Center
Wat Arun Sunset Watching
Yaowarat (For Dinner)
Overnight in Bangkok
Day 6 - Thonburi Mini Tour + Free Day
Pratunam Morning Market (Breakfast)
11:30 AM - Thonburi Bangkok Mini Tour
01:30 PM - Onwards. Free Day in Bangkok
08:00 PM - To airport
11:00 PM - Flight to Manila
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POCKET MONEY & EXPENSES
Important note: that expenses and tour prices might change due to the current situation. Contact your Local Guide beforehand when visiting the Country so you can budget thoroughly.
Myanmar Budget (4 Days)
₱1,800.00 - Flight Manila to Bangkok (Seat Sale)
₱1,620.00 - Travel Tax
₱4,323.00 - Flight BKK Airport to Yangon (Regular Fare)
₱588.88 - Hotel Bagan (Bunk Bed for 1 night)
₱1,291.00 - Hotel Mandalay (Bunk Bed for 3 nights)
₱7500.00 - Flight to Mandalay to Bangkok (via Myanmar Airways International) (Regular Fare)
₱22,000 - Pocket Money (exchange to Dollars. Around 380 Dollars)
₱4,800.00 - Don Mueang to Manila (via Cebu Pacific) (Regular Fare)
₱44,000 +++ GRAND TOTAL (Myanmar Expenses)
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Breakdown of Myanmar Expenses
284 USD + 50000 ks - 5-Day Tour Including guides + transportation + bus tickets + bus pick up + Airport pick up + drop off for Yangon, Bagan & Mandalay.
105 USD - Yangon Tour & Transfers
14 USD - Night Bus Ticket Yangon to Bagan
15,000 ks - Transfer from Bus Station to Hotel in Bagan
45 USD - E scooter Rental + Tour Guide
35,000 ks - Transfer from Hotel to Bus Station + Bus from Bagan to Mandalay + Bus Station to Hotel Transfer
95 USD - Tuktuk Rental & Tour in Mandalay + Inwa Horse Ride
Remaining amount - Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Mandalay & assistance fee
100 USD (around 245,000 ks) - Pocket Money for 4 Full Day
20,000.00 Ks - Sim card
45,000.00 ks - Yangon Archaeological zone fees
35,000.00 ks - Mandalay City zone fee
15,000.00 ks - Inwa zone fee
30,000.00 ks - Bagan zone fee
Remaining amount - Food, Hotel Payment & Deposit, Souvenir & Other Expenses
Thailand Budget (2 Days)
₱409.00 - E-sim Bangkok (via Klook)
₱1,100.00 - Bangkok Hostel (Bunk Bed for 2 nights) (via Booking.com)
₱5,000.00 - Pocket Money (Exchange to Baht)
TIPS & GUIDE
Money Exchange - It’s often better to exchange money outside the airport for a more favorable rate. While some might refer to these places as the “black market,” but they are just part of the regular market.
Important Note: US Dollars should be free of any writing, ink marks, staples, folds, or crumples. Essentially, they should look like new.
Tip: Larger banknotes often yield better exchange rates. Additionally, 100 USD is more than sufficient to cover hotel accommodations and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for five days in key cities and provinces like Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan. I would suggest to exchange dollars for around 50-60 USD.
Sample Daily Budget:
Street food starts from 400 ks
Noodles & Rice meal starts from 2,000 ks
Bus tickets starts from 30,000 ka
Souvenirs; Magnets Starts from 10,000 ks. Painted artworks starts from 30,000 ke
Internet & Sim Card
Ask your local guide to take you to a mobile shop to purchase a personal SIM card. There are three government-owned SIM card options available. and non-government cellular SIM. I got a SIM card that included 1,000 SMS, free calls, and 4GB of data for 5 days.
In the country, Meta Apps and similar services are banned. Many people in Myanmar use a VPN to access these apps. You can do the same. However, it’s recommended to delete the app and reinstall it when you’re near checkpoints, bus transfers, or police stations to ensure your safety.
NOTE: Some areas in the province have a weak signal.
Communication
Most people in Myanmar do not speak English, but you can communicate in English with tourism staff. Many shops primarily use Burmese, and English menus are often unavailable. You can use Google Translate to help communicate and understand each other.
Hotels
I use Booking.com to book my hotels. There are only limited options to choose from at the moment when visiting Myanmar.
Traveling to different Province
Traveling from Yangon to Bagan takes about a 10-hour bus ride. The first stop will be for dinner, and the second stop will be a quick restroom break.
Traveling from Bagan to Mandalay is another 6-hour bus trip, with just one stop for lunch. As per my guide, there are only two options for the bus company I got, early 07:30AM and 11:30AM.
Note: Both bus rides will include checkpoints along the route.
Going to Myanmar, Immigration & Airport Situation:
The airports in Yangon and Mandalay are operating as usual. Citizens of ASEAN member countries do not need a visa and do not need to show any money during the immigration process.
The easiest and only way to visit Myanmar right now is by plane. You can book flights from Bangkok to Yangon, as well as return flights from Yangon or Mandalay back to Bangkok.
IMPORTANT: During check-in in Bangkok, airport personnel will require tourists to present a return ticket, either from Yangon or Mandalay.
Additional information:
Drones are strictly prohibited at this time. If you’re bringing high-end cameras with long lenses, you may attract attention from officers. It's advisable to have a local guide with you to help with communication.
Additionally, tourists are not allowed to visit war zones for safety reasons.
Overall, Myanmar is safe as long as you follow the rules, avoid war zones and respect curfews. My wish for this country is peace and an end to discrimination. Myanmar deserves to be appreciated not just for its challenges, but for its stunning places as well.
Noodle Dishes that you should try!
Here's a Bonus! Sharing you all the Noodle Dishes I tried! Some of it where a staple dish in the specific province!
Shan Noodles — This traditional dish from the Shan State combines soft rice noodles with a savory tomato-based sauce, tender chicken or pork, and crunchy toppings like fried garlic and chili oil.
Garlic Oil Noodles — Myanmar’s simple yet irresistible dish! Tender noodles tossed in fragrant garlic oil, topped with crispy fried garlic, fresh scallions, and a hint of chili for a burst of flavor.
Nan Gyi Thoke — Myanmar's ultimate noodle salad! Thick, chewy rice noodles tossed in a flavorful mix of spicy chicken curry, tangy tamarind, and rich chili oil. Topped with crunchy peanuts, fried garlic, and fresh herbs, it's a bold, delicious fusion of textures and tastes. A perfect balance of savory, spicy, and tangy—this is Burmese street food at its best!
Mohinga — The nation’s favorite breakfast dish! A warm, fragrant fish broth simmered with lemongrass, ginger, and spices, served over soft rice noodles and topped with crispy fritters, boiled eggs, and fresh herbs. Every spoonful is a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and comforting flavors.
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Thank you so much for reading this guide! I hope you'll enjoy your Myanmar trip soon! I would appreciate it if you could give me support by buying me a coffee! ☕️ Follow me on Instagram for more travel content, and you can also check out my Instagram highlights for the whole trip!
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