Important update – October 2026: We travelled through Myanmar before the military coup in February 2021. Since then, the country has experienced significant political upheaval, ongoing conflict and major changes to tourism. We’ve kept this article as a record of our journey and the beautiful places we were fortunate enough to experience. Please be aware that the situation in Myanmar is very different today, and much of the practical information in this itinerary may no longer be accurate or suitable for planning a trip.
Myanmar was one of those countries we’d heard so many wonderful things about, and after listening to the stories of friends and family who had visited, we knew we had to experience it for ourselves.
When we finally travelled there, it certainly didn’t disappoint. From the magnificent temples of Bagan and the bustling streets of Yangon to the beautiful landscapes of Inle Lake and the tropical beaches of Ngapali, Myanmar completely captivated us.
What made the journey particularly special, however, was the warmth and kindness of the people we met along the way. We experienced so many unforgettable moments and came home with wonderful memories of this fascinating country.
We spent two weeks exploring Myanmar, combining cultural highlights, beautiful scenery and a few relaxing days by the beach. Although two weeks wasn’t nearly enough to see everything, it gave us a fantastic introduction to the country.
Here’s how we spent our two weeks in Myanmar, including the places we visited and the experiences that made our journey so memorable.
Yangon (2 nights-1 full day)
Yangon will be the starting point for most travellers visiting Myanmar. Myanmar’s main international airport is in Yangon, so it’s where you’ll likely land. Formerly known as Rangoon, Yangon is Myanmar’s biggest city, and it served as the capital of Myanmar until 2005. The capital has now moved to Naypyidaw. Like most large cities in South East Asia, Yangon is heavily populated and very hectic. The traffic is crazy and it takes a while to get anywhere. But the city has some very interesting attractions that make it definitely worth a short stopover.
What not to miss in Yangon?
Shwedagon Pagoda
This Pagoda is the most important landmark in Myanmar. It’s a sight to be seen, especially at sunset, and its opulence will amaze you!
Kandawgi Lake
If you need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, head to Kandawgi Lake for some peace and quiet. It has great views over both the shiny Shwedagon Pagoda and the impressive Karaweik floating palace, with its two golden Karaweik birds reflecting down onto the lake.
Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda
The Chaukhtatgyi pagoda is home to a 66 meter long, 17 meter high reclining Buddha. It’s the third largest Buddha in the country, but the most admired.
Click here to read more about our time in Yangon.
Bagan (3 nights-3 days)
A little over an hour’s flight from Yangon, Bagan is a completely different city. It’s a lot smaller and much quieter, but nonetheless, it’s a very exciting city. From the 9th until the 13th century, Bagan was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan. During this period of rule, over ten thousand temples were built on the plains that surround it. Nowadays, around two thousand of these remain, and they can be freely explored.
Bagan is divided into three parts, Old Bagan, New Bagan and Nyanung-U. The bulk of the temples and pagodas are within the archaeological zone of old Bagan. Bagan’s archaeological zone is home to the largest concentration of Buddhist temple ruins in the world. Its plains of endless pagodas are world famous amongst travellers and are particularly spectacular to gaze across at sunrise and sunset.
What not to miss in Bagan?
Go temple hopping in the archaeological zone
With over two thousand pagodas to choose from, you definitely won’t be short on options. But, choosing which ones to visit might be a bit of a struggle!
Sunrise in a hot air balloon
The most popular activity in Bagan is hot air ballooning at sunrise. Any travellers who are lucky to do it will tell you that it’s an experience not to be missed. Sadly our own flight was cancelled due to bad weather conditions on the day, and we missed out. I am still upset about it!
Visit a local market and village
The best market to visit in Bagan (if not in Myanmar itself), is in Nyanung-U. Close to the airport, this colourful market is mainly frequented by locals; overseas visitors are scarce. It’s a great place to watch the local people going about their daily life, and you won’t be pestered into buying anything. Combine your outing to the market with a visit to a local village, will give you some real insight into the everyday lives of the locals.
To find out more about our time in Bagan click here.
Mandalay and its surrounds (2 nights, 2 days)
Mandalay is Myanmar’s second largest city and its last royal capital. It’s also the cultural centre of the country. It’s a huge city, and as the last royal capital, Mandalay is home to a large variety of royal and religious sites. There are many interesting temples to see, and we would have loved to have stayed on longer to continue exploring the city.
What not to miss in Mandalay?
Shwenandaw Monastery
The Shwenandaw monastery was built in the nineteenth century and is the most significant of Mandalay’s historic buildings. Its detailed and beautifully carved teak panels tell the tales of Buddha’s life.
Take a look at the “World’s Largest Book”
The Kuthodaw Pawa houses 729 stupas. Each stupa holds a marble slab inscribed with one of the Buddist scriptures. Put them all together and they become the world’s largest book! It’s a great idea and a fascinating place to visit. The gilded pagoda in the middle is just the icing on the cake.
Explore the surrounding areas
The best part of Mandalay was not the city itself, but the other ancient capitals and religious sites that surround it. Mingun, Sagaing Hill, Inwa and Amarapura are all worth visiting. Be sure not to miss the U-Bein Bridge at sunset or sunrise, and make sure you also take a cruise up the Ayeyarwady River to Mingun.
To find out more about our time in Mandalay click here.
Inle Lake (3 nights- 3 days)
Measuring twenty-two kilometres long by ten kilometres wide, Inle Lake is Myanmar’s second largest lake. It’s a great place to add to your trip if you want to learn about the unique way of life of the Intha community, the region’s inhabitants. Many of the Intha live entirely above the water, in houses built on stilts. Their homes are only accessible by one-person-wide, long tail, traditional wooden boats.
What not to miss in Inle Lake?
Take a boat tour around the lake
A boat tour is the best way to explore the lake and to see the locals going about their daily lives. You will pass entire villages built on stilts out over the water, and admire Inle Lake’s many floating hydroponic gardens. You may even come across one of the many traditional Intha fishermen, who will happily demonstrate their unique leg-rowing technique (in exchange for a tip of course)!
Go Hot Air Ballooning over the lake
If you missed out on Bagan, you can still take a hot air balloon flight, this time over this serene and picture-perfect lake. We were lucky enough to do just that and no words can quite describe what we experienced; it was simply spectacular.
To find out more about what to do in Inle Lake click here.
Ngapali Beach (3 nights-3 days)
Ngapali Beach is Myanmar’s prime beachfront destination. It’s located on the Bay of Bengal coast, in the South of the Rakhine State. Ngapali Beach is a tropical paradise, and although it’s the most popular beach in Myanmar, we found it to be really quiet, even at the start of the peak season.
The beach is lined with coconut palm trees, the sand is bright white, and the clear blue sea is warm and inviting. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in South East Asia, but for some reason, it still flies under the radar. It’s a great way to end a busy trip to Myanmar, and the perfect place to relax.
What not to miss in Ngapali Beach?
Walk to the nearby villages
The beach is the perfect place for a nice stroll, and on each end, you’ll find local fishing villages where you can see the locals attending to their daily chores. The village of Gyeik Taw, south of the main beach is particularly interesting. There you’ll see local villagers drying thousands of small fish on the beach.
Relax over sunset with a cocktail
Relaxation is why you came to Ngapali Beach in the first place, so why not enjoy it with a cocktail in hand? Head to the beach bars for cheap cocktails and breathtaking sunsets.
To find out more about Ngapali Beach click here.
Things to know before your first trip to Myanmar
Money
The official currency of Myanmar is the Myanmar kyat (MMK), pronounced roughly like “chat”. Cash remains the main payment method, particularly in local markets, small restaurants and shops.
US dollars can be exchanged for kyat at authorised banks and money changers, but notes should be clean, undamaged and in excellent condition.
Although ATMs are available in larger cities, Myanmar’s banking system has experienced significant disruptions in recent years. International bank cards may not work, withdrawal limits can apply, and some machines may be out of service. It’s important not to rely entirely on ATMs or card payments.
TIP: Avoid exchanging more kyat than you expect to need, as converting leftover notes back into foreign currency can be difficult.
Visa
Most international visitors need a visa to enter Myanmar. Eligible nationalities can apply for a tourist eVisa through the official Myanmar eVisa website.
The standard tourist eVisa currently costs US$50 and permits a stay of up to 28 days. The approval letter is valid for 90 days from its date of issue, meaning you must enter Myanmar within that period.
Applications generally take at least three working days to process, although delays are possible. Once approved, you’ll receive an email with your eVisa approval letter to present on arrival.
TIP: Visa requirements, eligible nationalities and permitted entry points can change, so always check the official eVisa website before making travel arrangements.
Getting Around Myanmar
Travelling around Myanmar has always required a little patience. Road journeys can be long, particularly between major destinations, and when we visited, domestic flights were a convenient way to cover longer distances.
However, transport conditions have changed significantly since our trip. Domestic flight schedules, road access and bus services can be affected by the ongoing conflict, restrictions and disruptions. The routes we followed may not be practical or accessible today, so it’s important to research current conditions rather than relying on our original itinerary.
How We Organised Our Trip
With only two weeks to explore Myanmar, we wanted to make the most of our time without worrying about all the logistics. We decided to book through a local travel company called Pro Niti Travel, which organised our flights, private drivers, accommodation and tour guides.
They tailored the itinerary to our interests and budget, allowing us to choose how long we spent in each destination and where we stayed. Having everything arranged meant we could relax and enjoy the journey without constantly worrying about getting from A to B.
We had an excellent experience with Pro Niti Travel, and their service throughout our trip was flawless. We were delighted to see that they’re still operating and offering tours of Myanmar today. While we can’t personally comment on their current tours, we’d happily recommend them based on the wonderful experience we had.
What to wear in places of worship?
When visiting temples in Myanmar it is important to be respectful. Both men and women should cover up their shoulders and knees. Don’t forget to remove your shoes and socks before entering a temple.
TIP: Wear flip-flops while temple hopping, or you’ll quickly become tired of removing your shoes each time!
Language
Burmese is the official language of Myanmar and it is spoken across the country. English is not as widely spoken, except in the tourist’s areas where most hotels and some restaurants have staff that speak English. Try and learn a few words of Burmese before your trip. Locals will really appreciate it. English speaking local guides are available in all touristy areas and at the main tourist sites.
Safety
During our visit to Myanmar, we felt safe and welcomed everywhere we travelled. The people we met were incredibly friendly and hospitable, and we never experienced any problems throughout our two-week journey.
However, the situation in Myanmar has changed considerably since our trip, particularly following the military coup in 2021. Security conditions and access to different regions can vary significantly, and some areas that were once popular with travellers have been affected by ongoing conflict.
If you’re considering visiting Myanmar, it’s important to research the current situation carefully, check which areas are accessible and make an informed decision based on the latest information.
Our own experience was overwhelmingly positive, and the kindness of the Myanmar people remains one of our fondest memories of the country.
Conclusion
We were genuinely surprised by just how much we fell in love with Myanmar. At the time, it was still a relatively new destination for international tourism, and we weren’t entirely sure what to expect.
Perhaps it was the warm hug we received from Veronica at Pro Niti Travel on the day we arrived. Or maybe it was the friendliness of everyone we met, always ready to greet us with a smile. Perhaps it was the magnificent temples that somehow never left us feeling templed out, as we’ve experienced in other Asian countries. Or maybe it was simply the joy of exploring such beautiful places without crowds of tourists.
Whatever the reason, Myanmar captured our hearts, and we were genuinely sad to leave.
We left hoping that one day we’d return to discover even more of this fascinating country. So much has changed since our visit, but our memories of Myanmar, and especially the wonderful people we met along the way, remain as special as ever.
We sincerely hope that brighter and more peaceful days lie ahead for this beautiful country and its people.
Read More
For full details on each of the destinations mentioned here, please check out the articles below:
Yangon: One Day in Myanmar’s Biggest City
Our Complete Guide to the Ancient City of Bagan
Exploring Mandalay: The Cultural Centre of Myanmar
Ngapali Beach: Paradise Found in Myanmar
Tours and Activities
This is a great itinerary. I spent 2 days in Bagan and felt this was more than enough. This was during a heatwave though, so I couldn’t go outside in the middle of the day!
Thanks Natalia, yes I can imagine it might be different in a heatwave as the best things to do in Bagan are outdoors. We visited at the end of October and although it was hot it was not unbearable. We really enjoyed Bagan and would have happily stayed another three or four days.
This itinerary is fantastic and so helpful. I really like the rowing technique of the Intha fishermen. I’ve seen that once before and Inle Lake also looks incredible! As a photographer I’d absolutely love to visit!
Thanks so much Mike, I am glad you are finding it helpful. Myanmar was a photographer’s paradise (especially Inle Lake) so I hope you visit one day. I am sure you will love it.
Hi, thanks so much for sharing your experience! Is it safe to go to Yangon now given the situation? Thanks!
Hi Andrew, thanks for stopping by. We did not experience any trouble at all while in Yangon. It is actually one of the safest large city in Asia.
Great post! My husband, 17 y.o. daughter and I are planning a 2-3 week trip to Myanmar in January. I normally plan our trips in advance, but I’m considering figuring this one out as we go. (We’re going to be gone 7 weeks in all and I’m getting overloaded trying to plan it all in advance!) I know we’ll be arriving in peak season, so I’m wondering if this could be a bad idea with regard to finding flights and suitable lodging. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Also, would you mind sharing who arranged your tours/guides in each location and if you would recommend going that route? Or DIY? Thanks in advance!
Hi Kellie, how exciting for you guys! I know how you feel about planning it can get stressful! I am not entirely sure how far in advance you need to book for the peak season but my guess is if you have an hotel/flight in mind it might be best to book it a few weeks ahead to be sure. We used Pro Niti Travel a local company and they were terrific. They organised everything for us and we didn’t have to think about anything. If you are looking for no stress it might be a good option for you. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip in beautiful Myanmar.
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