Myanmar?

[fairytink]

^tama ka sis, pang amazing race nga, we just revised our itinerary. May nagreply na sa mga inemail namin na van for hire talagang di daw posible ang gusto namin  Thanks for the ideas, i will just read your blog for more info. Update ko kayo ano mangyayari sa mala amazing race naming trip  Na i istress ako na na e excite...

[Crissy]

I'm booked na for Mayanmar on oct8-12(Yangon-Baga-Mandalay).  Question po, which is better location to book a hotel in Bagan, Old or sa New Bagan? thanks

[Madness]

I'm just curious, mahal ba talaga ang pamasahe going here? I wanted to visit this place din sana pero everytime i check fares, super mahal

[Crissy]

^I got mine for $350 roundtrip, Singapore Air.

[perasense]

I'm just curious, mahal ba talaga ang pamasahe going here? I wanted to visit this place din sana pero everytime i check fares, super mahal

What is "super mahal?" Merong kasing iba na kapag sinabi mong mahal, sa kanila reasonable amount lang.

If you expect na same fares like yung sa mga tipong SG or KL kapag nagse-sale ang Cebu Pac, eh talagang mas mahal.

Unag-una, mas malayo at mas mahaba ang flight time papuntang Myanmar.

Second, wala pang direct flight from Pinas to Myanmar, so ibig sabihin merong kang layover. Flights na merong stopover are more expensive than direct flights.

And lastly, kelan mo balak pumunta? Kung during peak season ng tourists, mas mahal talaga. For example, mga domestic flights papuntang Boracay, pag weekends, holiday at summer mas mahal kahit naka sale. Pero pag tag-ulan at weekeday mas mura.  So try to find a flight during off-peak tourist season.

In fairness, AirAsia has reasonable rates from KL to RGN or MDL during their sales. So try to book when they have one.

[mama squeak!]

@Crissy, I would go for Old Bagan so you would be near the temples. You can either just walk or bike/e-bike. Understandably the hotels here a bit pricey compared to New Bagan. We stayed at The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate in Old Bagan. Very nice hotel but noisy since it was near a temple that had chantings all day long. 

@Madness, we went via Bangkok since we stopped there a couple of days before heading home. Then took Bangkok Air to Mandalay (RT). Abang ka sa CebuPac either to Yangon or via BKK like we did.

For me the best season to travel is during the cold months (Nov-Feb) especially if you go around the temples. Comfy weather hindi tagaktak pawis mo. Plus if you can swing it take a sunrise hot air balloon ride in Bagan. Did blog posts about our Myanmar trip just in case you want to get ideas.

[Madness]

@perasense

I've been trying to dummy book flights for September travel and surprised na umabot sa 28K RT via cebu pac. Yes, compared to SE asian countries, this is way more expensive for me. Nagulat lang ako that's why i asked. At first nga, i thought it was a glitch. But yes, it might be because it's more far.

@mamasqueak

Oh, i might try that route. I didn't know you have a blog do you mind sharing it with me.  thanks in advance. I heard this place is really nice that's why i want to go.

[kachich]

I booked MNL-KL-MNL flights- cebu pac for 4k RT, then KL-Yangon-KL airasia around 4k RT din. Initially I was planning on getting BKK-Mandalay route kasi 4hours lang to Bagan, then I get to shop pa in BKK. But when I compared the prices, mas mura if Yangon/KL route, yun nga lang sleeper bus since 8 hours to Bagan from Yangon.

[mama squeak!]

@Madness, just click on my signature. We're not allowed to post links to personal blogs on the thread. Happy planning!

[Crissy]

Mga Sis,   Anong  magandang location sa Yangdon to book a hotel?  Medyo pricy pala ang mga hotel sa Myanmar compare to the other SE Asia countries

[kachich]

Hello!

Will be travelling to Bagan 3 weeks from now.
Will not be able to get Hot Air Balloon due to budget constraints -- however, I would love to appreciate the temples and the religion, the history and stories behind these.
Are there guides around in the area like in Cambodia? Or do I need to book online?

[lavieenrose]

^ I don't recally if Nyaung U or New Bagan had "on the spot" tour guides. You can also probably book via your hotel.

Since half of my group cannot bike, we decided to hire an air-conditioned van that will take us around Bagan. We worked with a tour agency, the itinerary was based on our preferences, and we were extremely pleased with our friendly and informative Bagan tour guide. Myanmar guides are licensed guides similar to what I observed in Siem Reap and Vietnam.

[mama squeak!]

^^I would suggest to arrange your tour in advance so you won't waste your time looking for a guide when you get to Bagan. We used One Stop Travel and Tours for our Mandalay city tour, meron din silang guide for Bagan. Though we didn't use them in Bagan since we DIYed it, we got their airport transfers to save us time.

Just get a one-day tour in Bagan (or combi Bagan and Mt. Popa) then DIY nyo na the rest of your stay. Depends on where you are staying some hotels offer bikes for their guests. Or you can rent e-bikes kung madali kayong mapagod. I wrote about our trip in Myanmar in my blog in case you want to check it out for some tips.

[kachich]

^ ^^Thank you!!

@mama squeak - I checked your blog already - nice pictures!

Naka book na kami sa New Bagan - malayo ba talaga siya from the temples? We'll probably rent e-bikes.

Where can I buy Thanaka powder? Good pasalubong ba to? Anything else I should consider bringing home? Thanks!

[lavieenrose]

^ Tamarind flakes!! They are super cheap too. My friends liked their local packaged Royal Milk Tea. I bought cheroots as well for my smoking friend.
Bagan produces beautiful lacquerware too but we found them quite expensive (for good reason).

Not too sure about the thanaka powder, but the thanaka bark / log is quite ubiquitous and you can buy them from the markets. The local women prepare the thanaka paste by grinding them onto a marble slab and adding water. 

[mama squeak!]

^^Yup, though there are a lot of temples scattered all over Bagan the major temples are concentrated in Old Bagan. If you bike or e-bike from New Bagan madali ng puntahan but of course you won't be able to finish all in a day. We stayed there for 5 days and super bitin for us.

Thanaka powder or paste can be readily purchased at the major temples all over Bagan. Or at the main market at Nyaung-U (cheaper). Super mura so take advantage. For other souvenir items sa market ka na rin mamili, cheap and more choices.

[kachich]

Thanks again @lavieenrose and @mama squeak!
We only have 3 whole days for Bagan, so most likely we'll just go to the 'must see' temples

[heavensent]

I booked MNL-KL-MNL flights- cebu pac for 4k RT, then KL-Yangon-KL airasia around 4k RT din. Initially I was planning on getting BKK-Mandalay route kasi 4hours lang to Bagan, then I get to shop pa in BKK. But when I compared the prices, mas mura if Yangon/KL route, yun nga lang sleeper bus since 8 hours to Bagan from Yangon.

this is a great idea sis, planning to go to Myanmar next year hopefully. Question lang, nag exit ka pa ng KL? I mean do you need to pass by immigration? Never ko pa kasi na try yung 2 different flights eh.

[mama squeak!]

^makikisagot lang. Generally if you have an immediate connection from an international flight to another international flight eg. KUL to RGN you just transit at the airport and don't have to go through immigration.

Exceptions would be point to point airlines usually low cost carriers where they don't tag your bags all the way to your final destination. So that means you will have to go through immigration to collect your bags at the customs area. Then check-in at the departure level of your connecting airline.

[heavensent]

^hi sis, thanks for your response. So it won't be an issue if hand carry lang naman ang dala and no check-in luggage?