7 Days in Myanmar: Itinerary & Expenses for Filipino Travellers

Contributed by TuristangDentista

Now that Myanmar has finally opened up to foreign visitors after a decade and a half of isolation, this is the perfect opportunity to visit this diverse, culturally rich country. Why consider Myanmar as your next destination? The people, the culture, the charming architecture, the local experience… and the list goes on.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the largest country in Southeast Asia and is bordered by China, Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. It is divided into seven states – Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.

Also read: 10 Countries Filipinos Probably Didn’t Know They Can Travel to Without Visa

Like the Philippines, Myanmar was taken over by countries like Great Britain and Japan but eventually achieved its independence. The new capital is Naypyidaw (or Nay Pyi Taw) while the largest city is Yangon. Planning on paying a visit to its new capital? Naypidaw is just a five-hour drive from Yangon!

With great diversity, Myanmar is composed of seven main ethnic groups – Burman, Karen, Shan, Han Chinese, Mon, Yangbe and Kachin.

This post is about my one-week itinerary in Myanmar, which enabled me to visit four big cities, namely Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Nyaung Shwe where Inle Lake is located.

Flight

Manila to Yangon (round-trip) via Air Asia, inclusive of 20 kg check-in baggage both ways: ₱16,048 ($321.90 or K1,355)

Accommodation

Yangon

Hotel Lavender
One room, two nights = ₱4,494.96

Bagan

Thazin Garden Hotel
One room, two nights = ₱7,451.46

Mandalay

Ace Star Bnb Backpackers Hostel
Two all-female dormitory beds, two nights = ₱2,030

Nyaung Shwe (Inle)

Aung Mingalar Hotel
One room, two nights = ₱1,709

Total:  ₱31,733.42

Itinerary

Day 1

  • 10am: Check in at Hotel Lavender
    Late breakfast
  • 1pm: Mahi Wizaya Pagoda
  • 2.30pm: Three-hour Circular Train via Yangon Railway Central Station (₱7)
  • 7pm: Shwedagon Pagoda. Longyi is available for rent at ticketing centre (₱392)

Dinner: House of Memories

Mahi Wizaya Pagoda
Circular Train

Day 2

  • 8.30am: Yangon Day Tour with car service courtesy of Aung-Aung (₱1,545)
    Sule Pagoda
    Independence Park & Monument
    Governor’s Residence
    Bogyoke Aung San Market
    Kandawgyi Lake
    Karaweik Palace
    St. Mary’s Cathedral
    Chauk Htat Gyi Temple
  • 8pm: Check out from hotel and departure for Bagan via the Aung Mingalar Bus Station
Karaweik Palace
Independence Park

Day 3

  • 8am: Check in and breakfast at Thazin Garden Hotel
  • 1pm: Bagan Half Day Tour with car service courtesy of the hotel front office staff (₱566)
    Shwe Zi Gon (Shwezigon) Pagoda
    Gubyaungke (Gubyaukgyi) Temple
    Hitlominlo Temple
    Anada Temple
    Alotawpyi Pagoda
    Tharabar Gate
    Bupi Ya (Bupaya) Pagoda
    Sunset by Irrawaddy River
    Bagan House Lacquerware shop

Dinner: Be Kind to Animals

Hitlominlo Temple
Anada Temple

Day 4

  • 5.30am: Bagan Sunrise and Hot Air Balloon Sightseeing with car service courtesy of the hotel front office staff (₱285)
  • 10.30am: Bagan Full Day Tour with car service courtesy of hotel front office staff (₱1,133)
    Minnathu Village
    Dhammayazika Pagoda
    Narathihapatae Hpaya Pagoda
    3 Pagodas
    Dhammayangyi temple
    Myin Kabar Gubtaukgi Pagoda
    Manua Phaya Monastery
    Nan Phaya Temple

Lunch: Treasure Café & Restaurant

  • 8.30pm: Dinner, check out from hotel and departure for Mandalay via the Bagan Bus Station
Bagan Sunrise and Hotair Balloon Sightseeing
Meet Ba Soe, a local painter we met at Dhammayazika Pagoda

Day 5

  • 1.30am: Check in at Ace Star Bnb Backpackers Hostel
  • 8.30am: Mandalay Morning Tour with car service courtesy of Lar Sett of the hostel
    Mahamuni Pagoda
    Ananda River
    Yadanabon Bridge
    Hsinbyume Pagoda
    Mingun Pahtodawgy (or Pahtodawgyi)
    Mingun Bell
    Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda
    Innwa Bridge
  • 1.30pm: Five-minute boat ride to Iniwa Island (₱53)
    Horse ride around Iniwa Island. A horse cart ride is the best way to explore Iniwa Island. The tour is good for three and more hours (₱570 for the entire horse carriage rental)
    Iniwa Island Tour:
    Yadana Hsemee Pagoda Complex
    Bagaya Wooden Monastery
    Maha Aung Mye (or Myae) Bon Zan Monastery (₱380 entrance fee)
    Palace Tower (or Watch Tower)
  • 5pm: Mandalay Afternoon Tour
    Amarapuyra: U-Bein Bridge (aka Awa Sky Bridge)
  • 8.30pm: Check out from hostel and departure for Nyaung Shwe
Hsinbyume Pagoda
U-Bein Bridge. Watch out!

Day 6

  • 4.30am: Check in at Aung Mingalar Hotel
  • 9am: One-hour boat ride to Inle Lake arranged by the hotel (₱392)
    Note: Tourists entering Nyaung Shwe via Bus must pay for “Inle Zone” entrance fee which I paid prior to entering Nyaung Shwe. Keep the ticket!
    Inle Lake Boat Tour (₱529):
    In Paw Khone (Silk, lotus, and cotton hand-weaving)
    Hein Thap Yay (Bamboo handicraft shop)
    Shun Thap Yay boat-making factory
    Mya Hnin Si Cheroot (Cheroot-making shop)
    Aung Myint Mo Inle (Traditional silversmith)
    Pyae That Tun (Long Neck)
    Ywama Floating Market
    Ywama Floating Garden
    Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
    Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery
  • Boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
  • 6.45pm: Check out from hotel and departure for Yangon via Full Moon Express at Nyaung Shwe Bus Station
Local fisherman on Inle Lake
The Kayan Lahwi “long neck” women of Kayan Tayar

Day 7

  • Check in at Agga Bed & Breakfast
  • Yangon Half Day Tour:
    National Museum of Myanmar (₱196)
    Note: December 30 & 31 are Gazetted holidays and the museum is usually closed.
    Botataung Pagoda (optional)
    Tooth Relic Pagoda (optional)
    Bogyoke Aung San Market
  • Check out from hotel and departure to Yangon Airport

Bogyoke Aung San Market

Also read: 3 Perfect One-Week Itineraries for Myanmar

If you want to have a more relaxed experience in Myanmar, you can stretch out your visit to two weeks or longer. However, with one week, it is possible to see most of Myanmar’s most sought-after tourist destinations and the four major cities – but with a really hectic schedule if you consider this itinerary.

Questions? Concerns? Leave us a comment!

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About Author

Isabelle Segui

Isabelle Segui is a Manila-based dental practitioner who has a penchant for travel and discovery. She has lived in Las Vegas, Seattle and Anchorage, and has a love for brunch and wine. Isabelle is always on the search for authentic escapades whilst documenting her chronicles on her blog, <a href="https://turistangdentista.wordpress.com/" title="TuristangDentista">TuristangDentista</a>.

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