9 days is a good time frame for a Trip to Myanmar?

Ideally, many people who already visited Myanmar will advise you to spend from 10 to 15 days. It does not mean when you have 9 days you should not come to Myanmar. 
To be honest, spending 9 days on a holiday in Myanmar is good if you know how to make your Myanmar itinerary and focus on your travel interest. 
There are fewer possibilities to go off the beaten track or do a Myanmar Trek but you can surely admire the country`s core beauty and soak up its unique culture.

What to do in Myanmar for 9 days? Update 2024

When it comes to the idea of what to experience in Myanmar, you may find many references. Our travel specialist Zaw suggests enjoying the following experience:

Admire Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon

Everyone in Myanmar said that if your Myanmar Tour is incomplete without seeing Shwedagon.
This special place is really important to Buddhism. There's a tall thing called a zedi, which is about as tall as a 32-story building. It's covered with a whole lot of gold, like the kind used for jewelry. Also, there are many diamonds and other shiny stones on it. People believe that inside this zedi, there are some pieces of hair from Gautama Buddha, who was a very important teacher, as well as some things from three other important Buddhas who lived before.


Photo: Julien De Salaberry

Tour the Inle Lake

Out in western Shan State, there's a really pretty place called Inle Lake. It's known for having villages and gardens that float on the water.
The people who live there, called the Intha people, have a unique way of life. They do everything on the water, even their homes are built on the water!
The lake is about 22 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide. It's surrounded by mountains and looks very different from the rest of Myanmar. In the villages and towns around the lake, the houses are made of wood and stand on tall sticks. The fishermen there have a special way of rowing their small boats. 
For more inspiration, please check the Inle Lake Travel Guide.


Photo: Long Nguyen

Travel back to the past in Mandalay

If you want to learn about culture and history, Mandalay is one of the best places in Myanmar. The city has a lot of old and important places like a Royal Palace, a Monastery, and shiny golden pagodas. And that's not all! Around Mandalay, there are 4 very old cities that were once capitals of the Burma Kingdom: Inwa, Mingun, Amarapura, and Sagaing. There's also a special Gem Market in Mandalay that you won't find anywhere else in Asia. So, if you're planning a 9-day trip to Myanmar, don't forget to include Mandalay in your plans!

Escape to Pyin Oo Lwin

Pyin Oo Lwin is a place up in the hills, about 3,500 feet high. Local people like to go there in the summer because it's cool all year round - a perfect site to escape from summer heat.
Historically, when Myanmar was under British rule, this area was like a vacation spot for British officers. But now, Pyin Oo Lwin is a great place for people who love adventures. You can explore the famous botanical garden, check out the cascading waterfalls, photograph the flower plantation, or enjoy a unique experience with a coffee tour.

Embark on a balloon flight in Bagan

There's something really amazing you can do in Bagan – fly in a big balloon up in the sky! From up there, you can see more than 2,200 temples and pagodas. It's the best way to see all the old stories and history of Bagan all around the land.
Obviously, Bagan has more things to offer. It`s ideal to spend 3 days in Bagan to experience all its highlights. 


Photo: Nathan Cima

Trek in Kalaw

If you're going on a trek in Myanmar to find special things or meet nice local people, Kalaw is a nice place to head to. This hill station is a good starting point for treks that can last from 1 to 3 days. On the shorter treks, you can see a tea plantation and visit villages where hill tribes live. If you go on the longer treks, you can even walk through high mountains to get to Inle Lake. It's like a big adventure!

Ngapali Beach

Ngapali Beach is a fascinating beach destination facing the legendary Andaman Sea. It's far away from the rest of the country because of the big mountains. This beach is on the western side and has a long, sandy coast with lots of palm trees. The water in the Bay of Bengal is blue-green and very clear, and it's nice and peaceful there.
It is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar. There are all types of accommodations to choose from for a wonderful beach vacation in Myanmar. 

Myanmar 9-day itinerary: Iconic culture exploration

Soak the best of Myanmar for the first time visit is the purpose of this itinerary. It brings you to the vibrant Yangon city, the timeless Bagan plain, the culture melting-pot of Mandalay and the relaxing Inle Lake.
Day 01: Yangon Arrival
Day 02: Half-day tour to Yangon downtown. Fly to Inle Lake in the afternoon.
Day 03: Boat tour to the key attractions of Inle Lake
Day 04: Morning trip to see Inle Market. Fly to Mandalay.
Day 05: Explore Mandalay`s must-sees.
Day 06: Day tour from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin. Fly to Bagan.
Day 07: Bagan by bike/ private tour or Balloon trip.
Day 08: Explore the less visited side of Bagan. Fly back to Yangon
Day 09: Yangon departure.

Myanmar 9 days Holiday with beach

For a glimpse of Burmese culture and enjoy the sun-kissed beaches, this itinerary has something to inspire you:
Day 01: Arrive in Yangon. See Shwedagon Pagoda
Day 02: Travel off the beaten track in Yangon with a circular train. Take a food walk in Yangon`s downtown.
Day 03: Take a flight to Bagan early morning. Spend the day photographing the temples of Bagan.
Day 04: Another day in Bagan to learn about its traditional workshops and less-visited attractions.
Day 05: Fly from Bagan to Ngapali Beach. Free at leisure.
Day 06: Your own time in Ngapali Beach.
Day 07: Ngapali Beach. Fly back to Yangon in the afternoon.
Day 08: Yangon to Bago ancient capital day trip.
Day 09: Departure from Yangon.

Active Burma 9 days trip

This trip is perfect for those who want to capture Myanmar`s extraordinary landscapes and meet friendly people in some of the nontouristic areas. It combines classic visits with unique cultural interaction that requires some physical effort.
Day 01: Touch down in Yangon. Enjoy a walk from Shwedagon pagoda to Karaweik Palace/ Kandawgyi Garden. 
Day 02: Yangon by bike and by circular train. 
Day 03: Fly to Shan State. Explore Inle Lake by boat.
Day 04: Biking around Inle Lake including Indein stupas and its market. 
Day 06: Inle Lake to Mandalay by air. Explore Mingun by boat and embark on a biking trip around Mandalay.
Day 07: Orientation tour of Mandalay city: Royal Palace, Kuthodaw pagodas, etc..
Day 08: Fly to Bagan. Tour the highlighted pagodas of Bagan followed by a Bagan cooking class.
Day 09: Bagan Balloon during the sunrise. The rest of the day to see Bagan`s unique sites. Fly back to Yangon
Day 10: Yangon city tour and departure.

Burma 9-day itinerary for family 

We understand that a family holiday to Myanmar requires some fun-packed activities as well as some educational purposes. This itinerary may not meet your expectations 100% but could be a nice suggestion for your family travel plan:
Day 01: After arriving in Yangon, visit the Myanmar National Museum, and enjoy a guided tour of Yangon`s downtown.
Day 02: Take a walk through Kandawgyi Park, see the sparkling Shwedagon, and enjoy shadow puppetry in Yangon.
Day 03: Fly to Bagan in the morning. Embark a horse-cart to explore Bagan`s outstanding pagodas. Sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River.
Day 04: Rise up early for a Balloon flight in Bagan. Start a biking trip through Bagan`s rustic villages and meet children at schools.
Day 05: Fly to Mandalay. A full-day trip to Pyin Oo Lwin where the National Botanical Garden is located. 
Day 06: Mandalay by bike and by boat. 
A guided day tour to some of Mandalay`s most fascinating sites: 2 of 4 ancient capitals. Sunset by Ubein Bridge.
Day 07: Fly from Mandalay to Shan State then drop in Green Elephant Valley to see Elephants. Head to Inle Lake for your stay.
Day 08: Inle Lake boat tour. Spend a full day uncovering the beauty of Inle Lake from one side to another. Fly back to Yangon
Day 09: Yangon departure

How much do you need for 9 days in Myanmar?

Myanmar is a place where you can travel no matter how much money you have. If you're a backpacker, you might spend about $25 each day. That money will cover your place to sleep, the food you eat, and how you get around.
But if you like staying in nice hotels that have at least 3 stars, and you want someone to show you around in a good car, you'll need around $80 for each day you're there. This money will also pay for getting into some cool places that tourists like to visit.
If you're taking flights within Myanmar, add another $80 for each flight, on average. And if you really want to have a super fancy trip with everything made just for you, you can talk to the travel experts. 

Is there any service to create a Myanmar 9-day trip itinerary?

There are many travel platforms where travel experts propose their paid service to plan your travel to Myanmar. The easiest way is probably to contact us! 
We do not charge for creating your itinerary in Myanmar and obviously, there is no harassment to purchase our service unless you feel really happy with our work. 
You can also browse different websites to view various options for Myanmar itineraries. 

Should I travel independently or book a tour package for 9 days to Myanmar?

Each travel style has its own advantages.
If free and easy is your way of travel then you can take time to travel independently. As mentioned, Myanmar is not an expensive destination which means you slowly uncover the beauty of the country. There are enough places to visit for up to a month in Myanmar.
For those who prefer to have good services: a private car with quality, a private tour guide to explain to you things you may not know through books or the Internet, letting a local tour operator choose the best hotels then you should take a tour packages. 

Myanmar 9 day itinerary Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when people creating their Myanmar trip with us:

Do I need a visa to visit Myanmar?

The answer is Yes and No.
People who do not need Myanmar Visas are citizens from some Asian countries who have the agreement Visa-wave from 14 to 30 days visit. For example: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, South Korea, Japan, etc..
Travelers from Australia, America, or Europe need to apply for a Myanmar Visa before they come to Myanmar. Evisa is another option that you can apply through the online portal which costs $50/ person for the tourist visa option. 

Is there any overnight river cruise in Myanmar?

There are luxury river cruises that operate on the Irrawaddy River so far. However, when you travel to Myanmar in 2024, make sure you check their availability since many of them do not operate before November. 

What are the off-beaten track destinations in Myanmar?

Southern Myanmar has so many charming destinations remaining out of the tourism radar. These underrated sites are worth discovering, especially to learn about the authentic local culture and life.
Here are such places: Hpa An, Mawlamyine, Mergui Archipelago, Dawei Peninsula.

What is the best time to visit Myanmar?

People who know a lot about travel say that the best time to go to Myanmar is between November and March. During this time, the weather is nice and not too hot, there's no rain, and it feels really good. But every season in Myanmar is special in its own way. Even in the summer, you can have a great time and spend less money compared to the winter months.

Some tips to get a smooth travel in Myanmar?

If you plan your trip well and are ready to adjust your plans if needed, you can travel on your own in Myanmar.
You can use the internet to book things like tickets and places to stay.
Here are some things to remember so your trip goes smoothly:
- Before you get to Myanmar, call and double-check all the things you've booked.
- Get a Myanmar sim card so you can use the internet and make calls while you're traveling.
- Write down important phone numbers you might need, like the tourist hotline and the number of people you know in Myanmar.

Can foreigners drive in Myanmar?

If you're on a Myanmar caravan tour, you can drive your own car or a rental car. But in other situations, you can't drive. The traffic rules in Myanmar are not the same as in other places.

Other suggestions for a holiday longer or shorter than 9 days in Myanmar?
For more choices of your Myanmar travel itinerary, please check our articles about how to spend your Myanmar holiday:
Myanmar 8-day itinerary
Myanmar 10 days
Myanmar 12 days