Is 12 days good for a holiday to Myanmar?

12 days is fairly good to travel in Myanmar. It allows capturing all the key travel sites like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, and Ngapali Beach. 
There are also rooms to create different itineraries which suit well with your personal travel interests. 

What can I see for 12 days in Myanmar?

The things to do in Myanmar are plenty. From north to south, there are mountains, sacred Buddhist sites, vibrant cities, and amazing sandy beaches to admire. These remarkable Myanmar travel experiences are some of the best to delve into in Myanmar:
 

Find your private beach in Mergui Archipelago

Known as the last tropical paradise of Asia, Mergui Archipelago promises amazing islands, sun-drenched beaches and spectacular marine life. Set sail in Mergui is not cheap but it is totally worthy. White sand beaches are available almost everywhere amongst 800 islands in the area. Whether you fancy a serene beach to relax, a great diving site or a hidden beach with incredible sea view, Mergui has something for you. Recommendation from our expert: Sailing Mergui Archipelago

Capture the temples of Bagan

The holy land of Bagan is considered the best Myanmar`s answer to Angkor Wat. It houses thousands of temples remaining from 11th to 13th century and each of them has a certain value both artistically and architecturally. The most sensational way to capture the temples of Bagan is taking a hot air balloon which reveals the magnificence of Bagan during the sunrise. There is all the elements you need for a perfect Instagram photo: river, mountain, pagodas, verdant local plantation and fascinating villages. For a sort of adventure, take an E-bike to scan the less-visited road of Bagan.
Recommended experience: Bagan Photography Tour

Try Burmese wine – real wine

Myanmar has whisky, and beer but it actually has wine too. Believe or not the winery of Aythaya has been gaining its reputation not only in Asia but in Europe too. Visitors are offered a chance not only to visit the vineyard area but also to stay in their styled lodge. It could be a perfect stop for a half-day tour from Inle Lake.

Motorcycle Mandalay and its surroundings

If you are after seeing Myanmar in a very unique way then you should not miss a motorcycle in Mandalay. It is arguably the best way to see the area where the ancient capitals of Burma's kingdom existed. Besides the major Mandalay Tourist Attractions, places that are good for motorcycles are Dee Doke Waterfall, Pyin Oo Lwin coffee plantation, Peik Chin Maung Cave, and Gokteik Viaduct.

Enjoy a photography trip to Hpa An

Listed in our Myanmar Photography destination, Hpa draws visitors to see its picturesque landscape – a blend of awe-inspiring mountains jutting out of green rice paddies. Another reason that photographers love seeing in Hpa An is Sadan cave, a sacred site full of pagodas and Buddhas.

See Shwedagon pagoda

Shwedagon is the most iconic site of Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar. Local people said that if you are interested in learning about the city`s history and culture, the first place you should drop in is Shwedagon. This Yangon attraction turns sparkling in the evening while the daytime witnesses thousands of pilgrims coming to practice Buddhism.

Face-to-face with Inle Fishermen

Inle lake houses imposing scenery that combines a serene lake with scenic Shan mountains. It is not all. Inle Lake is also home to Inthar fishermen who navigate their wooden boats by one leg. Visiting Inthar fishermen villages, taking pictures of their silk traditional work, join them in their floating garden is rated one of the best things to do in Myanmar.
See also: Inle Lake Day Tours

Explore the remote Mrauk U

Mrauk U is an important place that used to be the capital of the Arakanese Kingdom. In its glorious days, Mrauk U was a crossroads of India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. For those who love archaeology, and uncovering Burmese`s past, Mrauk U with its attractions like pagodas, and the royal palace should be on your travel bucket list. We only recommend you to see Mrauk U if you spend more than 10 days in Myanmar

Spend your festive time in Taunggyi

When it comes to Myanmar festivals, many will recommend you to enjoy the New Year which is the Water festival but the Taunggyi Fire Balloon festival is the most colorful one. The festival takes place in a small town in Shan State in November.


Photo: Jeungst - flickr.com

Get tanned in Ngapali Beach

One of the most beautiful Myanmar beaches, Ngapali has a wide range of beach-front hotels and resorts that can meet all your sophisticated demands. Whether it is a place to enjoy romance, a relaxing time with family, a fun-packed scuba diving trip, Ngapali has them all. 

Adventure in Mountain Victoria

Taking the way to Mountain Victoria is a very special adventure. Undoubtedly, it is a great trip that let you experience one of the best national parks in Myanmar, seeing its diverse flora and fauna. However, the main reason that people go to Victoria is to see the Chin hill tribes who have tattooed faces as a long tradition. 
Apart from that, the area is also home to many British colonial architects. 

Myanmar 12 days itinerary for the first timer

This itinerary showcases the contrast of Myanmar from Yangon to Bagan, inviting you to see Myanmar from a different perspective. 
Day 01: Arrive in Yangon
Day 02: Yangon city Tour
Day 03: Fly from Yangon to Mandalay. Explore Mandalay`s highlights
Day 04: Mandalay day trip to Pyn Oo Lwin
Day 05: Mandalay to Bagan. Sightseeing in Bagan
Day 06: Bagan temples - villages - arts
Day 07: Bagan to Kalaw by car. Visit Elephant Camp
Day 08: Kalaw - Inle Lake. Visit the stilt villages, market and floating pagoda.
Day 09: Inle Lake at leisure
Day 10: Inle Lake - Sanka Ruin - Inle Lake
Day 11: Inle Lake - Indein. Fly back to Yangon
Day 12: Yangon departure
Note: this trip is very adaptive with the condition of Myanmar in 2024 since there are not so many internal flights. For all the details about what to do, what is included or customize it, please contact us. 

Myanmar 12 days with beach Itinerary

Imagine a trip that explores the stunning Myanmar natural heritages, admiring the sacred temples of Bagan from a balloon, photographing the styled villages in Inle Lake and relaxing by the beautiful sandy beach of Ngapali. 
Day 01: Arrive in Yangon
Day 02: Visit Shwedagon, Yangon Colonial areas, and Karaweik Palace
Day 03: Yangon to Bagan by air. Visit Bagan`s most famous pagodas and temples
Day 04: Bagan hot air balloon. Explore Bagan`s traditional works and arts
Day 05: Bagan to Mandalay by car. Visit Amarapura and Ubein bridge
Day 06: Mandalay city tour 
Day 07: Mandalay to Inle lake by air. Travel by boat to Inle`s iconic sights
Day 08: Travel off the beaten track to Kakku
Day 09: Inle - Ngapali Beach
Day 10: Ngapali Beach your own
Day 11: Ngapali Beach - Yangon
Day 12: Yangon departure


Photo: Michael Jehhda

Myanmar Southern Safari from pagodas to beach 12 days

A trip that uncovers all the amazing sites of southern Myanmar. You`ll not regret adventuring to the photogenic Hpa An area, immersing in the untouched beaches of Dawei and doing scuba diving in the paradise alike Mergui Archipelago. 
Day 01: Yangon Arrival
Day 02: Visit Yangon's iconic attractions. 
Day 03: Drive from Yangon to Hpa An
Day 04: Hpa An - Mawlamyine
Day 05: Mawlamyine
Day 06: Mawlamyine - Ye - Dawei Peninsula
Day 07: Dawei beaches
Day 08: Dawei - Palau - Myeik
Day 09: Mergui Tour to its Island 
Day 10: Myeik beach day
Day 11: Myeik fly back to Yangon
Day 11: Leaving Myanmar

 

Myanmar 12-day tour for family

In each Myanmar family holiday, we have tried to add more kid-friendly destinations as well as some interesting activities for both kids and parents. It has no exception for this itinerary. Your family will like cooking with a local, encountering Asian elephants, biking through ancient pagodas, and much more
Day 01: Yangon arrival
Day 02: Yangon downtown: Shwedagon, Chinatown, Indian quarter
Day 03: Yangon fly to Shan State. Visit Green Valley Elephant Camp
Day 04: Kalaw trekking day
Day 05: Kalaw - Inle Lake by train. Boat trip on Inle Lake
Day 06: Inle Lake - Indein market - floating gardens and traditional villages
Day 07: Inle Lake - Bagan by flight. Visit the temple and enjoy a river sunset cruise
Day 08: Bagan cooking class - afternoon biking tour.
Day 09: Bagan to Mandalay by car. Sunset by Mandalay Hill. Dinner with cultural performance
Day 10: Mandalay to Mingun by boat. City tour by trishaw
Day 11: Mandalay ancient capitals - fly back to Yangon
Day 12: Yangon at leisure - Departure.

Burma Active Holiday 

If you are after adventures that bring you off the tourist path then this itinerary is for you. Destinations that are less visible on the tourism radar 
Day 01: Yangon arrival
Day 02: Yangon - Bagan. Travel by bike to less-visited places
Day 03: Bagan day trip to Pakkoku 
Day 04: Bagan fly to Heho. Road trip to Pinlaung then Loikaw
Day 05: Visit Loikaw 
Day 06: Loikaw - Pekon - Samkar
Day 07: Samkar - Inle Lake 
Day 08: Inle Lake boat trip
Day 09: Inle Lake trekking 
Day 10: Inle Lake - Mandalay
Day 11: Mandalay biking day
Day 12: Mandalay Departure

 

Myanmar Travel Cost for 12 days

In general, Myanmar is not an expensive country. The most expensive part of your trip is probably the international flight in/ out of Myanmar. 
Depending on your travel style and expectations, you`ll find almost everything in Myanmar within your budget. A night in a Yangon hostel costs around 7$/ person while a luxury 5* hotel night starts from $80/ night. 

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Myanmar 12-day Travel Q&A 2024

Here is some practical information that will help you plan better your travel to Burma 2024

Do I need a Myanmar Visa?

Except for some Asian countries that have dual agreements with the Myanmar government for visa-free policy, all travelers need to have a visa for their travel in Myanmar. For both tourism and business purposes, it is necessary to apply for a Myanmar visa before you arrive. 

What document I should take while traveling?

Prepare your passport with at least 6-month of validity. We suggest you make a copy so that you can use it on the way instead of the original one. 
Personal medication
National ID card
Bookings for hotels/restaurants, etc. Although the Internet is accessible in many places, a printed version of your booking should be much better in case. 

Do we need to be vaccinated to enter Myanmar?

Myanmar does not require any injection of the vaccine when you enter the country. 
However, you may not have good access to the modern healthcare system in Myanmar. It is advisable to prepare some medicine for common sicknesses like flu, and headache. 

What currency should I bring?

The official currency of Myanmar is Kyat. US dollars and Euros are widely accepted all Myanmar travel destinations. 
In Myanmar, cash is king. Make sure you have cash while traveling as you may not be able to pay with your bank card, especially in a remote area. 
ATMs are available in big cities like Yangon but you should expect a high fee to withdraw money too. 

When is the best time to visit Myanmar?

We recommend you take a holiday in Myanmar from late October to April. During these months, the weather is pretty pleasant with almost no rain. 
For those who prefer to benefit from the value of money, summer is good as hotel rates and airfare are very cheap. Keep in mind that, there will be rain interruptive during the day and night. 

Can we book a private Myanmar Tour online ?

Our company has been operating for more than 10 years in Myanmar with a full travel license. We specialize in organizing private tours for family, couple and small groups. 
We are pleased to customize any trip to Myanmar to match with your plan. 
 

Should I tip in Myanmar?

In general, Myanmar has no tipping culture. Local people do not leave tips while using services or after a meal in a restaurant. 
For tourism, we believe tipping is a portion of the income of the people who work in hotels, restaurants, and cruises. 

Can we do a road trip to Myanmar by ourselves?

Foreigners are not allowed to drive in Myanmar unless it is an organized Burma Caravan Trip with a tour guide/ pilot. 
If you want to have more information about this adventure, do not hesitate to let us know. 

Is there any dress code when visiting temples/ pagodas?

There is no dress code but you need to wear modestly which means shoulders and knees should be covered. Shorts and open dress are not appropriate for a Buddhist site visit. 

What to eat in Myanmar ?

Myanmar cuisine is diverse and very tasty. You`ll find delicious, healthy foods in mostly Myanmar restaurants at very reasonable prices. 
If you want to try authentic Burmese food, check now our: Myanmar Foods you should try.
Here are some food photos for your inspiration.

Can I drink tap water in Myanmar?

We recommend you buy bottled water when exploring the country. Tap water does not meet the quality to drink directly yet. 
For a long journey by train or bus, you should carry 1 or 2 bottles.