Myanmar has eased its travel restrictions from May 15, 2022. All travelers are exempt from quarantine to visit Myanmar now as long as you're fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival.
A visit to Myanmar (Burma) can be a magical experience with its stunning landscapes, spectacular archaeological sites and special cultural traditions. The following guide may help you develop your plans for visiting Myanmar.
Begin in Yangon and move on to Mandalay. Then visit Bagan, with its amazing pagoda complex. Relax at Inle Lake, before departing from Yangon. This is the 9-day highlights program. Between October and April, a 3-day supplementary trip to Ngapali Beach, after Inle Lake, would create a perfect tour conclusion.
When to Visit
It's always a good idea to avoid the intense heat and high humidity periods of weather when considering a visit to Myanmar. The period from November to February is the ideal time to travel.
Dry Season — November to February
The tourist season starts in early October and peaks between December and February. At this time of year, temperatures rarely rise above 32°C (90°F) during the day, making exploring the archaeological sites comfortable and interesting.
The beach at Ngapali is a perfect place to relax during this time. There will be great pressure on hotels and other travel services in the tourist destinations. It's advisable to make reservations at least a few months in advance.
The price is much higher in the dry season, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Hot Season — March to May
The heat builds steadily from the beginning of March, and the temperatures will exceed 40°C (104°F) by the end of the month. As temperatures are really high, outdoor exploration can be rather challenging.
The Myanmar New Year is celebrated nationwide in mid-April. If you visit around then, you will see crowds of people playing music, dancing, and throwing water over each other, and you can enjoy a carnival atmosphere.
All domestic flights are fully booked during the Myanmar New Year, so it's not easy to buy a ticket.
Wet Season — June to October
The rains start in May and by June the monsoon storms sweep into the country. Humidity is quite high during this time and the wettest months are July and August. Temperatures are hovering around 30°C (86°F).
Beach resorts at Ngapali will be closed and flights to the area reduced to one per week. At times of heavy downpours, road travel can be difficult with road blocks caused by flooding. Flights are sometimes diverted, causing delays.
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Excellent planned and executed Myanmar excursion
Asia Highlights and their local Myanmar partner "mAsia" did an excellent job in planning and execution of a one week trip to Myanmar.The various tour guides and drivers had good knowledge and good command over English. More
Gerd,
Jan 2018
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My experience in Thai
All of this was well organized by the local office. The holiday was wonderful. Our guide, Mr. Longdy( Siem Reap)were exceptional. He shared his extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. Thank you so much .shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. More
kelli,
Jul 2023
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Seamless Planning
From the day I submitted an inquiry request, I instantly received a response from Monica asking my preferences for my trip. She has been attentive and responsive to our every needs and we very much appreciate it. Looking forward to our trip in November but many thanks to Monica for making this experience to seamless thus far. More
Sana Samhouri,
Jul 2023
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Very professional agency for a memorable trip to Asia
A special thanks to Albee who worked with us and helped to tailor the itinerary to our taste, she was amazing and always available for whatever we needed. The trip would not have been the same without her and her team. Thank you! More
Daniela,
Jul 2023
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It was our first time in Cambodia and …
It was our first time in Cambodia and we had a wonderful time. The accommodations, food, and sites were really beautiful. We ended our trip with a relaxing massage. Sam was very accommodating to our needs and knowledgeable. Thank you for the laughter and for being so kind. More
Amy Oakes Moon,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Borin - never boring!
Our guide Borin, in Cambodia, was knowledgeable, understanding and thoughtful in every aspect of the plan he put together for our trip to Siem Reap and in its execution. He can read the room, and knew exactly how to pace the tour, when to pause, when to break, and how to prepare us for the maximum benefit. He is extremely kind and caring, and it showed at every turn. He also is a dab hand with the camera, and we have a lot of great pictures to show for it. Kudos to my Asia Highlights coordinator - Cathy Chen, for picking Borin. Borin works with a driver (007) who was also very kind and caring. Whenever we returned to the car, he would have cold towel rolls and chilled water to refresh us. So amazingly considerate. It was an unforgettable experience More
David Muliyil,
Jun 2023
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Great visit!
Our guide, Anna, was fantastic! She was highly informative and a delight to spend our days with. Would request her again if we were to return! More
Alejandra M Almonte,
Jun 2023
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We've had such a great experience…
We've had such a great experience planning our honeymoon with Alisa at Asia Highlights! We gave her our dream itinerary, thinking that it might be impossible to do all the things we wanted, but Alisa made our dreams a reality! She's gone so far above and beyond to answer ALL of our questions and make little adjustments that will make a huge impact on our experience. More
Lauren,
Jun 2023
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Alisa knows how to work fast and please a customer.
Alisa is very helpful and works very fast. I am a very difficult client because Inknow what I want in therm of hotels and comfort. She had a lot of patience with me, and moved a lot the plan of the trip, always following my requests. It was a pleasure organizing my trip with her. I recommend her a lot! Thanks Alisa. Malala from Argentina. More
maria laura artola,
Jun 2023
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Trip-of-a-lifetime
In addition, I want to specifically mention the guides provided in certain locations. Rum, in Siem Reap, made the most memorable experience possible. His positivity was contagious - even when it felt like 1000 degrees and we were tired. He brought it all to life, and created a couple days of Ankor Wat, etc. that we will never forget! He heard my daughter's request for specific Cambodian food, and changed our itinerary to go to a village and eat at a locally known shop. He brought the dessert she asked about to us in the car! Overall, he and his driver "Lucky" were a reason to go to Siem Reap. In addition, the other guides (minus one which was switched out immediately) were stupendous. Mon in Bangkok was friendly and provided a great day there; Eak in Chiang Mai gave us a world-class food-tour and day touring the city and its surrounding temples with lots of laughs; Tommy in Hanoi kept us from getting killed in the traffic and gave a stupendous food and architecture/history tour - so very friendly and funny; the fishing village tour in Hoi An, as well as the side-car tour in Saigon, were both unforgettable! Thank you Sharon, and Asia Highlights. Would definitely use again for future trips! More
Teri Simpson,
Apr 2023
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Cambodia and Vietnam adventure!
Our guide in Cambodia, Meas Darapolaith (Pol), was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, friendly and so helpful. His English was excellent and he shared important insights about history and the magnificent sites we visited. We highly recommend him! More
Jennifer Roth Krieger,
Apr 2023
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My daughter and I wanted to discover SE…
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE Asia. Being the first in that region, we wanted to use a tour service company. We ended up using Asia Highlights. From the beginning we were impressed with their services. We left home with of mind because all the pre-travel arrangements were taking care and communicate to us efficiently. All our questions were answered promptly. Once in the countries, we were welcome by our excellent tour guides. Everything was taking care for us. We did not have one issue. They selected the right tours guides for us, they were highly knowledgeable and so much attentive to our needs. We had Dhat in Vietnam and Borin in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I came back home so much rested, and with plenty of wonderful pictures and memories. I will definitely use Asia Highlights again for my next trip to Asia. More
Isabelle Dessaux,
Apr 2023
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Fabulous tour and guide in Cambodia
We have been touring Cambodia, guided by Borin ( and driver 007) for the last 2 days. What a fabulous experience! Borin has been a wonderful guide, the best so far in Southeast Asia, explaining the history and culture of Cambodia through his tours of the temples in and around Angkor, as well as the Landmine museum. He has answered all our questions, made sure we were comfortable, and that we have had great food. 007 made sure we always had enough water and cool towels for our face/neck.We highly recommend Borin as a tour guide for Cambodia!! More
Monica,
Mar 2023
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Best Travel Service for Asia Travel
Alisa Liu was in charge of making the arrangements and she helped us from the start to make all of the arrangements and also helped us when we had questions and requested some adjustments. Her service is of the highest professional level. We are 100% confident that our trip will be perfect. We’re also 100% confident that, if anything comes up during our trip, that Alisa will be there to guide us through and take care of us. We won’t even consider using another agency for travel around Asia and we would like to have Alisa work for us again. More
Leo Pospichal,
Mar 2023
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Tour of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand
The tour guides and drivers were another high point. All were very good, friendly, knowledgeable and spoke English well. There were two that I want to call out for their excellence. Chan Sovannarith in Siem Reap was our guide in Cambodia. He really made the experience special. His knowledge, willingness to answer all my questions, helpfulness and general attitude made him fun to be around. In order to praise the second exceptional guide I have to explain about an unfortunate occurrence that I had. I'm normally a very active senior, but after leaving Cambodia for Laos I was suddenly struck by the most intense back pain I've ever experienced, couldn't even roll over in bed (turned out to be sciatica). The guide, Mr. Sonophet, really went the extra mile. He went with my traveling companion and bought a back brace and medications for me. When that didn't help much he took me to a clinic where I was seen by a doctor, given a shot and pain meds. He hand-made a walking stick for me that I'm still using! He made it possible for me to somewhat participate in the activities, i.e. a bed on the boat down the river. When it was time to move on to Bangkok he got me a wheelchair at the airport. I can't thank him enough for these kindnesses! This problem lasted for the remainder of the trip, through Bangkok and Phuket and these guides were also very helpful getting wheelchairs, etc. It was a terrible disappointment to have this wonderful trip disrupted, but it would have been SO much worse without the great help that I received from the guides and my poor travel companion! More
Deb M,
Mar 2023
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In good hands with Sam
Sam Ol took very good care of us - lots of information, listened to and answered all our questions, was passionate about the places we visited and about his people and country. He was kind, had a great sense of humor, and made sure we felt safe and comfortable at all times. He helped us to fall in love with Cambodia in 3 short days. More
Carol Jones,
Feb 2023
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Best tour guide in Cambodia
When we first arrived at the airport in Siem Riep it was so nice to be greeted by Mr Sam Ol. We instantly fell at home when we saw his friendly smile. We were impressed by his great English and knowledge of the temples. On the tour to the temples Sam took care of us every step of the way. He took awesome pictures of us. It felt like we were on a tour given by our brother who is also a professional photographer. Also, we appreciate his humor as well as the fact he had an answer for every question we had. I give Sam 5 stars, best tour guide ever :) More
Len S,
Feb 2023
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Mr. Sam
Mr. Sam our guide in Cambodia, he and the driver out standing service they went above and beyond touring, my wife so amazed beautiful country, we're planning back here near the futures. Thank Mr. Sam,We'll feedback the whole trip next week when we be home in US More
Pho Lover,
Feb 2023
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Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand
We are still in the middle of our trip, but we are just finishing up our time in Cambodia and our guide, Borin, has been AMAZING!!! He has truly made our time here unforgettable and I plan on referring all of my friends and family to come visit this beautiful country! Thank you, Borin, for everything you did to make our trip so fantastic! More
Danielle Blount,
Feb 2023
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Excellent service and Wonderful Guides
All of our guides have been terrific. Mr. Sam in Siem Reip was especially wonderful. Both he and our driver were polite, safe knowledgable and informative. Sam made our trip memorable and enioyable. We will definitely recommend Sam and Asia Highlights to our friends. More
Kaaren,
Feb 2023
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Getting In
Most visitors arrive in Myanmar at Yangon International Airport or Mandalay International Airport.
Visitors from Europe, America, or Australia need to transfer at some Asian cities, such as Bangkok and Singapore, as there are no direct flights from those regions. These two cities are served by most major international airlines, so it's easy to make connections.
The following cities also hold direct flights to Yangon: Kuala Lumpur, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kolkata, Dubai, and Doha.
From Bangkok to Yangon
There are about 20 flights a day from Bangkok to Yangon and the average flight time is 1 hour.
The following airlines provide direct flights to Yangon: Myanmar Airways International, Myanmar National Airlines, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways. It will typically cost about US$100–150 for a single, one-way fare.
Good deals are often available on low-cost airlines, such as AirAsia and Nok Air, for just US$50.
Getting Around
The most convenient way to travel around Myanmar is by air, which could save the most of your time and provide a comfortable experience. If you have more time, a cruise along the Irrawaddy River will be a good option, as it allows visitors to get a real taste of life on the river.
The train and bus are not recommended because they are slow and uncomfortable. For example, to reach Mandalay from Yangon, it takes about an hour by plane, 7 hours by car, and 15 hours by train.
Domestic Flights
Domestic routes are mainly operated by seven airlines: Air KBZ, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Asian Wings Airways, Yangon Airways, Golden Myanmar Airlines, and Myanmar National Airlines. Most airlines fly small planes, such as an ATR 72, which can seat up to 78 passengers.
Online booking is available on any of the airlines' websites, but the process is far from seamless. It's recommended to purchase tickets via a travel agent for the same price as the published fare.

The flights sometimes change, so you should have prior notice of changes, especially timings. If you have booked via an agent, he or she will inform you of any changes and help with the new itinerary.
Do note that most airlines share codes with other airlines, which means they may regroup passengers from different flights onto one joint flight if there are not enough people.
The ticket prices of different operators are much the same, because they fly at a similar time and on the same route. The single, one-way fare for key routes costs about US$70 to US$120.
We often book flights with Air KBZ for our customers because its service and schedules are more convenient.

Road Travel
Traveling by bus is slow and bumpy for long-distance journeys. The schedules of most long-distance services start in the evening between 4pm and 10pm, traveling overnight with stops at cafés along the road every two hours, so don't expect much sleep. Passengers will arrive at their destination early in the morning.
In large cities, such as Yangon and Mandalay, the long-distance bus stations are far from the downtown areas. Tickets are sold from counters at the bus stations or via local agents. The cost depends on the length of your journey, usually between US$10 and US$20.
Rail Travel
Traveling by train is a little more appealing, as it provides scenic views and the chance to mingle with locals. Trains are less reliable and slower than buses. Delays often happen, so there will be changes on arrival and departure times.
Tickets can be purchased at the railway station ticket offices and it usually takes a long time. Fares are much more expensive than on buses and foreigners need to pay in dollars at a higher rate, about five times as much as the locals.
Cruising the Irrawaddy
Traveling by boat provides a more relaxing way to experience the timeless charm of the country. The most popular route is the one between Mandalay and Bagan on a 2-day cruise, which usually leaves in the morning.
If you take a luxury cruise, you will sail along the more scenic stretches of the river, which include some interesting stops at riverside villages, such as a pottery village to see the pottery making process.

Guests on luxury cruisers are treated to spacious and well-furnished cabins, delicious meals, swimming pools, and a good observation deck to see beautiful views over the water.
Local Transport
Larger cities in Myanmar offer a variety of transportation, such as buses, taxis, hire cars, motorbikes, trishaws, and horse-drawn carts. Public transport is poorly resourced, so most visitors tend to rely on taxis and hire cars.
Bus
Buses of all types run the streets of main cities in Myanmar. As most vehicles are dilapidated and filled with the locals, taking a bus can be crowded, airless, and uncomfortable. There are few English route maps, so it's hard to know where to get off.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful and can be flagged down in the streets of big cities, such as Yangon. Some taxis are air-conditioned, but most are not.
There will be taxi service information outside the airport and the fares are fixed. It's easy to call a taxi to take you to a central hotel if you don't book a pick-up service.
Remember to negotiate the price before getting in a car. If you think the driver is insisting on an excessive price, try to find another one to negotiate with.
Private Car
Private cars with drivers can be hired via tour agencies or hotels. Given the itineraries, they will arrange the car and ensure the driver knows where you want to visit.
Most of the cars are imported from Japan so the steering wheel is on the right side. The price starts at about US$60 per day.

Horse-Drawn Cart
Horse-drawn carts operate widely at archaeological sites, such as Bagan and Ava. It provides a relaxing way to explore the ruins and countryside. It's fun to drive all the way through the woods and sandy lanes.

Boat
Taking a small boat is the best way to visit Inle Lake. Getting on a boat, you will be taken to several sites on the lake. Some of the highlights include the floating gardens, local markets, and pagodas. The boats can be arranged by the hotels.
If you want to see the sunset views over U Bein Bridge or the Irrawaddy River, a private boat trip lasting for several hours is also a good option.

Where to Visit and How Long to Stay
How many places you can visit depends on the time you have available. With 9 days, you can see the highlights of Myanmar by visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake. With 12 days, you can have two free days relaxing on the beach of Ngapali or can combine Bangkok with Myanmar.
The following itinerary is designed to give you some inspiration when considering what to see in Myanmar. We provide tailor-made tours to Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries. Your trip will be arranged according to your particular interests.
Day 1 Yangon
Arrival
Day 2 Yangon
Morning: Colonial District – National Museum – Yangon Circular Railway
Afternoon: Bogyoke (Scott) Market – Shwedagon Pagoda

Day 3 Mandalay
Morning: Domestic flight to Mandalay
Afternoon: Mahamuni Buddha Temple – Shwenandaw Monastery – Kuthodaw Pagoda and the world's largest book – Mandalay Hill to watch a sunset
Day 4 Mandalay
Morning: Mahagandayon Monastery
Afternoon: Inwa – U Bein Bridge to watch a sunset

Day 5 Bagan
Morning: Domestic flight to Bagan
Afternoon: A boat trip to see the sunset over the Irrawaddy River
Day 6 Bagan
Morning: A hot-air balloon ride – Shwezigon Pagoda – Ananda Temple
Afternoon: Horse-drawn cart sightseeing – Shwesandaw Pagoda to watch a sunset

Day 7 Inle Lake
Morning: Domestic flight to Inle Lake
Afternoon: Inwa – A boat trip to see the sunset over Inle Lake
Day 8 Inle Lake
Morning: A boat trip to see the floating gardens – Five-day market – Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery
Afternoon: Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda – Indein Pagoda Complex

Day 9 Yangon
Departure
Take a Balloon Ride in Bagan
The sight of hot-air balloons drifting serenely over the plains of Bagan has become an iconic image. Most balloon rides start a few minutes after sunrise, offering an unrivaled perspective over the vast plains, from the thousands of temples to the Irrawaddy River.
After an hour drifting through the air, passengers may land next to a pagoda, on a sandbank, or in a field. This magical flight can be the experience of a lifetime and something really special to share with your friends. Add this to your bucket list.

With a Tour Guide and a Private Car
A local guide will help you make the most of your time. The guides in Myanmar are truly considerate, reliable, and flexible. They are passionate about sharing their culture and lifestyle and will take good care of every visitor.
We recommend you stay with one guide throughout your trip in Myanmar, rather than having different guides in different cities. You will have a more comfortable experience by doing so.

A private car and driver is necessary in such a country, the infrastructure of which is poorly resourced and the public transport is unreliable. The driver will have your itinerary and take you there. You don't need to work out the maps to know how to get to the sites from your hotel or to find a restaurant.
Temperatures are hovering around 30°C during the day, so it will be a relief when you get in an air-conditioned car and are being driven around. It also facilitates a more flexible experience.

The cost per day is about US$90 for the guide and the car plus driver.
Where to Stay
A wide option of accommodation is available in Myanmar, from low-budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. Most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay are business hotels with high standards of facilities and service, but they are characterless.
Alternatively, some resort hotels in Inle Lake and Bagan are more appealing, as they make the most of their spectacular situations, with special building materials and beautiful views of lakes or temples.
One night in a 3-star hotel costs about US$60 per room and a 4-star hotel costs about US$120–160 per room. The 5-star hotels usually start at US$200 per room per night.

The price of all types of hotel in Myanmar is much higher than other Southeast Asian countries due to the shortage of rooms, especially in high season.
Where to Eat
There is a variety of dining options in Myanmar, from local food to Western food, Thai food, and Chinese food. Some tasty snacks are sold by vendors on the streets, while authentic Burmese food is served in some traditional restaurants, which are often built from wood.
Dining at your hotel is also a good option with different kinds of food being provided. You will have a chance to see the Burmese classical dance or an interesting puppet show at the same time. The dining place is well-decorated for clients to enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere.
The main dish can be chosen from beef, pork, chicken, fish, prawns, and squid. The common staples are steamed rice, fried rice, and fried noodles. Italian food, such as pizza and pasta, is also available in the tourist resorts.
Prices for meals vary between restaurants. You can expect to pay less than US$5 for a simple meal. Usually US$10–20 is enough for an elaborate meal.

How Much Does It Cost
Only opened up in 2010, Myanmar still remains relatively untouched and represents today how the other Southeast Asian countries were 30 years ago.
The cost of the trip is the highest among the Southeast Asian countries, but the unique experience is worth the price. The mid-range cost is about US$200 a day. This price includes a private day trip, one night in a 3-star or 4-star hotel, and a decent meal.
Visit Myanmar with Asia Highlights
We provide tailor-made tours to Myanmar. Tours typically start or end in Yangon or Mandalay and last approximately 9 days; visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake.
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- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
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