Travel to Bagan

A journey by Road, Ship and Aircraft.

Trips in the country are not so difficult anymore but have some limits because of the rotten infrastructure, start is either by air from Yangon or Mandalay. By road from the biggest city at the Andaman Sea it's around 700 kilometers and 16 hours. 

If taking a car a local driver is almost mandatory since all road signs outside the big city are in the local language only, there are almost no petrol station, people fill it by canister from somewhere in the village and if anything happen, such as an accident you are lost completely. 


Anyway a trip to Bagan is a highlight of every journey to Asia. Currently new regulations came up (2015) which makes it possible to enter at any land-border but it needs a visa from the embassy. 

If taking a car a local driver is almost mandatory since all road signs outside the big city are  in the local language only, there are almost no petrol station, people fill it by canister from somewhere in the village and if anything happen, such as an accident you are in trouble so stay away from unless you can pay a driver. The insight you get into the countryside it's worth to do it.

Day tours to Mount Popa, Irrawaddy Cruise, visiting a Lacquer Factory and the Sale Monastery, there are some more places where the monks are living.

The easiest naturally is by air.

The place is not receiving international flights it always need to pass the two major towns in the country. That is the way when you make a organized tour and probably the best when you visit the country the first time. If you need to buy the tickets on short notice and for the best prices visit Vegas Travel in the Central Hotel just opposite the Bogyoke Market. 

Now they have many more airlines competing as up to three years ago try Yangon Airways or Air Bagan they are quite on time and are experienced. If you want to fly to other destinations maybe it needs a other one since not all serve every end.

Make a river cruise.

Several companies operate cruise ships on the Irrawaddy, either from Mandalay to Bagan, which is the common run or other destinations, since availability is depending on the season check with themhow to handle this. If you like this on a smaller scale try this holiday cruise.

Prices for this tours are not so bad you can ask at the hotel in Yangon or Mandalay there are always some people who have a car and are eager to drive you, just negotiate. If you find one ask someone there if they know the guy, to be on the save side.

A bit more expensive would be to visit a local travel agent.

Ask a local how to handle it. I have done this runs several times from Mandalay to Bagan, Inle, Schwebo and to Chaungtha Beach it works without major problems. In context of this you need a excellent travel insurance everything over there is without it so if problems arise who pays the stuff? Here is cash country and the local hospitals don't deserve the name you need to use a private clinic.

In general at current times and if you are a novice to the country the best is try and experienced foreign travel agent who has a office there, this is the most expensive version. It is very advisable at least for your first visit to get an understanding whats going on.

Don't underestimate the whole, this is not Thailand, the country is in extreme rotten conditions and things happen people wont dream about before, trust me.