19-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Myanmar
Myanmar remains one of the most spiritually enriching destinations for backpackers willing to step off the beaten path. This 19-day itinerary is designed for the adventurous soul traveling on a shoestring budget, focusing on slow travel via local trains and buses, shared hostel dorms, and the incredible variety of Burmese street food that costs mere cents.
You will journey from the colonial streets of Yangon to the thousands of temples in Bagan, the serene waters of Inle Lake, and the royal heritage of Mandalay. By prioritizing free walking tours, local markets, and public ferries, you can experience the profound beauty of the Golden Land without exceeding your ultra-lean budget.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Yangon, Myanmar - Arrival & Colonial Heritage
Arrival at Yangon International Airport
Clear customs and take the public airport shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to the city center for a fraction of the cost of a taxi.
Maha Bandula Park & Sule Pagoda
Walk through the heart of Yangon to see the historic Sule Pagoda and the surrounding colonial-era buildings for free from the outside.
Street Food Exploration at 19th Street
Head to Chinatown's famous 19th street for cheap skewers and local Myanmar beer in a vibrant atmosphere.
Shwedagon Pagoda at Sunset
Witness the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar as it glows gold against the evening sky.
Day 2: Yangon, Myanmar - The Circle Train Experience
Yangon Circular Railway
Buy a ticket for the local commuter train. It's a three-hour loop that offers a raw look at daily life on the outskirts of the city.
Bogyoke Aung San Market
Window shop at this historic market. While souvenirs can be pricey, the food court offers very cheap Mohinga (fish noodle soup).
Botataung Pagoda
Visit this riverside pagoda which is unique because you can walk inside the hollow stupa to see ancient relics.
Kandawgyi Lake Stroll
Enjoy a free walk around the boardwalk of Kandawgyi Lake with views of the Karaweik Hall.
Day 3: Yangon, Myanmar - Hidden Gems & Night Bus
Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue
Visit the only synagogue in Myanmar, located in a busy downtown street, showcasing the city's diverse history.
Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha
See the massive 65-meter reclining Buddha statue. Entry is usually free, though donations are welcome.
Aung San Su Kyi House (Gate View)
Take a local bus to see the exterior of the historic residence on University Avenue.
Night Bus to Nyaungshwe
Board a budget-friendly night bus from Aung Mingalar Highway Bus Station toward Inle Lake.
Day 4: Nyaungshwe, Myanmar - Gateway to Inle Lake
Nyaungshwe Arrival & Hostel Check-in
Arrive in the lakeside town and drop your bags at a budget hostel like Baobabed.
Bicycle Rental & Countryside Ride
Rent a basic bicycle for about $1.50 and ride through the local paddy fields surrounding the town.
Red Mountain Estate Vineyards
Cycle up to the vineyard for a cheap wine tasting or just to enjoy the panoramic views of the valley for free.
Htet Eain Gu Cave
Visit this local cave monastery filled with Buddha images, located just a short ride from the town center.
Day 5: Inle Lake, Myanmar - The Floating Life
Shared Boat Tour
Find other travelers at your hostel to share the cost of a longboat. Explore the floating gardens and leg-rowing fishermen.
Phaung Daw Oo Paya
Visit the most famous pagoda on the lake, housing five small gilded images of Buddha.
Nga Phe Kyaung (Jumping Cat Monastery)
Explore this beautiful wooden monastery built on stilts over the water.
Sunset on the Lake
Finish your boat tour by watching the sun dip below the Shan Hills from the middle of the water.
Day 6: Inle Lake, Myanmar - Indein & Local Markets
Indein Village Pagoda Forest
Take a boat through the narrow canals to Indein, home to hundreds of crumbling ancient stupas.
Five-Day Rotating Market
Visit the local market (it changes location daily) to see ethnic tribes trading local produce.
Maing Thauk Bridge
Walk across this long wooden bridge that connects the land to a stilt-house village.
Nyaungshwe Night Market
Eat dinner at the night market where Shan noodles cost less than a dollar.
Day 7: Kalaw, Myanmar - Hill Station Chill
Local Bus to Kalaw
Take a short, cheap local bus ride up into the mountains to the former British hill station of Kalaw.
Kalaw Central Market
Explore the market for cheap mountain snacks and observe the mixture of Indian, Nepali, and Burmese cultures.
The Christ the King Church
Visit this historic brick church, a remnant of the colonial era, located on a scenic hill.
Thein Taung Pagoda Viewpoint
Hike up for a free sunset view over the misty town of Kalaw.
Day 8: Kalaw, Myanmar - Caves & Pine Forests
Shwe Oo Min Paya
Explore this limestone cave filled with gold Buddha statues, just a short walk from the town.
Myin Mahti Village
Walk or bike to this nearby village to see the rural Shan lifestyle and another local cave complex.
Bamboo Strip Pagoda
Visit this unique temple where the main Buddha image is woven from bamboo.
Shan Food Dinner
Try traditional Shan Thoke (noodle salad) at a local family-run eatery.
Day 9: Bagan, Myanmar - Arrival in the Ancient City
Bus to Bagan
Take the daytime bus from Kalaw to Bagan, arriving in the afternoon.
Check-in at Nyaung-U
Stay in the Nyaung-U area for the cheapest guesthouses and local food options.
Shwesandaw Area Viewpoint
Find a designated man-made hill to watch your first sunset over the 2,000 temples.
Nyaung-U Restaurant Row
Grab a cheap curry and enjoy the bustling backpacker atmosphere.
Day 10: Bagan, Myanmar - E-Bike Temple Hopping
Sunrise over the Stupas
Rent an e-bike (electric scooter) and head out early to catch the iconic sunrise.
Ananda Temple
Visit the "Westminster Abbey of Burma," known for its perfectly preserved architecture.
Dhammayangyi Temple
Explore the largest and most mysterious temple in Bagan, famous for its brickwork.
Htilominlo Temple
See the intricate plaster carvings on this massive three-story temple.
Day 11: Bagan, Myanmar - Old Bagan & Riverside
Shwezigon Pagoda
Visit this gold-leaf pagoda that served as the model for many others in Myanmar.
Old Bagan Market
Browse local lacquerware crafts and eat street snacks with the locals.
Sulamani Temple
Known as the "Crowning Jewel," this temple features some of the best interior frescoes in Bagan.
Lawkananda Pagoda
Watch the sunset over the Irrawaddy River from this riverside stupa.
Day 12: Bagan, Myanmar - Mt Popa Day Trip
Shared Taxi to Mt Popa
Join a shared van to save money on the trip to this extinct volcano topped with a monastery.
Climbing Taung Kalat
Climb the 777 steps (barefoot!) to the top of the volcanic plug for stunning views.
Kyat Kan Cave Monastery
Visit this peaceful underground meditation center on the way back to Bagan.
Final Bagan Night Market
Enjoy a final budget meal of Burmese tea leaf salad.
Day 13: Mandalay, Myanmar - The Royal Capital
Bus to Mandalay
Take a 4-5 hour bus ride from Bagan to Mandalay, the cultural heart of the country.
Check-in & Mandalay Palace
Drop your bags and walk along the massive moat of the Royal Palace.
U Bein Bridge Sunset
Take a local truck-bus or shared taxi to Amarapura to see the world's longest teak bridge.
Mahamuni Buddha Temple
Observe the evening rituals at one of Myanmar's most important pilgrimage sites.
Day 14: Mandalay, Myanmar - The World's Largest Book
Kuthodaw Pagoda
See the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures, known as the world's largest book.
Shwenandaw Monastery
Marvel at the intricate teak carvings of this historic monastery, once part of the Royal Palace.
Sandamuni Pagoda
Visit the neighbor of Kuthodaw, which features even more white stupas containing inscriptions.
Sunset at Mandalay Hill
Walk up the covered stairways for a free, spectacular view of the city and the river.
Day 15: Mandalay, Myanmar - Local Life & Markets
Zegyo Market
Dive into the oldest and largest market in Mandalay for a sensory overload and cheap snacks.
Gold Leaf Workshops
Watch artisans beat gold into thin leaves for free in the artisan quarter near 36th street.
Yankin Hill
A less-visited hill offering a peaceful atmosphere and great views without the crowds.
Street Food Near the Moat
Join the locals for dinner at the many stalls lining the palace moat.
Day 16: Mingun, Myanmar - Across the Irrawaddy
Public Ferry to Mingun
Take the cheap daily ferry from the Mayan Gyan jetty for a scenic boat ride upriver.
Mingun Pahtodawgyi
See the massive, unfinished brick pagoda that was split by an earthquake.
Hsinbyume Pagoda
Photograph the stunning, wave-like white terraces of this unique temple.
The Mingun Bell
Visit one of the world's largest ringing bells before taking the ferry back to Mandalay.
Day 17: Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar - Scenic Train Journey
Morning Train to Pyin Oo Lwin
Board the early morning train for a slow, incredibly scenic climb into the mountains.
National Kandawgyi Gardens
Spend the afternoon walking through these expansive botanical gardens established in 1915.
Purcell Tower
See the clock tower in the center of town, a gift from Queen Victoria.
Local Night Market
Enjoy cooler mountain temperatures and cheap Shan noodles for dinner.
Day 18: Goteik Viaduct, Myanmar - The Great Bridge
Train to Naungpeng
Board the train to cross the Goteik Viaduct, once the largest railway trestle in the world.
The Viaduct Crossing
Experience the heart-pounding moment as the train slowly crawls over the deep gorge.
Return via Local Share-Taxi
Hop in a shared taxi from the next station to get back to Pyin Oo Lwin faster and cheaper.
Night Bus to Yangon
Board the long-haul night bus for the final leg of your journey back to the capital.
Day 19: Yangon, Myanmar - Final Farewells
Arrival in Yangon
Arrive at the bus station and take the shuttle back to downtown for breakfast.
Last Minute Souvenirs
Visit the small local shops near the train station for cheap tea leaves and traditional snacks.
Yangon Waterfront Walk
Take a final walk along the Strand Road to see the historic buildings and the river.
Airport Transfer
Head to the airport via the airport bus for your departure flight.
Best Time to Visit Myanmar
The best time to visit Myanmar is during the cool, dry season from November to February. During these months, the weather is pleasant across the country, making it ideal for exploring the temples of Bagan and trekking in Kalaw. The hot season (March to May) can see temperatures exceeding 40°C, while the rainy season (June to October) can make travel in rural areas difficult due to mud and humidity.
Currency & Money
The local currency is the Myanmar Kyat (MMK). While major hotels and high-end restaurants may accept USD, the economy runs on Kyat. It is essential to carry cash, as many budget guesthouses and street food stalls do not accept cards. ATMs are available in major cities, but they often charge fees, so withdrawing larger amounts at once is recommended. Tipping is not mandatory but greatly appreciated in a country where wages are very low.
Getting Around Myanmar
For the budget traveler, long-distance buses are the most efficient and cost-effective way to move between cities. "VIP" buses are slightly more expensive but worth the comfort for overnight journeys. The train system is an experience in itself—slow, bumpy, and incredibly scenic, particularly the route over the Goteik Viaduct. Within cities, use shared truck-buses, rent bicycles, or use the Grab app in Yangon and Mandalay for fair and transparent pricing.
