backpacking Asia
Myanmar

Backpacking Myanmar in 2025

A complete guide for backpacking in Myanmar with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.

Visit Myanmar

Embark on a journey through Myanmar, where ancient temples, diverse landscapes, and cultural richness await backpackers. Pros? Immerse in the enchanting beauty of Bagan, explore traditional villages, and experience the warmth of the locals. Myanmar offers a relatively affordable travel experience. However, infrastructure may be basic in some areas, and travel restrictions can be dynamic. For the intrepid backpacker, Myanmar unveils a serene and unspoiled destination, providing a glimpse into a nation transitioning, making it a unique and culturally rich experience distinct from more frequented Southeast Asian destinations.

Best known for:Known for: people | architecture | uniqueness
Best time to visit: November - February

Safety warning

The current risk level for Myanmar is high. Check the advice before going.

Why to go?
Why backpacking in Myanmar

People

People in Myanmar are known for their warm and welcoming nature. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in the culture, and locals go out of their way to make visitors feel comfortable and at home. Whether it's in the cities or rural areas, the people of …

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Architecture

Myanmar is home to a wealth of ancient ruins and interesting architecture, with some of the most famous being the temples of Bagan. This ancient city is filled with over 2,000 well-preserved temples and pagodas dating back to the 9th to 13th …

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Uniqueness

Exploring Myanmar is a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its rich cultural heritage, untouched natural beauty, and limited tourist infrastructure. As one of the least developed countries in Southeast Asia, Myanmar offers a raw and …

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Cheap

The average costs for backpacking in Myanmar can vary depending on the traveler's preferences and travel style. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day. This budget includes accommodation in budget guesthouses or …

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Scenery

Myanmar is a country with diverse and beautiful landscapes to explore. The ancient city of Bagan is famous for its thousands of ancient temples and pagodas, which create a stunning and unique skyline. Inle Lake is a picturesque destination, with its …

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Wildlife

Myanmar is great for seeing wildlife because of its diverse range of ecosystems, including mountains, forests, and wetlands, which provide habitats for a wide variety of species. The country is home to several national parks and wildlife …

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Food

The food in Myanmar is so good because of its unique blend of flavors and influences from various cultures. Burmese cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh, local ingredients such as fish, rice, and vegetables, as well as a variety of herbs and …

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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Myanmar

Bagan: Explore the ancient city of Bagan, famous for its thousands of well-preserved temples and pagodas. Witness the breathtaking sunrise or sunset over the temple-studded landscape for a truly magical experience.
Inle Lake: Discover the unique floating villages and gardens of Inle Lake. Take a boat tour to witness the local fishermen’s unique one-legged rowing technique and explore the vibrant local markets.
Shwedagon Pagoda: Visit the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar. Marvel at its golden stupa, adorned with thousands of diamonds and jewels, and soak in the spiritual atmosphere of this revered place.
Golden Rock: Trek to the Golden Rock, a gravity-defying pagoda perched on the edge of a cliff. The rock is believed to be held in place by a single strand of Buddha’s hair, making it a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists.
Mandalay: Explore the cultural hub of Mandalay, known for its royal palaces, ancient temples, and traditional crafts. Don’t miss the chance to witness the mesmerizing sunset from the U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge.

But Myanmar offers more...

🌆 Cities: Bagan, Mandalay, Ngapali Beach, Yangon

🎎 Festivals: Kachin Manaw, Phaung Daw Oo, Tazaungdaing, Thadingyut, Thingyan

🏔️ Hikes: Golden Rock, Hsipaw to Kyaukme, Kalaw to Inle Lake, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Mount Popa

🏞️ National parks: Alaungdaw Kathapa, Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary, Hlawga, Inle Lake, Popa Mountain

🛕 World wonders: Bagan Temples

Stories

🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Myanmar

The best time to visit Myanmar for backpacking is during the cool and dry season, which is from November to February. During these months, the weather is pleasant with temperatures ranging from 20-30 °C, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the country's attractions. Additionally, this period is also the peak tourist season, so you can expect more facilities, better transportation options, and a vibrant atmosphere. However, it is important to note that this is also the busiest time, so popular destinations may be crowded, and prices for accommodation and tours may be higher.MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

detailed advice per month

Risk level: high (100%)
Safety advice for Myanmar

Explosions and other security incidents occur in Yangon and frequently in other parts of the country. Attacks are unpredictable in their location and intensity. Attacks may be planned against locations frequented by foreigners, including public spaces and civilian infrastructure, such as hotels and serviced apartments, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, schools, petrol stations and supermarkets. Minimise movement, especially on anniversaries and national days of significance. Monitor media for updates. We advise you to read the 'Full advice - Safety - Security situation and Armed conflict sections' for more information.

Since the Myanmar military assumed control of the country, there's been a significant increase in the level of violence, with many deaths and injuries. There have been widespread detentions, including of foreigners. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention.

There are active conflicts between armed groups and security forces across many States and Regions, especially in the northwest and southeast of the country. Armed groups operate along Myanmar's borders with China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh and India. This includes official border crossings. There are also unmarked landmines and the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). If you choose to travel to these areas despite the risks, carefully assess the security situation, including curfews and travel restrictions.

If, despite our advice, you remain in Myanmar, you should stay at home during curfew hours and follow stay-at-home orders. Avoid using any routes through known traffic checkpoints and any travel adjacent to regime-affiliated businesses and government buildings. Monitor the media and keep in close contact with friends and family. The economic and business environment remains unpredictable. The Australian Embassy's ability to deliver consular assistance, including in an emergency, may be limited.

Heightened security arrangements are in place for Australian officials. Australian officials follow protocols for staff movements and use enhanced security measures, including for travel outside Yangon.

There've been a number of cases where foreign nationals have been trafficked into Myanmar (either directly into Yangon or via a neighbouring country) and forced to work in online scamming or other fraudulent activity, with poor pay and living conditions, restrictions on movement, and severe mistreatment. Exercise caution concerning offers of employment that appear 'too good to be true'.

source: smartraveller.gov.au

source: www.gov.uk

Myanmar
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Myanmar sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.

Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.

Lonely Planet

Rough Guide

Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Myanmar. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Myanmar may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.

Check visa requirements for Myanmar

Check vaccination requirement for Myanmar

Get your travel insurance

Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Myanmar, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.

Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.

Hostelworld

Expedia

My personal packing list 🎒
author

Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

Money & Documents
Passport, visa (originals + some photo copies)
Passport photographs
Credit and debit cards (on world profile)
Cash (US$ or €)
Money belt
Vaccination proofs

Clothing
Light, quick-dry clothing
No jeans, too heavy
Ultralight rain/wind jacket
Thermo underwear
Quick-dry towel
Sunglasses

Electronics
Mobile phone + charger
Power bank
Travel adapter
Local sim card (buy it on arrival)

Health
Toothbrush
Deo
Sunscreen, lips sunburn
Anti-diarrhea
Paracetamol
Blister plasters
Anti-mosquito (DEET)
Toilet paper
Nail scissors

Others
Small number lock
Waterproof packing cubes (for dirty clothes)
Card game(!)
Ear plugs
Travel pillow