MYANMAR

After almost 40 years of isolation Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) has come a long way during the past few years. The days of one week visas and government hotels are long gone. Most significant and interesting news is the establishment of the new capital city for the country.

Naypyitaw as it is called, is located conveniently half way between Yangon and Mandalay along the main highway and railway line approximately 400km North of Yangon. Ela airport serves as the regional airport at the moment and will be enlarged gradually to handle the growing amount of air traffic. All the domestic airlines are already scheduled to start flying to Naypyitaw on a regular basis.

Major developments are still taking place. New residential areas, schools and hospitals are being constructed, and a city is emerging to a rural setting with fast pace. The first international standard hotel was opened to accommodate state guests and more will follow. For the time being Naypyitaw is still restricted access area for tourism and most of the foreign visitors. A range of two to five star hotels is available in Yangon and Mandalay. In Bagan and the Inle Lake region travellers have a choice of charming, traditional accommodation built in local styles at scenic locations. Ngapali Beach and Ngwe Saung Beach offer both several world class resorts. Three private airlines, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan provide reliable air transportation by modern ATR-72, ATR-42 and Fokker 100 aircrafts. The roads linking the main provincial cities and areas of cultural interest have improved in recent years though in comparison to neighboring countries traveling time still takes longer. A wide choice of food including Chinese, Indian, Thai and Western dishes are served at major locations throughout the country. Myanmar is also on the world map for organizers of incentive travel and special interest groups.

CLIMATE

Tropical, generally hot and humid. Cooler in mountain areas.

Coolest months: November-February  (average temperatures 15-24 C; in mountainous regions such as Kalaw, Pindaya and the Inle Lake area, as well as in desert plains near Bagan temperatures can drop to 5 C at night and warm clothes are needed)

Hottest months: March-May (average temperatures 25-33 C)

Monsoon, rainy months: May-September

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

The official Myanmar currency is Kyat (pronounced ‘Chat’). The official exchange rate is 6 Kyat to USD 1-. The unofficial or market rate (at the time of printing) is as high as 1100 Kyat to the dollar. There are several authorized moneychangers in Yangon who will exchange USD into FECs (Foreign Exchange Certificates) and Kyat.  One FEC equals USD 1.-. It is not compulsory to exchange foreign currency into FECs and not recommended. Myanmar is a ‘US Dollar country’ and in principle only US Dollars in cash in small denominations are accepted. Credit cards are only accepted by a few hotels which mostly charge high commissions on credit card payments. Traveler’s cheque and Euros are not recommended as these cannot be exchanged at local banks. It is recommended to only change a small amount of US Dollars into the local currency (Kyat) as US Dollars are accepted throughout the country.

Travelers are also advised not to change any money at airports both in Yangon and Mandalay as the exchange rates are unfavorable. It is recommended to change USD cash at local money changers, Asian Trails guides and staff will brief travelers accordingly upon arrival in Myanmar. 

CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES ON ARRIVAL

All items of jewelry, cameras and foreign currency in excess of USD 2,000.- must be declared upon arrival on the currency declaration forms. Travelers should have completed these forms during the flight to Yangon and should submit them upon arrival.  No Myanmar currency may be imported or exported.

Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one liter of wine or spirit.  Export of Buddha images, gemstones and antiques without an official receipt is prohibited.

Officially it is not permitted to bring mobile phones into the country: however, this regulation is not enforced since many years.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

The air service has improved significantly in recent times and privately operated carriers are now flying to the most popular tourist destinations throughout Myanmar. Domestic airlines was operating are Mandalay, Yangon Airways or Air Bagan ATR-72, ATR-42 or Fokker 100 aircrafts. Baggage allowance on domestic flights is limited to 20kg.  Excess luggage can be left in Yangon hotels for collection on return from upcountry.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. Travelers should check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis as well as Malaria Prophylaxis.  It is a wise choice to use an insect repellant against mosquitoes, especially upcountry and in forested areas.  The sun can be remarkably hot and a hat and high-factor block cream is advisable.

HOTELS

Yangon and Mandalay offer a wide choice of accommodation including boutique hotels and international five star properties. In Bagan and the Inle Lake region travelers should not expect deluxe properties, but have a choice of charming, traditional accommodation or Chinese style multiple-storied hotels.  See our detailed hotel descriptions at each destination for further information. There are no official hotel categories in Myanmar. Travelers are reminded that in some areas of the country accommodation can be simple and basic.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Direct flights to Yangon are available from Bangkok, Calcutta, Chiang Mai, Dhaka, Doha, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, New Delhi, Singapore and Taipei. Airlines currently serving Yangon are Air China, Air Mandalay, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China Airlines, Indian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, Qatar Airways, Silk Air and Thai Airways International. Direct flights to Mandalay are available from Chiang Mai and Kunming.

Flights

Air Bagan has acquired new aircrafts and is planning to launch it’s first international route flights. Air Bagan has now regular scheduled service to Putao and Kawthoung connection these remote areas better to rest Myanmar. These destinations can be combined now conveniently with rest of Myanmar’s itineraries.

There will be also improved service for flights from Heho to Pathein touching down in Yangon. On the dates when there are no flights to Pathein a shuttle bus service will run between Yangon and Ngwe Saung.

Cruises

Cruises on the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River remain one of the most popular ways of traveling in Myanmar. The historical RV Pandaw ships , are our preferred river cruise boats between Mandalay and Bagan. As an alternative to this colonial style steamer we recommend the luxurious Eastern & Orient Express ‘ Road to Mandalay ’. Several simpler but nevertheless charming private boats operate on the river including the Malikha Beauty , Amara River Cruises and Theingar Nadi .

Sightseeing

Asian Trails offers its popular 8-day and a new 13-day seat-in-coach tours with regular departures with English-German speaking guides guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 passengers. We have now added also Italian and Spanish speaking seat-in-coach tours.

Lifestyle Tours are a big hit and we offer many new tours: spend a day with a monk or a nun in a monastery, learn about traditional herbal medicine, bike through hidden villages near Bagan, travel in Willy\s jeeps to mountain tops and much more. See all our new products and package tours in our Lifestyle Tours portfolio!

Trekking and culture based tours in Chin State . Friendly facial tattooed people, Chin Hills and the nature of Mt Victoria.

For bicycling enthusiasts we offer a choice of biking tours to several areas of the country.

Our new self-drive or chauffeur driven 4WD jeep tour is the ideal journey for guests seeking excitement and adventure.

Many new boats are available for charter in the Mergui Archipelago.

A visit the Aye Thar Yar wineyard near Taunggyi is now part of many itineraries and the Sagar temple complex in the southern part of Inle Lake is accessible to foreign visitors. Mogok and Loikaw remain off limits for tourists.

Visas

Visas to Myanmar cannot be obtained online any longer. Visas are issued by Myanmar Embassies or Consulates, or pre-arranged visas on arrival (VOA’s) can be arranged. Since the administrative capital has moved to Naypyitaw, the permits and paperwork approval process is now being handled 400km away from Yangon in several ministries. The processing time will take longer now, than before. Kindly allow us adequate time to cater your requirements.