| FAQs |
 |
 |
 |
|
Is it safe to visit Myanmar?
Myanmar is one of the safest countries in Asia with visitors encountering warm and welcome people wherever they go. Should you visit Myanmar? Ordinary people of Myanmar would like to see you there, because tourism is the only income for many local families. Asian tours ensure that your money goes to local people who really need help. How much money do I need? That really depends on individual life style- living expenses are much cheaper compared to Thailand and China. VISA: (Search Myanmar Missions abroad) A valid passport with entry visa is required for all visitors. A tourist visa allows a stay of 28 days extendable for an additional 14 days. A business visa allows a stay of 10 weeks, extendable up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis. Children over seven years of age require a separate visa even when traveling on their parents' passports. Visa-on-Arrival: Can be arranged for those countries where Myanmar Embassy/Consulate offices do not exist. Some special arrangements can also be made upon request for those who have difficulty in obtaining a Myanmar visa irrespective of the country. In which case please contact us for special arrangements. Getting to Myanmar: Direct flights to Yangon (Rangoon) are available from: Bangkok, Doha, Calcutta, Chiang Mai, Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Singapore and Taipei. Airlines currently operating to and from Yangon are: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Air Mandalay, Qatar Airways, Mandarin Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Druk Air, Indian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, Silk Air, Thai Airways International, and Bangkok Airways. Customs Procedures: As a basic rule-of-thumb, all valuable items brought into the country such as jewelry, cameras, electrical equipment, etc. must be declared upon arrival and subsequently brought out of the country upon departure. All foreign currency in excess of $2,000 is supposed to be declared. Arrival Procedures: After your passport is checked at the immigration desk, you will proceed directly to the baggage area. Do not change money at the money changing counter at the airport. They normally give fifty percent of the normal rate and are not an official bank. After collecting your checked luggage and clearing the customs inspection, you will go out to the arrival area where you will be meet by an Asian Tours Myanmar escorted tour guide. Land Bordered Crossing: It is possible to enter Myanmar via the Chinese and Thai borders, which are open regularly, and you may cross with a special permit to enter at this point and exit from Yangon. We can arrange this special permit for you if required. However, for the crossing into India this is not really possible as you need to secure two Indian entry permits- RAP (Restrict Area Permit) and PAP (Protected Area Permit). Time: The Myanmar Standard Time is six and half hours ahead of GMT. Money Matters: As a result of the US sanctions CREDIT CARDS and TRAVELERS CHECKS are NOT ACCEPTED in MYANMAR at most hotels or at any banks. Only a very few deluxe hotels have found a way to accept credit cards and for expenses only. Therefore to be safe, travelers should bring CASH for all expected expenses (USD cash is the easiest). Please also note there are no ATM machines available for international bank cards. Currency - The Myanmar currency is known as the 'kyat' (pronounced 'chat'). Current market exchange rate for US$ 1 is around 1200 Kyat (constantly changes from day to day). Major hotels and a few restaurants will accept payment in USD/FEC but most other expenses in Myanmar will be in kyats. Climate and Weather: Myanmar has three seasons: Hot Season - March to mid-May with average temperatures 25-38 C, Rainy Season - mid-May to September with average temperatures 23-33 C and Winter Season - October to February with average temperatures 18-24 C. The main tourist season is during the Winter season, but it doesn't rain much up-country and the travel season is now virtually all year long. In fact many prefer the rainy season for its lack of crowds and the cool weather. What to Wear: Warm weather clothing is quite adequate for Yangon and most tourist spots although up-country around the Inle Lake area and at other higher elevations the temperature may reach near freezing at night during the Winter season. Travellers should bring appropriate cold weather clothing if traveling there. Additionally, suggestive or revealing clothing is never a good idea in this conservative and largely Buddhist culture. When visiting religious shrines and temples, modest dress is required and easily removable footwear is recommended since such sacred grounds must be visited only in bare feet (no socks either). Hats and sunglasses are usually a good idea, as is an umbrella for the rainy season. Health Issues: While no immunizations are formally required, malaria prophylaxis is often recommended by travellers' personal physicians. Occasionally, typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations are also recommended. Drink only bottled or boiled water and it is suggested that food not be purchased from sidewalk vendors. Insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites is recommended, especially up-country and in wooded areas. Recent news articles have mentioned a general increase in Dengue fever risk in SE. Asian countries. Voltage: The voltage throughout Myanmar is 220-230 Volts AC. Because the voltage may be inconsistent, valuable or sensitive equipment like stereos and computers should have appropriate electronic protection. Most common sockets are two pronged, able to take round or blade style plugs though you do sometimes need a 3 prong adaptor. Photography: Cameras (still, video and digital) are permitted in Myanmar. Some good quality film is available in Yangon and Mandalay camera shops or hotels. However for professional quality film it is best to bring your own as the selection here is limited. Print film is generally available in all the main tourist areas. Restrictions on photography include military facilities and any structure considered strategic (including bridges and train stations). Communications: Most mobile phones will not work in Myanmar (unless you have an iridium phone) and charges for overseas calls and faxes at hotels may be expensive. Travellers should always check the rates before using IDD lines. In Yangon and Mandalay overseas communication is fairly easy but in Bagan, and especially Inle Lake, this can be difficult although deluxe hotels at Bagan and Inle Lake may be able to provide email service. There are some Internet Cafes in Yangon and Mandalay but not elsewhere although major hotels will have internet and email as well. Travel in Myanmar: The quickest and most comfortable mode of domestic travel is by plane. Modern ATR aircraft are used by Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and the new private air carrier Air Bagan (which also uses Folker 100 jets). Trains, ferry boats, cruise ships and coaches may also be utilized for tours. Passports should always be carried when traveling in Myanmar. Business hours: Banks open at 10:30 till 14:00, Monday through Friday. Government offices open at 09:30 till 16:30 Monday through Friday. Most private offices open at 09:30 till 17:00, Monday through Friday and 09:30 till 12:00 on Saturday. Souvenirs: Best buys include lacquer-wares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven silk and cotton garment or fabrics, gems, 'Kalaga' embroidered tapestries, traditional puppets and tribal handicrafts. Jewellery is generally up to international standards for design and workmanship. All gem and jewellery purchases should be made through a government-authorized dealer who must issue an official receipt, which is required for taking such items out of the country. Bargaining is essential when shopping on the street.
Insurance: Hospitals with the standard of care most tourists are used to do not yet exist in Myanmar. There are a few private clinics where reasonable emergency care can be obtained but if a traveller were to become seriously ill or injured, the only alternative would be to medically evacuate that person to the nearest major medical facility, most likely in Singapore or Bangkok. It is strongly recommended that travelers purchase insurance which will provide medical-evacuation coverage should they require it. Airport Departure Tax: There is a departure tax of $US 10 payable on international flights. There are no taxes for domestic flights. Still have questions please contact us. |