LOCATION
Myanmar is situated in Southeast Asia and is bordered on the north and northeast by China; on the east and southeast by Laos and Thailand; on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal; and on the way by Bangladesh and India. It is located between latitudes 09’32’ and 28’31’N and longitudes 92’10’E and 101’11’E.
AREA
The country covers an area of 677,000 square kilometers (261,228 square miles) ranging 936 kilometers (581 miles) from east to west and 2,051 kilometers (1,275 miles) from north to south.
Population; 60 million (2010 census)
CLIMATE
The climate of Myanmar is dominated by tropical climate with three general seasons.
- The rainy seasons from mid-May to mid – October with average temperature 25-30C.
- The cool seasons (Winter) from mid- October to mid February with average temperature 20-24C and Kalaw (South- West of Shan State) and Kyaing Tong (Eastern Shan State), day/night time temperature is only around 10C/5C in Winter.
- The hot season (summer) from mid-February to mid-May with average temperatures 30-35C.
The best time to visit Myanmar is from October to mid-May.
TIME
GMT +6 ½ hours
ELECTRICITY
Voltage: 220/230 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin flat plugs are in use.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Yangon has direct air-links with Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata, Vietnam, Chaingmai and Kumming.
The Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways, Silk Air, Malaysia Airline, Indian airline, oprated scheduled flight in and out of Yangon.
China Eastern Airlines fly to Mandalay. Air Bagan fly Yangon – Chiang Mai – Yangon. All the international Flights use Yangon as gate way with the exception of China Eastern Airlines ue Mandalay & Yangon International airport (Kumming – Mandalay - Kumming ) (Kumming – Yangon – Kumming)
MAIN AIRPORTS
Yangon International Airport
Airport Code: RGN
Location: The airport is situated 16km (10 miles)northwest of Yangon
Ground Transport: Metered Taxis are available.
Facilities: There are a few restaurants and bars available.
Mandalay International Airport
Airport Code: MDL
Location: The airport is situated 35 km (21miles) east of Mandalay, approximately an hour’s drive from the city center.
Ground Transport: Taxis are available to city center: approximately an hour’s drive.
DOMESTIC TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION
Domestic air services have greatly improved over recent years. However, railways, bus and steamer services still needs improvement for the convenience of visitors. The clients will travel by reliable Air Mandalay or Asian Wings Airways or Air Bagan ATR – flights and by aircon vehicle. Baggage allowance on domestic flights is limited to 20kg. Excess luggage can be left in Yangon hotels for collection on return from upcountry.
Air – conditioned coaches, mini vans and cars can be arranged for tours inside the country, In remote, air – conditional car or bus may not always be available and travelers are advised that the conditions of roads in Myanmar are not the. Same Due to poor road conditions, long distance overland travel generally takes longer than the traveler might expect, averaging only 45-50 kilometers per hour.
AIRPORT TAX
Airport tax for International flight is USD (or) FEC 10. But there is no tax for domestic flights.
ENTRY VISA
Valid Passport with Entry is required for all visitors to Myanmar. Visa can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visa fee is US$30 per pax. For clients who do not have Myanmar embassy, and can’t apply for visa in their own country, we can arrange for Visa on arrival.
Passport & Visa
All visitors to Myanmar are required to carry a valid passport and a Myanmar visa. The passports must be valid for six months beyond the intended stay. Visa applications may be made at any Myanmar Embassy or consulate. Visa on arrival only applied for nationalities with no Myanmar Embassy at their country. A separate visa is required for each child over seven years of age, even if traveling on their parent’s passport.
Tourist visas are valid for two months from the date of issue for stays of 28 days in Myanmar. Business visas are valid for three months or six months from date of issue, depending on the type granted.
Documents required for visa on arrival
Please send us following information at least 3 weeks a head of the arrival date. After Visa is approved, we will send you the document and in the meantime will inform the respective international airline to let them check in without Visa in the passport yet.
- Full name (as appear on passport)
- Date of birth
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Father name
- Home address
- Confirmed arrival flight number with booking reference code (PNR)
- 1 copy of photo (file is not bigger than 1000 KB)
Visa fees & service charges is USD 40/pax. This price is subject to charge and varies between nationals
After Visa is approved, we will information your international flight to let you check in without Visa in your passport.
So it is important for us to know your international (arrival & departure) flight number and your booking reference (PNR code).
HEALTH
There are no compulsory vaccinations but it is advisable to take precautions against malaria. Prescription drugs are not widely available and visitors should bring any required medication with them. Insect repellents are recommended, in conjunction with other measures to prevent mosquito bites. The sun can be remarkably hot so a hat and sun block cream is advisable.
HOW WE MAKE YOUR ITINERARY
Major sightseeing tour itineraries include a variety of religious and historic monuments, a rich cultural and artistic heritage and beautiful scenery, Not the above, we also seek out other attractions, like interesting local markets, festival, traditional handicrafts and cottage industries, and will serve the opportunity to meet local people in their own environment. Also included are opportunities to try regional cuisine and to see typical or traditional forms of entertainment. By including such extra dimensions, we make any visit to Myanmar a richer, more rewarding and memorable experience.
HOTELS
The hotels accommodation standards in Myanmar now vary widely, especially in terms of quality and availability. New and refurbished hotels meeting international standards are availability in most of the destinations like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Kyaing Tong, Ngapali Beach, Ngwe Saung Beach and Chaung Thar Beach. In the remote areas very basic and simple hotels are available.
FOOD
Myanmar cuisine use rice as staple dish, usually served with curries of meat or fish and variety of side dishes like vegetables, salads, soup, condiments etc. Curries tend to be less chili-hot than those served in Thailand, In order to give travelers a true feeling for the country, our restaurants and foods are carefully selected for hygiene as well as gastronomic considerations. Meals & drinks at International Hotels are considerably expensive. There are many good local restaurants with almost the same quality of food and hygiene as hotels but at mush more reasonable prices. They serve various dishes of Myanmar, Chinese, European (French and Italian), Thai and Indian cuisine. But roadside small restaurants are not recommended, as it can be risky for health.
SHOPPING
Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly hand-made, are best souvenirs, Lacquer ware, wood carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics and shoulder- bags are some of the favorite items. For jewelry, there are Myanmar rubies, sapphires, jade and pearls available at Myanmar gems shops. All gems and Bargaining is assential a reductions of up to 50% are not uncommon.
CUSTOMS
All foreigners are of declared, jewelry, electrical goods and cameras to the Customs at the Airport, Export of antiques is totally prohibited, Only gems and jewelry purchased at the licensed dealers, or who can issue an export permit are allowed to be taking out of the country. Visitors may bring in duty free 200 cigarettes, one quart of wine and one print of perfume. Baggage may be inspected before departure. Laptop computers can be brought in freely for your own use.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Most hotels have twenty – one (21)days notice for groups and seven(7)days notice for individual travelers. Some nave strict cancellation and deposit policies especially for bookings of River cruises and beach hotels,
TELECOMMUNICATION
Most hotels have IDD lines, but please be aware that the costs are very high with average cost of a call to Australia, Europe and USA approximately USD 8 per minute. But now for the convenient during stay at country the Pre Paid Sim cards for mobile telephones are available now in Myanmar. The sim card cost 50 US$ and can buy every shopping mall, also at mobile shop and some hotels. For local calls are charged US$ 0,3 per minute, international calls with US $ 1,5 per minute and incoming calls will charge US$ 0.05 per minute. To send SMS messages can do in Myanmar but for foreign countries is not possible. The GSM prepaid cards only valid for 30 days after activation. So your mobile phone can be brought in freely.
TIPPING
Widely practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills. Porters expect approximately 500Ks per bag; slightly more at air ports.
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
The monetary unit is the Kyat (pronounced chat), which is divided into 100 pyas. The official exchange rate is about 6 kyats to US$ 1. For the convenience of the visitors, Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECS) are issue by the central Bank of Myanmar to be used during their stay. FECS are acceptable like US dollars by used in the Union of Myanmar. It is printed on the notes as 1FEC = 1 USD is printed on the notes. Regardless of the visa type, there are no more compulsory exchange of FEC 200 upon arrival at Yangon airport.
CREDIT CARD
No credit cards ATM cards are valid any more in recent & current situation of Myanmar and we are not sure till when this will effect. So it’s advisable that the clients should bring enough money in US$ cash for general expenses (small denominational notes). Euro and other currencies are difficult to use.
SOME USEFUL ADVICE
Extra personal insurance is recommended for possible cases of illness, or situations where medical evacuation by air is required. It is required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings. Light clothing is required all years –round but a sweater or jacket may be needed in hilly areas, areas, especially during winter months. If visiting during rainy season (May – September) an umbrella or raincoat will be required.
Shoes and socks must be removed at pagodas and monasteries. Travelers are advised to keep away from touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency or to sell gems of dubious quality. Travelers are also advised not to drink tap water, purified bottled water is available everywhere. Photography in air ports, and near any military installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing people, who may have superstitions against this. For close-up shots, always ask first.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Inside Yangon airport, there is a money exchange counter for anyone who may wish to exchange, however it’s not compulsory, but only as per their own decision.
- Regardless of the visa type are no Longer compulsory for the exchange of FEC 200 each upon arrival at Yangon airport.