TRAVELER S TIPS TO MYANMAR

Transcription

1 MYANMAR VISA TRAVELER S TIPS TO MYANMAR Visa Free Agreement Visa-free travel (for 14 days except for Singapore which is 30 days) is permitted for Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia and Laos passport holders. E-visa All visitors to The Republic of the Union of Myanmar are required to carry a valid passport and the passports must be valid for six months beyond the intended stay. Visa applications may be made at Myanmar embassy or consulate around the world. Tourist visa fee is USD 40 and validity of stay is 28 days. Business visa fee is USD 50 and validity of stay of 70 days. Alternatively you can apply online at official e-visa website by Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population. Tourist e-visa fee is USD 50 and validity of stay of 28 days. Business e-visa fee is USD 70 and validity of stay of 70 days. Citizens of 100 countries are eligible for Myanmar e-visa. Available port of entries with e-visa are Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw international airports and Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung land border check points. Visa On Arrival (VOA) On arrival visa is not allowed for tourism purpose but for business purpose. For more information on VOA, please click here. Please contact Mira Travels for applying VOA. Pre-arranged Visa on Arrival Pre-arranged VOA is allowed for tourists arrived by cruise ships and it needs to apply in advance. Please contact Mira Travels for applying pre-arranged VOA. IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS

2 Entry A passport with a valid visa and completed arrival form must be presented to the immigration desks. Foreign currency exceeding US$ 10000, jewelry, cameras and electronic goods must be declared on the customs forms issued to each arriving visitor. Departure Passport and completed departure form are to be shown at the immigration desks. Export of Buddha images, gemstones and antiques without an official receipt is prohibited. Export permit vouchers must be shown at customs for any gems or jewelry bought in Myanmar. Details information on Myanmar customs information is available here. AIRPORTS Yangon International Airport is about 10 miles (16 km) from downtown Yangon. The airport is well-equipped with services and facilities. Mandalay International Airport is about 21 miles (35 km) from south of downtown Mandalay. Nay Pyi Taw Airport is about 30 minutes from Myanmar s new administrative capital, Nay Pyi Taw. AIRLINES & FLIGHTS International airlines operating at the airports include Myanmar Airway International, Myanmar National Airines, Air Bagan, Thai Airways International, Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Scoot, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines, Jet Star, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Indian Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airline, China Eastern Airline, Korea Air, All Nippon Air, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and etc. Domestic airlines include Myanmar National Airlines, Air KBZ, Golden Myanmar Airlines, Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, Apex Airlines, FMI Airlines, Asia Wings and Air Bagan.

3 Air travel often is the best form of transport as it saves time. Air tickets can be bought with cheaper price through travel agents than directly with the airlines. Mira Travels will arrange air transportation with reliable private domestic Airlines. Baggage allowance on domestic flights is normally limited to 20kg. Excess luggage will be on clients account or can be left in hotels in Yangon for collection on return from tours outside Yangon (only if they have second call in Yangon). Domestic flights in Myanmar is usually operated on time but may be delayed due to weather and unforeseen circumstances. TRAINS Trains are more leisurely and comfortable forms of transport and international travelers mainly ride the rail route between Yangon and Mandalay. Myanma Railways' long-distance trains offer first and economy class compartments, sleeping berths and reclining seats. Tickets are available at railway stations or via travel agents and it is recommended to buy them one day in advance. EXPRESS COACHES It is possible to travel in air-conditioned coaches to most of the tourist attractions throughout the country. There are highway bus services in Yangon operating to numerous destinations including Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake), Bagan, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Taunggyi, Chaungtha beach, Ngwe Saung beach, Ngapali beach, Golden Rock, Mawlamyaing, Hpa Ann and Dawei. There are also highway bus terminals in the cultural capital of Mandalay, offering services to destinations in central, upper and eastern Myanmar. Coaches are major mode of transportation in Myanmar. Coach operators in Myanmar now uses advanced buses such as Scania and Yutong, Please contact Mira Travels for buying tickets.

4 RIVER CRUISES Myanmar has many navigable waterways and river boats providing one of most important and cheaper ways of transporting people and cargo. The Inland Water Transport Board is a major operator with a huge fleet of double and tripledecker boats making regular runs to river ports. There are also private operators providing some regular services, with more leisurely trips provided mostly between Mandalay and Bagan and other destinations along the Ayeyawady and Chindwin Rivers. INTRA-CITY TRANSPORTATION Taxies are widely available in Yangon. Some taxies are metered-taxi and they charge a fixed rate per kilometer. For taxies with no meter, it is best to bargain the cost of the fare in advance of any trip. Uber, Grab and Oway Ride are becoming a popular taxi services in Yangon and can be booked easily with a mobile app. Car rental service such as Europ Car and Yoma Fleet are now available in Yangon. Public buses are available in major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRT) now operates a fleet of new buses. Trishaws and horse carts are also used as transport. Horse carts operate at Pyin Oo Lwin, Bagan and some other destinations in upper Myanmar. Many visitors to Yangon enjoy trips on the city circular railway, which links the down-town area with outlying suburbs. HEALTH & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE It is not advisable to buy food or fruit from street vendors unless you have a strong stomach. Please do not drink tap water. No vaccinations are officially required to visit the country. The classical routes such as Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake areas are not the malaria zones. Malaria may be

5 found only in some parts of mountains and deep forests so it is not really essential to take any anti-malaria pills unless you plan to visit malaria prone areas. Travelers are suggested to check with their doctor the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis and tetanus. There are many good public and private hospitals in major cities like Yangon, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw and Taunggyi. In other cities and towns, there are also public and private medical facilities but treatment capability is limited. In case of serious injury, it is always advisable to go to hospitals in major cities. In case of any medical emergency, please contact Mira Travels as soon as possible. With a strong network of local and international medical providers, Mira Travels will organize medical assistance and evacuation. PERSONAL MEDICATIONS There are pharmacies in all major cities but visitors with a pre-existing condition are advised to bring their own medication. Personal medicines such as Aspirin or Panadol/Paracetamol (for pain or fever), antibiotics, Calamine lotion (to ease irritation from bites or stings), Bismuth preparation (Pepto-Bismol), Imodium or Lomotil (for stomach upsets and diarrhea), bandages (for minor injuries), insect repellent, sunscreen, suntan lotion, lip balm and water purification tablets are recommended to carry along. Recommended pharmacies are at government hospitals, public hospitals and city pharmacy at Citimart supermarkets. DRINKING WATER & DRINKS Bottled water and mineral water are recommended and can be bought at any shops in most places. Please don't drink the tap water. Boiled milk is fine if it is kept hygienically and yoghurt is always good. Tea or coffee should be ok since the water is boiled. In general, juices, milk, water, tea and coffee offered at the hotels and the restaurants we recommend, are safe. FOOD & MEALS

6 Rice is the main food in Myanmar and served with a variety of side dishes; curries with cooked meat or fish, vegetables, salads and soup. Compared to Thai cuisine, curry tastes are less chili hot. Myanmar, Chinese, Thai and Indian style restaurants can be found in major cities but European cuisine is available only in major hotels and some restaurants in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. The restaurants used by Mira Travels are carefully selected from the gastronomical and hygienic point of view. ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR Major cities like Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay offer a wide choice of accommodation including luxury boutique hotels and international five star hotels. In remote areas such as Kyaikhtiyo, Hpa An, Mawlamyaing, Loikaw, Sittwe, Mrauk-U and Monywa, the standard of accommodation will be basic. During trekking route, tourist needs to stay at local monastery or house. At community based tourism sites, tourists need to stay at community house. Homestay is not allowed in Myamar. Due to limited hotel room supply in Myanmar, Mira Travels cannot guarantee specific hotel requests and reserves the right to substitute accommodation of the best available alternative, especially during the high season. However, Mira Travels will endeavor its utmost effort to provide most convenient accommodation available. TRANSPORTATION DURING TOUR Mira Travels provides air-conditioning sightseeing cars and coaches. However, in some remote areas, the mode of transportation will be basic and for these places, Mira Travels will arrange the best available transport. The road conditions are not good except some major highways and travel duration may take longer when traveling in rainy season.

7 Public train, ferryboat and express buses are available in major cities, but these services are cannot be expected to high standard. The boat trip between Mandalay and Bagan by private boat and takes about 8 to 10 hours. The transfer by boat for Sittwe - Mrauk-U/ Bagan - Pakokku/ Mandalay- Mingun will be by a private boat and it is of basic standard. COMMUNICATION Post Registered mails can be sent easily across the country from postal office and private mail companies. Telephone Service & SIM card For calls to Myanmar, dial the international access code followed by the Myanmar country code 95, the area code and the subscriber's number. (eg., ) For calls in Myanmar, telephone services are available in all tourist destinations. Roaming for foreign mobile phones is available for some international mobile phone operators. Please check with your mobile phone operator for confirmation. Travelers can now busy MPT, Telenor or Ooredoo SIM card at about 1.2 USD per card. Top up card are easily available at convenience stores. Coverage is good in most area of country except remote areas. Internet Access Hotels in major destinations has Wi-Fi service. There are numerous internet cafes, most of which are located in Yangon and others in cities such as Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Bago, Pathein and Taunggyi. Service charges in internet cafes are reasonable though connection speeds are slow compared to other Asian countries. The best way to use internet is to buy a local SIM card, top up and buy a data package. LOCAL TIME

8 GMT + 6 ½ hours CURRENCY & EXCHANGE RATE The national currency is called Kyat (MMK) (pronounced similarly to chat ) and bank notes of kyat, 5000 kyat, 1000 kyat, 500 kyat, 200 kyat, 100 kyat and 50 kyat in use. USD and other major currencies such as EUR, SGD, THB can be changed into Kyat in money changers. Payment in USD is accepted by all hotels around Myanmar but Euro is accepted only by some international hotels in Yangon and Mandalay. For foreign currency notes including USD, please bring new notes or those in good condition. Torn, stained or folded notes are not accepted in Myanmar. Visa, Master an JCB cards can now be used to withdraw cash or make payment at ATMs of private banks and POS systems respectively. Please note that when you use international cards, there is a transaction fee for ATM withdrawals and commission fee for POS payments. ATMS are available at banks and major shopping malls. Western Union and International Money Express are now available in Myanmar. Traveler s cheque will not be accepted as a mode of payment. For payments in non major cities, you need to exchange your currency in MMK as foreign currencies is not wide used in those areas. CLIMATES The country has a tropical monsoon climate. November to February is the coolest months (15-25 C). March to May is the hottest months (25-33 C). June to September is the Monsoon, rainy season. Rain is not heavy in the central parts of Myanmar (Bagan, Mandalay and their surroundings).

9 SEASONS TO VISIT MYANMAR In general, Myanmar is well access in all year round. The best period to come to Myanmar is from October to end of February. CLOTHING & DRESS CODE Throughout the year, it is advisable to wear light, cool and comfortable cotton and other fabric cloths in light color as Myanmar is a tropical country closed to Equator. Locally made cotton is available at most destinations. We recommend you to bring sweater or jacket and socks when visiting to the high altitude destinations such as Inle Lake and Kyaik-Hti-Yo Pagoda (Golden Rock), especially in the cool season since the temperature is sometimes below zero degree Celsius. In rainy season, it is advisable to bring umbrellas or raincoats. For ladies, short skirts and bare shoulders might attract some unwanted attention. When entering pagoda premise, women must wear properly. TIPPING & PORTAGE FEE AT AIRPORT Tipping is practiced widely in addition to the service charge shown in the bill of restaurants and hotels and also to the drivers and boat men. There is no exact limit but depends upon the generosity and the satisfaction of their services. Portage fees at airports are payable for 1000 kyat per bag. In our tour package portage fees are already included for maximum 20kg per person). POWER SUPPLY & ELECTRICITY The voltage is 230 volt, 50 hertz AC. Most of the hotels and places have three-pin plugs or two-pin flat plugs. Almost all hotels have 24 hour electricity supply, with generators to ensure back-up supply.

10 However, in some areas (for example, Beach hotels), generated power will not always be available and may operate in specific timing (for example, operate between 6:00pm-10:00 pm only) especially in the low season. At villages and trekking routes, electricity may not available. TRAVEL INSURANCE All tourists are recommended to buy medical and accident cover before arriving in Myanmar. The State owned Myanma Insurance offers travel insurance for tourists visiting Myanmar. Mira Travels can assists tourists who wish to buy travel insurance. BUSINESS HOURS Government offices are open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Banks operate from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays. Shops and shopping centre's are open from about 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily, including holidays. LANGUAGE Myanmar (Burmese) is national language whereas there are different tribal languages. English is an official language. Ethnic people use their own languages. Communication with English in remote areas may be difficult. RELIGION Buddhism is the major religion although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced among minorities. There is peaceful coexistence among all religions. In some remote area, animist or Nat worship is by tribal people. Tourists are recommended not to involved in activities or take actions that will provoke the values of individual religions. SHOPPING

11 Myanmar is one of best counties for shopping. All varieties of souvenirs including lacquer wares, silver wares, wood and stone curvings, hand-woven silk and cotton, precious and semi precious gems and jewelry, tapestries, puppets, simulated antiques, fine ceramics and copies of famous paintings are available in tourist destinations. Most of the souvenirs shops in the main cities accept USD. Very few shops accept payment in Euros. The most convenient currency to pay is in Kyat which is local currency in all over Myanmar. Bargaining is acceptable and the best bargains are usually found in the public markets. Gems and Jewelry should be purchased through an authorized dealer who will issue an official receipt so that the items can be exported. Export of antiques and items with archaeological value are prohibited. Visitors are advised to purchase only the allowed items of handicrafts and art objects from the registered souvenir shops asking the official certified receipt from the shops. Any illegal trade of prohibited items will result in heavy penalty. SECURITY & SAFETY Myanmar is very safe in terms of personal security, in areas that tourists are allowed to visit. Some areas are restricted by the government due to security concern so it is recommended not to venture into those areas. Mira Travels carefully selected our suppliers with proven track record for safety in our tours. RESTRICTED AREAS Even though Myanmar has opened most areas of the country to foreign visitors, few areas still require government permission. Mira Travels will try its best to get the required permission in time but permission request in advance is a must. Please feel free ask Mira Travels about up-to-date travel information in Myanmar regarding your destinations. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL At Mira Travels we value our commitment to achieve our business goals in a sustainable manner. We believe that the responsible practice of sustainable tourism will create the

12 positive effects on local communities, while it will reduce negative social and environmental impacts of tourism Mira Travels incorporates practices of responsible travel in our operations. Please refer to Sustainability session of our website for our policies and useful data. For details, please refer to downloadable documents on our website - - Dos & Don ts for tourist in Myanmar on how to travel responsibly in Myanmar - Tips for a Responsible Traveller - Mira Travels Responsible Tourism Policy TRAVELLING WITH DISABILITIY Myanmar has limited Infrastructure of barrier-free facilities yet accessible travel for a wheelchair bound traveler is still possible in Myanmar. Mira Travels partners with Myanmar Accessible Tourism Center, the leading accessible tourism provider in the country( to provide special travel arrangements. EMERGENCY Mira Travels provides a 24/7 hotline number for tourists visiting Myanmar. Additionally, Important contact numbers in Yangon are available here.