Travel Expert Travels & Tours Co., Ltd.

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	About Myanmar

	Myanmar Map

	Myanmar Travel Info

	Myanmar Travel Tip

	Myanmar Travel Directory

	Hotel Directory

	Myanmar Festivals

	Myanmar Ecotourism

Myanmar Nature & Culture

Myanmar Eco Tourism

Sea, Sun & Sand

	Myanmar Nature & Culture

	Myanmar Trekking and Hiking

	Myanmar Diving

	Myanmar Birding

	Myanmar Incentive Tours

	Myanmar Pilgrim Tours

	Myanmar Golf Tour

Myanmar Travel Tip

Currency Exchange

The official exchange rate is 6 kyats to US$-1. Exchange may be made only at authorized airports, hotels and money changers who will change US$ into FEC and kyat at market rate as Myanmar has strict restrictions on the exchange of Foreign currency. Being equivalent to the U.S dollar, FECs are accepted by hotels, airlines, travel agencies, shop and as payment of admission fees to museums and Pagodas. The market rate is subject to change without prior notice.

Credit Cards & Traveler's Cheques

International credit cards and traveler cheques are not widely used. Master card is not accepted in Myanmar. It is strongly advisable to bring only US$ in cash in small denominations for your intended purchases and avoid disappointments.

How to get there

The connecting airlines are Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Phuket Airline, Silk Air, Air China, Biman Airlines, Indian Airlines, Eva Air, Mandarin Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, Druk Air, Lauda Air and Quatar Air.

Embassies and Consulates Abroad

Australia (Canberra), Canada (Ottawa), France (Paris), Germany (Bonn), Hong Kong, Indonesia (Jakata), Israel (Tel Aviv), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), China (Beijing, Kuming) Malaysia (Kuala Lampur), Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland (Geneva), Thailand (Bangkok), UK (London), USA (Washington DC), Vietnam (Hanoi), Laos (Viangchan), India (New Delhi), Bangladesh (Dhaka), Nepal (Kathmandu), USSR (Moscow), Egypt (Cairo), Pakistan (Islammabad), Philippine ( Manila), South Korea ( Seoul), Sir Lanka ( Colombo), Yugoslavia( Belgrade).

Passport & Visa

All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport and the necessary visas. There are two kinds of visas applicable to tourists: (1) Package tour visas and (2) FIT visas. These tourist visas are valid for 28 days with an option for extension. It can be applied to Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visa on arrival can be arranged prior to your arrival by your travel agent but only for package tours.

Visa Extension

A two-week visa extension is available in Myanmar. A passport, 2 passport photos and a fee of USD 36 for immigration department are required to get the visa extension in Myanmar. We will assistant you to get it.

Overstay Fines

The overstay fines in Myanmar is 3 USD per day per person.

Border Entry

Tourists with border passes are allowed to enter through check points at Muse, Nam-Khan, Kyu-gok, lwe-je and kun-lone from Yunan Province and Tachileik, Myawaddy, Three-Pagoda pass and Kawthaung from Thailand.

Customs

All foreign currency (in excess of US$ 2000), jewelry, cameras, radios, cassette player, calculators, etc must be declared at the airport on arrival and keep a copy of the customs declaration form to be presented on departure. Antiques and archaeologically valuable items are not allowed to be taken out. Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes, 100 cigars and ½ liter of perfume for personal use are allowed duty free. Your luggage is subject to inspection with X-ray by the customs authorities before departure.

Accommodations

There are several hotels, but accommodation standard in Myanmar still vary widely in quality. International standard hotels are available in Yangon and Mandalay. There are hotels of every type available. You can live luxuriously and modestly, depending upon your budget. Accommodations in remote are on very simple basis.

What to wear

With weather being generally warm and dry, it is advisable to bring light clothing and comfortable shoes. Sandals are recommended for touring cities so as to be easily taken off. It is also recommended to bring Sweater and hiking shoes/boots for trips in mountain areas.

Transportation

Domestic air services between major destinations have improved greatly over recent years. There are daily air flights from Yangon to Mandalay, Bagan, Heho ( Inlay ), Kyaingtong and Tachileik and daily train services from Yangon to Mandalay, and also bus services from Yangon to Mandalay, Bagan and Inle. Public trains, ferryboats and bus services are still generally unreliable and uncomfortable. But train services between Yangon and Mandalay are popular with tourists. Myanmar Alpine Excursion Tourism Co., Ltd provides air-conditioned coaches, minivan and car for all tour and transfers but air-conditioned vehicles may not always be available in remote areas.
Note: Travel to remote areas especially to restricted areas without permit and guide is not allowed. But permission for remote areas can be obtained on application.

Food

Myanmar food is strikingly similar to Indian and Thai food and consists of rice and curry. Curry dishes are generally meat or vegetables or a mixture, cooked with a liberal admixture of spices, pepper, onions and sesames oil. Curries tend to be less chili-hot than Thai version. Most hotels and restaurant in major cities serve Chinese, Thailand, Indian dishes but European cuisine is mostly served in major hotels at present.

Photography

You'll probably wish to take many pictures as a record of your trip. Please note: taking photographs in airports, railway stations and near any military installation, of evidences of poverty is forbidden. For close-shots, be sure to obtain permission from local people before taking their picture. Camera equipments are available in large cities like Yangon and Mandalay. If possible, take plenty of film, for not being available locally.

Cultural Information

There is no restriction on clothes. But, with Buddhism having a great influence on the daily lives of Myanmar people, visitors are required to wear proper clothing within the precincts of religious building. Ladies should not wear shorts and bra-less/ sleeveless buses or T-shirt in such places. Disregard of these rules amount to serious cultural and religious offence to the devote Myanmar people. Whenever entering religious grounds, never fail to remove your shoes, sandals and socks.

Language services

Although the tours are conducted in English, other languages are available on application such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Korean etc.

Motion Picture

Foreign pictures are usually shown with the English and their respective original sound tracks. Movie performances are not continuous. All first class theaters in most large cities are air-conditioned.

Music

Myanmar traditional music can be heard only on some occasions but Kalaweik Hall (restaurant) provides you an excellent chance to enjoy the Myanmar tradition music with traditional dances during your dinner.

Shops and Stores

Stores are open daily from 8:30 A.M to 9:00 P.M. In the main cities of Myanmar like Yangon and Mandalay there are stores selling most of the required commodities. Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly hand-made, are the best souvenirs at reasonable prices. Lacquer wares, wood and ivory craving, tapestries, brassware, silverware, silk, cotton, traditional garments and gems are items of interest. Bogyoke Aung Sun Market (Scott Market) is the best place for one-stop shopping.

Health Requirements

At the time of printing there is no necessity to obtain any special inoculations or vaccinations for Myanmar (Burma) unless coming from infected areas. You should bring a first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect/ mosquito repellent and any special medication you may require.

Water

Water in most large cities is reliable. Purified bottled water is plentiful and widely available. Travelers are advised to drink only boiled water in mountain areas. Complimentarily purified bottled water is provided to all visitors on touring cities and also boiled water is served on trekking tour in remote mountain areas.

Electric current

Electricity is 220-230 Volts AC in most areas. Check at your hotel before using your electrical appliances.

Telecommunication

International and domestic fax, E-mail and calls are available at most hotels and big cities. Internet access center mushrooms in most major tourist spots of Myanmar. But your global mobile phone can’t be used in Myanmar. The international telephone code for Myanmar is 95.

Medical Facilities

There are private hospitals where good doctors are in attendance in large cities.

Airport Tax

Airport tax is US$ 10 per person on international departure.

Meeting on arrival

After passing airport immigration and customs control points, travelers will be met by our representative or guide in arrival hall, displaying our company signboard or the name of guests or your group so as to recognize easily.

Security

Myanmar being one of the friendliest and safest travel destinations in the world, there is no racism or violence in Myanmar but tourist police is newly set up for security and helping the visitors effectively.