myanmar travel guide by exotissimo travel

8/4/2019 Myanmar Travel Guide by Exotissimo Travel

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EXOTISSIMOTRAVEL

Experts in Asia - in Asia


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IntroducingMyanmarThank you for choosing Exotissimo Travel Myanmar to

organize your travel arrangements in the country. This

document will give you some more information about

the country, the different destinations with in Myanmar,

useful information for travelers, a listing of the Exotis-

simo preferred hotels and the reservations and booking

procedures.

Known as The Golden Land because of her glittering

pagodas, Myanmar is a country rich in cultural heritage

and natural scenic landscapes with abundant tourist

attractions. History enthusiasts can bask in ancient

cities and archaeological museums. Nature lovers can

discover the lure of Myanmar forests, wildlife sanctuar-

ies and scenic spots. Beach lovers can relax and enjoy

the call of the sea at pristine beaches. Adventure seek-

ers can trek and scale of the challenging mountains to

meet the hill tribes in their colorful ethnic costumes.

Whatever your interest may be, we assure you that

traveling with Exotissimo to explore Myanmars hidden

treasures will surely be an impressive trip.

Where to go in Myanmar?

That depends how long youve got, what you want to

see and what you want to do? Hopefully the guide be-

low will help you make those decisions.

If you want to really discover Myanmar, you should set

a side a couple of weeks to travel, meet the people and

gain an understanding of this beautiful and fascinating

country. Our shortest tours are half day excursions and

while the longer youve got the more you can see. At

Exotissimo we pride ourselves on being able to fill ev-

erybodys travel plans with just the right mix. It will beour pleasure to make the suggestion and arrangements

to allow you to make the most of your precious leisure

time. After all, our team of local and western travel

enthusiasts work, live and travel all over the country

and we would be happy to share our new discoveries

with you.

When to go to Myanmar?

Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct

seasons: the cool season from November to February

which is dry; the hot season from March to May with

average temperatures in the 30s and occasionally over

40C; the rainy season from May to the beginnin

October with frequent short rainstorms and humid

The rains are rarely long enough to disrupt sight-se

plans.

For those heading to the beaches, the coast has

distinctive seasons: Dry and Rainy. During the r

season (April-September), most resorts and restaura

close down entirely and the flight schedule is seve

limited. The dry season is delightful with sunny s

warm ocean breezes, and temperatures around 3

Celsius during the day time.

The following is a guide to the best of the best of M

mar filled with ideas for travel sightseeing and acc

modation with a few insider tips along the way.


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Colonial Style Hotels

If it is your first time to Yangon and you are purely

visiting the city for leisure, colonial style hotels are a

good choice. Besides offering high service standards,

these hotels provide a nostalgic window to the olden

times gone by in the former British colonial city. One

of our top favorites, the Strand Hotel is Yangons land-

mark heritage hotel with an opulent dcor reflecting

the 1920s and 1930s epoch. Its central location makes

it a good choice for both the leisure or business trav-

Where to stay in Yangon?

The former capital city of Myanmar, founded byKing Alaungpaya in 1755, spreads over 350 sqkm in area with a population of about 5 million.Yangon is also known as the Garden City of theEast, owing to the tree-lined streets, shadedparks and two lakes Kandawgyi (Royal Lake) andInya Lake that fill the city. Considered one of themost picturesque cities in the Orient, Yangonis exceptionally laid out with perfectly straightstreets and roads that intersect at right angles. Setin a tropical woodland, Yangon exudes a charmall of its own.

Yangon

eler. Another recommendation will be the Govern

Residence Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel house

an imposing teak mansion. It is also a short walk a

from the embassies and the spectacular Shweda

Pagoda.

City Hotels

In town, the Traders Hotel tops our list. An outsta

ing business hotel located right in the city centre

features modern facilities and comforts. As one of

tallest hotels in Yangon, it affords splendid panora

of the city.


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for the allied soldiers who died during World War II,

the cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War

Graves Commission. Just a 45 minutes drive from the

city, the Hlawga Wildlife Park is home to over 70 kinds

of herbivorous animals and 90 bird species, definitely

an ideal place for picnickers, naturalists, botanists and

bird watchers.

Where to dine in Yangon?Off the beaten path in Yangon

For a taste of authentic Myanmar cuisine, we recom-

mend Padonmar Restaurant which features both tra-

ditional Myanmar and Thai cuisine with indoor and

alfresco dining options. The Green Elephant Restaurant

is another favorite of ours with a good selection of tra-

ditional Burmese and international dishes served in agarden setting. The Monsoon Restaurant & Bar, housed

in a spacious colonial style building, is a good spot to

savor Myanmar and Indochinese specialties.

There is no lack of restaurants serving international

food in Yangon. Le Planteur Restaurant has estab-

lished a formidable standing in serving French cuisine

tops with Burmese hospitality, while the Manis Restau-

rant & Bar features contemporary Western and oriental

cuisines. Tokyo Restaurant & Bar remains a perennial

eating hunt for its delicious and fresh Japanese selec-

tions. Sabai Sabai whips up a fiery concoction of Thai

food. The handful of Chinese restaurants, such as West-

ern Park and White Rice, carry a wide array of dishes.

Coffee shops have mushroomed across Yangon in re-

cent years. For aromatic coffee brews with a panoramic

view of downtown Yangon, head to Thiripyitsaya Sky

Bistro on the 20th floor of Sakura Tower. Another A-

lister caf is Mr Guitar, popular for its live bands and

frequented by locals and expatriates alike.

How about sightseeing in style in Yangon? Exotissimo

Myanmar can arrange a city tour on the Elephant

Coach, an elegant air-conditioned vintage vehicle deco-

rated in rich Burmese ironwood, comfortable leather

chairs and a retro-style exterior. A Yangon River sunsetcruise is a great opportunity to catch the magnificent

scenery while indulging in cocktails and canaps.

The Yangon circular train is not only a sight by itself,

but also offers an enjoyable way to sightsee the city

and the surrounding outskirts. Disembark in Insein vil-

lage and pay a visit to the colonial locomotive work-

shop and colorful local market.

For advocates of traditional healing techniques, try the

Exotissimo tour that includes a visit to a plantation

grown with indigenous medicinal herbs, a walking tour

of Kon Zay Dan street that sells Burmese herbs and

plants and a meeting with Mr Shein, a renowned tr

tional medicine practitioner famous for his gold

techniques. For Buddhists, we can arrange for Budd

teachings, dharma talks and meditation sessions w

venerable monks and meditation instructors.


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Bagan is one of the main tourist destinations in Myan-

mar. An ancient capital, it is also one of the richest

archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Bagan preserves

over 2000 well-renovated pagodas and temples repre-

senting the diversity of ancient Myanmar architectural

styles in the 11th to 13th century. It is also known as

the cradle of Myanmars culture.

Within Bagan

Bagan

Famous for its architectural beauty, the Ananda Tem

is one of the most spectacular in Bagan. Visitors s h

not miss the Ananda Pagoda Festival that sees m

devotees amid a carnival-like setting every Januar y

paling in comparison, the Thatbyinnyu Temple o

shadows its peers with magnificent panoramic v

of the Bagan plains. To view glorious sunsets on

Irrawaddy River, we recommend the upper terrace

Gawdawpalin Temple or the Bupaya Pagoda. The G

aukgyi Temple is noted for its spire and wall paint

that depict scenes from Buddhas previous lives.

Tharaba Gate is the only one remaining of the tw

gates of King Pyinbyas walled city in 839 A.D. Du

the pagoda festival from late October to early Nov

ber, the Shwezigon Pagoda and its three pagoda

races constitute a lively scene. Nearby Ananda Temthe Archaeological Museum is a must-visit with

wide collection of items excavated through the ti

in Bagan. To find out more about lacquer ware, a

tradition of Bagan, opt for a lacquer ware workshop

Outside Bagan

Lying 67km southeast of Bagan, the Mt. Popa is kno

as the Oasis of the Dry Zone for its lush environs

also famous as the abode of Mahagiri n ats (spirit go

By the bank of Irrawaddy River, Salay is an ancient t

rich most renowned as the birth place of Salay U Po

the Shakespere of Myanmar. Found primarily in

regions, the toddy palms are ubiquitous in Bagan. T

Located 136 km west of Mandalay, Monywa can be

reached via a 3.5 hours drive. It is a picturesque town

on the Chindwin River. On the way to Monywa, you can

visit Mohnyin Thanboddhay spread across 37 acres of

land. Monywa is also famous for Po Win Taung (Mt. Po

Win), where caves, niches, staircases and Buddha Im-

ages are carved into the entire mountain of Mt. Shwe

Ba.

The 16-rooms Rupar Mandalar Resort is a top choice if

you desire to stay in a boutique hotel with a romantic

and exotic atmosphere. Nestled in landscaped gardens

right in the citys heart, the Sedona Hotel Mandalay

faces the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay, lovelysights that greatly complement the hotel stay. At the

foot of Mandalay Hill, the Mandalay Hill Resort opens

into panoramic views of the surrounding lands.

Take a day to explore the villages in the Mandalay and

observe local fishermen using traditional methods to

catch fish. Watch out for the Irrawaddy Dolphin, and

endangered freshwater mammal, in the waterways.

Opt for a river cruise along the Irrawaddy River to ex-

perience the picturesque sceneries, local lifestyles and

handicrafts. For the more adventurous, embark on a

cycling tour of Mandalay and peddle past rustic vistas

in Mandalay outskirts, Sagaing, Mingun and Irrawaddy

River. If you prefer exploring caves, then head to the

Padalin Caves, a cluster of large caves that contains

ancient mural paintings in a primitive forest.

A Little Bit of Mandalay restaurant serves more than

local dishes in Mandalay; it also whips up a delight-

ful range of Myanmar specialties. The Green Elephant

features Burmese and Asian cuisine in the peaceful

surroundings of a 1920s colonial house. For regional

cuisine, we recommend Golden Duck for its mouth-wa-

tering Chinese food and Kos Kitchen that specializes

Where to stay in Mandalay?

Off the beaten track in Mandalay

Where to dine in Mandalay?

in Thai food.


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AIRLINES

CLOTHING

ELDERLY PEOPLE

AIRLINES (DOMESTIC)

We use the following 5 domestic airlines: Air Bagan, Air

Mandalay, Air KBZ, Asian Wings and Yangon Airways.

All four airlines fly French-Italian ATR turboprop planes

(Avions de Transports Rgionaux), a type of plane well

suited for the local conditions, airports and distances.

The configuration is either 40 seats (ATR-42) or 70-seats

(ATR 72) in rows of 4 seats with a middle aisle. Entry-

exit is at the back of the plane. Standard One-class

configuration.

Air Bagan operates 1 Fokker-100 Dutch-made jet aircraft

with 95 seats, 12 of which are business class seats (Lo-

tus Class - 3 rows of 4 with middle aisle). Economy

class configuration is: 2 seats -aisle- 3 seats. Entry/exit

is at the front of the plane.

Exotissimo Travel does not use Myanma Airways (do-

mestic) flights (not to be confused with Myanmar

Airways International). If passengers insist on flying

Myanma Airways (if for example no other airline is fly-

ing to that destination), passengers will be asked to

sign a Liability waiver.

Myanmar - FAQsAIRLINES (INTERNATIONAL)

The following airlines currently fly into Myanmar: Thai

Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Myanmar Airways

International, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Air China, Chi-

na Eastern, Mandarin Airlines, Indian Airlines, China

Southern Airlines, Air Bagan and Vietnam Airlines.

AIRPORT TAX

An international airport tax of 10 USD per person is pay-

able cash in USD or FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates)

when departing Myanmar on an international flight.

Departure tax for domestic flights is 1000 kyat and is

included in ticket cost for flights booked on or after 1

July 2011.

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES

Queue up at the immigration counters with a filled out

arrival card and your passport with your visa stamped

inside. After passing immigration, collect your luggage

from the luggage belt and proceed to the customs

counter. Hand over your filled-out customs form. Note

that items of value and currency in excess of 2000 USD

are supposed to be declared and taken again on de-

parture, but in practice things are made quite easy for

tourists. Also note that mobile phones and laptops are

no longer kept in storage on arrival as is still claimed

in some guidebooks.

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics

as cotton is most suitable for traveling in Myanm

The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of

tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in

evenings against biting insects. A lightweight rain

and umbrella are a good idea in the rainy season

the umbrella can also offer useful shade from the

Evenings in the hill stations and on Inle Lake can

quite chilly so bring a sweater or other warm cl

ing if visiting these areas. This applies especially

the winter months November-February for treks

the Inle lake area where early morning boat rides

be quite cold. Visitors should not wear shorts, s

skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting pago

and monasteries.

Shoes (and socks!) must be removed before ente

any religious building or private home. It is there

useful to wear shoes without too many laces and w

can easily be taken off. We provide small towe

clean your feet before putting back on your shoes.

Some roads in Myanmar are not in the best shape

most of the vehicles are also a bit older. For elderly


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HEALTH

HOURS OF BUSINESS

INSURANCE

INTERNET

LANGUAGE

MOBILE PHONES

No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever

if you are coming from an area where the disease is

present. However visitors should be inoculated against

typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio.

Malaria is present in Myanmar and it is advisable to

take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten

track. Please consult with your us ual doctor or a doctor

specialized in tropical countries before traveling.

Medical facilities are rather limited in Myanmar (Yan-

gon has the best facilities) and it is essential to take

out a good medical insurance policy before traveling.

Such an insurance should cover the cost of an evacua-

tion flight out of Myanmar (most of the time to Bang-

kok) which are sometimes necessary.

Medical facilities are rather limited in Myanmar (Yan-

gon has the best facilities) and it is essential to take

out a good medical insurance policy before traveling.

Such an insurance should absolutely cover the cost of

an evacuation flight out of Myanmar (most of the time

to Bangkok or Singapore) which is sometimes neces-

sary either on a regular flight or on a special flight. For

adventure tours, such as cycling, proof of purchase of

a travel insurance policy will be required.

Internet access is still in its development stages and

not reliable- the connections can be extremely slow at

times so patience is required! Internet is also regulated

in Myanmar and the access to some websites is filtered

or impossible. Many internet cafes, however, can offer

a different URL that will allow access to email providers

such as gmail and yahoo. It is best to have your mail

forwarded to Exotissimo (we will provide you with the

right contact person) or the hotel e-mail address.

Most of the hotels have now some internet terminals

and in cities like Yangon, Mandalay and Nyaung Shwe

(Inle Lake), you will also find some small internet cafs.

Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from

09:30 until 16:00. Most shops are open every day. An

exception is Bogyoke Market (Scott Market), which is

closed on Monday, on public holidays and full moon

days (like all markets in Myanmar). The museums in

Myanmar are open Wednesday - Sunday only and are

also closed on public holidays.

The national language of Myanmar is Burmese, of w

there are over 80 different dialects spoken. The wri

language uses an amazing looking script based on

cient Indian characters. In the cities many of the o

generation still speak very good English and it is a

becoming popular again with the younger generatio

Your mobile phone will NOT work in Myanmar as M

mar currently has no roaming agreement with

country. Prepaid cards in value of USD/FEC 50 (CD

450 MHZ) are available for purchase within the cou

The USD/FEC 50 card is maximum 90 days validity a

activated. These prepaid mobile phone cards are aim

at tourists visiting Myanmar who wish to keep in to

with friends and family.

A phone rental system is available from the Yan

International Airport. A deposit of 200 USD (cash

required and the daily fee is 2 USD for regular ph

or 4 USD for smartphone. Phone credit is anadditi

cost with cards available for 10,000 - 30,000 kyat (m

be paid in cash). These top up cardsare available

purchase throughout the country.


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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

RELIGION

SHOPPING

TIME DIFFERENCE

TIPPINGROAD TRAVEL

2011

October 12 Full moon Day of Thadingyut

November 10 Full moon Day of Tazaungmone

November 20 National Day

December 25 Christmas Day

2012

January 4 Independence Day

February 12 Union Day

March 2 Farmers Day (Peasants Day)

March 7 Full Moon Day of Tabaung

March 27 Armed Forces Day

April 12-16 Water Festival

April 17 Myanmar New Year Day

May 1 Labour day (May Day)

May 5 Full moon Day of Kasone

July 3 Full moon Day of Waso

July 19 Martyrs Day

October 30 Full moon Day of Thadingyut

November 28 Full moon Day of Tazaungmone

December 8 National Day

December 25 Christmas Day

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Myanmar and

over 85% of the population practice it. The monastery is

the traditional focal point of village life in Myanmar and

monks rely on villagers for donations of both money

and food. Every boy in Myanmar is expected to spend

sometime as a monk. The remainder of the population

are Christians, Muslims and animists.

There are many fantastic local products in Myan

that make excellent souvenirs and memories from y

trip. Traditional crafts include lacquerware, espec

in Bagan, woodcarvings, stone carvings, bronze w

rattan, silver jewellery, silk longyis and hand-wo

textiles.

Myanmar is 6h 30 min ahead of GMT in winter

5h 30min in summer: 1500H GMT = 2130H in Myan

(winter). Myanmar is 30 minutes behind Bangkok (T

land) time: 1500H in Bangkok = 1430H in Myanmar.

Tipping for good service is not expected but is alw

appreciated in a country where the average annua

come is only around 250 USD. It is customary, tho

not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at

end of a tour. Hotel and station porters can also

Road travel allows visitors to see more of the coun-

try and is a great way to get closer to the land and

its people. However some distances are quite long in

Myanmar, and they are even longer because road con-

ditions make (relatively) fast travelling difficult. Roads

are in poor conditions although efforts are being m

to upgrade most roads especially after the yearly r

season which ends in October. The relatively old

hicles used in Myanmar also make long distance tr

less comfortable than in neighbouring countries.


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some places.

NOTE: Myanmar is in the northern hemisphere so it is

also winter from November to February. You need to

bring some warm clothing for early mornings every-

where, and especially for higher areas like Shan State

(Kalaw, Inle Lake, Pindaya, Kengtung, Putao). The ho-

tels in those areas are NOT equipped with heating or

fireplaces so be prepared for some colder nights!

It is not advisable to drink tap water but bottled min-

eral water is safe and available everywhere. All hotels

provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water

per person in the room. Ice cubes in drinks is gener-

ally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it

is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.

Some minor stomach problems are always possible

when travelling in exotic countries. Bring a supply of

your usual anti-diarrhoea medicine.

WATER

myanmar travel guide by exotissimo travel

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