Pre-departure to Myanmar - INSIDETRAVEL.COM

MYANMAR Pre-departure

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Before you leave home Thank you very much for choosing INSIDE TRAVEL. To help you prepare your trip and make the most of your time when in Myanmar, we would like to give you this pre-departure document. It will provide you a comprehensive guide to Myanmar before starting the tour with us.

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS • Passport: Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Myanmar with at least two blank pages for Myanmar visa.

• Visa: With a valid tourist visa, you can enter Myanmar at any designated international Airports: Yangon (RGN), Mandalay (MDL) & Naypyidaw (NYT).

• Except for 08 Southeast Asia countries, you all need the visa (valid for 28 days of stay) for Myanmar before arrival. You could have your Myanmar visa offline or online.

You can obtain entry tourist visa by following the detailed guidance at: http://evisa.moip.gov.mm https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/noticetotourists.aspx

• Offline: You could get the visa at Myanmar Embassy or Consulate in your country. It normally takes you from 7 – 10 days.

• Online: You could get an online visa via Myanmar e-visa system to make the process of application simpler for visitors – particularly those from countries that do not have a Myanmar embassy.

WEATHER Most of Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate with three seasons

SUMMER

MONSOON

DRY & COLD

Period: mid Feb - mid May Average temp: 30-35 C

Period: mid May - mid Oct Average temp: 25-30 C

Period: mid Oct – mid Feb Average temp: 20-24 C

CLOTHING • Comfortable lightweight, loose-fitting, cotton clothing, open-toe sandals, walking shoes, a hat is recommended for comfortable traveling. During the rainy season, open-toe sandals are recommended. A hat and high-factor sun block are advisable for protection against the hot sun when sightseeing.

• T-shirts and knee-length shorts are acceptable for visiting temples or pagodas. The dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribe decent apparel, no footwear is allowed when visiting pagodas and monasteries. Shoes and even socks are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas.

• Evenings in the mountainous areas, high lands and on Inle Lake can be quite chilly so bring suitable warm clothing if visiting these areas. This applies especially for the winter months (November-February) for treks and the Inle lake area where early morning boat rides can be quite cold.

• As Myanmar is a country deeply respectful of our religious and cultural traditions, please choose appropriate clothes that could at least cover your shoulders and knees while traveling.

MONEY CURRENCY You can bring foreign cash (USD is the most common, followed by Euro & Singapore dollar) in pristine condition (brand-new notes) and change it into local currency: Myanmar Kyat at any authorized money changers in airports or big cities (Yangon, Mandalay).

EXCHANGE RATE 1 USD =1,345 MMK, 1 EUR =1,645 MMK, 1 SGD = 1000 MMK (approx.)

ATMS ATMs are becoming widely used in the country and you can usually find them almost everywhere in big cities. Myanmar is a developing country and due to technical problems of machines, please expect some ATMs may not working sometimes, especially on the weekends. It is better to bring extra cash of USD notes in small and big denominations in good and crisp condition.

CREDIT CARDS Accepted in big cities and big shops or restaurants (with service charges).

ELECTRICITY The electric current in Myanmar operates mostly on 220 volts. Two rounded pin or flat pin is the most common electric plugs

HEALTH – MEDICAL – INSURANCE HEALTH Please consult your doctor to discuss your particular health or immunization requirements. If you have any medical problem, allergy, dietary restriction, please let us know so we can inform our guide and relevant suppliers.

During the trip, please kindly contact the hotel or our guides when you are in need of medical attention. We will help you find nearest standard health center/clinics/hospitals for a check-up.

INSURANCE Travelers are highly recommended to purchase appropriate insurance packages as a cost-effective way for unexpected events like tour cancellation, accidents, property loss or medical evacuation.

ARRIVAL • After luggage and visa procedures, you will walk through the exit gate. Look for our tour guide holding a welcome sign with your names.

• If you are unable to find the INSIDE TRAVEL welcome signboard, please request the airport supporters to call us for immediate assistance on the local emergency number listed on your tour itinerary and at bottom of this document for assistance.

TRANSPORTATION TAXI A popular and convenient way of getting around. While there are various taxi brands available in Yangon, please make sure you use a reputable company such as Oway taxi. Besides, Grab ride-hailing app operates in Yangon.

MOTORBIKE A popular vehicle in Myanmar (except for Yangon city). It would be fun to join a tour to explore the street by when sitting at the back of the motorbike.

TRISHAWS One of the most readily available forms of short-distance transport in Myanmar which can easily be found on most street corners.

HORSE/OX-CART It is popular in smaller towns or some destinations like Bagan and Pyin Oo Lwin.

FLIGHT • It is recommended to fly with Air KBZ, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines & Myanmar National Airlines – the most reliable airlines based on cost, equipment, quality service and scheduling.

• The luggage allowance policy for a domestic route is 20kg checked baggage and 7kg carry-on. Excess baggage is charged at a specific rate depending on the route and airline.

• There are other smaller domestic airlines that fly similar routes: Yangon Airways, Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Golden Myanmar Airlines, etc.

TIPPING

TIPS Tipping is not compulsory but it is greatly appreciated throughout Southeast Asia, especially in the tourism industry as well as in a country where the average annual income is below-average. If you are pleased with the services provided by your tour guide, driver, hotel, and restaurants staffs or cruise staffs then a tip for their hard work will be very much appreciated. The suggested tip for the guide, driver, hotel or restaurant staffs is around USD 5 – USD10/guide/ day and USD 3 – USD 5/driver/ day, but it is all depending on your satisfaction of the services.

PACKING LIST Our packing list should be used as a packing guide for you. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion but please always keep in mind the baggage allowance of airlines (20 KG allowance when for a domestic flight with domestic airlines). It is recommended to check carefully the activities details (biking, trekking, walking, etc) and weather of your trip when deciding what to pack.

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST • Passport & Copies of passport • Travel Insurance • Flight tickets • Travel documents • Emergency contacts • Personal Medication &First aid kit- with international doctors’ note to ensure easy passage of medication across international borders • Personal hygiene

• Appropriate clothes • Comfortable shoes for walking/trekking • Visa • Mosquito spray & insect repellent • Sun cream, sunglasses and sun hat • Adaptor – 220V, 50Hz; 2 pin plugs (both flat and round pins) • Camera, battery, and charger • Cash in USD small notes

CONTACT US If you have any questions or encounter any problems please contact us immediately at our Yangon office so we can provide an immediate solution.

Hotline: (+84) 916 952 668 Email: experts@insidetravel.com Website: www.insidetravel.com Head Office: Suite 316, G3CD Bld, Vu Pham Ham Str, Hanoi, Vietnam HCM Office: Suite A703, Khang Gia Building, Go Vap Dist, HCM City Tel: (+84) 2462-698-528 or (+84) 243 99 88 668 | Fax: (+84) 462-691-690 Sub-office in Myanmar Hotline: (+95) 92043875 Address: No.26 A/ Ground Floor,Thirizayar Street, Zawana, Thingangyun Township Yangon, Myanmar