FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Q - When after reservation is made, what is next?
A - We will make reservation for domestic flight and accommodation in accordance with an itinerary & services to be provided and will confirm you within 1 to 3 working days. After confirmation, will send you an invoice and a 35% deposit is required for secure booking. The remaining balance will be due not later than 7 days before arrival date.

Q - How do I apply my entry visa to Myanmar?
A - You need to have a valid passport (validity 6 months minimum) and apply at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General offices in many countries- See embassies address in "Myanma  Embassies abroad''.

There are two kinds of tourist visas. Entry Visa tourist EVT (Package) & EVT (FIT-Foreign Independent Tourist).
EVT (Package) - valid three months from the date of Issue and require a tour confirmation letter from an authorized travel agent of Myanmar.
EVT (FIT) - valid one month from the date of Issue but require no tour confirmation letter. Both visas have same status and procedure on arrival at Yangon airport. Since Oct 1, 2003, all traveler do not need to change with FECs regardless of Package or FIT visa.

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING TOURIST VISA

1. Two completed application forms and one completed "Report of Arrival" form with a photo (approx 1.5" x 2") on each. Application forms can be requested from any Myanmar Embassies or down-loaded from Embassy web site.
2. An evidence of the trip - copy of air ticket/ itinerary/ letter from the travel agent (required for Package Traveller only).
3. Send your application along with prepaid Self -Addressed Envelope (FedEx/ USPS-Express Mail/ DHL/ UPS/ Airborne) (Payment arranged through Credit Cards are not accepted).
4. Passport of at least 6 months validity with available visa pages.
5. Payment of US$20 per applicant for visa fee, payable to the Embassy of Myanmar in official check, company check or money order only (personal checks are not accepted).
(VISA INFORMAT1ON)

The Entry Tourist Visa is valid for a stay of exactly 4 weeks (28days).
Visa is valid for THREE MONTHS from the date of issue, which cannot be renewed or refunded.

Q - How about "Visa on arrival or On arrival visa"?
A - Visa on arrival can be arranged for those who live in a country where there is no Myanmar Embassy and Consulate General office and for those who are on travelling. We provide On arrival visa application service for package tours.

Q - On-line visa application is available?
A - On-line visa application is closed for the time being. Will advise when it is open again.

Q - Which is the best place to buy Intl air ticket to Myanmar?
The best place to buy International air tickets is at point of start in your country. Neither agents of Yangon nor agents from other countries be able to offer you better price than local ticking agencies in your respective countries.

Q - Personalized services can be included?
A - Smaller group will have better opportunity for personalize services. Upon your request, we are happy to arrange the best available options.

Q - What is the minimum group size to operate my tour?
A - We operate from minimum one-person travel and above.

Q - What kinds of meal available during my trip?
A - Breakfast are always included when we buy a room. Most of International hotel provide buffet breakfast and small hotel serve continental such as tea or coffee, toast, butter, jam, juice, fruit and eggs.
There are Sino-Burmese restaurants, typical Burmese, Shan food at Inle lake area, European, Italian and Indian dishes available during your trip.

Q -Do I have to buy local currency for US$ 300 on arrival?
A - From 1 of October 2003, you do not need to buy FECs or any local currency on arrival regardless of visa type.

Q - How credit cards work out in Myanmar?
A - As a result of economy sanctions by the US Gov, all credit cards (including traveller's checks) - AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS, VISA, MASTER - will not be accepted to settle any monetary transactions from and to Myanmar. Please be advised that USD cash is accepted widely in all parts of country. We suggest that you to bring USD notes in small and big denominations.

Q - How about GSM or mobile phone connection in Myanmar?
A- Myanmar GSM or mobile phone service support network for local users only and no network traffic for global phone users. Therefore, if you bring your mobile phone into Myanmar, formally you will have to leave it at custom desk on arrival until your departure.

Q - Does oversea connection available during my trip?
A - You can have international connection by phone, fax, email and internet from Myanmar. Internet is accessible in Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay. Normally, we provide contact phone numbers of your hotels and our Yangon office have 24 hours stand by for any incoming massage for our clients during their travel.

Q - How can I use Internet in Myanmar?
A - Internet access is available in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake areas.

Q - Is emergency medical service available?
A - Yes it is. International SOS has had operations in Myanmar since 1987 and opened its first Clinic and Alarm Center in Yangon in August 1995. We provide full out patient and emergency services for members and visitors in Myanmar, backed by a professional team of expatriate and national medical specialists.

  Email - intl.sos@mptmail.net.mm
             http://www.internationalsos.com/countries/Myanmar/

Q - How is reward policy for service personal?
A - For rewards, we leave it to our guest's to decide what's fair. We do not demand our client's give tips, but it is a nice gesture considering our guide and driver will be doing their best for everyone a good holiday. Normally US$ 3 per day for driver and US$ 6 per day for guide but it's entirely up to you.

Q - What is the status of Malaria problem?
A - Malaria was wiped out in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle lake areas since several decades ago.
The areas in Far East regions near China and Thailand border, north and western mountain range are considered as Malaria area.

Q - How many entries into Myanmar?
A - There are several entries into Myanmar. Flight entry to Yangon city from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Dhaka, Calcutta, Taipei and Land route entries from Thailand and China. There is 3 flights in a week  from Chaing Mai (Thailand) to Mandalay (second capital of Myanmar). Border entry need to get permission if you will fly out from Yangon or go out from other border entry. If you will enter and return for same entry that is not necessary to get permission but can visit limited area only from China and Thailand up to Kyaingtong.

Q - What are useful items of gifts & presents for local people?
A - It would be better to offer things like writing books, pens, pencils for their children and some simple t-shirts for all ages in remote areas.

Q - Why should I have to take off my shoes and socks in religious compounds?
A - It is just a tradition of present local people and all local people take off their foot wearing in religious compound.
Just to be a sense of clean and purification for those dwell in that place and not because of Buddha teaching.
It is strong tradition in Buddhist pagodas and temples, but some Buddhist monasteries allow wearing shoes in monastic compound and some do not.

Q - Do I need to bring drinking water from Home?
A - It is not necessary. There are plenty of good standard water bottles are available everywhere.

Q - What kinds of clothes and gears should I take to Myanmar?
A - Depend on time of year and location to be visited that you need different clothes. See at " travel trip " What to wear.

Q - Nightlife exists in Myanmar yet?
A - Most of stalls and shops closed at 9 PM and restaurants closed at 10 PM in Yangon and Mandalay. Therefore, you cannot expect nightlife in Myanmar.

Q - Can I buy modern films and batteries in Myanmar?
A - There are latest model of films, batteries, cameras and other electrical gears are available in Yangon and Mandalay.

Q - Is there any prejudice in foreigners?
A - Foreign tourists are most welcome in Myanmar, it is noted by 100% of our former clients.

Q - How about land route travel in Myanmar?
A - Land route travel is one of the high-lights for the one who want to get true feel of the country in way of life, great opportunity for photography and painting in quick drawing . Road are not very good, so it is simple way to concentrate on sceneries.

Q - How is religious toleration and can I do religious services in Myanmar?
A - There are many Christian churches, Hindu temples and Islamic mosques around Myanmar.
There is one Jewish Synagogue and Sikh temple in Yangon. See address of religious services at " travel tip ".

Q-Save to walk at night in Cities
A - It will be really save to walk at night in Yangon, Mandalay and Inle Lake areas because only few case in a year. Bagan should be careful of snakes on sandy path.

Q - Can I stay at village monastery or private house overnight?
A -Formally No but we can arrange with prior permission from Ministry of hotel and tourism in accord with itinerary, route and areas to be visited.

Q - What is the best time to visit Myanmar?
A -June to September is raining season Myanmar. Raining in Yangon about 5 days, Mandalay 2 days and Inle lake 3 days in a week. October to May has no rain and lot of sunshine. So you better to choose the best time if you have a special interest visit. As a normal tourist raining does not bother daily sightseeing for entire trip.