Arrival and Departure Formalities:
Completed immigration and customs declaration forms must
be submitted on arrival in Yangon & Mandalay international
airport. All foreign currency (in excess of US$ 2,000),
traveler cheques, jewelry, cameras, and other electronic
apparatus must be recorded on the customs form and it may be
checked again on international departure. Any Myanmar
currency is not allowed to be imported or exported.
Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one liter of
wine or sprits. Export of antiques, Buddha images and gems
without an official permit or official dealer's receipt is
strictly prohibited. All baggage may be X-rayed and
inspected before international departure. Suggest that not
to bring mobile phones into Myanmar in order to avoid
confiscation, as they are not connectable to international
networks. If your travel (at least, an airport arrival
transfer) has been pre-arranged with us, Temples of
Dynasty Travels and Tours’ representative or guide will
meet travelers on arrival after airport immigration and
customs control points have been passed. So that names of
guests or their group can be easily recognized on our
representative’s welcome sign board.
Climate
Tropical rain, generally hot and humid, in cooler in hill
regions.
Cool period: October – February (temperature 15 – 24' C)
Hot period: march – may (temperature 25 – 35' C)
Rainy period: June – September (temperature 20 – 30' C)
Culture in General
Myanmar has its own characteristics in culture.
Buddhism gives the way of life to Myanmar people who
preserve the traditions of close family ties, respect for
elders. Myanmar people are well reputed for their
generosity, simple hospitality and friendliness. Bagan and
Mandalay are the seats of Myanmar culture.
Currency and Exchange:
Myanmar currency is Kyat (pronounced " Chat"). US Dollar
is widely accepted in major tour destinations including
hotels and shops. Euro can also be used; however exchange
rate is some inferior to international market. Like US$,
there is another currency frequently seen in tourism domain,
is FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate) published and approved
by Myanmar Central bank for the convenience of international
travelers. US$ & FEC can be changed into Kyat at market rate
in the authorized moneychangers in Yangon. Small
denominations of US Dollar and good condition of notes are
highly recommended to bring along in cash.
Currently no use of credit card and
traveler cheques in Myanmar.
No more necessary to change US$
200 or US$ 300 to FEC upon your arrival since 2003.
Departure Tax:
Airport tax for international departure is US$ 10 payable
in US currency or FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate). No
airport tax for domestic flights. Subject to change without
prior notice.
Domestic Flights
Major tourist attraction sites such as Bagan, Mandalay,
Inle (Heho), Ngapali beach, Sittwe (for ancient Mrauk-Oo)
and Kyaing Tong at Golden Triangle can be visited from
Yangon, international gateway, by schedule flights in all
season.
Private companies such as Air Mandalay (6T), Yangon
Airways (HK), and Air Bagan (W9) are mostly used air
carriers for domestic flights. The aircrafts are generally
turboprop ATR 72 and ATR42. Baggage allowance on domestic
flights is limited to 20 kg. All they are always non-smoking
flights. Although domestic air services have improved
greatly over recent years, domestic airlines often change
their flight schedules at the very last minute. In such
circumstances, travel agents are obliged to make adjustments
on sightseeing program around these changes. We do keep you
updated of flight changes prior to arrival to Myanmar.
(1) Air Bagan (* W9 flights)
56, Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-513411, 00-95-1-513422, 00-95-1-513322
Fax: 00-95-1-515102
Email:
info@airbagan.com.mm
Website: www.airbagan.com
(2) Air Mandalay (* 6T flights)
146, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-525488, 00-95-1-501520
Fax: 00-95-1-525937
Email:
info@airmandalay.com
Website:
www.airmandalay.com
(3) Yangon Airways (* YA flights)
166, Level (5), Upper Pansodan Street, MMB Tower, Mingalar
Taung nyunt, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-383101/06
Fax: 00-95-1-383109
Email:
ygnhq@yangonair.com
Website:
www.yangonair.com
Electricity
The voltage throughout the country is 220-230 V/50 Hz. Most
of the international hotels have their own generators. Other
places may experience power cuts and voltage fluctuation
which can damage equipment like computers. Please travel
with the required protection for your electrical items.
Food
Typical Myanmar food mainly consists of plain rice and curry
of meats, which are generally in rich gravy composed of
tomato, onion, chili, garlic, sometimes ginger, and fish
paste. The sauté vegetables and salads are mostly
accompanied; even bowls of soup are also made of assorted
vegetables. The dried fishes are useful for many different
recipes. The taste normally is perfumed, relatively spicy
and salted. As particular condiments, boiled and fresh
vegetables are disposable with condensed fish source during
the meal time. The most nationally popular dish is Mohingha
which is on the basic of fish soup and small rice noodle.
This can be easily found in every street corner.
General Advice
- Never drink tap water. Purified bottled water is
available everywhere.
- Use an insect repellant against mosquitoes. A hat
and high-factor block cream is advisable as protection
against the hot sun when sightseeing.
- Casual light clothing for year-round, but a sweater
or jacket is useful in altitude, particularly for the
evenings of cooler period. An umbrella or raincoat is
essential if visiting during the monsoon.
- Flashlight for exploring caves or interiors of
temples.
- A spare pair of glasses, if worn, is advisable.
- Take plenty of film and extra digital memory card,
as they are sometimes not available locally. Photography
in airports, railway stations, administrative buildings
such as bank, and near any military installation is
forbidden. Discretion is necessary when photographing
people, for close-up shots, always ask first.
- During the stay in Myanmar, decent dress is
requested, especially within the precincts of religious
buildings.
- Ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T shirts
in such places. Shoes and socks or stockings must always
be removed before entering into pagodas and monasteries.
Shoulders and knees should be covered. Disregard of
these customs causes serious cultural and religious
offence to Buddhist Myanmar people.
- Begging is not widespread in Myanmar and visitors
are requested not to encourage development of this
practice by giving money to children. Contributions can
be arranged through recognized local charity
organizations.
Health Requirements
No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to
Myanmar. However, we recommend you take adequate
preventative measures to minimize your risk of exposure to
the health risks such as malaria, dengue fever, diphtheria,
tetanus, and HIV/ AIDS. Therefore we recommend you consult
with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical center
for up to date health information on vaccinations and
medicine for your journey to Myanmar, at least one month
prior to departure.
Hotels
Accommodation standards in Myanmar, under proper way of star
rating, still vary in quality and availability (during
November - February). In main destinations such as Yangon,
Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, and Ngapali, there are new and
international standards hotels are available; however hotels
in remote locations can be very decent and simple.
Therefore, we reserve the right to substitute hotel for the
best available alternative standard when a first-choice is
unavailable.
Insurance:
You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of
traveling with us in Myanmar. It should include total
coverage, in case, for medical expenses, accidents, full
provision for evacuation, for repatriation expenses, baggage
loss, and cancellation or curtailment of holiday.
International Flights
Direct flights to Yangon are available from Bangkok,
Calcutta, Chiang Mai, Dhaka, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Kumming,
Singapore, and Taipei. Airlines currently serving Yangon
are: Air Mandalay, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Air China,
Indian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Mandarin Airlines,
Myanmar Airways International, Qatar Airways, Silk Air and
Thai Airways International, Yunnan Airlines is flying to
Mandalay.
(1) Air Bagan (* W9 flights)
56, Shwe Taung Gyar Street, Bahan, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-513411, 00-95-1-513422, 00-95-1-513322
Fax: 00-95-1-515102
Email: info@airbagan.com.mm
Website: www.airbagan.com
(2) Air Mandalay (* 6T flights)
146, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-525488, 00-95-1-501520
Fax: 00-95-1-525937
Email: info@airmandalay.com
Website: www.airmandalay.com
(3) Bangkok Airways (* PG flights)
0305, 3rd Fl, Sakura Tower, 339, Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Kyauktada, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-255122, 00-95-1-255265
Fax: 00-95-1-255119
Email: rgnrrpg@bangkokair.com.mm
Website: www.bangkokair.com
(4) Biman Bangladesh Airlines (* BG flights)
106/108, Pansodan Street, Kyauktada, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-242997, 00-95-1-240922
Email: bimanrgn@mptmail.net.mm
(5) Indian Airlines (* IC flights)
127, Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-253598, 00-95-1-254758
Fax: 00-95-1-248175
Email: ial-myanmar@mptmail.net.mm
(6) Malaysia Airlines (* MH flights)
335/357, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Pabedan, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-241007 (ext:120), 00-95-1-387648
Fax: 00-95-1-241124
(7) Mandarin Airlines (* AE flights)
353/355, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada, Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-245484, 00-95-1-240399
Fax: 00-95-1-246330
Email: MDTTLAY@seinchit.net.mm
(8) Myanmar Airways International (* 8M flights)
339, Bogyoke Aung San Street, Sakura Tower, Kyauktada,
Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-255260
Fax: 00-95-1-255305
Email: management@maiair.com.mm
Website: www.maiair.com
(9) Qatar Airways (* QR flights)
339, Bogyoke Aung San Street, Sakura Tower, Kyauktada,
Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-255030
Fax: 00-95-1-255033
Email: qrrgnsales@mm.qatarairways.com
Website: www.qatarairways.com
(10) Silk Air (* MI flights)
339, Bogyoke Aung San Street, Sakura Tower, Kyauktada,
Yangon.
Tel: 00-95-1-255287
Fax: 00-95-1-255290
(11) Thai Airways International (* TG flights)
Tel: 00-95-1-255499
Fax: 00-95-1-255490
Email: sales@thaiairways.com.mm
Website: www.thaiairways.com
Internet Homepage
www.templesofdynasty.com
www.myanamrtourdestinations.com
Language
The official language is Myanmar. However there are many
different ethnic groups with their own dialects (sometimes
only spoken dialects) in the country. English is widely
understood.
Local Markets
During your tour through Myanmar, you will find many markets
of various interests (weekly markets, night markets, fish
and vegetable markets, the 5 day rotating market around Lake
Inle etc. etc.) Your guide will assure that you will be able
to visit as many as possible. Do mention your special
interest to your guide.
Local Time
6:30 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Local Tour-guide
Our guides are mostly bi-lingual such as English/French,
English/German etc. They are officially licensed from
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Common enthusiasm is that
they are much interested on the country; they love to share
with guests about it. For your visit and stay at areas of
minority inhabitants, we do always best to hire area’s local
ethnic person as your guide for the reason of local
knowledge background unless language efficiency is very
poor. Our guides are always flexible about sightseeing, they
can advise you for ultimate discovery of place’s events,
festivals, and especially of local people.
Shopping
Lacquer wares, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-woven,
silk and cotton, gems, "Kalaga" embroidered tapestries,
traditional puppets and tribal handicrafts are well known
for souvenirs in Myanmar. All gems and jewelry purchases
should be made through a government-registered dealer, who
must issue an official receipt, which is required for export
of such items. Bargaining is essential for all souvenir
items.
Telecommunication
Myanmar postal service is quite mediocre. Most hotels have
IDD (international direct dialing) lines, but calls are
expensive with average costs of a call to Australia, Europe
and USA approximately US$ 9 per minute. Public phones that
use pre-paid phone cards or callback systems are not
available in Myanmar. Limited internet access is available
at many hotels and cafes only.
Please note that mobile phones brought into the country are
not connectable to international networks such as GSM.
It is allowed to carry laptops to Myanmar. Internet
connection on the laptop however is not possible and one has
to use the hotel's business centre or an outside cyber
cafe'.
Transportation
Temples of Dynasty Travels and Tours Company Limited
provides air-conditioned coaches, mini-vans, and cars for
all journeys in Myanmar, except in some remote areas,
inevitably, where air-conditioned vehicles may not always be
available. Due to mediocre condition of roads in Myanmar,
long distance overland journey generally takes longer than
the expectation, averaging only 45 kilometers per hour;
therefore mode of transports should be balanced for your
comfort. We will take good care in order to do the best. |
