            
|
Frequently Asked Questions concerning...
BOOKING
A TOUR
PAYMENT
ABOUT THE TOUR
AIRPORT TAX
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CANCELLATION/RE-BOOKING
VISAS
GETTING THERE
HEALTH
MONEY/ CURRENCY/CREDIT
CARDS
SAFETY
THE WEATHER AND OTHER FAQS...
Q
- How do I book a trip?
A - Click the button: book the tour.
Fill in the COMPLETE form. After completion, press the send button.
You will get an automated answer stating that booking is being
processed.
Q - How do I know if you received my booking and my payment?
A - You will get an automated answer
that we received your booking.
Q
- Do I need the vouchers I have received?
A - Upon arrival in Yangon
you give the voucher to our local English speaking tour guide.
Q - How long does it take till I get a booking
confirmation?
A - On the same day of your booking we
receive the approval of your credit card. Within 3 working days (after
credit card approval) you will receive the travel voucher.
Q - Which is the best time for booking ?
A - 45-30 days prior to your trip.
Within this term you will be able to process your visa timely and
domestic transportation will be available for booking. But if you
are traveling in high season it is better to take care of
accommodation earlier than this term – for high season 2 months at
least are recommendable in order to get all hotels and domestic
flights confirmed.
Q - Can we book an extra bed in the hotel room?
A - Not at the moment.
Q - Do you have child policy?
A - Yes, we do.
Q
- How much do you charge for child fare?
A
- Between age 2 to 12, we charge 75% of adult fare (dbl bed sharing
with 2 adults). No
charges for infants (up to age 2). And 40% of adult fare if the
infant needs a separate seat for domestic air transport.
Q
- How do I know that you are a licensed travel agent in Myanmar?
A - Our License number is Kha-0853
(pls click
here to see our license).
Q
- Are there several payment options?
A - Yes, there are.
a)
By credit card (most of our US clients prefer this payment method):
Normally we charge you 50% of the total amount of invoice with
credit card and 50% you may pay cash on arrival - in order to save
you the credit card handling fees. If you wish, of course, you can
pay 100% of the total amount with your credit card. In this case,
you automatically pay more to cover the credit card handling fees.
b) By bank transfer in Euro (internet banking).
Q
- What is a ready made tour?
A - Ready made tours are the tour
packages (from 5 days to 14 days) we offer in this web site.
Q - What is a tailor made tour?
A - Tailor made tours are designed
according to your requirements.
Q - What do you mean by customized service?
A - Customized service includes email
correspondence with our travel team of Myanmar Travel Ltd who take
personal care of you.
Q - Can I also book a tailor made trip (with customized service)?
A - You can book a tailor made trip with
www.myanmartravel.net where you will have very personalized
service.
Q - What kind of meals are available during my trip?
A - Our prices are based on bed
and breakfast. Many hotels provide buffet breakfast (including eggs)and
budget hotels serve continental breakfast, such as tea
or coffee, toast, butter, jam, juice or fruits and sometimes with
eggs.
PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes guesthouses and budget hotels prepare
the breakfast 2 hours BEFORE you get it! The night before make sure
to tell the staff Not to do your breakfast unless you sit at your
breakfast table!!
There are also Sino-Burmese restaurants, typical Burmese, Shan food
in the Inle Lake area, European, Italian and Indian dishes available
during your trip. Just ask your guide!
Q- Can I extend the days for my stay in Myanmar?
A
- Yes you can. Please visit our day
extension link!
Q- How many ‘days extension’ can I add?
A
- As many as you wish! (Your visa is valid for 28 days)
Q - Do I get picked up at the airport upon arrival?
A - Yes! All our tours are guided tours!
Q - How do I recognize the tour guide?
A - Our tour guide has a signboard with
our happy travel logo novice showing your name.
Q - What is a guide 'throughout' and a 'station' guide?
A - A guide throughout accompanies you
throughout the tour. A station guide is located in each city. We do
not have as many good station guides as we have 'throughout'.
Q - How long can I use the car with
driver per day?
A- 12 hours. Normally not before 7 am and not after 9 pm per
day. Depends on air schedules.
Q - How many hours can our guide accompany us per day?
A- Between 10 and 12 hours. Normally not before 7 am and not
after 9 pm per day. Depends on air schedules.
Q - The famous question - tipping???
A
- We leave it to our guests to decide what's fair. Normally US$ 3
per day for a driver and US$ 6 per day for guide or US$ 2 per person
per day to the guide - it totally depends on your satisfaction with
the guide's service!
Q - Is there any airport departure tax in Myanmar?
A
- Yes, an international departure tax is payable by all travellers
leaving Myanmar. It is not included in the price of your flight
ticket. It is currently USD 10 per person (for adults and children
older than 2 yrs - infants are exempt) payable in US Dollars and
must be purchased at the airport before departure, so keep some
cash on hand.
For domestic flights taxes are already included in the price of
your ticket.
Q - What is YGN, MDL, BGN?
A - Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan
Q - Can we order an extra bed in the hotel room?
A - Not at the moment.
Q - Do you have child policy?
A - Yes, we do.
Q - Can everybody get a designed tour for 11 clients and
up?
A - Only companies with their own web
sites can ask for these tours.
Q
- Is there any airport departure tax in Myanmar?
A - Yes, an international departure tax
is payable by all travellers leaving Myanmar. It is not included in
the price of your flight ticket. It is currently USD 10 per person (for
adults and children older than 2 yrs – infants are exempt) payable
in US Dollars and must be purchased at the airport before departure,
so keep some cash on hand.
For domestic flights taxes are already included in the price of your
ticket.
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 - Are
overseas communication 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 as well as Shan State. Yahoo and Hotmail are not available.
Normally, we provide contact phone numbers for your hotels and our
Yangon office has 24 hour stand-by for any incoming messages for our
clients during their travel.
Q - How can I use the Internet in Myanmar?
A - Internet access is available
in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake area.
Q - How can I get in touch with my family, workplace and
friends?
A
- Telephone: Mobile phones will NOT work in Myanmar, as there are no
international mobile communication agreements. If you have to bring
it, it is best is to keep it in your hand luggage or in the hotel
safe during your trip. Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and
it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices. Be warned
these services are expensive and you might be charged even if no
communication has been established or receiver did not pick up the
phone. Please check clearly beforehand with the hotel or post office
about the charges and the conditions. In remote areas, away from the
major cities it may not always be possible to make international
calls.
Internet: Major hotels throughout Myanmar have a Business Centre
with PCs connected to the Internet. Check with the reception for
fares and connection facilities. Please note that the connections
tend to be slow. Cyber cafes are becoming popular and are easily
found in major towns and cities. Fares are reasonable, usually below
US$1 per hour. Please note that free web mails like Yahoo or
Hotmail are normally not accessible. Therefore should you need to
receive urgent emails find out the hotel e-mail addresses in advance
our consultants will assist you with this.
Mail: Postcards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and
stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception
desks (but not common). As a guideline, a postcard stamped to Europe
costs approx. KTS 4,000 and takes 10 days to two weeks to reach the
country of destination.
CANCELLATION/RE-BOOKING
Q
- What is your Cancellation Policy?
A - Cancellation fees occur if cancellation is given after the
booking is confirmed.
CANCELLATION
FEES
39
to 31 days before arrival: 15% of a.m. price
30 to 22 days before arrival: 25% of a.m. price
21 to 14 days before arrival: 35% of a.m. price
13 to 7 days before arrival: 45% of a.m. price
6 days to 1 day before arrival: 80% of a.m. price
No
show: 100%
Q - Can I re-book
a tour ?
A - Re-booking is not possible with www.cheapmyanmartours.com.
Q - Can I change the tour dates?
A - Yes, you can change the tour date
until 39 days before arrival. A change of tour date within 39 days
will be treated as a cancellation and cancellation fees will apply
accordingly.
Q - How can I cover my expenses in case of cancellation?
A - Please apply for travel insurance in
your country. The insurance company needs your booking confirmation
from www.cheapmyanmartours.com
(Myanmar Travel Ltd.).
Q
- How can I get a visa?
A - We can forward your visa wish to
Myanmar Travel Ltd. and they will contact you.
Q - Do I need to get a tourist visa for Myanmar?
A
- All visitors to Myanmar require a visa to enter the country.
Q - How long is a tourist visa to Myanmar valid?
A - A tourist visa is valid for 28-days for a
single entry and can be extended once (in Yangon only) for an
additional 14 days. Overstaying visitors have to pay a fine of USD3/day.
Q - We
are planning to stay up to 30 days in Myanmar. Is it possible to
stay for 30 days without renewal of visa? Would there be a fine or
any serious charges due to overstay?
A
- The maximum stay on a single entry tourist visa is 28 days. For a
longer stay you need to
renew your tourist visa outside of the country. Alternatively, you
can pay a daily fine of US$ 3.00 at the Immigration counter of the
airport upon departure for each day that you stayed over.
Q - How do I apply for a Myanmar visa?
There are 4 ways to obtain a visa:
1. Individual visa
This visa is issued by a Myanmar Embassy or Consulate click here for
a complete list of Myanmar representations abroad). You don’t need
an invitation letter and it usually takes 3-5 working days to be
issued. It is not anymore required anymore to change 200USD on
arrival into FECs for the holder of an individual visa.
2. Package Tour visa
This visa is issued by a Myanmar Embassy or Consulate and is given
if Exotissimo Travel has sent a letter of invitation. Usually
it takes 3-5 days to issue the visa. With the confirmation of your
booking Exotissimo Travel will send the letter to the Embassy. We
need the full names, passport numbers, nationality and the country
where you will be applying in. A copy of the letter will be send to
you by fax or e-mail.
3. Visa on arrival
If the country you are living in doesn’t have a Myanmar Embassy,
you can either send your application to the closest country with a
Myanmar Embassy or ask Myanmar Travel to arrange a visa upon arrival.
Update valid from 1st October 2005
Myanmar Travel can arrange for a visa to be delivered on arrival in
Myanmar for clients residing in countries where there is no embassy
or consulate of Myanmar.
For pre-arranged visas on arrival (VOA), please provide:
·Full
Name as in passport
·Name
of father
·Passport
Number
·Date
of Birth
·Place
of birth
·Passport
Issuance & Expiration date
(passport must be valid 6 months after arrival!)
·Nationality
·Race
·Religion
·Sex
·Occupation
·Home
address
·Reason
for visiting Myanmar
·Flights
in/out
With this information we will apply
for a visa on arrival. This process takes normally 10 working days.
After getting the approval letter from the authorities, Myanmar Travel
will send you a copy of this authorization letter to be presented at
the check-in counter of the airline.
Clients are requested to bring with them the copy of the
authorization letter, 2 passport size pictures and the amount of 20
USD in cash for payment of their visa fee on arrival. This amount
can be included in the package payment on request.
Myanmar Travel's service fee to arrange a Visa On Arrival: USD 10/passport
(billed in package price). Please bring a supply of passport size
pictures for any eventuality when travelling in the region (min. 6
photos).
For more information and questions please contact us.
4. E-Visa
A new way to obtain your Myanmar Visa is via the internet. Log in to
www.visa.gov.mm, and follow the instructions on the site. Completing
the Visa application form is quite easy and the applicant is only
requested to give name, address, passport number and other basic
details. The approved applications are returned via E-mail.
Travellers will have to show a print-out of the approved application
form at the airline check-in counter before flying to Myanmar and at
the Immigration counter upon their arrival in Myanmar. The fees are
detailed on the page and applicants can pay the charges directly to
the Immigration officers upon arrival. Should you encounter problems
with this online method please revert to one of the other options.
GETTING
THERE
Q - Can I
arrange my International air ticket with you?
A - We do not recommend it. International air is best purchase at
the point of starts. No agents in Yangon or in other country can
offer you the best price. We suggest you to consult with your local
travel agent or in the internet to get the cheapest airfare
Q - How can I get to Myanmar by air?
There
are still few direct flights from Europe or other countries to
Myanmar. The best and most frequent connections are from Bangkok (Thailand)
with up to 5 flights per day. Qatar Airways flies to Yangon direct
from Doha. Exotissimo Travel will generally not be able to offer you
attractive intercontinental fares and you will be much better off
consulting your local travel agent for routings, fares and
availability on flights to Myanmar or by making an internet search.
However we are able to offer attractive regional flight arrangements
once you are already in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and
Myanmar.
Major airlines flying to Yangon are:
·Bangkok
Airways (PG)
·Thai
Airways (TG)
·Myanmar Airways International (8M)
·Silk
Air (MI)
·Qatar Airways (QR)
There is also a
twice-weekly flight from Chiang Mai to Mandalay/Yangon on Air
Mandalay (6T)
Q - What are the land border-crossing
points to Myanmar?
Myanmar has land borders with Thailand, India, China, Laos and
Bangladesh but only two are open to foreigners: Tachileik to/from
Thailand and Muse from/to China and you need to have your visa in
advance as none are issued on arrival. Any other border crossing
would require extensive paperwork and special permits and will most
probably be refused unless you have a very special reason.
Note that you can get a day-pass on the spot at the Tachileik border
(from Thailand) but it does not allow you to go further into Myanmar
than Tachileik.
Air Asia is the cheapest for BKK-RGN-BKK flieght. www.airasia.com
If you book weeks in advance it sometimes costs only US$ 80.- per person. 1.10 hour flight. 15 kg free seating. Seats very comfortable, black leather!
Q
- What about the medical precaution?
A - It
is better to bring your own required medicine that you use daily
basis. We have AEA and SOS International standard medical service
provider which is dependable. There are several foreign trained
local medical doctors and 24 hour Clinic around big cities like Yangon
and Mandalay
however treatment can be rather limited in other remote region.
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. They provide full out patient and emergency services
for SOS members and visitors in Myanmar, backed by a professional
team of expatriate and national medical specialists.
|
Myanmar
International SOS Limited |
|
|
The
New World Inya Lake Hotel |
|
|
37
Kaba Aye Pagoda Road |
|
|
Yangon,
Union of Myanmar |
|
|
Clinic
Tel |
(95)
(1) 667 879 |
|
Clinic
Fax |
(95)
(1) 667 866 |
|
Alarm
Tel |
(95)
(1) 667 877 |
|
Alarm
Fax |
(95)
(1) 667 866 |
Email
- intl.sos@mptmail.net.mm
http://www.internationalsos.com/countries/Myanmar
Q - What is the status of Malaria?
A
- Malaria was wiped out in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle lake
areas since several decades ago.
The areas in far eastern regions near the China and Thailand border,
north and western mountain ranges are considered as Malaria areas.
We do recommend the mosquito repellent JAICO ( Belgium product)
which looks like a deodorant roller.
Q
-
Do I need to have any vaccinations to enter Myanmar?
No
vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming
from an area where the disease is present. However, as a precaution,
you 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 travelling off the
beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in Myanmar (the
best are found in Yangon) and it is essential to take out a good
medical insurance policy covering medical evacuation flights before
travelling. You must consult your doctor for up-to-date information
and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and
any reasonably foreseeable illnesses before travelling to Myanmar.
Some vaccinations courses may need time to be completed. We
recommend that you carry with you any personal medical requirements
(including a spare pair of glasses).
Q
- How do credit cards work out in Myanmar?
A
- As a result of economic sanctions by the EU and US Gov all credit
cards (including traveler checks) - AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS, VISA,
MASTER - will not be accepted to settle any monetary transactions
from and to Myanmar. Please be advised that US$ cash is accepted
widely in all parts of country. We suggest that you bring USD notes
in small and big denominations. US$ 100 bills with CB numbers are
not welcome in Myanmar.
Q -
What
is the local currency in Myanmar?
The currency in Myanmar is the Myanmar Kyat (pronounced tcheeat). The kyat
is used only in Myanmar and is not convertible if taken out of the
country, so change only as much as you need and use it up before you
leave. US Dollars (and increasingly but to a lesser degree Euros)
are accepted as payment in hotels, some restaurants and some shops.
Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning
but will change at an official rate only and are basically useless
for travellers.
The best places to change are at money changers and your guide will
advise and help you with it. It is important to bear in mind the
following special points in Myanmar:
·Do
NOT change at the exchange booth at the airport just after passport
control. Whatever is said, there is no compulsory exchange rule
anymore.
·Avoid
100 USD notes with series numbers starting with CB. They are not
accepted in Myanmar due to persisting counterfeit rumours.
·Bring
US Dollar notes of the new type, where the presidents have “big
heads” as opposed to the old “small” heads.
·You
get a slightly better exchange rate for $100 and $50 notes than for
smaller denominations
Myanmar Kyats come in the following forms:
Bank notes: 10; 20; 50; 100; 200; 500; 1,000.
Coins: None
Current exchange rate as per June 2006: USD 1 = 1,200 Kyats
Q - Is it better to use Myanmar Kyat
or
US Dollars?
For everyday expenses, we recommend carrying a mix of US Dollars and
Kyats in cash. For larger items or when the exchange rate works
in your favour, use US Dollars. For trishaws, local food stalls and
small purchases, it’s best to use kyats. As the biggest kyat note
is roughly equivalent to 1 USD any bigger amount changed will have
you carrying a big stack of note. In either case, make sure you
always have a stock of small notes so that you don’t have to worry
about change.
Q - Are Travellers’ Cheques accepted in Myanmar?
Traveller cheques are currently not accepted in Myanmar.
Q - Where can I withdraw cash?
There are no ATMs or cash machines in Myanmar and you can currently
not withdraw any money once in Myanmar. However Exotissimo Travel
will help you out should you be in need or encounter an emergency.
SAFETY
Q - How safe is Myanmar?
A - Myanmar is a very safe country to visit.
Nevertheless, never leave your belongings unattended and always
maintain eye contact or a firm grip on cameras and shoulder bags.
Ask your guide for advice on the do’s and don’ts on a case by
case basis.
Q
- Is it safe to walk at night in the cities?
A
- It is VERY safe to walk at night in Yangon, Mandalay and Inle.
However in Bagan be careful of snakes on the sandy paths!
Q
- What is the weather like in Myanmar?
A - Myanmar has three seasons similar to
much of Southeast Asia. The Southwest monsoon starts at the end of
May and lasts until the end of September. It frequently rains (pours),
mostly in the afternoon and evening especially in Yangon and at the
coast. Bagan and Mandalay remain ‘dryer’. Advantage of the rainy
season: less numbers of travelers, the country is GREEN and after
every rain it cools down. And well, IT DOES NOT RAIN THE WHOLE DAY
LONG!
October
follows with dry weather and the temperatures are generally lower
and pleasant at this time of the year. In March the temperatures
start to climb again leading up to the next rainy season at the end
of May. Temperatures between March and May can be very hot - over 35°
C in some places.
A - It would be better in remote areas to offer things like writing books, pens, pencils for school children and some simple t-shirts for all ages.
Q - Why should I have to take off my shoes and socks in religious compounds?
A - It is a tradition and all local people take off their foot wear in religious compounds.It is a sense of respect for cleaness and purification for those dwelling the shrines and not because of Buddha teachings.
This is a strong tradition in Buddhist pagodas and temples; however, some Buddhist monasteries allow wearing shoes in the 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 which are available everywhere.
Q - Does nightlife exist in Myanmar yet?
A - Most stalls and shops close at 9 PM and restaurants closed at 10 PM in Yangon and Mandalay (except in the hotels and the l'Opera and Le Planteur in Yangon). But there is a disco at the Sedona Hotel, Park Royal Hotel and Kandawgyi Hotel in Yangon.
Q - Can I buy modern films and batteries in Myanmar?
A - The latest models of films, batteries, cameras and other electrical gears are available in Yangon and Mandalay.
A - Myanmar is much stricter when it comes to visiting pagodas/temples. It is an absolute MUST to put off not only shoes but also socks. No way you can keep them on.
Q - What is the time difference in Myanmar?
A - Myanmar is GMT + 6h30 and does not operate daylight-saving system.
Q - Can I rent a car and drive myself?
A - Burmese laws do not allow foreigners to rent and drive a car by themselves and you would also find it very difficult to get around without speaking the language. It is highly advisable to rent a car with a driver.
Q - How are the roads and the cars in Myanmar?
A - The road infrastructure is under-developed. While it is fine in the major towns it is of variable quality between towns and on overland trips (patchy asphalt, gravel and sand on the road, narrow lanes...) Myanmar Travel does not have its own cars but hires cars from private persons. Be advised that due to economic restrictions, cars cannot be imported and therefore the cars in Myanmar are rather old - most vehicles are an average of 10 yrs old. Nevertheless they are lovingly kept and well-maintained and air conditioned.
Q - Can the driver speak English and act as a guide?
A - In Myanmar drivers are just drivers and guides need to have a license delivered by the National Tourism Authorities to officially guide foreigners especially in tourist sites. However some drivers (if they do speak English) can give you some general practical advice and hints while you are in their car. So, there is no obligation to hire a guide if you do not wish to but do not expect him to be your guide.
Q. What about safety requirements for hand luggage?
A - We recommend that you take following requirements into consideration when planning your journey.
© 2005 Myriam Grest Thein