Sri Asia Tourism Service Co., Ltd. Myanmar (Burma)

Visitors to Myanmar must have a valid passport and obtain a 28 days tourists visa from a Myanmar Embassy or diplomatic mission abroad. Two application forms and three passport size photos will be needed. Fee is approximately US$ 15 in local currency. Clients should mark their visa application forms “EVT Package Tour” and check carefully that the visa has been so endorsed, on their passport. This will avoid the necessity of having to exchange US$ 200.00 into foreign exchange certificate (FECs) on arrival at Yangon airport.

Currency and Exchange

Myanmar currency is the Kyat. The changing money via unauthorized channels is strictly illegal. Tourist visitors on EVT package tour visas can change any amount of US$ or pound sterling at Yangon airport. Many hotels and restaurants now require payment in US$ or FECs, and FECs are usually accepted in shops etc. International credit cards are not widely used. Only leading hotels and restaurants will accept American Express, Visa or Master card. Individual (FIT) travellers are required to exchange US$ 200.00 into FECs (foreign exchange certificates) on arrival in Myanmar. Group tour travellers are not subject to this requirement and need exchange only sufficient money to cover personal expenses, such as bar bills, souvenirs etc.

Customs Formalities on Arrival

Tourist visitors should have completed immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and must submit these on arrival. All foreign currency (in excess of US$ 2,000) travellers cheques and jewellery, cameras etc., must be recorded on the customs form and may be checked on departure. No Myanmar currency may be imported or exported.

Duty Free Allowance is

(1) 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars of 0.5 lb of tobacco
(2) Two quarts of alcohol
(3) 1 pint bottle of perfume of Eau de cologne.

Note

Export of antiques, Buddha images and gems without official dealer’s receipt is prohibited.

Health

There are no requirements for any specific vaccinations at present, although it is advise that travellers to Myanmar should have up to date vaccinations or take precaution.

Religion

More than 80% of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist. The remainder practice Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or animism.

Airport Tax

Departure tax for international flights is US$ or FEC 10 -, payable in US currency of FECs. No tax for domestic flights.

Climate

Tropical, generally hot and humid cooler in mountain areas.
Cool season: November - February (average temperatures 14 - 24 C)
Hot season: March - May (average temperatures 30 - 35 C)
Rainy season: June - October ( average temperatures 24 - 30 C)

Electricity

Domestic Travel

Public train, ferryboat and bus services are still need of improvement for the convenience of the visitors.The clients of Sri Asia Travels and Tours will travel by reliable Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways and by air-conditioned car or coach. In remote areas, however, air-conditioned vehicles may not always be available and travellers should be advised that the quality of roads varies throughout Myanmar, from quite good to bad. Because of road conditions long distance overland travel generally takes longer then the traveller might expect averaging only 35 - 45 km per hr.

International Flights

Yangon has direct air links with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Calcutta, Dacca and Kumming. The Myanmar Airways International, Thai Airways International, Silk Air, Biman, Malaysia Airline System, Indian Airlines, Air China and Air Mandalay operate scheduled flights in and out Yangon.

Restricted Areas

Access to, or travel through some remote or border areas of Myanmar is still subject to government permission. In such situations Sri Asia will obtain the necessary permits, based on passport information contained in clients booking forms.

Hotel

Although building new hotels up to international standard in key tourist centres, accommodation in Myanmar still vary widely in quality, and during peak seasons availability. Sri Asia clients will generally receive hotel reservations priority, but Sri Asia cannot guarantee specific hotel request and reserves the right to substitute accommodation of the best available alternative standard when a first choice hotel is not available. Clients are advised that accommodations, especially in up-country or remote locations, may not always be up to international standards.

Tipping

Widely practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills, porters, kyat 30 to 50 per bag.

Local Time

Souvenirs

Best buys include lacquerware, silver, wood and stone carvings, hand-women silks and cottons, gems, ‘kalaga’ embroidered tapestries, traditional puppets and tribal handicrafts.

Jewellery is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should check that ‘gold’ is not, in fact, gilded silver. All gem and jewellery purchases should be made through a government authorised dealer, who must issue an official receipt, which is required for export of such items.

Bargaining is essential for all souvenir shopping, if travellers are to obtain reasonable prices. The range of price reductions is possible up to 50 percent.

General Advice on Travelling in Myanmar

Never drink tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
Use an insect repellant against mosquitos, especially in up-country and forested areas. A hat and high factor block cream is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing.

Casual and light clothing is required, year - round but a sweater or jacket will be useful in hill areas, particularly during winter months, when evenings can get quite cool. An umbrella or raincoat is essential during the monsoon months (June - October).

Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing people, especially with tribal people, who may have superstitions against this. For close - up shots always ask permission first.

Visitors are required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings. Ladies should not wear shorts or bra -less t-shirts in such places. Shoes and socks / stockings must always be removed at pagodas and monasteries. Disregard of these rules causes serious culture and religious offence to the devout Myanmar people. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may approach them to exchange foreign currency, or to sell gems of dubious quality. Such offers, although attractive, are breaking strict laws.

Reservations

Head Office	Sri Asia Tourism Service Co., Ltd. No. 55, 17th Street, Latha Township, Yangon 11181 Myanmar. Tel : (95-1) 225915, 225989, 227702, 227703 Fax : (95-1) 227127, 226867 E-mail: sriasia@mptmail.net.mm or through our
London Office	Sri Asia Tourism Service Co., Ltd. (London Office) 1 A Gregory Place, Kensington , London, W8 4NG, United Kingdom. Phone: + 44-207-937 1419 Fax: + 44 - 207 - 938 2194
Australia Office	Sri Asia Tourism Service Co., Ltd. (Australia Office) 67B, Eaton Road, West Pennant Hills, N S W 2125, Australia Tel : 612-9873 5518 Fax : 612-9871 0790

Payment

Full prepayment by bank remittance, or telegraphic transfer only is required 21 days before commencement of services. Our bank account number is: -

Rates and Services

Rates in this tariff are quoted nett to travel agents in US$. Included are domestic airfares, transfers, accommodations, meals and services as shown in each tour itinerary. Not include in the tour prices are optional tours, visa charges and airport tax (unless stated in the itinerary) and expenses of a personal nature. All rates are valid until March.31’ 2003.

Land arrangement are accompanied by local English, Chinese, German, French Italian, Spanish and Japanese speaking guides are available by extra arrangement.

Accommodation is in shared twin - bedded rooms, with a supplementary charge for single occupancy.

Cancellations

For cancellation of confirmed arrangement, a cancellation fee according to the case incurred will be charged. The hotels have a 21 day notice of cancellation policy for groups and 7 days for individual travellers.

Change in Programs

All Sri Asia Tourism itineraries are pre - arranged, and in the case of standard group tour plans, no programme changes or modifications can be made. Sri Asia Tourism reserves the right to re - arrange the order of any tour itinerary, to cancel or substitute elements of any tour plan without notice, when local conditions require such changes.

Liability

“Sri Asia acts as intermediary between the concerned airlines, hotels, transport operators and local tourist offices providing the services. Sri Asia is therefore not responsible for any loss, injury, or damage sustained by the tourists, including those occurring outside the touring programmes. Additional expenses incurred due to delay, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest must be borne by the tourists. Programmes, prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of printing, and are therefore subject to change without prior notice before of during the tour, participation in our tour implies the tourists agreement to the above conditions”.