ABOUT MYANMAR

Myanmar is situated in the northernmost part of the mainland Southeast Asia, sharing borders with India and Bangladesh in the west, Tibet in the north, Chin in the north and northeast, Lao in the east and Thailand in the south-east. With a total land area of 676,553km2, Myanmar is the largest country in mainland South-East Asia with a wide extraordinary topographical diversity, spanning from the high snowcapped mountains of the Eastern Himalayas including the Southeast Asia’s highest mountain of Hkakaborazi at an elevation of nearly 6000m with annual snow and glaciers in the North to a long coastal line of about 2,280 kilometers with over 800 islands flanked by the Bay of Bengal in the west and the Andaman Sea in the South. Between these two extremes, the country encompasses sub-alpine forest, several mountain ranges, extensive lowland plains, a dry zone, one of the Asia’s largest river deltas, one of the world’s largest tidal mudflats, mangroves and large expanse of lowland tropical forest that the biodiversity is much greater than temperate forests. Myanmar has a natural forest cover of about 429,000km², which is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, making it the largest remaining forest cover in mainland South-East Asia. With many types of habitats and ecosystems, Myanmar is the most biologically diverse country among the mainland South-East Asian countries. In addition, being nestled between the south easternmost part of the Himalayas and the northern end of Malay Peninsula, Myanmar is considered one of the most ornithologically fascinating countries in Southeast Asia, offering the rare opportunities to see not only Malay Peninsula species but also Himalayan species in the same country. With over 1100 bird species including some of the world most sought-after and endangered bird species, Myanmar is now on its way to becoming one of the ideal birding destinations in Southeast Asia for international birders. Although Myanmar has plenty of birding spots throughout the country, most of the birding tours take place in these major birding regions of the country such as Yangon, Kalaw, Inle Lake, Bagan, and Mt. Victoria, along with some extension trips to the Irrawaddy delta region and southern Myanmar. These regions can be easily accessible by road and air and also support all the country’s endemics, near-endemic species as well as Southeast Asian species and Himalayan species.

 

General Information about Myanmar

Location

Situated in the Southeast Asia Peninsular and flanked by five neighboring countries: Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand.

Population & Capitals

Nay Pyi Taw (Administrative Capital), Yangon (former capital of Myanmar /commercial capital). The population of Myanmar is over 53 million with the total of 135 ethnic groups.

Climate

Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate and has three seasons. The dry season is from March to May with average temperature of between 25-30˙C, the rainy season from June to September. The cool season is from November to February with average temperature of 15-24˙C. The Climate varies from region to region due to the country’s diverse geography. Temperatures can reach about 45’C in hottest month (April – May) in the dry Zone like Mandalay and Bagan. With northern part of the country being a part of eastern Himalayan region, its temperature often falls under freezing-point in the cool seasons. The annual rainfall is 300-500 cm in the coastal areas and 150-200 cm in the delta regions. The best time to visit is during the cool season.

Flora & Fauna

With Myanmar being covered with thick forests, flanked by sea and a mountainous country, a great variety of wild animals make them their homes. According to the record of forestry department, it has a variety of 300 mammal species, 300 reptiles and over 1100 bird species. With the country’s diverse geography, the flora ranges from sub alpine forests in the north through thorn forests in the central region to tropical rain forests in the south and mangrove in the delta region.

Characteristics

Myanmar is one of the most interesting and colorful independent country in Southeast Asia. The peoples are of Tibet-Mongolian stock, with brown cheerful faces and dress in bright and vivid clothes. They are friendly, hospitable to visitors and generous in spirit and have a true desire to make tourists happy and comfortable. Myanmar is a land of vast expanses of rice fields and pristine teak forests stretch up the hills with rich flora and fauna. Myanmar is also known as the land of Pagodas, where the dominant feature of any scene is the golden Buddha pagodas. Compared to other Southeast Asia countries Myanmar is the only country in Southeast Asia, where ice and snow capped mountains is situated.

Religion

The main religions of the country are Buddhism (over 85 %). Others are Christianities, Muslims, Hindus and Animism. With regard to religions there is no discrimination in Myanmar.

Time Difference & Working Time

Six hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT, and one hour difference with Singapore and 30 minutes with Thailand. Government offices are open from 9:30 to 4:30 except on weekend. Business Firms are from 9:00 to 5:00 except on Sunday. Banks are from 9:30 to 2:00.

Language

Myanmar is the local language. English are wildly understood in big cities.

Currency

The unit of Myanmar currency is KYAT, divided into 100 Pyars and are issued in 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000,5000, and 10000 denominations. No Myanmar currency is allowed to bring out.

Exchange

Exchange can be made at any authorized money changers at airports, hotels and other money changers in cities. The U.S dollar is accepted by hotels, airlines, travel agencies, shop and as payment of admission fees to museums and Pagodas. The market rate is subject to change without prior notice.

Credit Cars & Traveler’s Cheques

International credit cards and traveler cheques are not widely used. It is strongly advisable to bring only US$ in cash in small denominations for your intended purchases and avoiding disappointments.

Passport & Visa

All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport and the necessary visas. There are two kinds of visas applicable to tourists: (1) Package tour visas and (2) FIT visas. These tourist visas are valid for 28 days with an option for extension. It can be applied to Myanmar Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visa on arrival for package tours can be arranged prior to your arrival by your local travel agent.

Travel Permit for remote areas

Travel to remote areas, especially to restricted areas without permit and guide is not allowed. But permission for remote areas can be obtained by applying in advance through your local travel agents.

Electric current

Electricity is 220-230 Volts AC in most areas. Check with your hotel receptionists before using your electrical appliances.

Telecommunication

There has been a significant change to the telecom landscape over the past few years in Myanmar. The two international Telecommunication operators have been allowed to join the government operator, Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT). You can freely buy SIM cards with E-top up at sales counters of SIM cards at Yangon International Airport or at any mobile phone stores or even small stores in cities. E-top up allows customers to top-up via mobile transfer. E-top up retailers can transfer top-up value to the customer’s phone directly using their handset. Customer will receive an SMS notifying that the e-top up was successful. This service is available in many stores across Myanmar. There are 6 denominations available with e-top up: 1,000 MMKs, 3,000 MMKS, 5,000 MMKs, 10,000 MMKs, 20,000 MMKs and 30,000 MMKs. Currently, e-top up is available for GSM and WCDMA.

Airport Tax

Airport tax is US$ 10 per person on international departure.

Meeting service on arrival

We provide representative services at airports. A representative or guide from our company will come and meet you in the arrival hall of the airport after passing airport immigration and customs control points, displaying guest’s name and our company’ name on signboard so as to recognize easily.

Security

Myanmar is one of the friendliest and safest travel destinations in the world and there is no racism or violence on tourists in Myanmar and tourist police has been set up for security and helping the visitors effectively since a few years ago.

ABOUT OUR TOURS

Most of our birding tours are designed to emphasis only on birding, maximizing the time spent in each destination so that you can watch all highlight birds of each destination with plenty of free time to relax. With a long experience in the field, most of our birding tours are carefully crafted to provide our guests an  incredible birding  experience  in  Myanmar with the rare opportunity of locating Southeast Asian species and Himalayan  bird  species, along with  endemic  &  near  endemic  bird  species. Although most of our birding tours normally take place in normal birding sites where international birders have ever explored, some of our birding tours will guarantee to take you into some of the best birding regions untouched by any of international birders.

 

Meal Arrangement

• Most of our birding tours take place in the cultural hotspots like Yango, Bagan, Inle Lake, and Kalaw and our overnight stays also take place at hotels. For the hotel-based tours, we don’t include lunches & dinners in our tour prices in order for you to get the chance to sample local specialties. You will also have a wide choice of foods & restaurants in those cultural hotspots. You’ll pay for meals and eat in local restaurants. For tours conducted in remote regions with overnights in villages and camping in the forests, all meals (B/L/D) will be included in the tour price.

Accommodations

• Most of our birding tours normally take place in the cultural hotpots like Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and Kalaw. So, we have a wide choice of hotel accommodations in the mentioned places depending on your budget and preference. Although accommodation is one of the essential component parts of your holiday, we don’t accommodate our clients at luxury hotels, and we use only simple, clean and comfortable hotels on our birding tours for the accommodations of our clients in each destination while we can have a wide choice of accommodations that are inexpensive. But upon request, we will accommodate you in such kinds of luxury hotels wherever possible. All hotels we use are simple and comfortable hotels with have private, en-suite bathrooms, and full-time hot water. Hotels in Mt. Victoria are at higher altitudes and the interior of the rooms is chilly, but warm blankets are provided.

Ground Transportation

• On most of our birding tours you’ll travel in private air-conditioned vehicles, which offers flexibility and convenience. Our birding tours also guarantee to have free time to enjoy the scenery of the remote regions and to make several stops along the way to take pictures that attract you on some overland journeys. Upon arrival at each destination by flight your luggage is also transported by vehicles together with you to your hotels where you overnight at. If your birding tour takes place in some of the remote regions especially in mountainous regions in northern part of Myanmar, where are not accessible to vehicles to transport your luggage, you luggage will be curried by porters between overnight spots.

Guides & Trail Leaders

• Most of our tours are fully escorted by an experienced English speaking bird guide throughout your trip, starting from Yangon and ending back in Yangon. He will meet you at the Yangon International airport upon your arrival and escort you throughout the trip and finally transfer you back to the Yangon airport for your international departure flight home. In some places our birding will include an experienced English speaking bird guide and a local trail leader or a staff from Forest Department in some places where necessary. Having the security of being looked after by a trustworthy and knowledgeable local tour guide throughout your trip will make you feel safe and enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind without losing sleep over it. On some of our budget birding tours and customized birding tours, we design to have you meeting a different local birding guide at each destination you explore, when our guests request us to keep the cost down due to their limited budget. Tourists are not allowed to enter some restricted areas without a local guide.

Climate

• Climate varies in the regions and altitudes we pass through. Temperatures will generally be hot during day times and will be too cold at night. But sometimes temperatures dramatically fall at night in mountainous areas – especially in the region of Mt. Victoria and northern parts of the country. Yangon and Bagan will be generally hot and humid (up to 95°F, 35°C), but Bagan is much hotter and drier than Yangon (up to 100°F, 38°C) The weather in Kalaw and Lake Inle will generally be comfortable (70°F, 21°C), but Early mornings and nights in Kalaw will be cold (50°F, 10°C). The weather on Mount Victoria will generally be comfortable in the day-time, but early mornings and nights on Mount Victoria can be very cold (below 32°F, 0°C) especially in the mornings where we bird at higher elevations.

Tour Pace (Moderate)

• For all of our birding tours we will need to get up early around 5:30 or 6 am and stay out late until around 6 pm, in order to take advantage of the best birding hours. With Bagan being one of the hottest regions of the country, we will spend the middle of the day relaxing at the hotel in Bagan to avoid the heat of the day, but some days will be full days in the field. There will be a few optional outings after dark to search for nocturnal birds, lasting for about an hour. There are two full-day private drives, on the way to and from Mt. Victoria. We will take packed breakfasts on several mornings, and also a couple of picnic lunches. But, on some budget tours there will be three full-day drives by public bus between the destinations; YGN-KLW/KLW-BGN/BGN-YGN, and the two full-day private drives between Bagan-Mount Victoria (to/from) as well.

Walking Conditions (Gentle to moderate walks)

• Our birding tours will be conducted on roads, wide tracks, forest tracks, footpaths, flat and low-level-terrains, involving sometimes some amounts of gentle ascent and descent. The highest altitude we may reach is about 10,000ft (3000m) on the top of Mount Victoria in the Natmataung national park. On some days, we will take 3-4 miles of gentle walks daily and these take place at moderate altitudes on some days, but mostly at low-level altitudes and on flat grounds.

Electricity & Internet

• Electricity is 220-230 Volts AC in most areas. Check with your hotel receptionists before using your electrical appliances. Although electricity is available everywhere, it is not available only in the evenings and mornings on Mount Victoria. Internet is widespread, but not available on Mount Victoria.

Telecommunication

• You can freely buy SIM cards with E-top up at sales counters of SIM cards at Yangon International Airport or at any mobile phone stores in cities. E-top up allows customers to top-up via mobile transfer. E-top up retailers can transfer top-up value to the customer’s phone directly using their handset. Customer will receive an SMS notifying that the e-top up was successful. This service is available in many stores across Myanmar. There are 6 denominations available with e-top up: 1,000 MMKs, 3,000 MMKS, 5,000 MMKs, 10,000 MMKs, 20,000 MMKs and 30,000 MMKs. Currently, e-top up is available for GSM and WCDMA.

Inclusions of Your Travel Package

• Hotel accommodations with breakfast, domestic flights, transfers & transportation, entrance fees, services of local English speaking bird guide, bottled drinking water daily and snow towels

Exclusions of Your Travel Package

• International flights (to/from Myanmar), travel insurance, Visa, meals (Lunches / Dinners), Optional excursions, personal expenses, not any other mentioned in our itinerary