Myanmar (Burma)
But for the well-publicised military regime, the beautiful country of Myanmar (AKA Burma) would be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, if not the world, tempting visitors from across the globe with its dense forests, abundant wildlife, friendly people, rich culture, stunning temples and underdeveloped coastal resorts.
Burma's rich and thrilling culture - of dozens of languages and peoples - is a natural traveller draw-card.
However, would-be travellers and tour operators alike face a difficult choice in whether to come. On the one hand, there are many attractions: thousands of pagodas, fascinating culture and ancient towns among them. And tourists are welcomed with open arms by locals hungry for news of the outside world, and for their economic contribution. On the other is one of teh world's most notorious regimes.
Over the last three years two of our most experienced guides travelled to Burma, both coming back with glowing reports of the country and its tourist potential and also informed us of ways to run trips here that put a minimum of finance into the coffers of the government and a great deal into the hands of the ordinary people. The Times recently ran an article which quoted a prominent Burmese dissident as saying, ‘Staying away does nothing to help the impoverished citizens of Burma.’ A senior monk concurred, ‘We need many ears, many eyes… if tourists don’t come, it makes no difference to them. It does to us.’
And most importantly now even the democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, recently released from years under house arrest, now agrees and has dropped her opposition to tourism.
As such we decided the best way forward was to let WF's founder, Jonny Bealby, check the country out for himself, which he did in May this year, travelling around blogging as he went.
Jonny came back believing that the benefits of going far outweighed the negatives and that by visiting Myanmar we can help put money into the hands of the ordinary people. As a result have launched new tours and dates for 2012.
To read Jonny's report from his time in Burma, and Wild frontiers policy towards travel there, please click here
Wild Frontiers offers unique Small Group Tours, Private Journeys and Tailor Made Holidays to Burma.
How to book a trip
What to do in Myanmar (Burma)
Balloon Ride over Bagan
Bagan
The temples of Bagan, numbering over 2,500, situated on a 40sqkm plain on the western bank of the Irrawaddy, is simply one of the world's greatest tourists attractions. Built between 1057 and 1287 (when Kublai Khan invaded), the rulers of the region adopted Buddhism as their national religion and went about proving their devotion to their new found faith with impressive zeal. Over 4,000 religious monuments were originally constructed; some built by kings, standing a hundred metres high, others by commoners, the size of a modest mausoleum. To witness this incredible site, just after sunrise from a hot air balloon is something you'll never forget.
Boat on the Irrawaddy
Mandalay
The Irrawaddy River rises in the Himalayas to form one of Asia's great waterways. After Rudyard Kipling's poem, the Irrawaddy is sometimes referred to as 'The Road to Mandalay' and as early as the sixth century the river was used for trade and transport. Vital to the British Empire it is still as crucial today, as a considerable amount of goods and traffic moves along it - including you! A river trip is an important component to any holiday in Burma - and on the Irrawaddy you'll see the full extent of Myanmar river life.
Sponsor a Novice Monk
Bagan
As the custom of the region dictates, every Buddhist male must, at some point in his life, spend time as a monk. In order to be taken in by the local monastery an initiation ceremony has to be concluded which includes the taking of robes, shaving the hair etc. Normally a boy's parents would help and finance this, but when a child is an orphan this can be a problem. Through our contacts in the country we are able to help you help an orphaned monk, take the order and fulfil his religious duty. A deeply moving experience for all.
Trek Mount Popa
Bagan
Hike to the summit of Burma's Mount Olympus, believed to be the abode of the country's most powerful Nats (spirits). Mount Popa is a 1500 metre volcanic peak that lies some 50km south-east of Bagan amongst a landscape of wooded hills and natural springs. The trek, taking between 4 and 5 hours, will take in some of the region's most impressive scenery, including the sheer-sided volcanic plug of Taung Kalat, a 737 metre pinnacle that is home to a spectacular cliff-top Buddhist monastery.
Explore Mandalay
Mandalay
Your sightseeing will begin with a visit to the gilded majesty of the Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill. It is here that you will find the 'world's largest book', made up of a series of marble slabs, each inscribed on both sides with pages of text from the Tipitaki; the standard collection of scriptures of the Theravada Buddhist faith. From here move on to the intricate teak carvings of the Shwenandaw Monastery, the last major structure still remaining of the original wooden Royal Palace, before paying a visit to the Maha Myatmuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue.The afternoon then sees you taking a gentle boat ride up to Mingun, following the course of the river to visit the monumental ruins of the Mingun Pahtodawgyi. You can also visit the Mingun Bell, a 90 ton monster that is one of the largest of its kind in the world, as well as the beautiful Hsimphyumae Pagoda, built by Bodawpaya's grandson in 1816, before taking a sunset cruise back to Mandalay.
Explore Bagan Temples
Bagan
Having been picked up from your hotel by your guide you will wander out into the extraordinary temple field, fist visiting the famed golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda and the 12th century frescos that adorn the cave temple of King Kyansittha. You can also visit the temples of Htilominio and Ananda, the latter of which is considered a masterpiece of Mon design. In the afternoon then enjoy a relaxing horse cart ride through the Tharaba Gateway and on to the Shwegugyi Temple, located in front of the old Royal Palace. After visiting the 12th century Thatbyinnyu Temple (at 61 metres, the tallest in the city) you will end the day watching a golden sunset from the open terraces of the Bagan temples.
Explore Yangon
Yangon
Meet your guide for a half day city tour, starting by paying a visit to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, whose famous golden stupa dominates the city's skyline. The most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, Shwe Dagon is believed to be over 2,500 years old and its central stupa is surrounded by a wealth of intricately decorated buildings and statues. Believed to hold the relics of past Buddhas, the pagoda is a popular shrine for local pilgrims, making it a fascinating spot at which to enjoy the setting of the late afternoon sun. From here you will head down to the docks, walk through the local markets, visit a number of other pagodas before finishing your tour at the famous Scott's Market.
Visit Po Win Taung Buddhist Caves
Mandalay
If travelling by way of Monwya, we highly recommend taking time out to visit Po Win Taung. Take a ferry across the Chindwin River where you'll pick up a jeep and drive for about 40 minutes to an extraordinary and rarely visited cave complex filled with original Buddhas. This is guaranteed to be a highlight of the trip - it was for us!
Explore Lake Inle
Lake Inle
Beginning after breakfast, you can board a boat to enjoy the calm waters and floating gardens of the lake. A photographer's dream, the gardens are formed from a combination of silt and weed, which over time forms a thick layer of rich humus upon which gardens of fruit and vegetables can be grown and tended. The Inthas tend these gardens from long, banana-shaped boats, the same boats that they use to fish the waters of the lake for Inle carp. The locals have a somewhat distinctive way of rowing these sturdy craft, standing at the stern of the boat and wrapping a leg around the oar. It is a posture that affords them an unrestricted view across the floating reeds and leaves them two free hands with which to handle their nets. The morning also sees you visiting the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, site of the holiest shrine in southern Shan. In the afternoon youm can then proceed to In Paw Khone to observe some traditional silk weaving, visit a local blacksmith and, if time permits, take a stroll to a lakeside village to learn a little more about the Intha and their ways.
How to book a trip
Where to stay in Myanmar (Burma)
The Chatrium
Yangon
This former Nikko Metropolitan is a nine-floor city hotel with great views of the Shwe Dogan pagoda. Although rather...
The Governor's Residence
Yangon
If it can be afforded this is the pick of the bunch in Yangon, with a great old style colonial building beyond a lush...
The Savoy
Yangon
A really lovely old colonial house, originally built as a restaurant and club catering to the British at the turn of...
Hotel By The Red Canal
Mandalay
As far as the tailor-made market is concerned, this is without doubt the pick of the bunch. The town's only real...
The Sedona Mandalay
Mandalay
Sidona Hotel This is another of Mandalay's purpose-built hotel, with 200 rooms split into 5 categories. Situated on the...
Mandalay Hill Resort
Mandalay
Situated at the north east corner of the palace canal, this is a large purpose-built, 4 star hotel with little...
Tharabar At The Gate
Bagan
This is a lovely hotel and given that it is owned by a local business man, who has built it up from a small guesthouse,...
Thiripyitsaya River Hotel
Bagan
This former government hotel, now leased to and run by a Japanese company, is situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy...
Hupin Hotel
Lake Inle
Situated on the western side of the lake, at the northern end, this 96 room hotel is a good option in the mid-range. It...
Inle Princess
Lake Inle
Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Inle and accessed by boat, this lovely boutique hotel, if our pick for...
Shwe Inn Tha
Lake Inle
Privately owned by a local woman (called Ann) whose family have lived on the lake for generations, this stilted hotel...
Win Unity Resort - Monywa
Mandalay
This is a strange but perfectly decent place to stay. Newly constructed it consists of a number of semi detached...
Amara Mountain Resort
Kalaw
Built in 1909, this British colonial residence was lovingly restored in 2002 to form a boutique hotel. Situated on a...
How to book a trip
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Myanmar (Burma) Travel Guide
Bagan
Located on the Central Burmese Plains, along the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan was first settled around the 2nd century AD. Its golden age though began with the ascension to the Burmese throne of King Anawratha in 1044. A disciple of Theravada Buddhism, Anawratha began a policy of temple building that over the next two centuries saw the completion of an astonishing 13,000 temples, pagodas and religious monuments. The famous golden domes of the Shwezigon Pagoda, which was started by Anawrath and completed in 1102 by King Kyanzittha is believed to hold a bone and a tooth belonging to the Gautama Buddha, whilst the Ananda Temple (also from the reign of King Kyanzittha) is considered to be a superb fusion of Mon and Indian architecture. At its zenith, Bagan attracted monks and artisans from as far away as India, Sri Lanka and the Khmer kingdoms of Cambodia, but in 1287 it was sacked by the Mongol armies of Kublai Khan, after which it fell into a state of steady decline.
Mandalay
The economic centre of Upper Burma, Mandalay lies at the heart of the country’s religious and cultural traditions. One of modern Myamar’s most vibrant cities, it is still nonetheless home to more than 700 pagodas and numerous monasteries, including the revered Mahagandayone Monastery, one of the largest centres of Buddhist learning anywhere in the city. Founded by King Mindon in 1857 and set around the dominating presence of Mandalay Hill, the city was the last of Burma’s royal capitals, until its annexation by the British at the end of the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885. The original palace was destroyed by fire during the Second World War, but the remaining walls and gates still present an impressive testament to its former glory, whilst the remarkable Kuthodaw Pagoda presents visitors with one of Buddhism’s most extraordinary settings. The city’s economic resurgence is thanks mainly to the strong influence of the Chinese who, over recent years, have helped shape a city that has become a rich mix of Chinese ingenuity and Burmese traditions.
Yangon
Yangon, formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was superseded by Naypyidaw in November 2005. Today, with a population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and main economic hub of the country. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. New high-rise buildings were constructed from the 1990s as the government began to allow private investment. However, Yangon continues to be a city of the past, as seen by its longyi-wearing pedestrians, its street vendors and its pungent smells. There are some stunning sights - particularly the Shwe Dagon Pagoda - some wonderful markets - particularly Scott’s Market - and some fascinating walks - particularly along the Irrawaddy River. All in all Yangon is an interesting place from which to begin and end your trip.
Lake Inle
Occupying a 22 kilometre long plateau in the middle of the central highlands, Lake Inle is home to the Intha, a people of Tibetan-Burmese descent who live amongst the waterside villages that spread along the shoreline and the islands of the lake. Wonderfully scenic and rich in tradition, the lake and its surroundings provide visitors with a glimpse of a rapidly disappearing world. The Intha still go about their daily business much as they have for generations, travelling around the lake in small wooden rowing boats from which they fish and farm, much as their ancestors have for centuries. The area is also renowned for its weaving industry, with Shan bags and high-quality silk fabrics known as longyi a particular speciality. The lake also produces a unique lotus fibre that is used in weaving special robes for images of Buddha, called kya thingahn (lotus robes). Whilst the lake encompasses nearly 120 square kilometres, its depth reaches no more than around 3 metres, resulting in the aquatic rural idyll of floating gardens of hyacinth and stilted thatched huts that makes this one of the most picturesque settings in the country.
Maymyo
Named after Colonel (later Major General) James May of the 5th Bengal Infantry, Maymyo was once a staunch stronghold for British traditions and eccentricities. Located in the Shan Highlands, some 67 kilometres to the east of Mandalay, it was established as a summer capital for the colonial overlords at the latter end of the 19th century. Decades of British influence turned this lush corner of Central Burma into a little slice of Middle England and today many of the former colonial mansions have been renovated by rich Chinese merchants or turned into luxury hotels, reviving graceful memories of that bygone age. The cool, clean air makes the town a refreshingly elegant destination to escape the heat and humidity of the summer and the town’s wonderful botanical gardens provide a welcome blaze of colour amongst the verdant green of the surrounding hills. Home to a thriving Eurasian community, the town is one of the most unique in Burma, with its distinctive horse-drawn transport providing the perfect means of exploring its historic heart.
Heho
From its humble beginnings as a small Danu village, Heho has grown into the main air gateway for tourists heading out to Lake Inle. Expanding with the arrival of the railway in the 1920s, the town became a major airbase for both the Allies and the Japanese during the Second World War and today its bustling markets attract a wealth of goods and villagers from the surrounding countryside. Pa O women, with their distinctive woven baskets and colourful headscarves are regular visitors to the market, which bears the distinction of being the largest of its kind in southern Shan State.
Kalaw
Located over 1300 metres above sea level, amongst the rolling hills of the Shan Plateau, Kalaw lies at the centre of some of the best trekking country in Burma. Surrounded by Palaung, Danu and Pao villages, it is the ideal starting point for today’s hike to the Palaung village of Pein Ne Bin.
How to book a trip
Myanmar (Burma) Travel Information
Visa Information:
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required.
Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your tour. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
Before departure UK passport holders require visas for Myanmar. These can either be bought in person at the relevant embassies or through a visa company such as:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road
Battersea
London SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
The details below specify relevant information for your visa application forms (based on taking the suggested group flights).
Myanmar Embassy
You will also need: authorisation letters, we will provide these in time for your visa application
NB: Please note that for the application you will need
• 2 completed visa application forms
• 2 (MUST be white background) passport photographs
• Copy of flight itinerary
• Passport.
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Myanmar though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in parts of Myanmar so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre
