An overview of Myanmar will hep you to prepare all necessary luggage for your trip before travelling to this peaceful country

CAPITAL: Capital of Myanmar is moved to PYINMANA instead of Yangon since 2005

SUPERFICY: 671,000 sq km/ 259,073 sq miles

 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: Myanmar is located on the Bengal Gulf, bordered by Thailand to the south-east, Laos and China on the east and the north respectively and India and Bangladesh to the west.

The southern part of the country is flat and fed by many rivers. The largest one, the Irrawaddy is made by two rivers, the Mekha and the Malikha. They rise in the Himalayas and flow through spectacular gorges, tropical jungles and terraced paddy fields to the Bay of Bengal.
The Irrawaddy is the main transport and life-artery of Myanmar and is the most viable (and sometimes only!) means of access to many of the country’s attractions. It becomes navigable at Bhamo and has an enormous 9-branch delta, 280 km wide, which eventually flows into the Bay of Bengal, near Yangon.

The “birth point” or “headwaters” - the spring - of this great river is the Hkakabo Razi at an altitude of 5,800-plus meters in the extreme north of the country.

POPULATION: The population of Myanmar is made up of a diverse "mix" of peoples and ethnic groups. Generally these are categorized into: 68% Burmese; 9% Shan; 7% Karen; 4% Rakhine; 3% Chinese; 2% Mon and 2% Indian. Smaller ethnic minorities make up the remainder.

LANGUAGE: There are more than 100 ethnic groups in Myanmar, all with their own languages, dialects, traditions and cultures. The majority speaks Burmese, which is the official language and English is widely spoken. However an authentic and licensed multi-lingual guide is strongly recommended.

Communication and understanding of local traditions and culture can be a problem outside of the main cities! A "friendly" or "joking" gesture or comment in one language can be an insult in another!

CURRENCY: Please search on this website for your reference www.xe.com/ucc/
- The Myanmar currency is Kyats (pronounced "chats"). The following notes are in circulation 1000, 500, 200, 100, 90, 50, 45, 20, 15, 10, 5, 1 - also some coins. The official rate of exchange is approximately Kyats 6 to USD 1 and the unofficial rate can go up as far as Kyat 900 to USD 1. It is however possible to exchange US Dollars to Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) at the rate of 1 for 1. FECs can then be exchanged at the official rate of approximately Kyats 900 to FEC 1. Please do not change USD into Kyats at the money changer at the airport as the rate is very low.

- Only EURO Travellers cheques are accepted (no USD travellers cheques). Please note that currencies other than US Dollars and Euros are not usually accepted. It is therefore advisable to bring US Dollars or Euros cash, preferably in small denominations.

- Please note that credit cards and traveller cheques are not accepted in Myanmar and that visitors must be bring sufficient cash (best in US Dollars, but Euros also increasingly accepted) to change and make any purchases and payments. Please bring new US Dollar bills ("big heads" instead of "small heads") and with series numbers not starting with CB as these are not accepted in Myanmar due to rumours these series are counterfeit.

ELECTRICITY: In Myanmar the "standard" power is 220V, but sockets are not always standard. Therefore it is strongly recommended that you bring an international adaptor. Due to its limited national power supply, power cuts are frequent, but most hotels and restaurants in the main cities have their own generators. Be careful if you are carrying and using sensitive electronic equipment.

HEALTH & MEDICAL FACILITIES: No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. Malaria prophylaxis is no longer recommended, but travelers should check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis. Prescription drugs are not widely available and visitors should bring any required medication with them. If carrying a lot of medicines, it is advisable to have a doctor's letter stating that medicines are required for personal use.

BEFORE GOING: If you are traveling in the northern areas from November to February warm clothes are recommended. This is even true all year long in Inle Lake where nights can be very cold to Asian standards (10 to 15 degrees C). In most other areas, lightweight casual clothing is fine. Comfortable shoes and a shawl or windbreaker are also recommended. The sun can be a bit fierce on fair skin! Please note that mini-skirts, shorts, bare mid-rift, worn-out jeans, "cut-offs" or revealing clothes (shoulders have to be covered) see-through tops and so forth are prohibited when visiting religious buildings. If you do wear shorts on your sightseeing trip, take a long dress or trousers to change into for a pagoda visit. Elsewhere casual but decent clothes are acceptable. Over-revealing swimwear should not be worn either. In general, please remember that you are the guest in a foreign and, in many ways, very traditional country. You should behave accordingly and with due respect to these traditions and cultures of a very ancient land. We recommend you take anti-mosquito cream, sun block, some form of headwear, a light poncho or windbreaker, a basic first-aid kit (including basic antiseptic cream, paracetamol/aspirin, anti-acid tablets, band aids), small denomination US dollar bills (for tipping on arrival), a secure and waterproof “Bum Bag” or money belt, and a small backpack rather than a shoulder bag. Finally, traveling in Myanmar - as it is in most countries worldwide - is relatively secure but we recommend that you leave your valuables and jewelry at home. As in all countries drive-by purse, gold-chain and camera snatching does happen!

Precious or valuable objects should be deposited - including an official receipt - in your hotel safety deposit. Do not keep them in your room, even in locked luggage or a cupboard. This is especially true for your passports and visas, which replacement can be very time-consuming and expensive. It is advisable for you to carry these with you at all times.

No responsibility will be held by tour operators or hotels for the loss of your valuables that are not deposited in the official hotel safe-deposit.

AIRLINES:
International: Major airlines serving Yangon Airport are Myanmar Airways International (8M), Thai International Airways (TG), Silkair (MI), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Air China  (CA), Biman Airways BG), Indian Airlines (IC), Druk Air and Air Mandalay (6T) which operates international flights Yangon – Chiang Mai and vice versa. PB Air is operating flights from Bangkok to Bagan, China Eastern Airlines is flying to Mandalay.

Domestic:  Myanmar Airways (domestic), Air Mandalay (6T), Yangon Airways (HK) and Air Bagan (AB) serve domestic routes. Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan use new ATR 72 aircraft. All airlines only operate with economy class seats. Luggage allowance is 20 kilos per person - excess luggage can be left in Yangon hotels for collection on return from upcountry. Diethelm Travel guests will usually travel by reliable Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay or Air Bagan ATR-flights.

Domestic Flight Schedule
Domestic air services have improved greatly over recent years. The domestic airlines often change their flight schedules at the very last minute. In such cases, we are forced to adjust the sightseeing program around these changes. We do keep you updated of flight changes prior to arrival to Myanmar.

TRANSPORTATION:
There are three International airports in Myanmar:
The International airport of Yangon located in Mingaladon, 20 minutes from the city centre.
The International airport of Mandalay, 45 km (about 1 hour drive) from the heart of the city.
The International airport of Bagan Nyaung Oo, 10 km from the heart of the archaeological place.
There are also many national airports, but the most important are:
The National airport of Heho located about 1 hour drive from Inle lake.
The National airport of Ngapali located about 10 minutes from all major hotels.
The road network has improved but still needs upgrading in some areas. "Travel-time" should be calculated at a 30km/hour average