If you ever have to travel around Myanmar and wonder what you need to bring with you, this guide can be of help. The information is provided by our friends at Exploration Travel based on their travels in the past two months.
In our email correspondence, they say: “[Check points] are usually quick to pass and it’s recommended to bring copies of your passport and visa as well as your proof of vaccination. We didn’t have anybody checking mobile phones (but occasionally the car was checked) and we were usually whisked through without any delay.”
They suggest travelling with someone who can speak Burmese and answer simple questions at the check-points: where are you coming from, where are you going, how many persons, what luggage you have, etc.
If you are travelling by flight, you need to show proof of negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours before departure.
Areas recommended to visit at the moment are: Ngapali, Mandalay – Ava – Mingun, Pyay – Yenangyaung – Salay – Bagan, Kalaw – Pindaya – Nyaung Shwe.
Exploration Travel has put together some suggested packages in case you want a change of scene for a few days and re-energise. They can adjust any package to your preferences.
1Luxury Ananda Sanctuary – midweek biking & sightseeing ancient cities around Mandalay
Day 1 (Monday): AM flight to Mandalay – transfer to the Ananda Sanctuary and time to relax at the onboard pool or explore the ship – stay at deluxe cabin.
Day 2 (Tuesday): Biking and sightseeing the ancient Ava ruins & the traditional weaving quarter in Amarapura with a guide to explain this unique part of the country. – stay at deluxe cabin.
Day 3 (Wednesday): Boat & biking from Sagaing to Mingun – visit the huge stupa and return by small private boat to Ava – stay at deluxe cabin.
Day 4 (Thursday): Relaxing morning by the pool – transfer to the airport for the flight back to Yangon
Package rate excluding flights (minimum 2 people): USD375 per person
Alternatively, you can join the Ananda cruise on the Ayeyarwady leaving on Friday and returning on Sunday evening. A relaxing experience on this luxury ship including sightseeing in Mingun. Cruise price: USD400 per person
2Road trip in the countryside
Day 1: Drive to Pyay and visit the old cheroot factory of the famous flying tiger company from the old days.
Day 2: Visit the old Pyu period temple ruins and continue to your hotel in the jungle
Day 3: A day to relax in the jungle (or go trekking)
Day 4: Continue by car to Taungoo – visit the old monastery ruins in the moated part of this ancient capital
Day 5: 3 hours guided village walk through the countryside in the morning and continue by car to Yangon
An excellent trip to get out of town. Let them know if you prefer to do this trip as a self-drive and they simply arrange the hotels in advance.
3Group trip to the beach
This is best suited for families, friends and organisations that wish to reconnect with nature and each other.
Together with their sister company Counselling Corner they can arrange emotional workshops, group therapy, individual counselling sessions and training for staff.
During the 2-hour session, they will let each participant actively express and share their own emotions and feelings in a safe and non-judgemental environment. It helps each person to understand more about their own feelings, realise others have the same feeling and learn how to deal with these emotions in order to stay mentally strong.
Rent out the whole lodge (9 rooms) for your group of friends, family, management team or staff family: USD800 per night
Work from Home or actually from the beach and stay for 2 weeks at Lalay Lodge including all meals: USD750 in single or double room.
Lalay Lodge is right on the beach in a small and quiet fishing village just south of Thandwe airport (45 minutes off the Yangon – Thandwe highway) and has 9 rooms which can accommodate in total up to 25 people. For bigger groups, they can organise day trips from any of the Ngapali hotels to Lalay Lodge for lunch as well as teambuilding sessions which also include fun games on the beach.
All photos are provided by Exploration Travel.
Exploration Travel Myanmar
Address: 5/9, 1st Floor, Bogalay Zay Street (Lower Block), Botahtaung Tsp, Yangon
Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm (Mon-Fri), 9am – 12pm (Sat), Closed on Sunday
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Phone: +95 1 375 577, +95 9 255 017 822, +95 9 263 109 688; Emergency no. +95-9-42 502 8175
