Burma Adventure- February 2013
Information Pack
“This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about”
Rudyard Kipling, Letters from the East (1898)
THE BRITAIN-BURMA SOCIETY
Proudly presents its
BURMA ADVENTURE
Tour dates 15th-24thFebruary 2013
Contents
introduction
The Itinerary...... ………..….3-6
TRIP MAP……………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………….3-4
Yangon - Bagan - MANDALAY - Inle lake - Kalaw - Yangon...... 3-6
TOUR costs...... 7
ACCOMMODATION...... 8
GETTING TO BURMA...... 9
GENERAL INFORMATION...... 10
TOUR PROVIDER...... 10
ABOUT BURMA...... 10
VISAS...... 10
PAYING FOR THINGS IN BURMA, SPENDING MONEY & TIPPING...... 11
WEATHER...... 11
TRAVEL HEALTH...... 11
COMMUNICATIONS, country dialling code, time zone...... 11
EMBASSIES IN BURMA……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….. 12
TRAVEL INSURANCE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….12
CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS…………………………………………………………………………………………………..….……. 13
BURMESE ASTROLOGY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14
USEFUL BURMESE PHRASES, NUMBERS & DAYS ……………………………………………………………………………………………... 15
SOAS INTENSIVE BURMESE LANGUAGE COURSE ……………………………………………………………………………………………….16
BURMESE FOODS & BEVERAGES…..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
HOW TO BOOK…………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
1
introduction
Mingalabar! Welcome to the Britain-Burma Society’sBurma Adventure Information Pack!
“This is Burma”, wrote Kipling. “It is quite unlike any place you know about”. How right he was, and more than a century later Myanmar remains a world apart. Contemplate 4000 sacred stupas scattered across the plains of Bagan. Stare in disbelief at the golden rock teetering impossibly on the edge of a chasm. Encounter men wearing skirt-like longyi, women smothered in thanaka (traditional make-up) and betel-chewing grannies with blood red juices dripping from their mouths - and that’s just the airport! Meet the multitalented monks who have taught their cats to jump. Ride a Wild West stagecoach past grand British mansions. Indeed, this is Burma…
Turn back the clock with a trip to this time-warped country where the adventure travel of old lives on. This is the authentic Asia with creaking buses, potholed roads, locals who greet you like long lost family and not a 7-Eleven in sight. Forget the internet for a moment and connect with a culture where holy men are more revered than rock stars and golden Buddhas are bathed every day at first light - in Mandalay, the Mahamuni Paya houses a Buddha re-covered in gold leaf daily. Drift down the Ayeyarwady in an old river steamer, stake out a slice of Ngapali Beach or Ngwe Saung on the blissful Bay of Bengal, trek through pine forests to minority villages around Kalaw - there are so many experiences awaiting in Myanmar that one trip is simply never enough. It’s a country that fuels your emotions, stimulates your senses and stays in your soul.
Extract from the Lonely Planet Burma Guide Book, 7 September 2009
We hope that introduction has whetted your appetite for adventure and we invite you to join us on the Society’s Burma Adventure which will see us heading to Burma next year, in February 2013. Travelling in Burma will be one of the most delightful experiences you will ever encounter in your lifetime.
As many of you already know, Burma (or Myanmar) isa huge country (the largest in Southeast Asia) and there are an enormous number of beautiful and fascinating sights to see. In an ideal world, we would love to travel around for weeks exploring more of this amazing and relatively untouched country, however as we understand holiday allowances are limited, we have created a ten days itinerary which will take usto visitfour of the most famous places:Yangon(Rangoon), Bagan(Pagan), Mandalay, and Inle.
If you have any questions at all, please get in touch.
We look forward to seeing you in Burma!
Britain-Burma Society Committee
2
The Itinerary
Yangon - Bagan -MANDALAY -PyiN Oo Lwin - Inle -kalaw -Yangon
[Early
Arrivals -13/2:Arrival - Yangon
- Welcome by our tour guide at Yangon International airport and transfer to hotel.
- After check-in at hotel - car and driver arranged for personal use].
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Day 1 -14/2:Arrival - Yangon
- Welcome by our tour guide at Yangon International airport and transfer to hotel.
- After check-in at hotel:
- At leisure to do your own thing OR take the optional tour suggested below:
- Sightseeing: Kaba Aye (World Peace) Pagoda, built in 1952 and Maha Pasana Guha where Sixth Buddhist Synod took place for 2500th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment;
- Proceed to St. Mary Cathedral in downtown area and Moseah Yeshua Synagogue, founded over hundred years by Sephardic Jews;
- Afternoon visit to InyaLake pass by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi house; proceed to Strand Hotel for High Tea; Yangon jetty and Yangon China town to see variety of Chinese products, local and Chinese food stalls and seasonal fruits selling on the platform.
- Overnight in Yangon.
*Extra additional daytouradditional night in Yangon- [Optional]
$145 (£92.38) includes accommodation
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Friday, 15th -Sunday, 24th February 2013 (10 days / 9 nights) - Group Tour
Trip Map
Day 2-15/2: Yangon
- Sightseeing in Yangon including a visit to Chauk Htat Kyi, a colossal reclining Buddha image and the sacred and gilded Sule Pagoda in the city centre;
- Sightseeing tour to the downtown city centre and visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the wonders of the world for its religious significance, artistic beauty and its association with Myanmar culture. The golden dome rises 98 metres above its base and is covered with over 60 tons of pure gold;
- In the evening, dinner and cultural show.
- Overnight in Yangon.
Day 3- 16/2: Yangon - Bagan
- Early morning transfer to Yangon Airport, fly to Bagan;
- Sightseeing of Bagan beginning with Nyaung Oo Market, Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Wetkyi-in Gubyaukkyi, a temple with fine mural paintings of Jataka Scenes; Htilominlo Temple, noted for its plaster carvings;
- Afternoon visit to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek cross; Ananda Okkyaung, a brick monastery with mural paintings from the 18th century; visit to over 230 years old Nat Htaunk Kyaung (Monastery), built by 180 teak poles, noted for wood carvings; Dhamayangyi, a massive temple with the finest brick work;
- Watch the sunset and overnight in Bagan.
Day 4- 17/2:Bagan
- Breakfast at hotel;
- Morningvisit to Minnanthu village to see the daily lifestyle of local people and ancient temples; a visit to a traditional lacquerware workshop;Lawkananda Pagoda beside the Ayeyarwaddy River and Manuha Temple with gigantic Buddha image a captive King's impression of life in Bagan;
- Afternoon visit to Thatbyinnyu Temple built in mid-12th century, Mingalar Zedi, the last pagoda of Bagan dynasty;Bu Pagoda beside the Ayeyarwaddy;
- Sunset view of Bagan;
- Overnight in Bagan.
Day 5-18/2:Bagan - Mandalay
- Morning flight to Mandalay;
- On the way to Mandalay visit to Amarapura and to the 1.2 km-long U Bein's teak wood bridge which has stood the test of time for two centuries and remains the longest teak span in the world. At the edge of the bridge, there is Mahagandayon Monastery where more than 1000 monks live and study, see the monks having their last meal of the day and monastic way of life;
- Proceed to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a hill station and summer recreation place since the British era. Visit to famous National Kandawgyi Park, botanical gardens (since World War I);
- Sightseeing and overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Day 6 - 19/2:Mandalay
- Morning drive to Mandalay, visit to marble stone carving; Mahamuni Buddha, cast in bronze during Buddha’s life time; excursion to gold leaf making, wood carving and tapestry making workshops.
- Afternoon visit to Mandalay Royal Palace, and the Golden Palace Monastery - noted for its exquisite wood carving, Kuthodaw Pagoda known for the world's biggest book which has 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures;
- Visit to Mandalay Hill, a vantage point for a panoramic view of the city;
- Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 7 - 20/2:Mandalay - Pindaya - InleLake
- Morning transfer to airport and fly to Heho;
- Proceed by car to Pindaya and on the way visit a local hill tribe farmer's land;
- Arrive at Pindaya, visit to PindayaCave (thousands of Buddha images are kept in the cave since 11th century). The most attractive place in Pindaya is the ancient ShweUMinCave which contains about 8,000 Buddha statues which have remained there over the centuries. Visit to local paper making and bamboo umbrella workshops;
- Afternoon drive to Nyaung Shwe (port for InleLake). Take the boat trip to Inle Lake;
- Overnight at InleLake(your hotel is on the lake).
Day 8 - 21/2:Inle Lake
- Excursion by boat for a full day sightseeing trip on Inle Lake, famous for its scenic beauty and the unique leg-rowing of the Inthas;
- Visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, one of the most revered Buddhist shrine in Burma and Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery (Jumping Cats Monastery) which was constructed four years before the Mandalay Royal Palace;
- Visit to traditional hand weaving, lotus thread weaving, silver & goldsmith workshops;
- Overnight at InleLake (your hotel is on the lake).
Day 9 - 22/2:InleLake
- Morning visit to Inle villages by boat to see their daily life and activities in their floating gardens and further sightseeing around Inle Lake;
- Afternoon drive to Taunggyi, capital of Shan State,proceed to Kalaw, a beautiful hill station from the British era at 1320 m altitude;
- Overnight at Kalaw.
Day 10 - 23/2:Kalaw - Yangon
- Morning sightseeing around Kalaw town;
- Transfer to Heho airport and fly to Yangon;
- After arrival, proceed to Htaukkyant War Cemetery; the grave of 6347 allied soldiers who died in World WarII and a memorial commemorating 27,000 soldiers’ names;
- Afternoon shopping at Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) market and visit to Chinatown;
- Overnight in Yangon.
Day 11 - 24/2:Yangon
- After breakfast at leisure until transfer to airport for departure(for some).
- (others remaining)- overnight in Yangon.
*Extra additionalnight in Yangon- [Optional]
Price TBC
End of Group Tour
[Later
Departures:25th, 27th Feb. & 7th Mar.
- After breakfast, at leisure / free-time until transfer to airport for departure].
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3
TOUR costs
The tour priceis US $1,295.00 per person (£829.20).
If you would like to stay in a single room, there is a singleoccupancycharge of US $400.00 (£256.08) for the whole trip.
The tour cost include:
* Accommodation (based on a twin share room) at a standard class hotel;
* Daily hotel breakfast;
* All transport and transfers in Myanmar (airfares, boat fees, sightseeing with car);
* Entrance fees and Domestic Airport Tax;
* Porterage for 2 pieces per person at airports;
* Mineral water on coaches;
* English speaking Guide service throughout.
The tour cost does NOT include:
* International flights;
* Myanmar visas;
* Meals (lunch & dinner);
* Drinks and beverages;
* Personal spending (telephone calls, laundry,spa treatments, souvenirs, tips, etc.);
* Yangon International airport departure tax (US $10.00 per person - only new, crisp USD notes accepted.
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4
ACCOMMODATION
Below is a list of example hotels for each part of the tour. Hotels will be confirmed nearer departure time:
Yangon: Summit Parkview Hotel or similar hotel.
/
Bagan: Thande Hotel / Kumudara Hotel or similar hotel.
/
Pyin Oo Lwin:Nwe Waddy Hotel or Thirimyanmar Hotel.
Mandalay:Mandalay City Hotel or similar hotel.
InleLake:Hupin Hotel / Golden Island Cottages Hotel or similar hotel.
/
Kalaw:Hill Top Villa Hotel or similar hotel.
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5
GETTING TO BURMA
The international airport in Burma is Yangon International (RGN) Mingaladon.
At the time of writing, there are no direct flights to Burma and so airlines will have at least one stop, for example in Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
The Sky Scanner website is very useful to find out which airlines fly from your country to Burma and the best route for you: also very competitive.
To list a few of the major airlines that provide a flight service (non-direct) to Burma are:
Air China -
Malaysia Airlines -
Singapore Airlines -
Thai Airways -
Qatar Airways -
For flights from Chiang Mai (CNX), Thailand:
Air Asia and Myanmar Airways International also have a Bangkok to Yangon route so if you fly internationally into Bangkok, as an option you can purchase separate return tickets with Air Asia or Myanmar Airways International from Bangkok to Yangon:
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6
GENERAL INFORMATION
TOUR PROVIDER
The tour provider is Green Leaf Travels & Tours, a local family run company based in Burma. For more information about the places we will visit and other useful practical information about visiting Burma, please visit their website.
U Nyi Nyi Lwinand Ma Than Nwe (Directors)
Green Leaf Travels & Tours,
No. 87, Room-1, 51st, Pazundaung P.O, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (+95-1) 293 118, 293 119, 297 927
Fax: (+95-1) 296 802
E-mail:
Website:
ABOUT BURMA
To find out more about Burma, you may find the following websites useful:
For a general guide, visit the Lonely Planet:
For up to date news, visit BBC news and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office websites:
VISAS
You will need a tourist visa to enter Burma and you should be able to obtain one from your local Burmese Embassy. You will need to provide your original passport (valid for 6 months). Visa on arrival was suspended in September 2010 but this situation may change - you should check for up to date information with your local Burmese Embassy. It will take 5-10 working days to process your visa. The visa will be valid for 3 months.
For Tourist Visa you need to provide 2 recent passport photos with 2 copies of completed visa application form - cost £14.00.
For Social-Visit Visa (for ex-Burmese citizens, born in Burma or have a Burmese spouse or parent), you need to provide 3 recent passport photos with 3 copies of completed visa application form - cost £20.00.
Visa-on-Arrival possibilities
A list of Myanmar embassies around the world can be found here:
PAYING FOR THINGS IN BURMA
At the time of writing, credit and debit cards are not currently accepted in Burma, although this situation may change due to recent developments. To be on the safe side, you will therefore need a sufficient supply of cash in US dollars in pristine condition (otherwise they will not be accepted!) for the duration of your trip for all your expenses.
SPENDING MONEY
You can eat and drink very well for $50 per person per day of local cuisine (Myanmar, Shan, Chinese, Indian, Korean etc.) but if you eat in European restaurants (French and Italian), it will be slightly higher. You need dollars at hotels (notes MUST be absolutely new and pristine condition - not creased, folded or marked) and kyats will be needed for eating in local restaurants and taxis. Green Leaf Travel can exchange your dollars into kyats on your arrival.
TIPPING
The Burmese offer their help freely and genuinely, and do not expect anything in return, though gratuity is greatly appreciated. Tipping is dependent on how well you think they have been at your service but generally 5%-10% on a meal is acceptable. Porters, drivers and tour guides expect a small tip. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers.
WEATHER
We will be visiting Burma at an ideal time of the year in its cool season (November - February) when temperatures are cooler (but still warm - approximately min 18 degrees Celsius, max 30 degrees Celsius) and there is little rain.
Yangon, Bagan and Mandalayhave warm weatherall year round so you will only need to bring light and warm weather clothing. Taunggyi, Maymyo, Kalaw and InleLake area is cooler in the night time as it is ‘winter’ from November to February, so a sweater or jacket may be needed. After a cold night, temperatures rise again and are quite pleasant by midday.
TRAVEL HEALTH
Please check with your local doctor or travel clinic for the latest information on required travel vaccinations before you travel (e.g. diphtheria, hepatitis B, tetanus, malaria).
Health insurance is strongly recommended. There are hospitals and clinics in cities and larger towns, and regional health centres in outlying areas. It is advisable to carry a remedy against minor enteric upsets.
COMMUNICATIONS
Internet connection can be very sporadic and unreliable (and at some computers there are problems logging on to hotmail and yahoo but gmail and facebook are usually ok). Your mobile phone and mobile roaming will not work in Burma and international phone calls are expensive. Perfect if you do not want to be contactable!
International dialing code for Yangon is 00951
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +6:30hrs
EMBASSIES IN BURMA
American Embassy:
110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Yangon - Tel: 536509/ 535756, 538038
Fax: 511069 / 650480/ Email:
Website:
The American Center:
14 Tamwin Road, Dagon Township, Yangon- Tel: 223106, 223140, 221585 / Fax: 221262
Australian Embassy:
88 Strand Road, Yangon -Tel: 251810, 251809, 246462, 246463 /
Fax: 246159 / Emergency: 61 2 6261 3305 / Email:
Website:
British Embassy:
80, Strand Road, Yangon - Tel: 380322, 256438 /
Fax: 370866 / Email:
Website:
French Embassy:
102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, DGN, Yangon - Tel: 212178, 212520, 212523 /
Fax: 212527 /
Website:
Chinese Embassy:
1 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, DGN, Yangon - Tel: 221280, 221281, 221926 /
Fax: 227019 /
Website:
Thai Embassy:
94, Pyay Road, Dagon Township, Yangon - Tel: 222784, 226721-8 /
Fax: 527792 / /
Website:
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Please make sure that your travel insurance policy is valid and adequate for the duration of your trip.
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7
CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
Burma is a country of people with deep rooted custom and religion. For a westerner visiting Burma, there are a number of things that they need to observe. Some of the Burmese etiquette rules may be strange for westerners. However, if you follow some simple rules, your stay in Burma will be happier and avoid any problems and embarrassment. Burmese people are very friendly and helpful, especially towards visitors. Respecting Burmese (Myanmar) culture, custom and etiquette rules will gain respect and friendship from Burmese people. The followings are some of the general rules that you should always bear in mind in front of Burmese people.
Buddhism is a strong force in this country. You must dress conventionally, avoid any provocative clothing, not shout or speak too loudly, avoid touching children's heads, and least of all the monks' heads, and pointing at someone or something with your foot. For religious reasons you must take your shoes off in temples or and it polite to remove footwear when entering someone’s home. In general, be yourself, don't try and imitate local customs and don't do anything you wouldn't do at home!