Myanmar Shared Tour

Myanmar is an incredible country with friendly people. You’ll get to see one the best places for the beautiful landscape , intact culture and tradition in South East Asia . If you have a dream of making the great landscapes and document the daily lives in far-flung regions, this trip is mainly designed for you. While several photography tours are being offered to Myanmar, none of them provide a similar experience because The local guide who is leading this trip is well experienced and know all the best places more than other foreigner tour leaders and organizers know . So No need to worry about getting the best pictures of Myanmar if you travel with professional local photography guide –Mr.Bo Bo Zaw.

While news reports of military action in remote Myanmar in 2017 were tragic, please understand that Myanmar remains one of the friendliest, most welcoming, and safest travel destinations anywhere in the world. Petty crime for tourists such as pick-pocketing is rare, and personal violence on tourists is all but nonexistent.

Our trips are designed to be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fit. However some trips visit remote areas with limited or non-existent medical facilities so you must be in good health. Factors such as long walks, bumpy roads, dust, traffic, stairs, humidity, delays and unfamiliar customs and cultures also add to the physical toll. Keep in mind you will need to carry your own bags.

No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Myanmar. You should check a travel immunization clinic and check with your doctor. Take along any prescription medication with sufficient supplies, as those might not be readily available in Myanmar. The sun can be remarkably hot, and a hat and high-factor block cream are advisable.

Being a valued client of Burma Photo Tour , We hereby would like to provide you all necessary travel tips before heading off to our country “ Myanmar ”formerly known as Burma provides a taste of travel in the Asia of yesteryear. Its relative lack of development in comparison to other more visited part of Asia is apparent and visitors should know and prepare accordingly those who are planning a visit to Myanmar may need to adjust some of usual travel habits. Here are some practical travel tips to help with your preparations and when you are getting around on the ground.

1. Check travel requirements and Visa – Application process

Regarding the Visa-Application Process, Tourist E-Visa system would be available and launched since 1st September 2014. All International Tourist who are determined to travel to Myanmar can obtain the entry visa through online. All entry Visa applied through online will be obtained within one week and must be used within three months of issued date and is valid for a visit of up to 28 days.
For more detail information for Visa- Application Process, Why not visit at http://evisa.moip.gov.mm/

2. Register travel details with your embassy

Letting your government know you are planning to visit any foreign country is good practice. For Myanmar, register your travel and contact details at your country’s embassy in Myanmar so that they can contact you in case of an emergency.

3. Get travel insurance

Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers treatment in Myanmar and medical evaluation out of the country in case of emergency as repatriation can be very expensive .Also, speak to your doctor about your travels and seek advice on any vaccinations you may need, especially if you’re expecting to visit rural areas.

4. Bring copies of your travel documents

Make sure to have a spare copy of your passport particulars, travel insurance policy, emergency contact numbers, travel visas and other important particulars on hand in case you need them. Keep these in your hotel safe and don’t forget to leave a copy with a friend or relative back home.

5. Bring US dollars in mint condition.

Make sure they do not have any marks or folds otherwise you won’t be able to exchange them for kyat Myanmar Local currency)

6. Wear comfortable clothes but be respectful of the Buddhist dress code.

This is especially true if you are planning to visit the Buddhist temples. It can get really hot in Myanmar so it’s important to wear light clothing, but for women in particular, it’s equally important to be properly covered up and decent.

7. Wear footwear you can easily remove.

You’ll be walking around barefoot in the Buddhist temples and leaving your footwear by the entrance. Sandals or flip flops are probably the way to go.

8. When taking a taxi, negotiate for the price first.

Taxis in Myanmar don’t have meters. Ask your guest house staff for an approximation of the cab fare for your intended destination.

9. When on the road, patience is a virtue.

Traffic can get pretty bad, and some cabs do not have working air conditioning.

10. The Use of Mobile Phone in Myanmar
For more than decade , SIM cards in Myanmar were quite expensive and difficult to obtain, but as of August 2014 cards sold by the Ooredoo , Telenor , MPT and Mytel network have become generally available for a cheap K1,500. Cards work on a top-up basis, with K1000, K3000, K5000 and K10,000 cards available. SIM cards and top-ups can be bought at numerous street-side retailers in downtown Yangon and Mandalay, as well as other larger towns and cities. Shops usually display this sign:
. Ooredoo , MPT and Telenor SIM cards are 3G and 4G mobile data enabled and standard SIM and micro SIM & Nano cards are available.
International roaming with a small number of western mobile networks is now possible in Myanmar; the situation is changing fast, so it is best to check with your operator. Some roaming services are available with Asian networks, including Thailand (AIS), Singapore (M1 and Singtel), Indonesia (Telkomsel) and Vietnam (Viettel). You may encounter a block on SMS text messaging even if you are able to make and receive calls.
Note that mobile network access is often patchy or non-existent in rural areas, but usually works well in towns.
Dialing codes-To make calls from Myanmar to another country, dial 00 then the international code for the country you are calling, then the local area code (minus the 0).
To make calls to Myanmar from abroad, dial your country’s international access code, then 95 and the local area code (minus the 0). Be warned that making calls to Myanmar can be difficult: calls will often not connect, particularly to numbers outside of Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw.
Internet Access -Given the lack of development in Myanmar, the availability of internet access is surprisingly widespread: you can find an internet café or hotel with wifi even in remote locations. However, internet speeds can be extremely slow, especially in rural areas.
Prices at internet cafes are usually around K500 per hour, although they may be higher outside cities. You can find free wifi at many restaurants and bars.
Due to bandwidth restrictions, internet speeds can change markedly according to demand through the day. Speeds are often quickest in the early morning. If you use Gmail and you are working or spending an extended period of time in Myanmar, it is worth downloading Gmail Offline; this works much better than regular Gmail with slow connections, and also allows you to work offline.Previous government internet restrictions have now been lifted, so people are free to access most websites and services – including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and so on.
11. Money, Exchange and ATM’s
Brand new foreigner currency Bills -One more thing to know and care is Foreigner Currency Matter that you all are highly advised to hold crisp , un-creased, unmarked, brand new dollar bills while travelling to Myanmar .Only four foreign currencies are widely accepted and can be exchanged at all authorized money changer . These foreigners curriencise come in range of US DOLLAR, EURO CURRENCY ,SINGAPORE DOLLAR AND THAI BATH . The rest of foreign currencies are not likely to be accepted and exchangeable in Myanmar.
Exchanging dollars to kyats -The best way to exchange recommended foreign currencies is at the authorized money changer which are widely available at Local Banks , Domestic Airports and all popular tourist spots. But It is advisable to refrain from using the money exchangers on the street who try to lure you with higher rates- it is said they cleverly short change you and unless you are willing to count your money three times , then it’s not worth the hassle .
ATM’s -There are true stories in Myanmar that a sporadic scattering of ATM machines are widely equipped drawing out kyat, there are machines at the airports and that can be found many in Myanmar (including at the most famous spot in town – the Shwedagon Paya) and Mandalay city centers, as well as in Nyaung U in Bagan. You might find ATM’s in the smaller towns, but don’t leave it this late to stock up on cash, just in case.
12. When to use dollars and when to use kyats
Typically, US dollars are mainly used for paying for your accommodation and some forms of transport, such as internal flights. Everything else from food, street snacks, tuk tuks and guides are paid for in kyat. However, should you find yourself low on dollars, most locals are happy to except kyat instead?
13. What to take for your holiday to Myanmar?
1. Flat walking shoes @ sandals.
2. Hat & sunglasses.
3. Swimming attire.
4. Lightweight travel towel.
5. Money belt.
6. Lightweight waterproof coat or umbrella.
7. Basic first aid kit.
8. Alarm clock.
9. Small torch ( flashlight ).
10. Travel plug / international adapter.
11. Women’s sanitary products.
12. Camera.
13. Ear plugs / Eyes Mask.
14. Day pack and / or small back pack.
15. Appropriate clothes for religious monuments.

From where you are, you can fly to the following Asian hubs to connect to Yangon. Bangkok (most convenient), Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Take note that the tour ends in Mandalay. From here you have 3 options
o Continue your journey by yourself,
o Return to Yangon for your return flight
o Fly out from Mandalay to Bangkok
o Check skyscanner for airline options, best fares and connections.

Booking procedure:
• All prices for the tours are quoted in US Dollars.
• To book a place of Mysterious Myanmar, We require a deposit or registration fees . The deposit is due at the time of booking. The deposit shall be paid online via credit card.
• Other than the deposit, you need to fully complete the registration form for you and your guests, if any.
• If you are traveling solo and want to share a room, we will try our best to find you a match. However, if, for any reason, we don’t find a suitable match, the single supplement fee will apply.
We will send you an email shortly after confirming your booking. Do not book your flights at this time unless otherwise indicated by us. We will let you know once the minimum number of guests to run the tour has been reached.
When to pay payment
• 1st Payment Registration fees
30% of tour value must be settled as registration fees at the time of booking to secure your place , if your booking time is within 90 days before the travel date – you are to settle the full payment
• Balance of payment
Balance payment to be settled 90 days before travel date . If you fail to settle the balance payment , your reserved place will be released . Failure to meet the payment schedule will result in cancelation and forfeit of deposit.

Cancelation and Refunds
If, for any reason, Burma Photo Tour must cancel the trip, 100% of paid deposits will be fully refunded. We reserve the right to cancel any trip/tour/group due to insufficient registration at any time. In the event of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible, and a full refund of trip payment will be given.
If a guest needs to cancel, we must receive written notification, email is accepted.
The following cancelation fees apply:
• 120 days or more before departure: no charge.
• 91 days to 119 days before departure: 50% of the deposit.
• 61 days to 90 days before departure: 50% of tour fee.
• 60 days or less before departure: 100% of tour fee.
In the event that you have to cancel, we will do our best to fill your spot. If we do so, we will refund 100% of the tour fee less an administrative fee of $ 150.-
Refunds will be not be made for any other costs you may have incurred as a result of your booking.
Travel and medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage are mandatory. We recommend that you purchase this as soon as the trip is confirmed to protect your investment.
NOTE: There must be a minimum 4 people registered for the tour. Do not book your flights until we inform you that we’ve reached the minimum number of people.

Develop core photography competence.
• Understand landscape, night. People and street photography.
• Effective composition tips.
• Shoot great travel photographs.
• Manage challenging light situations and using available light.
• Create panoramic images.
• People interaction skills in spontaneous situations & street photography.

ravel and Medical insurance is mandatory for all Burma Photo Tours trips. Domestic government medical insurance and private health schemes will not cover you in most overseas countries. Burma Photo Tours recommends World Nomads for your travel and medical insurance. You may take other coverage, of course, but you must be adequately insured before participating in our tours. Please check the terms of the policy carefully, particularly the limits of cover (eg. for replacement of photographic equipment, baggage loss etc) and the procedure for making claims (most policies stipulate that claims must be made within a certain time after completion of your journey).

On certain trips, we may require a doctor’s letter that certifies health and fitness of participants who are over 70 years old.
Minors between the age of 13 and 17 are not able to join our tours unless accompanied by a parent. Our tours are not suitable for younger children under 13.