TRAVEL INFORMATION & TOUR CONDITIONS

Tour Mandalay offers travellers some helpful ideas and suggestions when planning your trip to Myanmar. If there is specific information you require please contact our office and we will make every effort to assist you.

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

Please note that Tour Mandalay reserves the right to substitute a hotel or restaurant of similar standard should the situation require it. Please also note that first-class international accommodation may not be available in some Myanmar destinations. When travelling to the more remote areas of Myanmar we will always arrange the best accommodation available in each location.

AIRPORT TAX

Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax at the prevailing rate. As of March 2006 the fee is US$ 10.00 per person.

BIRTH DAY OF THE WEEK

The day on which you were born (Monday, Tuesday etc.) is very important in Myanmar's Buddhist society. At the larger Pagodas there is a special 'station' for each day of the week where you can go and make an offering or pour water over the Buddha Image for good fortune. Note: Wednesday has two stations - those born before 12 noon and those born after.

CANCELLATION FEES & REFUNDS

Tour Mandalay understands that cancellations are a part of the travel business. So we try to be as flexible as possible with our policy. Company operation and communication costs and direct charges which may be levied by our local providers such as hotels, airlines, etc. Will normally be charged to the client. We will always try to minimize any cancellation fees to all our clients. We do recommend that our clients carry adequate travel insurance which cover costs in case a cancellation charge is required.
During peak season travel times and for certain size groups there may be special cancellation fees so please inquire when booking.
After commencement of travel no refund either in full or in part, will be given for unused services included in the program unless it is directly caused by Tour Mandalay.

CHILD DISCOUNT

One child under 12 years old is generally granted a reduction of 50% of the tour price, provided that he/she is accompanied by at least two full-paying adults and stays in the same room in an existing bed. Please check with Tour Mandalay when making your reservations.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

Myanmar has three seasons.
. Cool Season - October through February
with average temperatures 20-24 C
. Hot Season - March through May
with average temperatures 30-35 C
. Wet Season - June through September
with average temperatures 25-30 C
Myanmar can be visited all year round regardless of the seasons. Even during the wet season, Yangon normally receives morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and Southern Shan State is usually quite pleasant all year round but cold at night from December to February,

COMPLIMENTARY POLICY

The 16th member of a group will be complimentary on half twin basis subject to a maximum limit of two members.

CREDIT CARDS  

Presently credit cards are not generally accepted in Myanmar so you should carry sufficient cash to cover your incountry expenses. Please check with our office if you need updated information before your arrival. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all public holidays.

CURRENCY

We recommend visitors to bring US Dollars cash (small denomination notes). US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Myanmar and are easily exchangeable for the local Kyat currency.

TRAVELLER CHEQUES

Traveller Cheques are not accepted at present.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

Upon confirmation of a reservation Tour Mandalay will usually require a deposit to secure all travel services. When booking please enquire. Normally the balance of the tour price should be paid at least 30 days in advance unless other arrangements are agreed when booking is confirmed. For special groups or for services during certain peak periods normal deposit fees may be increased by our Providers. Please inquire upon booking.

DOMESTIC AIRLINES & FLIGHTS

Air Bagan, Air Mandalay and Yangon Air ways are privately operated airlines flying throughout Myanmar. There is a 20 Kilo limit for baggage per person and excess baggage fees may be charged. We suggest you leave items not needed upcountry in Yangon and collect them upon your return.

DRINKING WATER

Only drink purified bottle water. Bottled water is readily available and some hotels provide complimentary. Carry a bottle with you throughout the day. Tour Mandalay manufactures our own "Eau Minerale Mandalay" purified water produced at our own bottling plants in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Shan State. We supply many of the leading hotels throughout Myanmar as well as offering free bottled water throughout Tour Mandalay tours to all our clients.

DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half litre of perfume are allowed per person. Yangon Airport arrival hall has a selection of duty free shops with a full range of items at a good price.

FESTIVALS

Try to arrange your journey to coincide with a festival. These unique celebrations - such as the annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival around Inle Lake - offer a perfect chance to visit villages and join the locals as they celebrate their festivals throughout the year. Contact us for the latest festival calendar.

GRATUITIES & TIPPING

Myanmars are genuinely happy to help foreign visitors and don't expect anything in return. But if your guide or any other person during your trip was especially kind or helpful a gratuity would be a generous gesture and greatly appreciated.

HEALTH

No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless coming from or passing through an infected area. Clients should bring sufficient medication with them if required and should check for updated health recommendations before your departure to Myanmar regarding hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, etc. Please contact us if you would like detailed information on emergency health services available.

IMMIGRATION & CUSTOMS FORMALITIES

Your valuables (jewelry, electronic equipment, etc.) should be declared on your customs declaration form upon arrival. Receipt of purchase and an export permit voucher for locally bought goods such as gems and jewelry may be required upon departure.

INSURANCE

We recommend all clients to obtain the necessary personal baggage, medical and accident insurance before arrival. All vehicles used by Tour Mandalay are insured in accordance with local regulations. SOS Worldwide has a local representative office in Yangon with a 24 hour on call service for emergency evacuation and medical assistance.

LANGUAGE

The majority of the people speak Myanmar (Burmese) and English is widely used.

LEFT LUGGAGE

Our office (or your Yangon Hotel - if you are returning there) will be happy to store luggage or belongings which you do not need to take upcountry.

MOBILE PHONES

Hand Phones or Mobile Telephones and Satellite phones from other countries currently do not operate in Myanmar.

OPENING BORDERS

If you are also planning to travel through Northern Thailand or Yunnan, China you must receive a visa to Myanmar before arrival at the border. If you book a full package tour with Tour Mandalay we may be able to arrange special permission for your arrival either from the Thai border at Mae-Sai into Myanmar at Tachilek or from the Chinese border town of Ruili in Yunnan into Myanmar at Mu-se. Departing from Myanmar through these border towns may also be arranged. Please contact our office.

PAYMENT PROCEDURE

Payment can be made by telegraphic transfer to the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB)
Address : 80-86, Maha Bandoola Garden St, Yangon, Myanmar
Cable : BANKFORE YANGON
Telex : 21300, 21332 BANKFE BM
Fax : (95-1) 289-585
Stating Beneficiary as:
TOUR MANDALAY CO., LTD. Account No. 92086

POWER & ELECTRICITY

Our recommended hotels in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan offer 24 hour power (with a generator if needed). In other more isolated areas like Kyaingtong, the Shan Hills, Kalaw, Pindaya, Taunggyi, Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake - generated power may not always be available.

RELIGION

The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practised among the minority.

RESPONSIBILITY

TOUR MANDALAY CO., LTD acts as an agent for the person or companies providing accommodation, transport and other services; hereinafter called “Service Providers”. TOUR MANDALAY CO., LTD., its subsidiaries, affiliated companies, servants or agents assume no responsibility or liability for the following:
(1) Any injury, damage, loss or delay to person or property.
(2) Additional expenses or inconvenience directly or indirectly or by any Service Provider or by “force majeure” or other events beyond our control, including, but not limited to war, civil disturbance, accidents, pilferage, delays, severe weather, Acts of God or Acts of Government.
(3) Failure of machinery equipment, vehicles or industrial disputes.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

IDD telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive. E mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses throughout Myanmar.

TOUR GUIDES

Tour Mandalay will normally assign an English speaking guide for clients.
(1) Accompanying English Speaking Guides
For our fully Escorted Tours we select a guide from Yangon to stay with you throughout your entire stay in Myanmar. Clients with special interests should let us know. Accompanying guides are also recommended for (a) large groups - especially those travelling without a tour leader (b) elderly or physically challenged clients who may need special attention when travelling between destinations (c) special interest groups whose guide needs expertise in specific subjects - archeology, art and history, fauna and flora, etc.
Qualified guides speaking other foreign languages including French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, German and Mandarin are only available as accompanying guides. Special guide fees will apply. Please enquire when booking.
(2) Local Station English Speaking Guides
A local guide will speak English and will meet the client in each new destination (Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, etc.). These guides have grown up in their native towns and offer the clients a chance to spend time with a local native. Also this reduces the tour cost to the client.
All Tour Mandalay Guides are fully licensed, well trained and eager to please our clients. Whenever possible our guides will always try to include special local ceremonies, festivals or events which may coincide with your visit.

TOUR PRICE

Clients should remember when booking that additional costs and expenses such as international airfares, airport taxes, cost of visas, excess baggage charges, personal or baggage insurance and any item of a personal nature - are normally not included in our price quoted.

TOUR PROGRAMS

Since our tour programs are pre-arranged, no changes or modifications can be made after arrivals in Myanmar. While every attempt will be made to keep to stipulated itineraries, Tour Mandalay reserves the right to re-arrange the order of tour programs; to cancel or to substitute elements of any plan without notice should local conditions require such changes.

TRANSPORT & TOUR MANDALAY VEHICLES

Tour Mandalay owns and operates our own vehicles so we do try to keep them in excellent condition. However, in remote areas air-conditioned vehicles may not always be available and the quality of the roads vary throughout Myanmar. We will always use the best standard vehicle available.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

A visa is required in advance. A tourist visa for Myanmar can be applied and obtained from any Myanmar Diplomatic Mission abroad. Tour Mandalay will assist its clients by issuing confirmation of travel arrangements, which should be presented when applying for your visa. You will then receive an Entry Visa for Package Tourist (E.V.T - Package Tour).
Another type of tourist visa is Entry Visa for foreign Independent Traveller (E.V.T - FIT) which does not need agent’s confirmation letter when applying for visa.
The compulsory exchange system is no longer in practice and holders of both visas need not exchange US$ 200 to Foreign Exchange Certificates (FEC) 200 units upon arrival at Yangon International Airport.
Visas are good for 3 months from the date of issue and are valid for 28 days. Visas for more than 28 days need to be arranged in advance. After arrival in Myanmar, visa extensions for another 14 days can be arranged in Yangon. If given advance notification TMC in special cases may be able to arrange for a visa on arrival in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. For this case, please advise us passport details of clients (Name, Father’s name, Religion, Passport Number, Date of issue, Nationality and full address) and passport photo size (1”x1”) scanned and attached with email and flight in/out details at least 2 weeks prior to the arrival date.Please Note that online visa is no longer available.

VOLTAGE

The voltage in Myanmar is 220-230 Volts AC. Most of the international hotels have their own generators. Other places may experience power cuts and voltage fluctuation which can damage equipment like computers. Please travel with the required protection for your electrical items.

WHAT TO BRING

Sun hat, sun glasses, sun protection for your face and body, prescription medicines, insect repellent and an umbrella (rain or shine). An antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scratches, extra pair of prescription glasses, a small flashlight, extra passport photos, decaffeinated coffee (if you require) and camera film.

WHAT TO WEAR

Shorts, short skirts or revealing clothing are not appropriate especially when visiting temples or any religious site. Myanmar is a conservative Buddhist culture and improper dress can be offensive. Please dress with respect for the local culture. Lightweight, easy to care clothes of cotton and cool fabrics are ideal all year round. A winter sweater or jacket and socks may be needed in the cool season when visiting up country especially around Inle Lake and Kalaw when the weather can be quite cold during the night. Wear sensible walking shoes which can be easily removed when required. Sandals, thongs or flip-flops (available locally) are very convenient footwear.