• Passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity at time of travel. Foreigners must always carry their passport 
• whilst travelling.
• Visa processing time is between 5 and 10 working days at most Myanmar Consulates or Embassies.
• Tourist visas are valid for 28 days
• Some Embassies require a ‘confirmation letter’ which Diethelm Travel can provide.

09 OCT 2010 – 26 OCT 2010 Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in Inle Lake
22 OCT 2010 – 22 OCT 2010 Elephant Dance Festival in Kyaukse (near Mandalay)
23 OCT 2010 – 23 OCT 2010 Tadingyut Festival (the whole country)
14 NOV 2010 – 24 NOV 2010 Shwezigon Festival in Bagan
15 NOV 2010 – 21 NOV 2010 Fire Balloon Festival in Taunggyi
20 NOV 2010 – 21 NOV 2010 Fire Balloon Festival in Maymyo
20 NOV 2010 – 21 NOV 2010 Shin Mar Le Pagoda Festival Mandalay
20 NOV 2010    Robe Weaving Contest in big cities
21 NOV 2010    Full moon Festival (the whole country)
01 DEC 2010    National day (the whole country)
18 DEC 2010 – 24 DEC 2010 Alotaw Pyi Festival in Bagan
14 DEC 2010 – 21 DEC 2010 Shwemyetmhan (Golden Sceptical)  Pagoda Festival in Shwetaung
21 DEC 2010    Taung Byone Natto (Sit Htwet) Nat Festival in Taung Byone Village
21 DEC 2010    Minmahagiri Nat Ceremony in Popa

09 JAN 2011 – 10 JAN 2011 Kachin Manaw Festival (Kachin State)
12 JAN 2011 – 27 JAN 2011 Ananda Pagoda Festival in Bagan
14 JAN 2011 – 15 JAN 2011 Naga New Year (Chin State)
11 FEB 2011 – 26 FEB 2010 Mahamuni Ceremony in Mandalay
14 MAR 2011 – 19 MAR 2011 Baw-gyo festiva
15 MAR 2011 – 15 MAR 2011 Pindaya Cave Festival in Pindaya
13 APR 2011 – 16 APR 2011 Water Festival (the whole country)
17 APR 2011 – 17 APR 2011 Myanmar New Year (the whole country)
17 APR 2011 – 17 APR 2011 Popa Ceremony in Mt Popa
02 JUN 2011 – 16 JUN 2011 Chin Lone Festival (Mahamuni Waso festival)
09 JUN 2011 – 24 JUN 2011 Thihoshin Pagoda Festival in Pakkoku
28 SEP 2011 – 15 OCT 2011 Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in Inle Lake
11 OCT 2011 – 11 OCT 2011 Elephant Dance Festival in Kyaukse (near Mandalay)
11 OCT 2011 – 13 OCT 2011 Tadingyut Festival (the whole country)
03 NOV 2011 – 18 NOV 2011 Shwezigon Festival in Bagan
04 NOV 2011 – 10 NOV 2011 Fire Balloon Festival in Taunggyi
09 NOV 2011 – 10 NOV 2011 Fire Balloon Festival in Maymyo
09 NOV 2011 – 10 NOV 2011 Shin Mar Le Pagoda Festival Mandalay
09 NOV 2011    Robe Weaving Contest in big cities
01 DEC 2011    National day (the whole country)
03 DEC 2011 – 10 DEC 2011 Shwemyetmhan (Golden Sceptical)  Pagoda Festival in Shwetaung
07 DEC 2011 – 13 DEC 2011 Alotaw Pyi Festival in Bagan
10 DEC 2011    Taung Byone Natto (Sit Htwet) Nat Festival in Taung Byone Village
10 DEC 2011    Minmahagiri Nat Ceremony in Popa

Myanmar abounds with local festivals. Most festivals have religious backgrounds and dates are fixed according to the lunar calendar. Exact dates for some festivals are often determined only a few weeks before the event. From November to March, visitors may often find themselves, unexpectedly, in the midst of a local festival.  Diethelm Travel tries to include local festivals in client itineraries whenever possible.

There are several cinemas in downtown Yangon that regularly show English spoken movies. Please check with your hotel reception or tour guide for the current showing movie.

Nay Pyi Taw Cinema    
Tel: 01 252 115 / 251 277 / 251 288 
242 / 248 Sule Pagoda Road, Yangon (across from Traders Hotel)

Thamada Cinema    
Tel: 01 246 962 / 252 117 / 246 963
5, Alan-pya-paya Road, Yangon (next to Thamada Hotel and Grand Plaza Park Royal, former Sofitel Plaza)

We recommend bringing light loose fitting cotton clothes and pale colours tend to be cooler.  Myanmar still has very traditional customs and it is not appropriate to wear shorts, Bermudas or miniskirts.  Since shoes and socks have to be removed for all visits to pagodas and temples, we recommend wearing sandals or other slip-on shoes which are easy to put on and take off.  When visiting temples or other religious monuments, visitors should be modestly dressed - it is very important that knees and shoulders are covered and ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places. Hats and sunglasses are strongly recommended.  Formal style clothes i.e. jacket and tie are not required. A sarong with its multi uses is a very useful item to bring. If travelling to Inle Lake or the Shan Hills particularly during the Winter season the nights can be chilly due to altitude hence it is advisable to bring a warm layer for the evenings.

Generally credit cards are very rarely accepted in Myanmar. A few top hotels may accept the major credit cards but you will pay around 7% commission. Additionally if the internet connection is not working at the time you want to use the card, it will be refused and most hotels have a daily upper limit they are restricted to accepting. It is by far best not to rely on using credit cards at all.

The Myanmar currency is Kyats (pronounced "chats"). The following notes are in circulation 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100. The official rate of exchange is approximately Kyats 6 to USD 1 and the unofficial rate can go up as far as Kyat 1100 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 900/1.000 to FEC 1. In practice nowadays money is changed directly from USD into Kyats and your guide will assist you in this. Please do not change USD into Kyats at the money changer at the airport as the rate is very low. The lower notes under 100, you are not likely to see in circulation.
 
Please note that US Dollars are widely accepted and Euros are now being accepted in the cities (Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan) but other currencies are not accepted at all. We therefore advise you to bring either US Dollars or Euros cash. Please note that money changers/shops/restaurants/hotels only accept USD notes, which are in good condition and ‘new’ looking. Notes with torn off corners, rips or scrawls are not accepted. Travellers’ cheques are not accepted and there are no ATM machines.

The basic principle of customs policy in Myanmar is that visitors should exit the country with the same goods and personal possessions that they brought in. Expensive Jewellery or electrical goods must be declared to Customs at the airport. Exports of antique and archaeologically valuable items are prohibited. To avoid any confiscation of goods not purchased in Myanmar, visitors must be sure they appear on their customs declaration form on arrival. Particular note should be taken of antiques purchased in other countries in the region which might possible be deemed of Myanmar origin. Also extra should be taken to declare lose gemstones and jewellery. Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one liter of wine or spirits. Note that export of antiques, Buddha images and gems without an official dealer’s receipt, is strictly prohibited.
Officially an amount of cash currency of more than USD 2000 should be declared; however in practice this seems not to be stringently complied with by tourists or locals.
Baggage may be X-rayed or inspected before departure.
If an airport arrival transfer has been pre-arranged with us, a Diethelm Travel representative or guide will meet travellers on arrival after airport immigration and customs control points have been passed. In the arrival hall our representative will display a Diethelm Travel sign and/or names of guests or their group for easy recognition.

An international driving license is accepted. Penalties for motorists that hit a pedestrian are extremely severe, regardless of who was at fault. We therefore strongly recommend that visitors to Myanmar do not attempt to drive.

Should you need assistance of your embassy, the following are the addresses of the major embassies in Yangon: (note that the Embassies are usually open only in the mornings.)

Embassy of the United States of America
110, University Avenue, Kamayut Township 
Tel: 01 536 509 / 535 756 / 538 038

Embassy of the United Kingdom
80 Strand Road
Tel: 01 370 863 - 5 / 254658-7 / 380 322 / 370 865 / 371852-3

Embassy of Australia   
88 Strand Road, Kyauktada Township (next to the Strand Hotel)
Tel: 01 251 809 / 251 810
Fax: 01 246 159

Embassy of Japan   
100 Natmauk Road, Bahan Township 
Tel: 01 549 644 - 8 / 540399 / 540400 / 540411
Fax: 01 549 643

Embassy of France   
102 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Dagon Towhnship
Tel: 01 212178 / 212520 -30/ 21252
Fax: 01 212 527

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
9 Bogyoke Aung San museum Road, Bahan Township
Tel: 01 548 951 / 548 952 / 548 953
Fax: 01 548 899

Embassy of Italy   
3 Inya Myaing Road, Bahan Township 
Tel: 01 527 100 –1
Fax: 01 514 565

Consulate of Switzerland  
79/80 Bahosi, Lamadaw Township 
Tel: 01 211 562 / 211538 - 7
Fax: 01 211 540

For addresses or information of other embassies, please contact our office.

There are many good restaurants in Yangon, which serve quality food at reasonable prices. There are restaurants offering Thai, Chinese, European, Italian, Indian and Burmese cuisine. Eating at the street restaurants can be a wonderful Asian experience but is not recommended unless an experienced guide has recommended the restaurant. Throughout upcountry Myanmar, the choice of food is limited to Burmese and Chinese. In Yangon and Mandalay there are now many noodle and coffee shops and Yangon has a good choice of fine dining experiences.
As a general comment Burmese Food is a meeting point between the spicy Thai cuisine and the Indian spice ‘curry’ base. Rice and noodles are the stable dishes usually served with a variety of side dishes ranging from meat or fish, salads, vegetables and a lentil soup.

Accommodation standards in Myanmar still vary widely, especially in quality and during high season the hotels with character are in huge demand getting booked up many months ahead. New and refurbished hotels meeting international standards are available in Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Ngapali Beach and Ngwe Saung Beach. Diethelm Travel clients will generally receive hotel reservation priority, but Diethelm Travel cannot guarantee specific hotel requests and upcountry reserves the right to substitute accommodation for the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel is not available. Clients are advised that accommodation in remote locations can be very basic and simple. Hotels offer more competitive rates during the months of May – Sept.

The extent of insurance coverage in Myanmar varies widely to western norms. It is suggested that visitors consider short-term health and accident policies from your own insurance company prior to leaving home. Local hospital care is basic, any seriously injured tourist will require medical evacuation to either Singapore or Bangkok.  As medical evacuations can be extremely costly, we recommend that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy that will cover the costs of a medical evacuation and subsequent medical care.

The great majority of Burmese are Theravada Buddhists. Buddhism still has great influence on the daily lives of Myanmar. Close family ties, respect for elders, reverence for Buddhism and simple native dress are common values practiced by most. 89% of the population are Buddhists with the remainder being made up of Christians (5%), Muslims (3%), Hindus (1%), Animists and other (2%). Myanmar accepts full freedom of worship for followers of other religion.

Tipping is quite common in Myanmar today. Only at very simple restaurants do waiters not expect tips. Where a porter or waiter gives special service, a small tip is always welcome. Regarding drivers and guides, the amount tip is discretionary and should only be given for ‘good service’. As an extremely approximate guideline, which should be adjusted taking various things into consideration, such as the sophistication of the guide, size of the group and duration of drive or tour, the following would be applicable:

2 -3 persons in a car
USD 3-5 a day for a driver
USD 8-10 a day for a guide

Group of 10-20
USD .50  per person for a driver
USD 1 per person a day for a guide

All tours and services can be booked directly with our office in Myanmar:

Diethelm Travel Ltd., Myanmar
Inya Lake Resort
37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Mayangone Township
Yangon
Union of Myanmar
Tel: (95 1) 652 905, 652 906
Fax: (95 1) 652 907
E-mail: leisure@diethelm.com.mm
Internet Homepage: www.diethelmtravel.com 

Our office in Bangkok will also be pleased to assist with information and reservations for all our Myanmar products:
 
Diethelm Travel
Kian Gwan Building 2, 14/F
140/1 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
Tel: (66 2) 660 7000
Fax: (66 2 ) 660 7020 / 660 7021
E-mail: info@diethelmtravel.com
Internet Homepage: www.diethelmtravel.com

Full prepayment by bank remittance, bank draft or wire transfer is required 4 weeks prior to commencement of services. We reserve the right to request a deposit payment at the time of booking. Our bank details are as follows:

Beneficiary: Diethelm Travel (Thailand) Ltd.
Account Number: 02027828120022 (USD)
Bank: CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE & INVESTMENT BANK
Bangkok Branch
152 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Phone: 662 624 8000
Telex: 81156 INDOSU TH
82466 INDOSU TH
Swift Code: BSUITHBK
Via intermediary bank: JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. New York, Swift Code: CHASUS33
Account No: 796706810

When filling in the beneficiary in your bank remittance order, please mention "Diethelm Travel Ltd." and kindly do not mention Myanmar and/or Burma nor any address in Myanmar at all in the bank remittance form.

Please bear in mind that bank transfers are often slow.  Diethelm Travel Ltd., will only guarantee its services if full prepayment has been received 4 weeks prior to clients' arrival in Myanmar.

With regard to bank charges/fees, Diethelm Travel shall absorb charges levied by our bank in Bangkok, whereas bank charges/fees levied by the sender's bank must be borne by the debtor.

Rates in this tariff are quoted net to travel agents in U.S. Dollars at current rate of exchange and are subject to change without prior notice. Included in quoted prices are domestic airfares, transfers, accommodation, meals and services as shown in each tour itinerary. Not included in the tour prices are optional tours, visa charges and airport taxes (unless stated in the itinerary) and expenses of personal nature.
 
Local English-speaking guides accompany tourists on all land tours. Availability of German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian as well as Japanese speaking guides are subject to confirmation at time of booking.
 
Accommodation is based on shared twin-bed rooms, with a supplementary charge for single occupancy.

Diethelm Travel acts solely as an intermediary between the passenger, his travel agent or tour operator, and local airlines, hotels, restaurants, boat companies and ground transportation companies. Diethelm Travel is therefore not responsible for any loss, injury or damage sustained by the traveler including those occurring outside the tour programs. While every effort is undertaken to provide tour arrangements exactly as per itineraries, additional expenses incurred due to delays, accidents, natural disasters, political actions and unrest, must be borne by the traveler. Diethelm Travel strongly suggests that passengers take out adequate private insurance to cover eventualities such as cancellation costs, medical expenses including repatriation in the event of an accident or illness, loss or damage to luggage before any trip to Myanmar.
 
Diethelm Travel also reserves the right to provide alternative accommodation or switch around programmes if, due to reasons beyond its control, hotels, flights or any other services as mentioned in the programme cannot be confirmed. However, Diethelm Travel will endeavor to find the best possible alternatives in order to maintain the level of quality of arrangements as originally confirmed. Programmes, prices, services and conditions are based on those valid at the time of printing and are therefore subject to change without advance notice before or during the tour. Participation in our tours implies the client's agreement to the above conditions.