Travel - Myanmar .net

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,  

The tourism industry is still suffering due the coverage of Cyclone Nargis, which brought 6 months ago, on May 2nd, dead and devastation over the south of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta. The reports and pictures gave the impression that Cyclone Nargis had destroyed the whole country and not only the southern part of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta and Yangon. The following map will show you the effected areas.

Myanmar journeys are really possible without any restrictions, specially as the clean-up work in Yangon was finished a long time ago, from the damage is hardly anything to see and other tourist destinations such as Inle Lake, Mandalay, Bagan and also the beaches at Ngwe Saung, Chaungtha and Ngapali were not affected by the cyclone and tourist activities in those areas are operating as usual.

We would be very happy to welcome also you here in Myanmar and remain with best regards from Yangon.

Shwe Yee & Klaus Dieter Mueller

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NEWS UPDATES
Current reference from the German ministry of Foreign Affairs dated 05.11.08 (Invariably valid since: 02.10.2008)

The tropical cyclone Nargis brought dead and devastation to the Ayeyarwady Delta and the capital Yangon on May 2, 2008. Several ten thousand humans were killed. The state of emergency for the southern part of the Ayeyarwady division and the entire city of Rangoon has so far not been waived. Nevertheless the situation within the range in the city of Rangoon normalized itself. Electricity and urban water supply, the mobile net and telephone networks are almost completely functional.

The places of interest in Rangoon were mostly not damaged and are open to the public without any restrictions. Other tourist destinations in Central Myanmar (Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake) were not affected by the cyclone.

The infrastructure in the Irrawaddy-Delta is however further heavily damaged. Single reports are stating, that tourists, who wanted to travel on the overland route, through the Irrawaddy-Delta, to Ngwe Saung Beach and Chaungtha were asked to get a travel permission issued, which is according to the Myanmar authorities only necessary for stays in the delta.

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NGWE SAUNG BEACH

We had received a lot of different information regarding Ngwe Saung Beach and Chaungtha Beach in the last weeks. One source informed us that you do not need a permit to travel to Ngwe Saung Beach or Chaungtha Beach, the next source informed us you need a permission. The same problem we had with the information regarding the road condition between Yangon and Ngwe Saung Beach and everything was possible from between 5 hours to 10 hours. Thus we had decided on a very short notice to check this out on our own and did a weekend trip to Ngwe Saung Beach.

Very important:
If you like to travel to Pathein, Ngwe Saung Beach or Chaungtha Beach you need a permit. This is how the permit looks like

The “Ministry of Hotel & Tourism” will issue the permit
Address:
Ministry of Hotel & Tourism
77-91, Sule Pagoda Road, Yangon
Tel: 0095-1-371582/379092/379093/254153/375194
Fax: 0095-1-242511/242522/379095
Email: dht.mht@myanmar.com.mm

Opening hours:
Monday - Friday from 10:00am to 16:00pm

It takes approx. 1 hour to get the permission issued. Please bring along your passport. Permission does not cost anything, however a donation for charitable purposes at a value of Kyats 5000 (US$ 4,--) is expected.

From the permit and your passport you should have a set of 4 copies to be on the safe side as you have to deliver a copy at each check point. We had to stop at 2 check points and had to show each time also our passport.

Between the two check points:

“Everybody” can travel free to the beaches
of Ngwe Saung and Chaungtha

The road from Yangon to Pathein is in a very bad condition and there is very seldom a longer stretch without deep holes. Speed up, slow down, circle around the holes as good as possible and speed up again. Only about 48 km before Pathein the road becomes then better and from Pathein to Ngwe Saung is the road even in an excellent condition.
For the trip from Yangon to Pathein you need 5 to 6 hours and from Pathein to Ngwe Saung another 1 to 1.5 hours.

The patching up continues, but it will probably take 2 months more before the road from Yangon to Pathein is again constantly passable.

On the whole journey we did not get bored as there is so much to see and we were again and again overwhelmed by the scenic beauty of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta.

Latest upon arrival at Ngwe Saung Beach was then also the long trip and the bad road forgotten. White beach, crystal-clear water, fantastic sunsets and a lot more.

This time we stayed at the Myanmar Treasure Resort designed to tempt those who wish to escape from hectic city life. The Resort overlooks a 9-mile white-sand pristine beach against a crystal blue sea. A six-hour drive to the west of Yangon will take you to this Holiday Haven amidst Sun, Sand and Sea. The indigenous architecture of the teak-pillared lobby, the teak-house restaurant and the thatch-roofed bungalows under the swaying palms on a virgin beach provide a most romantic setting.

Unfortunately we had to go back to Yangon on Sunday, but will certainly soon drive again to Ngwe Saung.

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Yangon:
The Nagar Glass Factory is still closed due the high costs of gas. We will check with the factory from time to time and inform you as soon as the factory is open again.

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Rakhine State / Sittwe & Mrauk Oo:
The road between Sittwe & Mrauk Oo is very bad and the trip by car takes at least 6 hours. Therefore we have changed our Sittwe & Mrauk Oo program accordingly. For safety reasons it is also not allowed anymore to travel from Sittwe to Mrauk Oo after 12 noon. As domestic flights are arriving in Sittwe only in the afternoon, clients have to stay the first night in Sittwe and continue by boat to Mrauk Oo the next morning.

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International flights:

Bangkok – Yangon
Thai Air Asia will again fly daily between Bangkok and Yangon starting on 01.10.08
Bangkok – Yangon by FD-3770 (Etd: 07:10 / Eta: 08:00)
Yangon – Bangkok by FD-3771 (Etd: 08:30 / Eta: 10:10)

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Mandalay - Kunming:
China Eastern airline (MU) flies three times a week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) from Kunming to Mandalay.
Kunming - Mandalay by MU-2029 (Etd: 13:00/Eta: 13:40)
Mandalay – Kunming by MU-2030 (Etd: 14:40 / Eta: 17:35)

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Domestic flights:

Air Mandalay:
Air Mandalay is a schedule airline, based in Yangon . It operates flights to all major tourist destinations within Myanmar including Bagan, Mandalay , Heho and Ngapali Beach . Air Mandalay has schedule flights from Yangon to Chiang Mai.

Winter flight schedule of Air Mandalay:
NEW FLIGHT SCHEDULE 05.11.08 – 30.04.09

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Yangon Airways:
Yangon Airways has become a principal domestic airline in Myanmar flying scheduled and charter flight services to 13 prime commercial and tourist destinations in Myanmar including Yangon, Mandalay, Nyaung U, Heho, Kyaing-Tong, Tachileik, Dawei, Myeik, Kawthaung and NayPyiTaw.

Winter flight schedule of Yangon Airways:
01.11.08 – 30.04.09

Latest news dated 16.10.08

Yangon Airways has changed the schedule for the high season 2008 and there will be no flights to THANDWE, SITTWE and MYITKYINA till 31.12.08.

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Air Bagan:
Air Bagan is now operating to 15 destinations including main tourist destinations as well as to other commercially important destinations such as Yangon, Mandalay, Nyaung U, Heho, Myitkyina, Putao, Dawei, Myeik, Kawthaung, Thandwe, Sittwe , Pathein , NayPyiTaw, Kalaymyo & Lashio.

Winter flight schedule of Air Bagan:
01.10.08 – 30.04.09

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Delta cruises:

Cyclone Nargis had only little effect on RV Mahaythi II. The minor damages were soon fixed and at the moment the boat is based in Bogole for relief work.

RV Mahaythi I was totally destroyed by Nargis and will be not available for day trips to Twante and Yangon Sunset Cocktail Cruises.

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Express boat from Mandalay to Bagan:
Updated on 20.11.08

Shwe Keinnery or Zin Yaw:
Please note, that there are only 2 departures from Mandalay to Bagan and from bagan to Mandalay in November.
From Mandalay to Bagan:
24.11.08 Mandalay – Bagan (Departure at 07:00 / Arrival at 17:30)
30.11.08 Mandalay – Bagan (Departure at 07:00 / Arrival at 17:30)
From Bagan to Mandalay:
25.11.08 Bagan - Mandalay (Departure at 05:30 / Arrival at 18:30)
01.12.08 Bagan - Mandalay (Departure at 05:30 / Arrival at 18:30)

The operator of the Shwe Keinnery boats, is also using smaller boats, like "Zin Yaw", to be able to offer more trips between Mandalay and Bagan.

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Malikha River Cruise:
From 01.11.08 – 31.03.09:
From Mandalay to Bagan: every Friday and Sunday
From Bagan to Mandalay: every Saturday and Monday
For an updated schedule (November 2008), please click here.

Malikha

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River cruises between Mandalay & Bagan:

RV Pandaw 1947 und RV Paukan 2007:
Due the sharp price increase of Diesel Oil Ayravata Cruises is going to charge a fuel surcharge for all river cruises starting from 2. November 2008.

Enclosed are the fuel supplements for each river cruise:
Between Mandalay and Bagan (1N cruise / downstream)
US$ 10,- per person
From Mandalay to Ancient Bagan (2N cruise / downstream / Dep. Sun)
US$ 18,- per person
Between Bagan and Mandalay (2N cruise / upstream)
US$ 20,- per person
Myanmar Days - The Bhamo Cruise
US$ 200,- per person

Following the effects of Cyclone Nargis, the Road To Mandalay river cruise service will be suspended for the 2008/2009 season during which time the vessel will be repaired and substantially reconditioned in Burma. The boat will return to service in the summer of 2009 at the start of the 2009/2010 season.

All passengers who were booked to travel during the suspension of services are being contacted directly or via their travel agents so that they can re-arrange their travel plans and assistance will be offered to make alternative arrangements, if required.

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Has significantly reduced the 2008/2009 schedule for the short river cruises between Mandalay and Bagan and will offer only 2 river cruises in a week between October and March.
Tuesday: Mandalay – Bagan (3 days / 2 nights)
Saturday:Bagan - Mandalay (3 days / 2 nights)

For an updated schedule, please click here.

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HOTEL UPDATE:

Royal Kaytumadi Hotel in Taungoo:
Located 175 miles from Yangon and good starting point to visit one of the Elephant Camps towards the Bago Yoma, which means Bago mountain ranges. It is the home of the best teak, and the topography of Bago Yoma is a place of genuine beauty.
The new Roayl Kaytumadi Hotel (2-3*) has 48 Deluxe, 12 Executive Suites and 3 Royal Kaytumadi Suites.

Address:
Kokekotan Street, Taungoo, Bago Division, Union of Myanmar
Tel: 0095-54-25145, 25146, 25147, 24761
Fax: 0095-54-25147
E-mail: kmahotels@myanmar.com.mm  , info@kmahotels.com.mm
Website: www.kmahotels.com.mm

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Chaungtha Beach / Belle Resort:

The Belle Resort a 3* hotel was established in 2005, partly open in October 2006 and fully finished in January 2008.
The Belle Resort has 2 family, 12 deluxe, 12 superior and 18 standard rooms.
www.belleresort.com

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PRODUCT NEWS:

During the last weeks we had worked out the itineraries and prices for summer 2009.

MYANMAR – YOUR SUMMER VACATION 2009

We offer you a perfect introduction to the best kept secrets of Myanmar. In only 6 days you will visit the former capital Yangon, the green Garden City with its gorgeous mix of golden Pagodas and British Colonial architecture, Bagan the most stunning archeological site of 2000 pagodas, Mandalay, the city of the last Myanmar Kings and Inle Lake, a beautiful expanse of water surrounded by mountains and floating villages.

For the detailed itineraries and prices please click here:
http://www.travel-myanmar.net/summer-myanmar-travel.htm

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For the Myanmar Festivals in 2009, please click here:
http://www.travel-myanmar.net/festivals2009.htm

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BALLOONS OVER BAGAN
Update and news for 2008 - 2009 season

1. Capacity
The capacity will finally increase following a delay during this current season due to the recent drop in tourism numbers. We will therefore, as originally planned, be able to operate a maximum of four balloons at any one time. Total capacity will therefore increase to 40 passengers per flight from the 20th October to 31st March, and will be 24 passengers per flight from the 1st October to the 20th October.

2. Season
Next season will run from October 1st 2008 to March 31st 2009

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UPCOMING FESTIVALS

Festivals in November:

SHWEZIGON FESTIVAL, Bagan
Nov. 04 - 12, 2008
Shwezigon Festival will be held starting from 04 November to 12 November. There are evening entertainments such as Zats: (a variety of dances, songs, short and long plays), Anyeints (a performance of a few hours in which a number of "jokers" caricature current situations and or person strung together by a traditional dancer, popular movies shown in open air. On full moon day (12 Nov), there is a communal offering of food and various domestic articles to the monks from the nearby monasteries (ca. 600) lined up as in usual offerings.

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BALLOON FESTIVAL, Taunggyi
Nov. 07 - 12, 2008
The fireworks are in the form of rockets. There is always hot balloons competition day and night. Day balloons are usually in the form of Pagodas, and animals such as elephant, dragon or ducks while the night balloons usually in the shape of rugby ball, huge elongated paper balls with small lighted multicolored paper lanterns hung around their sides and balloons would sting along fireworks and fire sticks which are set off mid-air fireworks. Time table of Balloon Festival in Taunggyi.

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THANBODDE PAGODA CEREMONY, Monywa
Nov. 11 - 12, 2008
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment provided. Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles (cotton blankets and longyis mainly) can be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area.

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PHO-WIN-TAUNG FESTIVAL, Monywa
Nov. 11 - 12, 2008
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment provided. Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles (cotton blankets and longyis mainly) can be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area.

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KAUNGHMUDAW PAGODA FESTIVAL, Sagaing
Nov. 12 – 17, 2008
The most interesting aspect of this festival is the caravan of bullock-carts in the pagoda compound. Some of the carts carry their village products, such as hand-woven cotton cloths and cane mats, to sell them there. They like to camp under the shade of the trees.

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ROBE WEAVING CONTEST, Throughout Myanmar
Nov. 12, 2008
The robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve of the day before full moon day in one night. This is a competition for the weaving skills between teams of women to complete special saffron-coloured robes, called “Ma Tho Thin Gan” from the evening onwards at dawn. It is still done in the traditional way and lots of people enjoy watching the demonstrations. At dawn, the robes are offered to the great image of Lord Buddha and followed by the prize giving ceremony for the winners.

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KYAIKHTIYO PAGODA FESTIVAL, Golden Rock
Nov. 12, 2008
The boulder, standing on the edge of a peak in the highest mountain range, is said to be freely hanging over the cliff. The place is famous as a pilgrimage and holiday outing spot. On this particular full moon day number total 9,999 candles are ceremoniously lit at mid night.

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SHIN MAR LE PAGODA FESTIVAL, Thazi
Nov. 11 - 12, 2008
Celebrated at the time of the Tazaung Dine Festival. People throe with lotus flowers to the top of the stupa, located at the North entrance of the Mahamuni Pagoda, as homage to the Lord Buddha.

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TAZAUGDINE LIGHT FESTIVAL, Throughout Myanmar
Nov. 11 - 13, 2008
Another festival of light held on the full moon day throughout the country. Home and streets are illuminated and Buddhists are provided robe and various requisites at Kathein (Ceremony of offering robes to monks). On this particular full moon day number total 9,999 candles are ceremoniously lit at mid night. Visitors are served with mixed salad of maezali buds, believed to possess powerful, magical and medicinal properties if eaten at this time.

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