Myanmar
 
A Buddhist kingdom formerly known as Burma, Myanmar enchants all who venture to this unique destination. An ancient land where the incredibly warm and hospitable people still wear traditional dress and adhere to age-old customs, this isolated country is filled with charming old cities, stupa filled landscapes and interesting trekking routes.
See the sunset over Bagan’s vast stupa-dotted plain from Shwesandaw Pagoda or relax on a river cruise down the Irrawaddy River aboard the luxurious Pandaw ships. Travel to Mandalay, where George Orwell once resided, and enjoy the views of Burma’s former capital from atop Mandalay Hill. Watch the fisherman that row with their feet on scenic Inle Lake. Stay at the Governor’s Residence in Yangon (Rangoon), a beautifully restored teak mansion near the spectacular Schwedagon Pagoda. Watch as pilgrims add gold leaf to the massive and seemingly unstable Golden Rock (Kyaik Hti Yo), held in place atop a cliff by a single hair of the Buddha. The incredible archaeological sites, Buddhist temples, pagodas, fascinating history, and wonderful scenery truly make Myanmar a unique destination...and one of the personal favorites of Red Lantern Journeys employees. Myanmar, as Kipling said “It is quite unlike any place you know about.”
Our Personal Picks
- A hot air balloon ride over thousand year old temples in Bagan
- The secluded palm-lined beaches of Ngapali on the south Rakkhaing coast
- The luxurious Road to Mandalay cruise down the Ayeyarwady River
- The sunset at Schwedagon Pagoda, the world famous stupa that dominates Yangon’s skyline
- The Jumping Cat Monastery where the monks have taught the cats to jump through hoops
- A traditional ox-cart ride across Bagan’s vast plain
- A walk across U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world
- A silk weaving workshop in Amarapura
When to Travel
The best times to travel in Myanmar are from November through February. March through May are also ok, but will be quite hot. June through September is the monsoon season with daily rains, but the temperatures can be a bit lower and it is still possible to travel then. In northern Myanmar, the weather is milder and travel is possible at any time.
Recent News and Upcoming Events
Tourism to Myanmar has been the center of much debate since the birth of a tourism boycott in 1995. However recent overtures by President Obama and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi with her decision to promote tourism in a responsible manner, has everyone in the country excited about the potential for positive chance. One good thing about the tourism debate is that it reminds us to think about the impact tourism has on the places we visit so we can make informed decisions. Some reasons to visit Myanmar:
- Pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has dropped her opposition to tourism to Myanmar
- The government’s biggest source of income from foreign visitors (requiring they change $200 for government FEC-Foreign Exchange Certificates) ended in 2003
- A majority of a careful independent traveler’s expenses goes to the private sector, a higher percentage than the government allocates for the public
- As outside communication is regulated, tourism provides an open two way exchange between many locals and the outside world
Visa Information
US and Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Myanmar. Visas are available through Myanmar embassies overseas. You can also obtain your Visa on arrival (recommended) with a Visa Approval Letter, which is available through Red Lantern Journeys. The fee is $65 and we will need a copy of your passport, plus your father’s name, occupation, religion, address, arrival date, flight number and arrival time, departure date, flight number and departure time. If you prefer to use a visa service to handle your visa applications, we recommend CIBT Global Visa and Passport Professionals.
Suggested Itineraries
Below are recommended itineraries for a privately guided tour. Book as-is or customize it to fit your schedule and traveling goals.
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