Practical information Myanmar (Burma)

Yes, a tourist visa is mandatory for French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals. The simplest procedure remains the e-visa, which you can apply for online on the official website of the Burmese Ministry of Immigration (evisa.moip.gov.mm). Budget around 50 USD, allow 3 business days for processing, and the visa is valid for 90 days from issuance for a maximum stay of 28 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date and have two blank pages. Upon arrival in Yangon or Mandalay, present your printed e-visa along with a recent passport photo. Our English-speaking team can assist you with your application if needed.

No vaccination is mandatory upon entry, except yellow fever if you are arriving from a country where it is circulating. Highly recommended vaccines are hepatitis A and B, typhoid, up-to-date DTP, and rabies if you plan trekking or long stays in rural areas. Japanese encephalitis may be discussed for extended stays in rural areas during the wet season. Malaria is present in forested areas of Shan, Kachin and Karen states: preventive treatment may be prescribed depending on your itinerary. Dengue also circulates, with no common vaccine available. Consult an international vaccination center 6 to 8 weeks before departure.

Excluding international flights, budget between €80 and €130 per day and per person on an organized circuit with comfortable accommodation (3-star local standard), private car, driver and English-speaking guide. A night in a good quality hotel in Bagan or Inle ranges from €60 to €100 for two. A meal in a local restaurant costs €4 to €8, a dinner at your hotel around €15 to €25. Domestic flights (Yangon-Bagan approximately €90) and entrance fees to archaeological sites (€25 for the Bagan area, €15 for Inle) are expenses to budget for. For a luxury stay, expect from €200 per day and per person.

The best period spans November to February: dry season, pleasant temperatures (20 to 30°C in the plains, cooler in Inle and Kalaw with nights around 10°C in December). This is peak tourist season, requiring booking several months in advance. March and April are very hot, reaching up to 40°C in Bagan and Mandalay, but the light remains excellent and visitor numbers drop. The monsoon from June to September brings heavy rainfall, especially on the west coast (Ngapali closes) and in the delta. The northern regions (Bagan, Inle, Mandalay) remain visitable with short showers. October marks a beautiful transition, with green landscapes and clearing skies.

Since distances are long and road conditions vary, travelers typically combine domestic flights and private car with driver. Local airlines (Myanmar National Airlines, Air KBZ) connect Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Heho and Thandwe in 1 to 1.5 hours of flight. Private car remains ideal for shorter stages (Mandalay-Bagan in 5 hours, Kalaw-Inle in 2 hours). The Yangon-Mandalay train exists but remains slow and uncomfortable, reserved for slow travel enthusiasts. Boat trips on the Irrawaddy between Bagan and Mandalay offer a peaceful descent of 10 hours in high season. Overnight VIP buses connect major cities on a budget. Our team organizes all transfers with English-speaking drivers.

The classic tourist regions (Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, Ngapali) remain accessible and peaceful for travelers, with low crime rates. Certain border areas (northern Shan State, Kachin State, Rakhine State, northern Chin State) are discouraged or off-limits due to internal tensions: these regions are not included in our itineraries. The political context remains sensitive since 2021, and we follow the recommendations of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs daily. On the ground, standard precautions are sufficient: keep an eye on your belongings in transport and markets, avoid any political discussion in public, do not photograph military personnel. Our team in Yangon remains available 24/7 throughout your trip.