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NB : Since August 2003,
you do not have to change 200 or 300 USD in FEC at your arrival
in Myanmar (whatever the airport and whatever you can read
on badly update website or old custom forms).
Also, we remind you that you do not need any certificate or
document to apply for a tourist Visa at your local Myanmar
Embassy (you need certificate only for land crossing border
or Visa on Arrival).
Hotel renovation and promotion (28-march-2008)
Ananda travel's customer will enjoy One Free diner per room at Rupar Mandalar hôtel (at Mandalay) from 1st April to 30 Septembre 2008.
Inle Lake view resort is closed for renovatoin from 1st mai 2008 to 30 June 2008.
Nikko hotel (17 march 2008)
The Nikko hotel will change its name after 31st March 2008 and will become the Chatrium Hotel.
Kentung airport -story not yet finished (05-March-2008)
It seems that the runway was not totally finished at Kentung.....
The airport will be totally closed from 31st March to 12 May, except Saturday (?)
Yangon airways confirms flights for 6,8,17,19 March and has no further information after 31st March.
Air bagan has not given any news yet, they still have to manage their latest perfomance in Putao.
Sittwe- Mrauk U (05-march-2008)
It is now forbidhen by local authorities to leave Sittwe by boat from Mraul U after 11.00 Am, too many trouble with boat arriving too late in the night to Mrauk U (it is true that it could be quite dangerous).
So, seems that everybody will have to sleep one night in Sittwe, for Ananda Travel program, it was the standard procedure anyway (to avoid any trouble with the boat).
Loikaw (04 march 2008)
It seems that it could be possible to travel from Kalaw to Loikaw by road with a proper documents and guide. Kaya state have been closed the last 40 years. We will test it soon and let you know.
Air Bagan - Aborted take off at Putao (21-02-2008)
An Air Bagan plane (ATR 72) has missed his take off at Putao 19th of February and has crash landed in a village at the end of the runway.
Nobody have been killed, only wounded, the pilot has a broken arm.
There is no detailled and accurate information about what happened. It is sure anyway that there is no casualty.
A team of inspectors from ATR is supposed to be already in Myanmar to asses the situation.
Air bagan, so far has been a very reliable company in Myanmar.
Kentung Airport - End of the story (13 February 2008)
Very good news.
The renovation of the runway at Kentung airport is finish today. The airport is open to any flight, starting 13 of February. We will receive today and later this week new update flight schedules from the domestic airlines. We will know soon which day airlines operate to Kentung.
At least, there is no more flight restriction to go to Kentung.
Balloons over Bagan - New Balloon, New prices (12 February 2008).
Balloons over Bagan will introduce for the next coming season (1st Octobre 2008) a fourth hot air balloon in Bagan. They will be able to to operate four balloon at any one time.
Prices for the new season have increased to reflect higher operating and licensing costs.
More detailled information :
Paramount Hotel Inle (7 February 2008)
The hotel Paramount Inle Resort will be closed for renovation from 2nd of May to 7th of July 2008.
Bagan - Mandalay - Bagan boat (5 February 2008)
The Shwe Keinnery boat company that sails every day from Mandalay to Bagan and Bagan to Mandalay has less and less customer because of the lack of tourist in Myanmar.
At today, 5th February, some cruise have been cancelled, others confirmer and others are waiting a decision from the boat company.
If you are planning a boat trip from Bagan to Mandalay or Mandalay to Bagan in February, March and especially April, you should check with your travel agent if the boat operates.
For Ananda travel customer, we contact them directly if needed.
At today, 5th February, confirmed cruises : 7, 9, 13, 17 and 18 of February
At today, 5th February, cancelled cruises :6,10,11,12,14,15 and 25 February
At today, 5th February, "waiting a decision" : 8, 16, 19 to 24 and 26 to 29 February.
Kentung airport (11-january-2008).
So, at today, the situation is confirmed like this:
- Yangon Airways (official announcement) will stop to land at Kentung (Kyaing Tong) from 1st February to 15 March 2008 but it will land
every day at Tachilek until end of march.
- Air Bagan will not land any more to Kentung (Kyaing Tong) until end of March 2008 but it will operate every day EXCEPT Friday and Sunday to Tachileck.
- Police authority has given an authorization for tourist to drive from Tachilek to Kentung, but not later than 20h00 in the evening.
In any case, you will have to add to your budget, the taxi cost to go from Tachileck to Kentung and come back. Except anything from 150 USD to 250 USd depending of the car.
Kentung airport (02-january-2008)
We start to have a better idea of the situation.
The runway is under renovation and it is possible to use half of it, with a small ATR 42, with hlaf load...
- Air Bagan has decide to stop the flight to Kentung. They reach Tachileck, that's all. Driving from Tachileck to Kentung seems impossible (you need special authorization), but it is ok (with the help of the hotels of Kentung) from Kentung to Tachileck.
- Yangon Airways has still some flights scheduled until 14th of January, using an ATR 42.
After the 14th, they may continue to fly to Kentung, if they have enough booking.... At today, nobody knows for sure.
Myanmar Airways International (01-january-2008)
A good news for this 1st January 2008.
MAI (no link with Myanmar Airways domestic) is resuming this week its flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur thanks to a newly Airbus A319.
Bangkok flight is daily.
Kuala lumpur flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays.
Kentung airport ........ (26-decembre-2007)
Situation is getting more confused, but we have more information.
Air Bagan
- If the ticket is already issue, they will provide a transportation by car from Tachileck to Kentung.
- If the ticket is not issue (only booking), they do not provide transportation from tachilek to Kentung.
- They do not accept new reservation for Tachileck.
- The local autorities do not authorized transportation by road from Tachilek to Kentung.
To summarize, if you have you ticket, it is ok. Otherwise, you can not go to Kentung.
Yangon Airways
If the ticket is already issue, they will use a smaller plane to reach Kentung and land. Should be ok (not 100% sure yet).
If you have only a reservation, or not reservation, you can not go to Kentung.
Air Mandalay
No news (as usual with this air company).
For Ananda travel customer, we will contact them by email with new program and or solution.
Kentung Airport Closed (24-decembre-2007).
A last minute news (we learn it now!!!) as you can get only in Myanmar.
Kentung airport is closed for the next 3 month or more accurately, the runway is being renovated, so it is very short and planes
can not take off at full load.
Air Bagan has decided today to stop all flight to Kentung. Passengers have to stop at Tachileck and then proceed by bus (Air Bagan is taking care of all the transportation by bus and clearance).
Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways have not decided anything yet....
For Ananda Travel customers going to Kentung, we will contact then by email the 27th wtih detailled information and a transportation solution.
If you plan to go to Kentung with an other travel agent, you should contact them.
Happy Christmass.
Mont Popa resort - photo update (16-novembre-2007)
Photo and information update for the excellent Mont Popa Resort hotel :
Air Qatar flight Doha Yangon stopped (15-november-2007)
Air Qatar is announcing that they will gradually stop the Doha Yangon air connection.
Until 25-11-2007 : One flight only on Thursday and Saturday.
From 25-11 to 14-12-2007 : A flight every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
From 14-12 to 20-01-2008 : One flight only on Mondaya and Tuesday.
After 20-01-2008 : No more flight.
Anyway, if you have any plane ticket with Air Qatar bound to Yangon, you should check quickly with Air Qatar if your flight is still available.
Internet connection - cup and resume (5 octobre 2007)
Internet and email connectio have been cut from 2nd Octobre to today, 5th Octobre, probably because of the arrival of the UN representative in Myanmar.
We can resume today normal operation and answer to your emails.
New Airline flying to Yangon : Hong Kong Express (30-octobre-2007)
A new airline is desserving Yangon from HongKong twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday.
Web site :
Air Bagan - international (update29 -october-2007)
Air Bagan will cancel all its international flights after the 4th Novembre 2007 due to USA sanctions.
Domestics flights are not affected.
Current situation in Myanmar (29 - October - 2007)
Everything is back to normal in Myanmar. There is no restriction to travel, visit, cross the border, issue visa for tourist.
You can carry without any trouble camera, computer at the airport.
Monasteries are not closed, pagodas are not closed, car, bus, train and air transportation are totally normal.
Curfew suspended (21 octobre 2007)
Since yesterday, Saturday 20 october, there is no more curfew in Yangon and all cities in Myanmar.
Situation is totally back to normal (for myanmar...)
Boat - Bagan - Mandalay (16 october 2007)
The daily connection between Mandalay & Bagan (and Bagan - Mandalay) by Shwe Kenny boat (the usual boat for tourist) is suspended until the end of October for economical reason (no more tourist in Myanmar in October).
The suspension is NOT for security or administration reason.
If Shwe Kenny resume its operations for October, we will let you know in our website (bookings seems to come back for October...)
Internet acces (15 - October -2007)
Internet is again operantional full time in Myanmar. We can have access to emails and webpage as before.
Curfew (14-October -2007)
The curfew is now only from 23h00 to 03h00 (morning) in Yangon.
MYanmar Airways International - 12 Octobre - Source (MIA presse release).
"London Market Aviation Insurer of our lesser (Lion Air) had given MAI a notice that this aircraft MD82 A/C PK-LMY which we have been using in service for our Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur sectors is not fully covered for war and allied perils in accordance with AV52E, due to the recent crisis in Myanmar.
Therefore, MAI hereby inform you that 8M operating flights by MD82 A/C PK-LMY services to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur has been suspended from 11 October 2007 (Thursday) until end of October 2007.
Meanwhile, we are in the process of getting new aircraft replacement for our Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur service sectors.
For the convenience of our passengers effecting on these flight sectors, please contact our MAI Reservations and Ticketing Offices for transfer arrangement on to other carriers for the same route sectors and other possible assistance.
Our current service to Singapore operating with our code share partner 3K (Jetstar) with Airbus A320 will remain the same."
Internet connection - 10 Octobre 2007.
Internet connections are normal since this afternoon 2 PM. It is too early to know if full internet service will resume all the days, but we will take advantage to reply more quickly to your emails.
More information tomorrow.
Amarapura - U Bein - Mandalay (9 octobre 2007)
We have just received a direct confirmation by an Ananda Travel guide that there is no restriction or probleme to visit U Bein, Amarapura, Sagaille and the entire Mandalay area.
Internet & situation (8 october 2007)
Internet and connection have resumed BUT only from 22h00 to 5h00 (AM). We can only check and answer to your email from 22h00 to 05h00. We will answer everybody, just give us a little more time than usual.
Situation in Myanmar (again it is just a professionnel point of view).
- Sulé and Shwedagon pagodas are now again open to public.
- Down town Yangon is more a restricted area. People can walk and visit freely down town Yangon.
- Visa issue was never stop. You can get your visa for Myanmar as usual.
- Hotels (airlines, bus, trains, cars, taxis) are operating normally.
- Phone and fax lines are not cut, you can receive a fax or call from and to Myanmar as usual.
- There is no control at Yangon airport's for camera, photo camera, laptop computer.
- Curfew is from 22h00 to 05h00 (AM) in Yangon.
- Army is not interferring with tourist.
- There is no transportation or visit difficulty for tourist.
Email (5 october 2007).
As last week a team from Ananda Travel will go from Saturday to Monday 8 Octobre in Bangkok to answer all emails and questions. Currently the situation is "normal" (for Myanmar) and quiet.
Current situation update (27 -09 -2007)
Please contact us by email.
Tourist currently in Myanmar with Ananda Travel (27-09-2007)
For familly of people travelling currently in Myanmar with Ananda Travel, there is no need to be worried.
There is no security problem in the country (except downtown Myanmar) and there is absolutely no travel restriction inside the country (except the curfew in Mandalay and Yangon).
Our first priority is the security.
We are in contact with Embassies on regular basis in case of any emergency situation and action to be taken. Until now, there is no problem for tourist travelling in Myanmar.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any specific information.
Flight Schedule - Yangon Airport -Curfew (27-09-2007).
This morning 27-09-2007, domestic myanmar airlines have modified their fligh schedule for their first morning departure (usuallly 06:00 or 06:15 AM).
Now, first flights are leaving Yangon around 07h15 AM to give enought time for people to reach the airport (Curfew from 21h00 to 05h00).
The curfew will may be modified today for 18h00 to 05h00 but nothing is sure.
Sittwe airport (25-September -2009).
The airport will now be open every day for the coming tourist Seasons:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday : Air Mandalay Flight.
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday : Air Bagan
Until today, Yangon Airways has not decide yet to fly to Sittwe.
Sharp Air Fare increase for domestic airlines in Myanmar (17-September -2008)
Myanmar domestic airlines have sharply increase their air price fare for domectic flight in Myanmar.
It could be as high as 15 USD increase per segment, usually around 9 USD for the main destination.
We will publish within 2 days are new price list for domestic flight in Myanmar.
Transportation by car or air in Myanmar is becoming quite expensive.....
Inle market day for 2008 (31-August 2007).
We just have put on line the new calendar for the scheduled market days for the Inle area.
This program is also valid for Kalaw, Pindaya, Heho, Taungyi, Sagar.
You can download the new market day calendar (acrobat PDF)
or go directly to the web page for 2008 : .
Flooding in Myanmar (21 August 2007).
Some places are unfortunately affected by flooding in the delta region, top of the Chindwin river, and Irrawaddy (also near Taungoo).
Currently, there is no problem for the tourist to drive and visit near Inle, Mandalay, Bagan, Monywa.
If the situation changes, we will inform you immediately.
Price increase for gaz and diesel in Myanmar (17 August 2007)
Price for government subsidized gaz and diesel has increased sharply yesterdayfrom 1500 kyats per gallon to 3000 kyats per gallon. Usually street price increase few days after.
Taxis and buses compagnies will probably increase their own price by 10 or 15% next week.
Ananda Travel customer booking file - On Line.
We are happy to propose (starting this week 10-08-2007) to our customers a new service. Ananda Travel customer are now able to log In their personnal booking file and get all the booking statuts for their hotels, plane, boat, guide .....
We will provide to our customer a USername and password by email to let them log in. ()
We hope this new service will help our customer to better prepare their journey in Myanmar and have a better awaraness of their booking statuts.
Air Bagan - Yangon Singapore Yangon (01-08-2007)
Air Bagan has confirmed that the first flight Yangon Singapore will be the 7th September.
Special promotional fare for september : 213 USD NET, round trip. It is a bargain compare to Silk Air or even Jet star.
Yangon-Siam Reap or Yangon-Kumming
Does not look like Air Bagan will be ready on time for the 200-2008 tourist season.
Wait and see.
Air Bagan - new Plane - More flights to Bangkok
Air Bagan has recently acquire a new Fokker F 150 to extend its air route in Myanmar and for international connexion. Air Bagan is planning to have two daily flight from Yangon to Bangkok, starting 1st October.
They also plan (finally) to start the Yangon Singapore flight for September 7th 2007.
Payment by credit card for Ananda travel service in Myanmar (15 July 2007)
The payment by credit for Ananda Travel services for our customer will resume the ist week of August. Ananda Travel Yangon has un agreement with Monnex paiement system and the biggest private bank of Singapore.
We will so resume the paiement by credit card (VISA and AMEX only) for our customer soon.
Yangon's airport
The new terminal for arrival and departure is now fully open since 1st week of June. The difference with the old terminal is quite impressive and so far, everything is working well.
Sittwe airport
At today
(10 july 2007), the aiport of Sittwe is not open everyday as it is undergoing renovation.
Airport is open only Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is closed all the other day of the week. We do not know yet when the airport will be fully open and when the situation will change.
Sule pagode entrance fees (june 2007)
Starting 1st of July, you will have to pay 2 USD for the entrance of the Sulé pagode in Yangon
Delta Queen - 26- May - 2007
We have just receive the information that Delta Queen will not operate for the season 2007-2008.
All the cruises are cancel for the season.
Air bagan flight Yangon - Bangkok
15 Mai, Air Bagan has started its connexion between Yangon and Bangkok. The first flight price was very attractive : 88 USD (two ways).
Air Bagan is suppossed to extend its international air connexion to Singapore, Kumming and Sieam Reap before octobre 2007.
More information on Air Bagan website :
Photographs of the Water festival in Yangon.
Some photographs of the water festival in Yangon 12-17 April 2007 :
Buddhist New Year 12-17 April 2007.
Our office will be closed for the "Water Festival", Buddhist New Year from 12 April to 17 April 2007.
Air Bagan starts new International flighs (09-04-2007).
It is confirmed now that Air Bagan will start new international route, from 1st May with a daily connexion to Bangkok and Singapore. More detail :
Sittwe airport closed (15 February 2007)
Sittwe airport is closed every day except Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
We have until now no new air schedule from the domestic airline. We keep you inform as soon as we get news.
Sittwe is the access point for Mrauk-U and Arakan State, if you are planning a trip to Mrauk-U, it is better to check with Ananda Travel, your travel agency or the domestic airlines what is the accurate current situation for the airport.
We do not know also the situation of the flight between Sittwe and Ngapali beach.
Renting motobike in Mandalay.
Starting 1st of February, the tourist will not be authorized to rent a motobike in Mandalay area, too many accident....
Octobre floods and road problems: 22-10-2006.
Heavy rains during the first two weeks of October have flooded some parts of central Myanmar, some roads are closed.
Update information 22-10-2006 :
Boat between Mandalay and Bagan.
There is new schedule and fare for the daily boat (recently renovated) between Mandalay and Bagan.
- Fare is up to 30 or 35 USD.
- Departure from Mandalay is at 07h00.
- Departure from Bagan is at 05h30.
- Boats are cruising every day.
Night Train between Yangon and Mandalay (27-09-2006).
We have just learnt today (27-09-2006) that the night train between Yangon and Mandalay is suspended (all night trains between Yangon and Mandalay).
We will post new & detailled information when we get We are contacting our customers which have a travel plan that includes a night train for finding alternative solution.
New Air connection - New airline
(info : 24 July 2006)
Very good news !!!
A new low cost airline is desserving Yangon from Bangkok.
It is Air ASia, very famous in Asia area for its very low cost flight.
You can enjoy a promotional ticket Yangon - Bangkok for only 25 USD++
Log on web site for more information about this promotional fare and regular service.
VISA paiement - Ananda Travel accepts Visa card
Ananda Travel is very proud to annonce that we are the first Burmese travel agency to accept a paiement by VISA credit card on our web site in fully conformity with VISA regulation.
Our customer will fully benefit of this new feature that will simplify a lot the organisation of their holidays in Myanmar.
More details :
Webmail and Email
Very very good news !!! (10 mai 2006).
Laposte, Caramail, Net courrier
can be access freely.
We have just tested today, it works normaly !!!
Yahoo mail and Hotmail are still banned, for other webmail, we do not know and we need to make a test.
New International connexion to Myanmar.
A very interesting flight route is setting up by Air Bagan for 2006 rainy season.
Direct flight from Angkok Wat (Siam Reap) to Yangon. A very good and interesting opportunity for flying from Siam Reap to Myanmar without the expensive stop in Bangkok.
Local new destination :
Domestics airlines stop once a week to the new capital of Myanmar : Nay Pyay Tax
Trek - no more security problem (27-04-06)
Some treks paths have been closed for "security" problem in the area.
It is now open with sometimes a slight change during the trek.
We are resuming our trek for :
- Tha Yet Pu - Khaung Dine
- Tha yet Pu - War Gyi - Indein.
- Kalaw - Tar Yaw
- Kalaw - Indein
- Kalaw - Nang The Le Thee
NB : the real "security" reason seems to have been tourist going to take pictures of a local army base.... not a very good idea, espcially for their local guide.
Visa on arrival
As many are already aware, the capital from Myanmar is moving from Yangon to Pyaymana (8 hours drive north).
Until today (27 April 2006), there is no change for the visa on arrival procedure.
It may change in March, and we could have to go to Pyaymana to ask the authorization. In that case, we will stop to propose the visa on arrival service.
Ngapali - access probleme (01-02-2006)
Update 02 February 2006
The airport is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday, starting 1st February 2006
Renovation of the airport is in good progress (26-March), we hope that aiport will resume normal operation after the rainy seasons.
New office for Ananda Travels Yangon
We have moved our office the 1st November 2005. We hope to get better Internet connexion from this new place (important in Yangon).
Our new phone number and address :
Access map in Myanmar and English :
New Airlines to Yangon
MIA and Jet Asia are starting a new route from Singapore to Yangon with Airbus A320 4 days a week.
It is a very good, very cheap airline (booking only on Internet), but absolument no service on board.
Prices are really competitive.
New domestic destination.
- Air Bagan has very recently (25-02-05) received its 2 news
ATR and will add very exciting new destination
to its flight route.
Putao, Myitchina, Pathein, Mergui Island
Check our web site for information about the new flight schedule
and destination of Air Bagan.
Mogkok
Mogkok was open for few days in February and it is closed
again to tourist (1/03/2005).
Contact us for last update but it seems it is going to be
closed quite long...
Balloon over Bagan
Flights resume normally after the rainy season in October 2007.
You have now 3 hot air balloon in Bagan.
Security - travelling - Authorization
Mogkok : Will open again for the tourist at the end
of January 2005, may be as soon as 20th January.
Credit card - Travel Check
You can not use credit card (Visa, Amex...)
or Traveller check in Myanmar because of the US embargo on
dollars.
More specific information on our web pages : , or
Ananda travel is accepting paiement by VISA credit card on its website.
Airlines route updates
- Again a New Air company in Myanmar
: Air Myanmar, supposed to take off in January, should
be in March 2005 .... still waiting at the 18-10-2005....
-A new direct route to Yangon via DOHA
in Qatar will open in January 2005. No need to travel via
Kl, Singapore or Bangkok : 4 flight a week.
- 15 March 2003 : A new flight route is open twice a week
between Yangon and New Delhi (India) by Myanmar Airways International
(no link with the domestic one).
- A new domestic route twice a week should
open for the next season between Yangon and Monywa
with Air Mandalay. Update soon.
- New carrier for the Yangon - Bangkok air connection
with Bangkok Airways. One flight a day on Boeing 717 (new
plane). Promotion until September 2004.
Earthquake - tsumani in Indonesia
26-12-04
There is no casualtie or damage in the area
of Yangon, Ngapali, Ngwe Saung, Chaung Tha beach and tourist
area.
Mergui Island have been very badly hit by tidal wave as the
Nicobar Island (India).
20 villages in the delta have been totaly flowded.
It is quite difficult to know the exact death toll, until
now it is between 100 and 200 dead.
Officially, there is 3 500 people wounded and "only"
17 villages have been destroid.
The fate of the people and islands far of the Nicobar (Mergui
region) is not known accurately.
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