Areas authorized for tourist travelling in Myanmar Burma.

Note

All informations about travel security and authorization may change very quickly and even when you do have a permit, it can be cancel at any time.
If you are planning a trip in a "grey" area where you need a permit, it is advisable to contact us to know the current situation and to organise your journey with time to spare (in case of problem).

The informations belows represents the real, official situation. We are not assuming that you are willing to stay hours or days at a check point to find a solution to travel.
Here, many things are possible but be careful. There is always somebody to tell you that it is possible, "sombedy did it " when? along long time did he spend ? security ?
If you are coming in Myanmar for 2 or 3 weeks (or less), you certainely do not want to be stuck at a check point.

Crossing border (13-May-2009)

China - Myanmar :
Open, but you must apply a permit in advance and very often (almost always) an official guide from a Myanmar local agency must come and pick up you at the border.

Laos - Myanmar :
Not possible, and we are not aware that somebody did it or that even it is possible to "negociate" something.

ThaÏland - Myanmar :
- Mae Sot - Tachileck (Shan state) : You can cross the border at Mae Sot without any problem and you can travel by yourself until Tachileck.
The latest border information we have for Myanmar custom is that you need to apply for a special authorization if you want to continue by plane to
other city in Myanmar (by car it was always not possible).
Special authorization means a local travel agent ask for you and you have to hire a local official guide (just to cross the border...!!)

- Three pagoda pass : Impossible to reach Yangon or any other city by car or bus.

- Victoria point : Open, you will have to take a boat to Dawei or Mergui and then a plane to Yangon.

India - Myanmar : The same problem comes from the India side and the rebellion in Nagaland and Manipur. Usually, you will not get your India permit to reach the border. If you can reach Myanmar border, you should be able to cross over and come in Burma but you must apply for a permit before....

Bangladesh - Myanmar : Closed !

Area and regiom in Myanmar open to tourist.

- Mogkok : closed
- Etat Kaya : closed
- North Karen state, East of Taungoo (Shan): closed
- Border area Thaïlande Karen state: closed.
- Bus, train, car,.... from Moulmein to Dawei : closed
- East of Inle Lake to Thaï border : closed (Tachileck, Kentung by plane : ok).
- Tachileck -Kentung by road: closed

- Mytchina by plane: open, no need a permit
- Area around Mytchina : you need to apply for a permit (in advance) but many people manage without it.
- Mytchina - Mandalay by road : Closed
- Lashio to Muse (Chinese border) : you need to apply for a permit (in advance).
- Putao : You must have a permit (apply long time in advance).
- Putao - Myitchina by road : closed
- Nagaland : Closed, sometimes it is possible to get a permit.
- Bagan Mrauk-U by road : theorically open, better to apply for a permit.
- Pyay - Ngapali by car : open (but the road is bad, really bad).