Travel to Myanmar from India: Essential Guide

Travel to Myanmar from India: Essential Guide for Indian Travelers

The moment you think of visiting a Southeast Asian country, you would have many countries like Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and the like, except for Myanmar. At the same time, you would find fewer people intending to travel to Myanmar from India. However, things are changing now. Myanmar has emerged as one of the unexplored destinations of Southeast Asia, and we will tell you why you should plan your travel to Myanmar from India soon.

Myanmar (earlier known as Burma) has a vast and natural appeal. Its untouched beauty and hopeful atmosphere please your soul. From the picturesque Inle Lake to the misty mountain regions, the might of the Irrawaddy River, and Bagan’s emerald plains, there is more to experience in Myanmar than you can imagine. The devout Buddhist country with temples and pagodas sprinkled amidst lush nature calls you with its open arms. Travel to Myanmar from India to discover why it is called ‘the golden land’.

Top Reasons to Visit Myanmar

Myanmar, the most underrated Southeast Asian country, is an excellent destination for Indian travellers looking forward to experiencing untouched beauty. With rising popularity among the wanderlusts to travel to Myanmar from India, the country is soon to top the list of holiday destinations in the world. Here’s why:

Rich cultural heritage and historical sites

Myanmar and its rich cultural sites let you soak into its deep history. From the Buddhist temples sprinkled across to the golden-dotted pagodas, there is a lot to explore about Myanmar’s past. If you incline history, Myanmar is a perfect place to satiate your mind with plenty of information.

Natural beauty: mountains, lakes, and beaches

While Myanmar is popular for its rich cultural heritage, it is also blessed with natural beauty that you do not witness anywhere else in the world. The mighty mountains, freshwater rivers, and beautiful lakes perched on the golden lands call you to witness them in their best forms.

Unique experiences: local festivals, traditional crafts

Travelling to Myanmar from India will give you plenty of opportunities to experience Burmese culture. Depending on your travel dates, you can attend the Thingyan Festival, make a pilgrimage to the Golden Rock, indulge in craft workshops in Mandalay, and learn about the local customs and cultural etiquette, such as removing your shoes before entering a temple or pagoda and showing respect to the monks and elders.

Travel Requirements

Whether you are rushing to travel to Myanmar from India or planning your trip with ease, here is all the immigration information you must keep tucked away.

Visa Information

Obtaining a visa to travel to Myanmar from India is easy and hassle-free. You can apply for an e-visa, a facility started by the Myanmar government in September 2014. By submitting a few documents, you can get your visa to travel to the golden land.

Types of visas available

As you plan to travel to Myanmar from India, you must know the types of visas available for Indian travellers. Here are the various kinds of visas available to Indian travellers:

• Tourist e-visa with 90-day validity. Visa fees: $50.
• Business E-visa with 90-day validity. Visa fees are $70, and the duration of the stay is 70 days.
• Transit visa for 24 hours. Visa fees: $20.

How to apply for a visa from India

When you plan to travel to Myanmar from India, the first thing you should do is visit the Myanmar government’s website to apply for an E-visa. The portal will guide you through a few steps of form filling, adding travel details, reviewing the application, and making the final payment. Once your visa is approved, you will receive a notification via SMS or email on your registered email ID. The entire process may take up to 3 business days, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your travel date.

Documents required to get a Myanmar visa

To make your e-visa procedure easy and hassle-free, we would suggest you keep the following documents handy:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity.
• A latest coloured passport-sized photo.
• A scanned copy of the bio page of your passport.
• An international debit/credit card.
• A valid email address.

Best Time to Visit Myanmar

The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February. This is also the peak season when the days are warmer, and thousands of tourists flock to the country from different parts of the world. If you want to avoid the crowds, plan to travel either a little before or after the peak months.

Weather overview

Myanmar has two climates—dry and wet. And you can visit the country anytime during the year. However, before you plan your travel to Myanmar from India, keep in mind that the peak wet season may make some areas inaccessible. Some regions in Myanmar witness heavy rainfall with high winds that may ruin your travel plans.

So, the dry season becomes a perfect time to visit the golden land of Myanmar. The dry season here runs from October through May. If you want to witness the transition in the weather, you can plan your visit between the end of May and the beginning of June or between the end of September and the beginning of October.

How to travel to Myanmar from India

You will find plenty of flights from various tier-I and tier-II cities of India to Myanmar. The flights cost you as little as $7k per passenger. You can choose Air India, Myanmar Airways International, Indigo, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysian Airlines, which are some of the most trustworthy flights from India to Myanmar.

There are three major airports in Myanmar where you will receive a warm welcome. They are Yangon International Airport (airport code: RGN), Naypyidaw International Airport, and Mandalay International Airport.

Accommodation Options

Accommodation in Myanmar ranges from affordable lodgings and guesthouses to luxury resorts. It fits most budgets. Depending upon your budget, you can choose your stay option. Let us give you a brief overview of the type of accommodation available in the country.

• Hotels: The price of luxury hotels starts at $120 per night and can go as high as $400, especially in the region like Yangon and other tourist hot spots. You can also find mid-range hotels with a starting price of $40 to $120 per night.
• Guesthouses: Guesthouses come under the budget stays in Myanmar, and the price starts as little as $5 per night but can go up to $40 per night depending upon the type of guesthouse you choose. There are shared guesthouses, which are perfect for solo travellers. And you will find comfortable family guesthouses with all the basic facilities to stay.

You will find dormitories, guest houses, and hotels in all the major cities of Myanmar. Here are the top destinations where you should book a stay for your trip.

Yangon

Yangon is one of the most visited cities in Myanmar. It charms its travellers with its contemporary outlook while retaining the classic traditional features. This is where most travellers reside, and hence, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from.

Mandalay

Another popular Burmese city to plan your stay in is Mandalay. It is the cultural hub of Myanmar and a city known for its craftsmanship. It is also a busy trading zone for the country. You will find all the low- to high-end accommodation options in Myanmar.

Bagan

Bagan is an ancient city in Myanmar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must-visit place, and a day in Bagan will not do justice to your stay. Hence, plan at least a two —or three-day stay to explore its archaeological wonders. Find a range of hotels and guesthouses to suit your budget travel.

Top Attractions in Myanmar

Myanmar is best explored slowly. Take sufficient time to absorb the country’s beauty in all its forms. While it is your call to plan your itinerary for travel to Myanmar from India, Myanmar is not a destination for people who haste their travel process.

With that thought, let us introduce you to some of the stunning places in Myanmar you should not miss.

Yangon

Yangon, earlier known as Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar in the past. Currently, it is the largest city in Myanmar and a major industrial epicentre. You will find plenty of accommodation options here, but we suggest you choose the ones located in a quaint neighbourhood and offering an aerial view of the city.

While in Yango, here are the places you should visit.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda is the largest and oldest pagoda in Myanmar. It is more than 2000 years old and is adorned with precious gemstones and jewellery by worshippers from all over the world. The temple is spread across a large complex; thus, be prepared to walk.

Pro tip: Visit the temple during or after sunset to get the most breathtaking views of the enchanting golden frame.

Sule Pagoda

Sule Pagoda is a tiny yet beautiful temple that is important to the Burmese. The Burmese call it Kyaik Athok Zedi. It is surrounded by a vibrant market and colonial-era buildings. Some of the popular buildings to visit are Yangon city hall and the Supreme Court building.

Bagan

From the hot air balloon rides to the ancient temples and the beautiful sunset descending the horizons of the Irrawaddy River, you will need at least 2-3 days to witness the wonder of Bagan.

Start exploring the city by taking a cruise down the Irrawaddy River. We suggest you book the tickets in advance to avoid a last-minute rush. If you want to catch the early sunrise in Myanmar to take a golden view of the city, visit the ancient temples during sunrise. Some of the temples you can see are Ananda Temple, Shwezion Pagoda, Sulamani Temple, Dhamayangi Temple, and so on.

Mandalay

Mandalay, the imperial city of erstwhile Burma, is a busy business district set against the backdrop of pagodas, museums, and floating gardens. Spend at least 2-3 days in the city to make the most of your travel to Myanmar from India. Here are the top attractions in Mandalay that should be on your bucket list.

Mandalay Hill

Mandalay Hill is a topmost tourist attraction in Myanmar. You will be tired to the core to reach the top of the hill, but the panoramic views from the top are matchless. The primary highlight here is the Sutaungpyei Pagoda on the top and the views you get. You can further climb a few hundred more steps and witness the breathtaking sunset view.

U-Bein Bridge

U-Bein Bridge, an old wooden bridge famous for its sunrise or sunset views, is the longest of its kind in the world. It is built on Tayngthman Lake and is 1.4 km long. The beauty and strength of the bridge lie in the 1000 pillars and thousands of wooden pallets it is built with. Try to reach the bridge before sunrise to catch a perfect glimpse of sunrise.

Other notable attractions

Besides the famous cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan, here are some other notable attractions in Myanmar you should visit during your trip.

Ngapali Beach

Myanmar’s golden land is also home to one of the most stunning shorelines in the world. With its white sand, turquoise water, and palm trees, Ngapali Beach is one of the best places to spend time in Myanmar.

Inle Lake

Out of all the attractions in Myanmar, visiting Inle Lake offers a unique experience like no other. Inle Lake surrounds a universe made of water, where gardens float, and you see boats instead of cars to commute from one house to another. Located at 875 m above sea level, the lake has earned its candidacy in UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its unique features.

The lake houses 17 floating villages with many houses built on it. As the climate on Inle Lake is ideal for the cultivation of flowers, it is home to the famous floating vegetable garden that produces food all year.

Golden Rock

Golden Rock, or Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, is one of the sacred places in Myanmar. According to a legend, the rock perched at the edge of a mountain is balancing on Buddha’s hair and is not falling from its place. Visiting the Golden Rock is a must-do for travellers in Myanmar. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Local Cuisine and Dining

After a long day visiting the top tourist places in Myanmar, we are sure you would be super hungry to grab some soulful meals. Yes, Burmese cuisine can serve you some of the tastiest dishes on your platter.

Some of the famous dishes from Burmese cuisine are Nan Gyi Thoke, Burmese Tofu, Myanmar curry, laphet thoke-tea leaf salad, khao soi, Mohinga, and Myanmar milk tea.

Here are some of the recommended restaurants you can try to visit in Myanmar:

• Rangoon Tea House is located in Yangon.
• Khaing Shwe Wah in Bagan.
• Mingalabar Myanmar Restaurant in Mandalay.
• The Pansodan in Yangon

Cultural Etiquette and Tips

Similar to any other country, Myanmar locals have their way to meet and greet each other. As a traveller, you should take note of these things and ensure to follow the local cultural etiquette. Here are some of the points that will help you:

• Burmese locals greet each other by tilting their heads slightly. Men are allowed to shake hands with other men but not with women and monks.
• To express your gratitude for good service, a small gift is always appreciated.
• Always take off your shoes before entering temples and pagodas.
• Travellers must wear modest dresses while in Myanmar. Avoid wearing short skirts and tank tops, as the locals will not appreciate it. Always dress appropriately.
• Try to learn some of the introductory phrases in Burmese that will help you greet the locals well.

Health and Safety

Myanmar is a perfectly safe country to travel to. However, there are some basic safety rules that you must follow. Check the following safety information before you plan to travel to Myanmar from India.

• Keep your belongings safe with you except for lying around in tourist places.
• Stay away from political demonstrations and do not ask locals questions about the country’s political condition.
• Some areas of Yangon are under curfew after midnight, so ensure you do not roam around in those streets during an odd hour.
• As you plan your travel, talk to the travel advisory to ensure a safe travel to Myanmar from India.

Currency in Myanmar

Myanmar Kyat is the official currency of Myanmar. INR 1 = 25.02 MMK approximately.

You can exchange currency from India or convert money after landing in Myanmar. We suggest you exchange your currency from official currency exchanges and not from any local stores.

Transportation Within Myanmar

Commuting within the country is easy. You can hire a private car or taxi, or use public transport options. If you want to travel from one major city to another, for instance, you can travel from Bagan to Yangon by boarding a domestic flight. Myanmar National Airlines flies to 28 destinations within the country and connects its domestic network seamlessly.

The popular public transport options for travelling within Myanmar are bus, train, plane, and even boat. Myanmar has a good public transport network, and one can book tickets locally. Bus companies cover routes in most parts of the country and offer tickets at affordable rates.

If you want to ditch the local transport, you can hire a private car or taxi to cover your internal travel. We suggest that you book your internal transfers and travel with the help of your travel agent before leaving the country. It will make your travel to Myanmar from India easy and hassle-free.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

• Rich Cultural and Natural Beauty: Myanmar offers a blend of untouched natural beauty and a deep cultural heritage, including mountains, lakes, and Buddhist temples.
• Easy Visa Process for Indian Travelers: The e-visa process is simple, making it convenient for Indian travelers to visit Myanmar for tourism or business.
• Top Tourist Attractions: Must-visit places include Shwedagon Pagoda, Bagan’s ancient temples, Mandalay’s historical sites, and the serene Inle Lake.
• Best Time to Visit: Plan your trip between November and February to enjoy Myanmar’s pleasant climate and avoid heavy rainfall.
• Affordable Accommodation: Myanmar provides a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets, from luxury hotels to guesthouses.

And that’s a wrap. With this detailed guide, you can ensure that you wrap up your experience of travelling to Myanmar for a lifetime. The country known as the Golden Land has a beauty to behold. From the bustling markets to the soothing pagodas, the mighty ranges, and the quaint beachside, the country has everything to soothe your soul and tame your wanderlust.

Your travel to Myanmar from India may go slowly, but when you return home, it will prepare you to speed up your fast-track life. If you want to plan an itinerary with us, reach out now.