Myanmar Motorcycle Tours – Experience Burma On A Bike

 MYANMAR – BURMA  BIKE TOUR 02.02.-21.02.2019    (20 DAYS / 3,250 KM)

The great  Myanmar Tour covering all highlights

and  the best biking roads of Northern Thailand

Start Finish: Chiang Mai / Thailand
20 day tour, first through the mountains of  northern Thailand with overnights at Pai and Mae Hon Song , than down to the Burmese border  3.300 km roundtour with 3 “Double Overnights” at the most exciting places. The chaotic capital Yangon we will leave aside. The best mountains roads will come at the end of the tour !

The best Burma / Myanmar Bike Tour ever !

The new Myanmar Bike Tour route is marked with a blue line.  ! Now we do not have to ride all the way back to border crossing at Mae Satiang and save about 600 km. Plus, we win some of the most scenic routes from Inle lake to Tachilek and the Myanmar / Thai border.

 

 

Myanmar Motorcycle Tour Tip :

For participants interested in spending more time in or around Chiang Mai before or after the Burma Motorcycle Tour, we shall be pleased to submit individualized proposals and book accommodation and/or motorcycles..

IMPORTANT notice in preparation for the Myanmar Bike Tour:

Riding a motorcycle in Myanmar is not for every body. We therefore highly recommend that participants read the blogs written by two bikers who have visited Myanmar by motorbike and who, in our opinion, have very well expressed their views and impressions about Burma in pictures and words:

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/myanmar-ride-reports/5129-myanmar-scouting-trip-2.html#post40069

http://daveearly.com/2013/11/30/on-the-road-to-mandalay-december-2013/

 

 

THE DETAILED ITINERARY OF MYANMAR MOTORCYCLE TOUR :

DAY 1                                                             CHIANG MAI, ARRIVAL

….. Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal) by Thai Airways International, flight TG … from Bangkok.

Your guide will await you outside customs hall and transfer you to Mae Saa Valley, located roughly 20 kms north of Chiang Mai

Dinner with the tour crew and accommodation at Suansawan Resort, Mae Rim at Mae Saa Valley (Standard Rooms).

Meals included: Dinner

DAY 2                                                             CHIANG MAI – PAI (150 KM)

Breakfast at the resort. In the morning, we find our way through small villages and rice fields and over small country roads until we land on the famous mountain road that leads to Pai.  A stop is then made at Mokfa Waterfall. A short walk through the jungle and along the stream leads to the falls where takers can even go for a swim in a large natural pool. From here, we continue uphill on a road that epitomizes driving in the North of Thailand as it endlessly twists and turns its way through great mountain scenery. Simple lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

We arrive in Pai in the afternoon. This pretty town, inhabited by Shan people and Haw Chinese, invites for a leisurely stroll through the centre.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at Pai Hotsprings Resort (Mountain View Room).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3                                                             PAI – MAE HONG SON (140 KM)

Breakfast at the resort. This morning, we drive via Soppong to Mae Hong Son. High up in the mountains we make a stop at a very scenic Lisu market from where we can also enjoy great views over the mountains. At Soppong, we turn off and drive to the caves of Tham Lot where, on a bamboo raft, we drift down the small river and through one of these caves. Then we regain the main road and stop at a local restaurant for lunch.

Afterwards, we continue to Mae Hong Son and stop at a Fish Cave popular with local tourists.

Mae Hong Son is a melting pot of different cultures, blending Thai Yai (Shan), Chinese, Akha, Lisu, Hmong, Muslim and numerous other tribes. Streets are colourful affairs, as people from any one of these cultures ply their wares on street sidewalks. We visit the local market and the Burmese-style Temples of Wat Nong Jong Kam and Wat Jong Klang, located in the middle of town at a small lake. The roads of Mae Hong Son invite for a stroll and the opportunity to observe people of all kinds of ethnic origin.

Dinner and accommodation at Fern Resort (Deluxe Room).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4                                                     MAE HONG SON – MAE SARIANG (165 KM)

Breakfast at the resort. In the morning we take a boat trip on the Pai River to Ban Nam Pian Din, a village of the Padaung (long neck) women. The Padaungs belong to the Kayah or Karenni group in Burma. Over the years, hundreds of Padaungs have fled the off-and-on-fighting in northeast Burma and settled on the Thai side of the forested frontier. The Padaung women are known for wearing brass rings around their necks; therefore also known as “Giraffe Women”. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Then, we leave Mae Hong Son and ride in southern direction towards Khun Yuam. Khun Yuam was an important airbase during WW II from where the Japanese flew sorties into Burma and you can still see the old airfield not far from the small WW II Museum. From here we ride on to Mae Sariang through beautiful high plateau scenery with great forests.

Dinner at a cozy local restaurant.

Accommodation at River House Resort (Standard Room).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5                                                            MAE SARIANG – MAE SOT (235 KM)

Breakfast at the resort. Leaving Mae Sariang, we ride South into the mountains. The road winds along the valley and up over several mountain ridges before we start the descent into the border town of Mae Sot. Simple lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

Dinner at a beautiful local restaurant.

Accommodation at Centara Mae Sot Hills Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6                                                             MAE SOT – MAWLAMYINE (190 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we cross the “Goodwill Bridge” which links Mae Sot with Myawaddy, Thailand with Burma. As it is rather unusual that Myanmar immigration and customs officials are dealing with a group of motorcycles entering Myanmar, we are prepared to have a lot of patience until the lengthy procedures to get all the papers right, inspect all the motorcycles, etc. are terminated. Afterwards we drive from Myawaddy across the Dawna Mountain Range to Kawkareik on the Western side of the mountain range. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

Later, we cross the Thanlwin (Salween) River for the first time as we continue to Thaton, get onto the main road linking North and South Burma and continue in Southern direction towards Mawlamyine (Moulmein). Shortly before we reach Mawlamyine, we cross over the Salween River again as we take Burma’s longest bridge connecting the cities of Mottama and Mawlamyine. Mawlamyine is Burma’s 3rd largest city and capital of Mon State. This charming and multicultural city lies at the mouth of the Salween River and was British Burma’s first capital from 1826 – 1852. Depending on how much time remains after our arrival, we visit the Kyaikthanlan Pagoda which the famous English writer Rudyard Kipling meant in his poem when he wrote: “By the old Moulmein pagoda lookin’ lazy at the sea. There’s a Burma girl a-sittin’ and I know she thinks o’ me”. Sunsets at this pagoda are a scene to behold.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at Mawlamyine Strand Hotel (Superior Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7                                                      MAWLAMYINE – GOLDEN ROCK (190 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the day with a short excursion of around 20 km to Mudon, site of a huge reclining Buddha. From there, we drive North, again across the Thanlwin (Salween) River, as we continue to Thaton, which was the capital of the former Mon Kingdom which ruled Lower Burma from the 9th – 11th century and stretched far into Thailand. Lunch at a local restaurant in Thaton.

From Thaton we continue in Northern direction to Kyaik Hto, a small town in Mon State, known for its rubber plantations and the Golden Rock Pagoda in the vicinity.

Dinner and accommodation at Sane Le Tin Resort (Superior Rooms) which also boasts a small private zoo.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8                                                             GOLDEN ROCK – BAGO (95 KM)

Early breakfast at the hotel. The morning is spent visiting one of Myanmar’s landmarks, famous for its precarious position and religious importance: Kyaiktiyo: the ‘Golden Rock’, a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. We ride by minibus to Kin Mon, the base camp from where a steep 15 km road leads to the upper staging point. The journey is made in open trucks which are very crowded. From the summit where you disembark from the truck, it is a mere 10 min. walk to the Golden Rock. A visit to the Golden Rock is a mesmerizing experience as you will encounter the religiosity of Myanmar people in stunningly beautiful natural surroundings. Afterwards, return to Kin Mon base camp by truck. Lunch back at the Sane Le Tin Resort.

Afterwards we take off in direction of Bago, also called Pegu and formerly known as Hanthawaddy (or Hongsawadee to the Thais). This city is located only 90 km to the Northeast of Yangon. We visit the over a thousand years old Shwemawdaw Pagoda with its spire taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda. If we have enough time, we can also visit the 55-meter long reclining Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha, which is among the country’s most impressive Buddha images.

Dinner and accommodation at the lovely Han Thar Gardens Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9                                                             BAGO – PYAY (285 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave Bago in the morning and ride to Pyay (formerly called Prome), situated on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River. Our ride today takes us initially over a few hills and then through vast plains made colourful with small villages and towns. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant on the way.

Prome is a lovely town and if time permits we visit the Shwesandaw Pagoda on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River, one of the most scenic spots in the country.

Dinner and accommodation at Mingalar Garden Resort (Superior Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10                                                            PYAY – BAGAN (380 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Our ride today takes us in Northern direction and more or less along the Ayeyarwaddy River, all the way to Bagan. On our way we cross a few karst hills and realize how the landscape is becoming visibly more arid. Lunch at a local restaurant in Magwe.

In the afternoon, we continue further in Northern direction on our way to Bagan and visit the old wooden monastery of Yoke Sone in Sale. The last stretch of road leading into Bagan leads along the Ayeyarwaddy River and shortly before arriving in Bagan we can already glimpse the first pagodas.

Dinner and accommodation at Bagan Airport Hotel (Superior Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11                                                            BAGAN

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we explore the archaeological site of Bagan. Visits include the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, which is Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine – look out for images of the 37 ‘nats’ housed in a small hall; Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi In Village), a ‘cave’ temple with fine frescoes of the ‘Jataka Tales’; and Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery with beautiful, well-preserved 18th century murals. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we learn about one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts at a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby Myinkaba Village. Then, we continue to Manuha Temple, built in the Mon-style in 1059, and Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings which today are under the protection of UNESCO. Finally, we proceed to Shwesandaw Pagoda to watch the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at Bagan Airport Hotel (Superior Rooms).

DAY 12                                                            BAGAN – MANDALAY (260 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, a scenic overland journey leads us first to Mount Popa (approx. 50 km), an extinct volcano with a shrine dedicated to animist spirits known as “Nats”. Contrary to other countries practicing Buddhism, the “nats” are a peculiarity for Burma only. There are 37 main “nats”, all of which are ghosts of humans that mostly have died a painful death. Additionally, there are nats that reside in the water, in the forest, in the house or elsewhere and that demand to be respected if one does not want to attract the ire of a nat. In urban Burma, the nats do not play a significant role in daily life anymore but in rural Burma they are revered, particularly at Mt. Popa. We ride directly to the Mt. Popa Resort where, sipping coffee and maybe sampling a cake, we enjoy the fabulous view over Mt. Popa. Afterwards we continue our journey through pleasing landscape with little traffic, over three rivers and through the local town of Thaung Tha to Mingyan where we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon and as we approach Mandalay riding through the towns of Myo Tha and Ta-U roads become a lot busier. Particularly the last 15 km will be hectic as we will have to fight our way through dense Mandalay city traffic to our hotel by the river.

Dinner and accommodation at Best Western plus Eastern Palace Hotel (Deluxe Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13                                                           MANDALAY

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we drive out of Mandalay to Amarapura to visit Mahagandayone Monastery, home to some 1200 monks and one of the most prestigious monasteries in Myanmar. Afterwards, we will take a stroll over a historic bridge, known as U Bein Bridge, originally built in 1851 entirely of teak wood and spanning over the Taungthaman Lake. Return to Mandalay for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay and start with a visit to one of the most revered religious monuments of Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda. Afterwards, we witness how small gold nuggets are hammered into wafer thin gold leaves which Buddhists use to stick them on the Buddha statues in the temples.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at Best Western plus Eastern Palace Hotel (Deluxe Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14                                                           MANDALAY – INLE LAKE (260 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s ride promises to become spectacular as we move from the flat lands into the mountains and up onto the high plateau surrounding Inle Lake. At first we ride in Southern direction on a busy road but then we turn off in Eastern direction and continue on a smaller road with little traffic, up a very long valley and into the mountains. On the way we

 realize that we are definitely leaving behind us the Burmese flat lands and the Bamar culture as we enter the area of the Shan minority. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

We continue on our way through the mountains and stop frequently, either to take pictures or to just make a break. In the late afternoon we reach Nyaungshwe at the fabled Inle Lake.

Dinner and accommodation at Thanakha Inle Lake Hotel (Deluxe Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15                                                            INLE LAKE

Breakfast at the hotel. Inle Lake is a photographer’s dream as its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop.   We spend most of the day touring the lake by boat, passing endless floating gardens, where fruit and vegetables are grown and will observe the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. We visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State and see traditional handicrafts – silk weaving on wooden handlooms and a blacksmith shop. Lunch at a local restaurant on the lake.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at Thanakha Inle Lake Hotel (Deluxe Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16                                                            INLE LAKE – NAMSANG (150 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s ride takes us first up a steep mountain to Taunggyi, the capital of Southern Shan State. From there we ride into fantastic mountain scenery and on a road which until recently was forbidden for any foreign visitors. We ride through spectacularly beautiful mountain scenery and through many ethnic minority villages, particularly of the Shan people. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

We reach Namsang, an important Shan town, in the early afternoon.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at the simple Shwe Ngar Kan Guest House in Namsang.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17                                                            NAMSANG – MONGPING (230 KM)

Breakfast at the Guest House. The road takes in Eastern direction, through spectacularly beautiful landscape and villages that are predominantly of the Shan and Palaung minorities. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

In the afternoon we cross again the Salween River which we had already encountered on our very first day in Burma more than 1’000 km further South. After we have crossed the river, a piece of work expects us as the last 80 km to our destination will takes us up and over an important mountain range. Beware of construction sites, landslides and pot holes on the way.

Dinner and accommodation at the simple yet comfortable Sein Yatanar Guest House in Mongping.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18                                                            MONGPING – TACHILEK (270 KM)

Breakfast at the Guest House. Today’s drive starts with another challenge as we take again up and over spectacular mountains in direction of Kengtung which is the capital of Eastern Shan State. Kengtung is a lovely town built around a lake. Upon arrival in Kengtung we will have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch we leave Kengtung in Southern direction and ride one more time through beautiful mountains on a good and relatively fast road towards the city of Tachilek on the Burmese-Thai border. On the way we will have to twice pass police and immigration checkpoints before we reach busy Tachilek. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at Shwe Buu Thee Hotel (Superior Rooms) in Tachilek.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19                                                            TACHILEK – CHIANG MAI (250 KM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Our day begins with the border formalities as we exit Myanmar and enter Thailand. Then, we continue on a very good but busy road towards Chiang Rai. Right after passing Chiang Rai, we will visit Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary purely white temple with startling design. Inside the temple you will find astonishing paintings (they even include George Bush and Keanu Reeves) that “show an escape from the defilements of temptation to reach a supramundane state” – sic: Wikipedia). The artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat also created the mural paintings at the Buddha Prateep Temple in London. Afterwards, we continue towards Chiang Mai and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

Arrival in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation at Ban Thai Village Hotel (Superior Rooms).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 20                                                           CHIANG MAI

Breakfast at the hotel.

….. Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport (International Terminal).

….. Departure by ….., flight … to …..

Meals included: Breakfast

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USEFUL WEBSITES

Suansawan Resort, Mae Rim                  www.suansawanresort.com/

Pai Hotsprings Resort, Pai                      www.paihotspringssparesort.com/

Fern Resort, Mae Hong Son                   www.fernresort.info/

River House Resort, Mae Sariang            www.riverhousehotelgroup.com/

Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort               www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cms/cms_default.asp

Sane Le Tin Resort, Kyaik Hto               www.facebook.com/SaneLeiTinResortMyanmar

Han Thar Gardens Resort, Bago             www.hanthargardens.com/

Mingalar Garden Resort, Prome              www.mingalargardenresort.com/

Bagan Airport Hotel, Bagan                     www.baganairporthotel.com/

Best Western Plus Eastern Palace Hotel, Mandalay

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/MM/Mandalay-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-PLUS-Eastern-Palace-Hotel/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=99704

Thanakha Inle Hotel                              www.thanakha-inle-hotel.com/

Shwe Ngar Kan Guest House, Namsang  does not have its own website

Sein Yatanar Guest House, Mongping     does not have its own website

Shwe Buu Thee Hotel, Tachilek

          www.facebook.com/ShweBuTheeHotel/info?tab=overview

Ban Thai Village Hotel, Chiang Mai         www.banthaivillage.com/

The Myanmar Bike Tour Costs :

 

7.300 USD for Rider in shared double room (includes Kawasaki ER6-n)

6.380 USD for Pillion Rider in shared double room

 910 USD single room surcharge

 We use only Kawasaki Versys 650 …

Unfortunately, our motorcycles cannot be insured in any way in Burma. While the motorcycles carry a third party liability insurance in Thailand, this insurance does not cover the bikes in Burma. The tour participant is therefore liable for all 3rd party damages in Burma and also for damages on his own bike.

One exception is possible: against a surcharge of USD 280, we offer a motorcycle damage insurance that limits your own liability for damages to your own bike at USD 1.390 maximum. Without this insurance, the participant is liable for the maximum amount of USD 6.950. This insurance only pays for damage to the rental motorcycle in Thailand or Burma. Damage to third parties cannot be insured in Burma ..

The Burma motorcycle tour costs include the following services:

  • Tour and transfer services as described in the itinerary with an English speaking professional Thai or Burmese tour guide
  • The services of an escort vehicle (minibus in Thailand and small truck in Myanmar) for transport of the main luggage;
    Solo riders will carry their luggage on the backseat of the bike
  • Accommodation as per hotels and room types specified in the itinerary; breakfast always included
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary (halfboard)
  • All entrance fees to sights specified in the itinerary
  • Motorcycle Kawasaki ER6-n, fuel during the entire tour (optional: Kawasaki Versys against surcharge)
  • Experienced German motorcycle mechanic “Joe” accompanies the tour
  • Burma-experienced and German/English speaking “road captain” Armin as biking tour guide during the whole tour
  • Vehicle registration and inspection fees (Myanmar Road Transport Administration Department)
  • Service charge, room tax and baggage handling.

Not included in the Myanmar motorbike tour price are:

  • Services that are not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Visa fee for Myanmar
  • Insurance during the trip in Myanmar,
  • Domestic flights in Thailand: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Bangkok
  • Expenditure of a personal nature, such as tips, telephone charges, laundry, minibar, etc.
  • Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness).
    We highly recommend to take out appropriate insurance in your home country.

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Additional information from our partner agency “Impulse Tourism Co., Ltd.” with regards to visa for Burma:

Passport requirement Thailand

Please note that Thailand requires that passports must remain valid at least six months beyond visitors’ intended length of stay in Thailand. Please note also that in case of overland entry into Thailand (such as when we return from Myanmar/Burma) Thai Immigration only grants a visa-free stay of 15 days in Thailand.

Visa for Myanmar

For our tour, special “entry permits” and a visa issued in advance by the Myanmar Embassy in your home country are necessary. In order to obtain the visa, the applicant has to get from us the following documents:

  • Confirmation letter of the tour operator in Myanmar who is responsible for all tour arrangements in Myanmar certifying that the participant is under their full care during the entire duration of stay in Myanmar
  • Copy of the letter issued by the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels & Tourism approving the motorcycle tour, listing the participant’s name and asking the Myanmar Embassy to issue a visa for entry/exit through the border point of Myawaddy
  • Visa application form

We shall obtain all these documents for you but must know your full personal data at the time of booking.
Once you have received the documents described above, you will have to contact the nearest Myanmar Embassy, sign the visa application form in duplicate, attach one passport photo to each copy of the visa application form and enclose the Confirmation Letter of the tour operator as well as the letter issued by the Myanmar Ministry of Hotels & Tourism with the application.

The following link provides a list of all Myanmar Embassies, Permanent Missions and Consulate Generals:

www.amazingparadisetravel.com/index.php/about-myanmar/myanmar-embassies-abroad

Please observe that your passport will remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the departing date from Myanmar. Furthermore, please take note also that the procedures to obtain your visa from the Myanmar Embassy can take up to 10 days. Once you have received your visa, we kindly request that you let us have a scanned copy of the visa numbers so that we may forward the same to Myanmar ahead of your arrival.

The personal data needed for us to start visa procedures are the following:

Family Name(s) – as per passport:

First Name(s) – as per passport:

Passport Number:

Nationality:

Date of Birth:

Passport Issue Date:

Passport Issue Place:

Passport Expiry Date:

Myanmar currency / credit cards

Please note that most hotels at which we are going to stay during our tour do not accept credit cards such as American Express, Master Card and Visa.

Hence, it is useful to bring cash US Dollars, preferably also in small denominations as many shops upcountry cannot easily provide change for a 100-Dollar bill. You may also want to change some foreign currency into Myanmar Kyat as the Burmese start to trade more and more in their own currency. When paying for something small with US Dollars, change will most likely be rendered in Myanmar Kyat. This change, in turn, can be used again for buying a drink or for small tips, etc. Bringing traveller cheques is useless as only the Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB) or the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) in Yangon would trade in these through cumbersome and time-consuming procedures. Euros are only traded at money exchange counters at major tourist areas – it is better to bring US Dollars in cash.