Trip Planner

Visitors from most countries need a visa in advance; for the latest information, check with the nearest Myanmar embassy. Travelers should carry cash—clean, crisp U.S. dollars because old bills might be rejected; ATMs aren’t available and credit cards are generally accepted only by a few top hotels.

Getting there

Most flights to Yangon connect via Southeast Asian hubs, including Singapore and Bangkok. Carriers include Thai Airways, Air Asia and Silk Air. Within Myanmar, Yangon Airways, Air Bagan and Air Mandalay fly to Heho, which is near Inle.

Where to stay and eat

Higher-end resorts typically feature stylish cottages with hardwood floors and large picture windows facing the lake; some also include satellite TV, spas and Internet services. Rates range from roughly $55 to $220 a night. Top choices include Inle Princess, Inle Lake View Resort & Spa (www.inlelakeview.com), Inle Resort (www.inleresort.com) and Myanmar Treasure Resort(www.myanmartreasureresorts.com ). Visitors typically eat at their resort, though there is also a good Italian restaurant, Golden Kite, on the lake.

What to do

Tourists typically hire boats with outboard motors to explore the lake’s stilt villages, floating gardens and surrounding canals. Boats can be arranged at major resorts or in the nearby town of Nyaungshwe, where prices are often lower—about $50 a day with guide. Tourist sites include the Phaung Daw Oo Paya, a holy pagoda with gold-covered Buddha statues, and Nga Hpe Kyaung, a historic monastery with a large wooden meditation hall—and cats trained to jump through hoops.

10 Tips for women travellers for a carefree overseas travel experience.
By taking some basic security precautions both prior to departure and while away, women travellers can greatly reduce the travel risks they might otherwise face. Travel Messenger™ service developed by Melbourne based Loop9 scans 24/7 a wide range of global network security risk centres to bring in up-to-the-minute travel warnings for the country you are in directly to your mobile phone by SMS.

“It is important to plan you trip ahead of time in order to make it safer and more enjoyable” says Mark McCormack, Managing Director of Melbourne based Loop9. He recommends the following helpful tips for women travellers should they encounter a situation in an area of political instability or civil unrest as well as on how to stay safe at major events.

Pre trip:

1. Take photo copies of all your travel documents, keep them separate from the originals and e-mail all your details such as passport numbers, your itinerary etc to your own email address in case your lose anything.

2. Pack as light as possible and always pack your own bags and do not offer to carry any parcels whose contents you may be unsure of. The penalties for possession of or trafficking in drugs in some countries can include long prison sentences or even death.

3. Before travelling, find out the general dress code for the country. Once you arrive, take note of what local women wear to get an idea of appropriate attire.

4. Use a handbag with an inner zippered pocket and a strong strap. Preferably, wear the strap across the body, to make it more difficult for thieves to steal. Consider wearing a money belt under your clothes.

On board:

5. Do not announce your final destination or length of stay to fellow passengers, as the information may be overheard.

On arrival:

6. Where possible arrange to be met at the airport by someone you know. If you are being collected by a driver always establish their bona fides by asking their name, enquire who they are waiting for and where they intend taking you.

7. Stay in a hotel or guesthouse on a residential street that has a number of restaurants and late-night stores located on it. This is far safer than staying in a corporate area that will be quiet at night and so less secure.?

8. Never let on that you are travelling alone; inform inquisitive strangers that you are expecting your friend or meeting your partner.

9. Avoid wearing provocative, figure-hugging clothing. Unwanted attention can be also avoided by wearing a wedding ring and avoiding eye contact

10. Act confidently. Know where you are going and what you are doing, and walk with assurance. Confidence can be a major deterrent of criminal activities, such as petty theft and harassment.

For more information and to book Travel Messenger™ service for your next trip please contact your local travel agent.

Everything you need to know about planning, preparing and taking your first big trip – from the inspirational to the practical.

Thinking about travelling? Going away with friends or family on a big trip? Wherever, however or whenever you’re travelling, The girlo Travel Survival Kit is your guide to the crucial travel must-haves, must-sees, and must-dos before, during and after a trip.

* It’s an essential girlo travel checklist – everything from the inspirational to the practical.

* It’s about helping you prepare for the experience, defining what you want to achieve and what sort of traveller you want to be.

* It gives you practical advice on everything you need to know about packing, leaving, travelling and experiencing the world.

From what to pack, what to know, how to manage relationships, dump emotional baggage before you leave, how to document your travels and what to expect when you get back to your home world, Anthea’s advice ranges from the practical to the inspirational and explores every aspect of seeing the world and returning home.

Perfect for the first time traveller – and helpful for those who are already well-travelled – Anthea’s guide also provides a comprehensive checklist that covers everything from planning your trip to packing, personal safety and money tips.

Warning!
This checklist contains things that may not be able to be physically packed, like PATIENCE, or good manners. CURIOSITY is mandatory. A steely DETERMINATION helps. A willingness to be open to the experience. COURAGE is crucial. These are but a few of the essentials in girlo’s Travel Survival Kit.

About Anthea Paul
Anthea Paul is the author of the bestselling and award-winning girlosophy series of books. She has worked internationally as a stylist, photo editor and art director in the fashion, design and publishing industries. A nomadic photographer and writer, Anthea contributes to a variety of women’s and surfing magazines internationally. Based on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, Anthea is also a proud supporter of the charity War Child International and of The Tibetan Friendship group (TFG).

Allen & Unwin
Authorth: Anthea Paul