Destination Guide

Burmese, a Sino-Tibetan language, is the official language in Myanmar, and it is spoken by roughly 2/3 of the population. The ethnic minorities generally have either their own linguistically separate languages or a variant with Sino-Tibetan roots as well. 

Written Burmese is a non-Latin alphabet, so foreigners may find it difficult to read signs. However, in popular tourist destinations, much of the signage is in English. As a former British colony, Myanmar also has a strong history of English speaking and it is still taught in schools and monasteries today. 

Finally, the Burmese people are exceptionally friendly. If, somewhere, no English is spoken, smiles and gestures will get you far. 

The international calling code in Burma is +95. It is expensive to roam in the country, but you should check with your phone provider for specific rates and availability. 

The internet throughout the country is very slow, and still regulated by the regime. Hotels will generally have access available, but it will not be a fast or reliable connection and the use of some sites may be restricted. 

The issue of the country’s name is a tricky one. The term Burma is derived from the name of the largest ethnic group in the country, the Bamar people – they are referred to as Bama/Burmans in spoken language and Mranma/Myanma in the written language. Burma was what the English called the country when it was a colony, and Burma was chosen as the official name of the country upon their independence.

In 1989, the military junta changed the name of the country and some cities (such as Rangoon to Yangon) with the aim of reconciling English place names with Burmese place names and pronunciation. Since Myanma is the official name in the Burmese language, and because it is arguably more inclusive of minority populations, Myanmar was chosen as the name. However, out of protest against the military junta, Aung San Suu Kyi , the National League for Democracy, and allies sympathetic to their cause, like the US and UK, refused to acknowledge the name change so as to avoid lending legitimacy to the regime. However, in recent years, Suu Kyi’s stance toward the name Myanmar has softened, and she uses it herself to refer to the country. 

In short, there is no universally accepted name. Since Myanmar is the official written name of the country, we use it here. However, in spoken language, both Myanmar and Burma are acceptable terms and are often used interchangeably. 

As mentioned, Myanmar is a hot country. Light-colored, loose clothing is a good idea, as well as a pair of sandals to tour the holy sites with. A sweater might also be warranted in the higher areas like Inle Lake, which can get chilly around November. This also means you should remember sunglasses and sunscreen. The electricity in Myanmar can occasionally be unreliable, so guests might want to bring a flashlight/headlight and extra batteries. It is also a good idea to either bring or buy insect repellant. While mosquitos in November are less of a problem than at other times of the year, some may still be present. 

The currency in Myanmar is the Kyat (MMK or K for short). In Myanmar, cash is king – while more and more places accept credit card (Visa and Mastercard), some shops, street vendors, and train stations do not accept cards. The amount of ATMs is also increasing, especially in larger cities like Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan, but the machines can be unreliable. Thus, it is a good idea to bring cash with you on your trip to exchange in-country. US dollars are the easiest to exchange, and some places will change euros as well. Other currencies are rarely accepted. If you bring USD, please make sure that you bring newer bills free of discoloration, tears, or creases. Bills damaged even slightly will typically result in lower exchange rates, or they may be rejected outright. Also be sure to count your kyat, which is often provided in ready-made stacks of bills.

Please note that participants are responsible for their own travel insurance. 

Medical assistance during the marathon event
A team of English-speaking Danish doctors will be present during the pasta dinner and the race. The medical team is ready in case of injury or severe exhaustion.

Albatros Adventure Marathons™ will ensure that an English-speaking doctor/medical team is available for participants of our marathon events. If any treatment is unable to be carried out by the doctor and it is necessary to refer a participant to local medical facilities, the doctor/medical team and travel agency will not be held liable for any treatment carried out by staff from local medical facilities. 

Please consult with your physician regarding inoculation recommendations for Myanmar. Remember that some travel vaccines may be required and, depending on what you require, may need to be spread over a period of weeks or months. Don't procrastinate!