Backpacking the Mergui Archipelago - Help!

Hi everyone, im a first time traveller planning on travelling in Myanmar in the new year and am especially interested in visiting the mergui archipelago. im hoping to start in that area and finish towards north and head into Laos but am concerned about the countrys seemingly strict rules on:
A) where i am staying every day and
B) areas which i am allowed to visit.

can anyone shed any light on any of these issues, or perhaps recommend any hostels/cheap hotels for me to stay in? is there an easy way to access this area from the south Myanmar/Thailand border as this is where i am hoping to enter from.

Thanks all!
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Thanks for the advice, looks like ill have to alter my travel route slightly

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Hi Wilson,

I will try my best to answer your questions.

I think you will have to tell how much money you brought if the officials ask you. But you do not have to exchange at the airport at all because the government abolished that rule a few years ago. So, DO NOT exchange money at the airport as the rate there is just extortionist. By the way, I just heard in news that the government is issuing new 5000 denomination notes. Before, 1000 note was the highest. The upside is you will have to carry round less notes and the value of myanmar currency is down because of that news. The downside is exchange rate is fluctuating a lot because of that news (as of today 1120-1150kyats for 1USD). Oh, only take 100 USD notes that are crisp and in absolute mint condition because people will usually not take USD notes that are creased, folded or written on and the exchange rate gets worse for the lower USD denominations.

I am not sure about Johnnie Walker Red and 555 as I have been out of the country for 4 years. I personally think the profit (if any) will not be worth the hassle. Customs officials might quiz you if they think quantiy is too many and/or might just 'take' some if they feel like it. 😊

I would NOT encourage you to ACTIVELY seek out aid organisations and especially pro democracy groups. You might put yourself in danger and you will definitely put the people you seek out in danger. But if you already have contact with international NGOs, it's ok to contact them. There are other ways to help and get to know myanmar people. You might encounter some young myanmar people who want to practice English just by speaking with you and they will usually also invite you to their classes to help them out. They hang around in Shwedagon Pagoda and other tourist hot spots. If you have some time to spare, it is a great way to get off-the-beaten-track experience and your help will be much appreciated too. Many of them will talk openly about a lot of things including polictics in private once they get to know you a bit (let that be on their terms). Another thing is to tip the lower level service workers if you could. It goes a long way in helping them and often the whole family depending on them.

As for places to visit, Bagan and Inle lake are a must because they are just so unique. You might want to do a day or so trekking in Kalaw on the way to Inle lake to see real village life (and i mean REAL) in the mountains of myanmar which I have not had a chace to see myself. You should also spend a few days in Mandalay. There is not much to see in Mandalay itself but it is a base to do day trips to surrounding historic areas which are all very scenic and lovely. You will surely visit Yangon too which is where I grew up 😊 (yes, it's very dirty in places but it is bustling).

You said you are going to Myanmar shortly. If you are in Myanmar on September the 3rd, there is Thadingyut festival going on. It is a religious festival of light but it is really an opportunity for the locals to have some much needed fun. People celebrate it at night. Just ask the locals for the nearest places where activities will be going on that night.

Myanmar is very safe for tourists and the people have very positive attitude towards foreigners. I hope you will enjoy your stay in Myanmar and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers. Reply to this

You are very welcome Wilson.

Ngapali (Napolie) is probably the best beach in myanmar. I am assuming you are flying there. Otherwise, not a good idea as the journey takes too long. Nwe Saung beach (relatively new compared to Ngapali) is also quite good and it's very long nearly 9 miles I think. All beaches tend to be really quiet so a good choice if you just want to chill.

Bhamaw (Bahmio) is a typical small town by the Irrawady river. It is not really an attraction (even to burmese) so your choice of accommodation there will be limited. Here again the transportation of choice is to fly. Really interesting thing to do is take the cruise/boat from Mandalay to Bhamaw or the other way around but I would advise against it as the journey takes more than one day (i think) in best case scenario and there is chance of being stranded too as the river is very unpredictable. (you said you only have 10 days).

Btw, are you British (or from down under)? You said "chuffed" so I think I can rule out American. 😊 I am just curious because I live in the UK. I really envy you because you are going to be there during the festival. One of my favourite burmese food is sticky rice cooked in bamboo stem (goes very well with fritters). They are usually sold in market stalls during those festival funfair. It's quite different from normal rice cooked in normal way. May be you will spot one during your visit 😊.

All the best.






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Thanks Wilson. It is very kind of you to offer but won't be necessary. Myanmar postal system works very well one way... out of the country that is. Post going into the country is a whole different story lol.

Tip for internet/email access. Internet cafes near Bogyoke Market (Scott Market) and Latha Street (China town) are quite good I think and you can ask for help to get into some emails e.g Gmail. Hotmail (windows live) is totally banned if I remember correctly. Reply to this