Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Burma update Burma update
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree7Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 91
Burma update
In the process of planning my Singapore to London road trip in 2015 and wanted to gauge HUBBers reactions and get some responses on the current state of affairs with taking your own vehicle through Burma, entering east, exiting west.

Most of the posts I read here tell me its not possible but there are a couple of glimmers of hope, and it's those I'd like to hear more of.

Ultimately - can it be done!?

Be good to hear your thoughts,

Ben
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
I think the major issue is the Indian side of the border and no permits being issued to enter that area.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834
It can be done, at least at the oppsite direction...

This is the most recent documented crossing of Myanmar / Burma i guess:

The pensioner caravan:



4x4tripping: Die Rentner Karawane durch die Mongolei

Surfy
Last edited by Surfy; 14 Oct 2013 at 17:58.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Dec 2013
TGS TGS is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
Hi,

I'm currently investigating crossing Myanmar overland around April/ May of 2014.

So far all sources have indicated that you can cross into Burma from Thailand at four points which allow onward travel.
- Mae Sot / Myawaddy (preferred)
- Mae Sai / Tachileik
- Phunaron / Htee Kee
- Ranong / Kawthaung

It seems you can then travel independently as far as Mandalay but traveling further - anywhere near the Indian / China borders; requires special permission.

I'm wanting to cross into India at the Tamu / Moreh checkpoint but this requires special government permission and possibly a guide.

I've been in contact with a travel agent in Yangon, but they require a detailed itinerary (which I don't yet have) and are reluctant to provide the permissions services without committing to book all accommodation etc through them.

If anyone has further information on this or will be traveling the same way I'd certainly like to hear from them

Cheers,

Tim
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Friends of mine crossed from India into Burma a week ago with their Africa Twin, I don't know the details, agency used, route etc, the photo on their Facebook show them at the Iron Bridge Gate crossing point.

They are on the HUBB so hopefully will post details sometime.

Here is the blog of somebody else's trip which shows the same crossing point. Interestingly it shows an old map of British India which includes Burma as part of the same country.

http://ridingtorangoon.com/blog/
Last edited by mark manley; 14 Dec 2013 at 07:52. Reason: more info
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Dec 2013
TGS TGS is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
Good to hear, I'd love to find out which agency etc they used if you've got any details?

Cheers,

Tim
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I hope that they will be putting a full report up here sometime but know from experience that the internet is pretty poor in Burma so it might be a while.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Dec 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Travelling the world...
Posts: 55
I am hoping to do this route in late 2015, so will follow this thread with interest. I have been told by a motorcycle tour company in Myanmar that this is possible, but do not have any details.
__________________
Follow my travels Facebook page
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Dec 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 46
Hi Mark, Hi everyone!
WE DID IT!!!! We have just crossed Burma, we exited yesterday to Mae Sot. Wow, it was really, really nice. For me it was the result of 9 months of research and work. There is an easy and safe way to cross Burma with your own motorcycle and it can even be not that expensive.
I will post a complete report when we'll reach BKK.
We are late on the website, poor connections in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Burma. We are working on it. I post right now one or two pictures of Burma on our fb account : cardpostale as I know that Mark wants some proof ;-)
Cheers!
Guillaume
Cardpostale | A honeymoon around the world
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Dec 2013
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,521
Wow - Cardpostale. I will look forward to hear the details of the Burma crossing you did and I am sure many others will as well.....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Dec 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 16
Crossing myanmar 2014
Hello! we are planning to cross Myanmar between February and March, we have a safe contact and thanks to him one group is crossing now (we are waiting for the report from our friend in the group) and another will cross early February. The cost with this guy can be around 1000 dollars including food and hotels (sleeping half night in the vehicles) and all the permissions with escort.
Prices are per vehicle for 5/6 days it can decrease depending on the number of participants. Anyone interested?
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 1 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 33
I'm very keen to hear how you did it too, Cardpostale.

Please post up details soon.

Regards,

Jaykay
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 4 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 33
This certainly seems to indicate that the borders are open:

Unlike everything else I've previously seen, this is from an official government website.

http://tinyurl.com/njkyfy5



Here are some other links I'm sure someone will find useful:
http://tinyurl.com/pw5fsbx
http://tinyurl.com/qj5olot

It seems like the restrictions are constantly changing, so the true restrictions will become apparent when you actually get to the border and border officials give you a list of where you can go.

Please bare in mind, however: I'm just doing web research from the comfort of my lounge in Australia - I have no on-the-ground knowledge of the region yet.

Whilst obvious in retrospect, google searches for "77/2013 myanmar", "list of restricted areas myanmar" and "burma map restricted areas" have produced the best results to date.

Safe travels

Jaykay


(apologies for the 'tinyURL', but I was having difficulty posting using the normal URL link for some reason)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 5 Jan 2014
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,521
Jaykay: The first link you have there only tells that one can enter Myanmar from Thailand at the 4 bordercrossings mentioned - but you must also exit back to Thailand again. It doesnt mean that you can enter Myanmar from the Thai side and then travel through Myanmar and exit the country to for example India.

And even doing this - enter Myanmar from Thailand and exit back to Thailand again will take a decent amount of paperwork.

Anyhow - I would like to hear more from Cardpostale about how he/they did it.....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 5 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 33
Snakeboy: yes, we all would like this information from Cardpostale.

However, if you do any research on this yourself and find anything useful, feel free to post it up here too.

My first link indicate you can exit from whichever border you like:
" Those who enter/ depart from the aforesaid International entrance/ exits will be permitted to enter/depart from any International entrance / exits of Myanmar; Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, Yangon International Airport, Mandalay International Airport, Tachilek, Myawaddy, Htee Kee and Kawthoung."

If you had looked at the other links, however, I am making no claim that there is clear passage from one side of the country to the other. It seems the department of tourism in Myanmar wants you to pay local travel agents in order to get 'Special access' to the restricted zones, and thus travel from one side of the country to the other.

This article, published a couple of weeks ago has some helpful information:

http://myanmarforumonline.com/2013/1...es-in-myanmar/

Happy travels,

Jaykay


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
PAKISTAN: an update + new info re visas at Sost luckro SE Asia 25 2 Jan 2016 07:39
THoughts Burma, Pakistan, Iran... hi ho silver Route Planning 13 5 Dec 2014 19:16
Overland Across Burma MountainMan West and South Asia 9 21 Aug 2013 23:12
From UK to the Alps with my kids scott.l. 4 Wheels Travel Reports 4 18 Dec 2012 03:47
Burma from Europe Road2Manchester West and South Asia 5 11 Jun 2012 13:05

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:39.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top