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Myanmar Study Tour

Myanmar Study Tour

Overview

Registration Deadline: August 1, 2016 (for group airfare rate, register by June 24, 2016)
Tour Dates: September 29 – October 16, 2016

Join veteran VIA travelers and first-time visitors for a timely examination of Myanmar’s political life and civil society, not to mention a first-ever chance (on a VIA trip) to experience the many cultures of Shan State.

Details

Take a first-hand look at Myanmar’s political intrigue and seismic shifts after Myanmar’s first free and fair national elections since 1990. Our visit follows the March installation of a new government, an ideal time to assess the impact of the November 8th, 2015 national elections and subsequent political dynamic (click here to download flyer).

In addition to talking to political activists, civil society forces, and other stakeholders in Yangon and Mandalay, the itinerary will include VIA’s customary visits with innovative NGOs, VIA fellows, and the inspiring people of Myanmar (click here to download itinerary).

After Yangon and Mandalay, the itinerary proceeds through Shan State (home to many non-Burman minorities), starting at Heho/Inle Lake and including Kalaw, Taunggyi, Kyaing Tong and elsewhere before crossing the border at Mai Sai to reach Chiang Mai, Thailand. As the unofficial capital of the Burmese exile population for more than two decades, Chiang Mai offers both Burmese institutions to visit and a time to reflect on our experience.

Myanmar veterans Tim and Mia Clark will co-lead the trip. Pricing has three components: a $1,000 tax-deductible gift to VIA, a trip fee of $3,800, and your airfare. Avia Travel has obtained a very favorable group rate of $1,135 round trip, but those reservations must be made by June 24, 2016, and altering travel dates or destinations may be difficult.

Estimated Cost:
$4,800 plus airfare (group airfare is $1,135). This package includes a non-refundable, tax-deductible $1,000 donation to VIA to be submitted with your application. The $3,800 program fee covers local transportation, lodging, virtually all meals in Myanmar, guide services, and most entry fees. A one-time supplement of $460 will obtain single rooms for the entire trip; otherwise rooms are twin bed, double occupancy. Trip cost is subject to change because hotels and airlines within Myanmar and in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where we conclude our trip, may change their rates.

Items Excluded:
Trans-Pacific airfare, passport, Myanmar visa and travel/medical insurance (highly recommended).

Cost summary:

Estimated total costs for the trip are:

  • $1,000 (Non-refundable donation to VIA with application)
  • $1,135 (Estimated airfare on Cathay Pacific)
  • $3,800 (Program fee)

$5,935 TOTAL (estimate)

Air Travel:

The estimated cost does not include travel from the U.S. to Yangon. Avia Travel has obtained a very favorable group rate of $1,135 round trip, but those reservations must be made by June 24, 2016, and altering travel dates or destinations may be difficult.

Whether booking at the group airfare rate or arranging alternate travel dates, all participants may make their air reservations with our travel agency:

Sue Lai at Avia Travel
sue[at]aviatravel.com
Tel: (510) 558.2150 or (800) 950.2842

To Apply Online

Click the apply link below to complete the online application and release form (one for each participant) and email a scanned copy of your passport to Tim Clark (tclark[at]factpoint.com)

To Apply by Email or Post

Click here to download and complete the paper application and release form (one for each participant) and send them to:

VIA Myanmar Study Program 2016 at VIA
870 Market Street #656
San Francisco, CA 94102
USA

-OR-

Scan and email your application to melissa[at]viaprograms.org -OR- fax it to (415) 618-0509.

To Complete Donation

A non-refundable, tax-deductible contribution of $1,000 made by check to VIA should accompany each application. If you wish to donate online by credit card, please complete your donation through GiveDirect.