This guide is provided for reference and future use:

• Inle Lake / Shan Plateau — the most developed pre-2021 trekking region; 3–5 day village treks through Shan, Danu, Pa-O and Intha communities
• Hsipaw / Northern Shan State — independent trekking to Palaung and Shan village homestays; popular with backpackers before 2021
• Chin State (Mrauk-U area) — remote western highlands; traditional Chin tribal villages; special permit required
• Kayah State (Loikaw area) — Kayan long-neck community and other Kayah groups; dramatic red-rock landscape
• Hkakabo Razi (Kachin State) — potentially the highest peak in Southeast Asia (5,881m); extremely remote wilderness

Myanmar’s landscape diversity was one of its greatest trekking assets before 2021:

• Shan Plateau — a broad highland plateau at 900m average elevation; tea and rubber plantations; Buddhist temples; diverse ethnic minorities
• Chin State highlands — dramatic western mountains; cloud forest; traditional villages with distinct cultural identity
• Irrawaddy River valley — flat lowlands; most of Myanmar’s population; not a trekking region
• Hkakabo Razi area — glaciated Himalayan foothills; Putao as the gateway town; accessible only by small aircraft

Pre-2021 highlights — for future reference:

• Shan Plateau village treks — multi-day routes between ethnic minority communities; extraordinary cultural diversity in a small geographic area
• Inle Lake boat and walking combinations — floating gardens; stilted villages; leg-rowing fishermen; a cultural landscape unlike anywhere else
• Hkakabo Razi expedition — the most remote multi-week mountaineering objective in Southeast Asia
• Mount Popa — an extinct volcanic plug rising 1,518m from the central plain; major Nat spirit worship site; short summit hike

When Myanmar eventually reopens:

• The Shan Plateau routes range from easy village walks to multi-day highland treks
• Chin State routes are moderate to hard — remote, requiring guide and porter support
• Hkakabo Razi is extreme — one of the world’s most demanding remote expeditions

Pre-2021 rules — for future reference:

• A Foreigner Registration Card (FRC) was required for overnight stays in non-tourist-licensed accommodation
• Some ethnic state areas required special permits obtainable in Yangon or Mandalay
• Photography of military installations and some infrastructure was prohibited

For future reference when Myanmar reopens:

• Layers for Shan Plateau — cool evenings year-round at 900m+ elevation
• Rain gear — monsoon (June–October) affects all highland regions
• Licensed guide — was required in most restricted areas and strongly recommended elsewhere
• Cash (Kyat) — Myanmar was primarily a cash economy; ATMs unreliable outside major cities

Emergency (Myanmar): 999 (police) | 192 (ambulance)

This information may not be accurate during the current civil conflict period. In any genuine emergency in Myanmar, contact your country’s embassy immediately.

Myanmar has two main seasons relevant to highland trekking:

• Cool dry season (November–February) — was the best trekking season; clear skies; comfortable temperatures
• Hot season (March–May) — increasingly uncomfortable; hazy; pre-monsoon
• Monsoon (June–October) — heavy rain; trails muddy; some areas inaccessible; leeches active

• Cool dry season (November–February) — when Myanmar eventually reopens, this will again be the best trekking season

When Myanmar eventually reopens:

• Yangon (RGN / Mingaladon Airport) — main international gateway
• Mandalay — second hub for central and northern Myanmar
• Heho Airport — gateway for Inle Lake and Shan Plateau trekking (domestic flight from Yangon)
• Putao (Kachin State) — small aircraft only; gateway for Hkakabo Razi area

Myanmar had drone regulations under the Department of Civil Aviation; in the current conflict context these are effectively suspended as the legitimate government no longer controls much of the country.