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Is Traveling Myanmar and Trekking in Hsipaw safe?
Firstly, is it safe to travel Myanmar?
As Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, opens its heart and borders to foreign travels and becomes much more accessible for overland travel, the big question everyone’s asking is of course about safety. After traveling to many different areas and spending time with locals and foreigners living and traveling there, I feel assured that it is a safe place to travel. The government are clear as to which parts you are still not allowed to go travel and they certainly don’t want to take any risks with your safety. You can find out more about specific states through the FCO website which is kept very up-to-date. Is traveling myanmar & trekking in Hsipaw safe
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burma
Myanmar feels gentle and safe to travel. It does of course have the splash of crazy that you expect from an Asian country, so you need to have your wits about you. But, our experience and that of every traveller we met was that the locals are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Though English is not widespread, the locals are eager to make you feel welcome and help you as much as they can.
And is it safe to trek around villages such as Hsipaw?
As the conflict in the Shan state is still very much on and off, the local guides will advise you on what areas you can go to and if the longer treks are viable at the time. The village of Pakam which we stayed in had very recently been a conflict zone and we were told that it was going through a season of peace. This is true for numerous villages in area. Trekking in this area does sound a lot more dangerous than it is. FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) and various other bodies recognise Hsipaw as a safe place for foreigners. Much of the northern Shan state is indeed still closed to foreigners, yet you will find cheeky backpackers making their way around with no reported problems. Is traveling myanmar & trekking in Hsipaw safe
From what we understood from the guide, foreigners are simply not of interest to those who are fighting so you’re not a target, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t become collateral damage if you stray into areas you shouldn’t.
In short; Hsipaw should be as safe as anywhere else that is open to foreigners and on arrival well experienced guides can discuss trekking options that prioritise your safety in the area. Is traveling myanmar & trekking in Hsipaw safe
If you want to see why trekking in Hsipaw is such a must do experience you check THIS out on Trekking in Hsipaw >>>
If you are looking for other cool, cultural and adventurous stuff to do in Hsipaw, check THIS out on Things to do in Hsipaw >>>
Conclusion…
Like with so many things in life and travel, you have to decided what you are comfortable with and what makes you feel safe. We ADORED traveling Myanmar and found it to be completely safe as well as friendly and fascinating. Our trek around Hspiaw is one of the most captivating treks to date; full of so many unique little moments that we can’t do it justice through words. Myanmar will change quickly as more people pluck up the courage to visit a land less known, I urge you to get there as soon as you can.
Questions?
If you have any specific questions regarding safety, please pop them into the comments box and we will get back to you asap. Please do ask questions as we want to help you and there is a good chance that someone else is thinking the same thing.
Looking for a place to stay ???
If you’re reading this, there is a good chance you are heading to Hsipaw (or at least hoping to!). You can book your room in Hsipaw HERE
Make sure you allow for some time to go trekking too.
For just about everywhere else you are likely to go, this list should be uber helpful:
Book you room in Yangon HERE (Explore the golden cities temples)
Book your room in Nyaung U (Bagan) HERE (A base for exploring famous temples)
Book your room in Inle Lake HERE (See the famous local fishermen)
Book your room in Kalaw HERE (Prepare for the Iconic Inle Lake Trek)
Book your room for Mandalay HERE (Walk the beautiful U Bein Bridge)
Book your room in Pyin oo Lwin HERE (Explore stunning waterfalls)
Book your room in Hpa An HERE (For climbing Mt. Zwegabin)
Is it your first Time in Myanmar ??
Myanmar is changing rapidly, so up-to-date blogs (like this one, ahem!) will be a great source. But If it’s you’re first time visiting Myanmar you will probably want to grab a travel guide too. I always think you don’t need more than a ‘Rough Guide‘ as it is about making it your own adventure! They have a pretty cheap kindle copy as well as the actual book.
A bit more Inspiration…
Click here for our top 10 things to do in Myanmar>>
Click here to go to our epic Myanmar Travel Guide>>
is traveling myanmar & trekking in Hsipaw saf
16 Responses
Ko Than Win
Amazing !Beautiful!
Globemad Emma
Thank you so much, Myanmar is truly stunning!
Kathrine
Hi! We will be going to Myanmar in February, so excited! We are looking into going to either Hsipaw or Kalaw. But we’ve heard some stories about tourists being being injured by mines in the Hsipaw/Kyaukme area. Did you hear anything about mines while you were there? From what I understand the cities of Hsipaw and Lashio are safe, and also the Railroad to Mandalay. But if we are trekking, we’ll be going into the countryside (which is what we want to of course). I understand that the locals are not interested in hurting the foreigners, but the mines got me a bit worried, though.. Other than that, Myanmar seems like a very safe country, compared to many other places!
Globemad Emma
Really excited for you too! It is fascinating and adventurous country with so much to see and do! Both Hsipaw and Kalaw are sweet little towns that are worth visiting. I haven’t heard about injuries from mines. Though I don’t doubt it, it does sound very unlikey and therefore very rare. Basically, if you go with a guide, they take you along tracks and paths that farmers and locals use all the time, so it is highly unlikely you could get near any mines.
I really agree with you, it is a lot safer than so many other places. I can tell you understand that there is risk with everything, but having done it, I find it hard to see how we could have stumbled across mines on these tracks, with a guide who knows the areas very well. Feel free to ask more, we have just finished a fresh Guide to Myanmar and a Blog on things you must know before you visiting. eeeek, so excited for you and a bit jealous, I kinda want to go back just talking about it!
Kathrine
Thank you so much for your reply. I think the tourists was injured around Kyaukme, and I’ve also heard that there is a bit more trouble there? I guess we’ll just have to see what places suits our itinerary best. If we go to Kalaw, we’ll most likely do a hike just around the Kalaw area, instead of doing the Kalaw-Inle Lake trek, because we don’t have too much time. Did you do some trekking here, or did you mostly do the trek from Kalaw to Inle?
I am really looking forward to this trip, it’s been on my bucket list for a long time! I wish we had more time though, we only have about 18 days. So much I want to see!
Globemad Emma
After trekking and finding waterfalls around Pyin oo Lwin, we actually went straight through Kyaukme to Hsipaw. Hsipaw has something really wonderful about it for a tiny out in the sticks town and it easy to find a good guide and get trekking. Perhaps head their first and see what they say about stopping at Kyaukme on the way back if you still want too. The locals seemed well informed and genuinely vigilant over guests safety. 🙂
As for Kalaw and Inle Lake it can work quite well to even do a 2 day day trek from Kalaw to Inle. As the night bus dropped us off at 6 am, We booked onto a 3 day on the same morning we turned up in Kalaw and got going straight away. I am sure you could do this with a 2 day, or if you prefer, book in advance with Ever Smile for peace of mind. Although we didn’t book a guided trek around Inle Lake, we were so eager to gather info for others that we asked around and i’m afraid the prices tended to be higher, often double per day as they struggle to get bigger groups. If budget isn’t too much of a problem, you could risk it, barter and hope that high season means bigger groups to share the cost.
It will be an amazing 18 days what ever you choose! 🙂
Kathrine
Yes, your guide to Myanmar was very good I think! Very informative and inspirational!
Globemad Emma
Yay! So so happy to hear that! I have only just finished it, so if any bits were unclear / annoying or just plain useless or missing, please let me know, I’m really eager to make it as useful and reader friendly as possible. We had such a good time in Myanmar I really want to help people get all equipped to do the same
Gerry
I live in Yangon, married to a local, planned to go to Hsipaw (may still), yet it is now (Dec6) getting dodgy; landmine hurt 2 German trekkers today/yesterday. Yes, Myanmar is beautiful, and it is also quite a large country! Keep the posts real.
– From a Westerner 31 years in the area
Globemad Emma
Hi Gerry,
Thank you so much for adding something to this, especially as someone who has spent a lot of time in the country!
I really believe what I’m saying to be real and hope it’s balanced enough. There are definitely risks, ones that for many are just not worth it. Some people choose to travel Yemen, that is WAY outside my comfort zone 😉 What I have found though is like so many things when you get closer, it’s not as bad as people say. Hsipaw is a very sweet village that at the time of visiting was deemed ok by various bodies, so we had no problems. Some may believe it wiser to wait longer and I respect that, it is of course always worth trying to get the latest on areas going through problems like this. I hope you get to go soon, it has something really special about it 🙂
Gerry
Thanks Globemad for the polite, and very accurate reply. I look forward to both reading, and perhaps updating posts in the future! I will be postponing a trip there until next March (Hpa’an this time instead). Cheers!
Globemad Emma
Hi Gerry, I’m just super grateful to have someone who is living there contributing! You’ll understand it in a way many wont, so I really do appreciate you taking the time to add anything to the posts. I hope you have a fab time in Hpa An, not sure if you have seen this already https://www.globemad.com/things-to-do-around-hpa-an-myanmar-burma/ … I’ve also written an exploring Hpa An by motorbike too 🙂
stephanie
Thanks for this article. I would like to visit Myanmar maybe next year of the year after, so it is good to no that it is safe 🙂
x
Globemad Emma
So glad it has been helpful. We loved Myanmar so much, we’ve written LOADS on it (Over 40 Blogs!), so hopefully there should plenty to help you plan, but if we’ve missed anything, please just ask! Love to help you have a fab time there 🙂
Stasia
Hi, Globemad Emma, I would love to visit Myanmar probably in Feb of 2019. Have to save for the airfare. I’m interested in visiting Lashio and Namtu, because my father was an American engineer for a British mining company in Namtu in 1921 for a year. I have great black and white photos of his travels. I never met him; he died when my mom was pregnant with me. The closest I could come to Burma, before this, was to join the Peace Corps as an English teacher in India in 1964-66. Since then I flew for Pan Am and visited Asia quite often, but could never get to Burma.
I hope now you can understand why I can’t wait to visit an off the track place like Namtu.
I might travel alone or perhaps with my husband. We’re quite healthy and active, but we’re not interested in hiking. So my question: how do I get information about getting from Lashio to Namtu? I’ve read some info about the area, but not with any insight to traveling from one area to another.
Thank you for your wonderful articles. I just started reading them and will read them all.
Globemad Emma
Hi Stasia, wow! what an awesome history! These are difficult places to get information on and my honest first thought was that by 2019, it could all change anyway with the rapid development Myanmar is going through. As a general guide, connecting with NGO’s based in Yangon could be a good starting point, NGO’s are often well connected and informed on places like these. All the best