Crossing Myanmar Unguided - is it possible/cheap?
 

Hey everyone,
Planning a rtw trip from Thailand next year. Really tight budget so just wondering if anyone has crossed Myanmar on a bike without guides or knows if its possible?

If not, may go by bicycle for this leg (assuming this is possible unguided) and pick up a motorbike in india.

Appreciate any help!
Cheers,

Luke

If your coming from Thailand .. It sounds a bit of a struggle.

You probably can't take a Thai bike over to Myanmar through a Thai border, without the right papers which you need to acquire first. If you are on a tourist visa and unfamiliar with the Thai system you will have trouble buying a bike here. Even if you paid for a guide to cross Myanmar, you wouldn't be able to enter India with a Thai bike as we don't use the Carnet system here.

However, there are some good reports on GT-Rider, where guys had bought cheap bikes and ridden around Myanmar unguided, I really fancy it myself, reading the posts, seems like you need to be prepared to argue with the military and police every day, possibly paying bribes.

Probably the same with a push bike mind.

Check GT-Rider, if you are determined you could do it on hire bikes or buy bikes there.

Hey thanks heaps for the reply,
Would likely buy the bike in Malaysia which is also in the carnet system, but still the issue of getting through Myanmar without escort. Will try for government approval otherwise buying and selling a cheap scooter/bike/bicycle in Myanmar sounds like the best idea.

Cheers!
Luke