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Voykit pocket guide · Myanmar
Putao
Putao is for trekkers who want Southeast Asia's only snow-capped peaks. You need at least 4 days: 2 for travel (fly from Myitkyina, permits required) and 2 for a short trek. Skip it if you have less time or cannot arrange a permit.
Putao is the northernmost town in Myanmar, at the base of the Himalayas. It offers trekking to the only snow in Southeast Asia, a chance to meet the Rewang people, and a remote frontier feel. Access is by air only, and a government permit is required. The ongoing conflict between the Myanmar army and the Kachin Independence Army means permits may not be issued; check the current situation before planning.
- Country
- Myanmar
- Best months
- November to February (cool and dry)
- Avoid
- June to September (heavy monsoon, flights may be cancelled)
- Stay
- 3–4 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MMK
- Money
- Payment and banking conditions are not assessed here; check with your bank and your government advice.
- Daily spend
- Budget MMK 60,000–90,000 excl. flight · Mid MMK 100,000–150,000 excl. flight · High MMK 200,000+ excl. flight (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 199 · Fire 191 · Ambulance 192
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse double room | MMK 60,000–120,000 |
| Simple meal (rice and curry) | MMK 5,000–10,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | MMK 1,000–2,000 |
| Guide per day (trekking) | MMK 50,000–80,000 |
| Flight Myitkyina–Putao one way | MMK 150,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PBU · Putao Airport
- Flights from Myitkyina only; schedule is weather-dependent.
Typical fares
- Putao Airport → town centre
- walk (10 min) or motorbike taxi MMK 3,000–5,000
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Putao is small enough to walk. For treks, you need a guide (arranged through your guesthouse or tour agency).
See and do
Known for
- Hkakabo Razi (highest peak in Southeast Asia)
- Snowfall in Southeast Asia
- Rewang people and culture
- Trekking in the Himalayan foothills
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kaung Hmu Lon Ancient Historical Pagoda | Walk or take a boat across the river from town | About 1 h round trip |
| Duk Dang Village | Trek or hired motorbike (guide recommended) | Half day |
| Hkakabo Razi base camp trek | Multi-day guided trek from Putao | 5–7 days |
Sleep
- Town centre
- A handful of guesthouses and the Putao Trekking House; all within walking distance of the airport.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | မင်္ဂလာပါmin-ga-la-ba |
| Thank you | ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်kyay-zu-tin-ba-de |
| How much? | ဘယ်လောက်လဲbe-lauk-le |
| I need a guide | လမ်းပြလိုတယ်lan-pya-lo-de |
| Where is the toilet? | အိမ်သာဘယ်မှာလဲein-tha-be-mar-le |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Permit required: apply through a travel agency or MTT (Myanmar Travels and Tours). Without it, you cannot fly in.
- Conflict zone: check your government's travel advice. The Kachin Independence Army is active in the area.
- Flights are unreliable: weather can cancel them even in the dry season.
- No ATMs: bring enough kyat in cash for your entire stay.
Putao is in an active conflict zone between the Myanmar army and the Kachin Independence Army. Check your government's travel advice before booking. Landmines are a risk on unmarked trails. Always travel with a local guide.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Putao yet. Suggested stay: 3–4 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hkakabo Razi (highest peak in Southeast Asia)
- Snowfall in Southeast Asia
- Rewang people and culture
- Trekking in the Himalayan foothills
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Putao, revision 4988581 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4988581
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/putao). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.