update about Fights around Hsipaw

I would not take advise from a guide at Hsipaw, thats like asking a barber if I need a haircut. Check with your Govt. or your insurance company. The UK govt. advise not going there so I don't have any insurance cover if I step on a landmine. There are loads of treks in that area. I don't know anyone who has done a Hsipaw to Kyaukme trek, but I know people have done 1,2 or 3 nights from Kyaukme. I was not impressed with the guide at Hsipaw and many are controlled by Mr. Charles.

The landmines are not cleared yet. You know how to spot them right?

The fighting in that area has been ongoing for years. Just because there hasn't been any trouble for a while doesn't mean that it won't all start again next Week! The last time I took the train from Mandalay to Hsipaw there were various rebel groups armed with machine guns visible from the train windows! Admittedly nothing actually happened, but it was a rather unnerving experience and makes you realise how close you are to potentially getting caught up in a war Scene!

There were problems in June/July this year so its still quite recent. 2 German tourists were injured by a landmine between Kyaukme and Hsipaw in April. I was there in early February and there was no sign of trouble but things have escalated since then. Here is a report on 27th July: http://www.burmanet.org/news/2016/07/27/frontier-myanmar-in-kyaukme-a-complicated-conflict-mratt-kyaw-thu/

Avoid Trekking from Hsipaw to Kyaukme! Better take around Hsipaw! Nobody knows where land mines are!
http://www.myanmartourism.org/index.php/tourist-information/permitted-areas

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