11 Day Highlights Of Myanmar
Welcome to Myanmar – the land of magnificent golden pagodas and picturesque landscapes. You will arrive at Yangon National Airport where receives most of international flights. This is the largest and also the busiest city of Burma remaining colonial background as well as the rich Buddha culture.
Our guide and driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check – in.
- Spend the night in Yangon.
Around 8:30am after you finish your breakfast, our Yangon City Tour will begin. First, we will visit Kyaukhtatgyi pagoga – the huge reclining Buddha image and the majestic Karaweik Palace with a great view of the Royal Lake. Then, the shimmering Shwedagon Pagoda is our next stop.
Next, we will take a walk at the Bogyoke Aung San Market (or Scott Market) situated in downtown Yangon. This is one of the most popular attractions as well as the popular shopping spot of this metropolis featuring the colonial style.
After that, we will take a special train at the Central Yangon Railway Station. This journey takes around 3 hours through 39 stations in and around Yangon city which is the best way to see the local life as well as beautiful landscapes.
Back to the downtown where you can have a chance to experience the Burmese life in the bustling Chinatown. Feel free to take some picture of the temples nearby and spend time chatting and relaxing before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
- Stay the night in Yangon.
Your breakfast will be served at the hotel. Then, after you finish it, we will pick you up and take you to the airport to catch a flight to Bagan. Lies in the bank of the mighty Irrawaddy River, Bagan features a great number of ancient Buddhist constructions in the massive plain which is the largest and densest collection of Buddhist vestiges in the world.
Upon your arrival, our guide and driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel for check – in.
- Lunch and dinner at your own account. Spend the night in Bagan
Enjoy your nice breakfast at the hotel and then at 11:00 am, you will be picked up and transferred to the Koe Lone Sait Jetty to embark on The Strand Cruise.
Your first day aboard of the luxury The Strand will start with a delicious lunch and you will have an opportunity to see one of the oldest Bagan’s lacquer factories.
The trip will continue with a visit to some of the outstanding historical sites in the temple plain where you can contemplate the great architectures as well as the sophisticated decorations. You can also have a chance watch the sun casts its magical orange glow on the temples making it one of the most inspiring moments in your trip to Burma.
An optional tour by private car with guide and the Dandaree evening show are also provided for your choice.
Today morning will start with a trip to TantKyi Taung where is home to sublime landscapes and ancient villages. Coming here, you can climb on the hilltop monastery to catch the gorgeous panorama of the region. At mid morning, return to the ship to cruise to Mandalay.
You will have the true relaxing moments with the traditional afternoon tea aboard of The Strand Cruise. And after the dinner is served, you will have time to admire the beautiful scenery on the Upper Deck.
You will spend this whole day to discover the ancient capitals of Burma – Mingun. Situated on the western bank of Irrawaddy river, this area is well - known for its incredible Buddhist constructions of monasteries, temples as well as historical and cultural values. Spend time strolling around the town to know more about the culture here before enjoying traditional shows and a delightful dinner on the sandbank.
Today is a busy day because we will visit a number of attractions in Mandalay and its surrounding cities: Sagaing, Ava, and Amarapura. Enjoy your breakfast before we start our interesting sightseeing day. Our first stop is Mahamuni pagoda which is one of the most prestigious sites in Myanmar featuring one of five likeliest Buddha image in the world. Next, we will visit ShweIn Bin monastery. With the elaborate design of carved teak wood and multi – tiered roofs, ShweIn Bin monastery is known as the most appealing monasteries in Mandalay. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the longest teak bridge in the world – U Bein Bridge where you can enjoy the peaceful moment and atmospheric scenery of the Golden Land.
Then, we head to Sagaing and Ava, the 2 formal capitals of Burma to enjoy the slow horse cart ride around the cities’ monuments. When the day comes to an end, relax and enjoy our Champagne Sunset Cocktail in the beautiful temple of Ava while contemplate the amazing sunset. Dinner is served on board of The Strand Cruise accompanied with many interesting traditional performances.
If you can get up early this morning, you can have an opportunity to see the Alms Giving Ceremony – a special event of the region. After that, head back to your ship to have breakfast and then, you will be transferred to Gaw Wein Jetty to get to the hotel at 9:30am.
- Lunch and dinner on your own account. Stay the night in Mandalay.
After you finish your breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Mandalay airport to take a flight to Lake Inle at Heho airport. When you arrive in this region, we will visit Pindaya Cave first. It is a very impressive spot near Inle Lake containing a large number of Buddha statues donated by the believers. Then, we continue our trip to the second largest body of water in Myanmar – the tranquil Lake Inle. Coming here, you will not only have chance to admire the breath – taking landscapes and magnificent temples but also immerse in the authentic local life on the water.
- Spend a night in Inle Lake.
Your boat trip in Inle Lake will start at 8:30am after you finish your breakfast.
This trip gives you a chance to have a slice of local life together with the beauty of the lake. The boat will take you through the greenery gardens of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, the amazing fishermen of Intha group using the unique one – leg rowing technique and many more interesting things that you have never seen before.
Next, we will pay a visit at Phaung Daw Oo pagoda – the biggest and most impressive constructions on Lake Inle where is home to 5 holy Buddha images. Another monastery that we will visit is the Nga Hpe Kyaung or known as Cat monastery. This is a very special place floating on Inle Lake where monks teach the cats to jump through hoop. Our trip will end with a visit to Nampan village where natives make cheroot (Burmese cigar), lotus silk and textile.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and spend a night in Inle Lake.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and relax until we come and transfer you to the airport for a flight to Yangon or Mandalay. There you will catch your flight back home.
End of services!
What's Included
INCLUSION ON CRUISE
- Accommodation on a per person basis
- Three meals during full sailing days, breakfast on day of disembarkation
- All sightseeing as stated in set itineraries
- Soft drinks & local beer. House wine during meals
- Port charges
- English speaking guide. Alternative language guides can be provided on request and subject to availability (additional cost may apply)
- Wi-Fi available in all cabins and public areas with satellite internet connection. Due to the current environment and its infrastructure, the internet connection might be unstable.
- Complimentary International daily newspapers.
INCLUSION FOR LAND TOUR
- All transfers & transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
- accommodation based on twin shared with daily breakfasts
- Domestic flight: Mandalay – Heho, Heho – Yangon/Mandalay
- Boat trip as per itinerary
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D – Dinner
- English speaking guide
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified
- Government taxes and service charge
- Mineral water on coach
What's Not Included
- Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls and purchases from the gift shop
- Imported wines or spirits
- Extra optional excursions
- International flights
- Medical services, travel insurance of all kinds or visas fees
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT
To confirm a booking: A 30% deposit of total service cost will be required at the time of booking. The remaining balance should be made at least 65 days prior to your departure date. The deposit or remaining balance should be made by Credit card or Bank transfer with following details:
PAY BY CREDIT CARD
Kindly make deposit/payment via our secured online payment system which protected by SSL Protocol. Your card information will not be stored at our system. We accept Credit Card, Visa Card, Master Card, American Express and JCB card.
Note:
» When you pay by Credit Card, please add 3% of service fee for Visa Card, Master Card, JCB card and 4% for American Express
» In some cases, your transaction may be not successful due to:
• In correct card information
• Not enough credit balance
• Your card has not been activated for online payment. You should contact the Issuer Bank for the card activation.
BANK TRANSFER:
Our travel consultant will advise you at the time of booking.
BOOKING CHANGES & CANCELLATION OF RESERVATION
Under the circumstance that you have to cancel your trip, you should notify us in writing. We will regard the date of receiving your notice in writing as the date of cancellation performance. The followings are certain charges for cancellation after you have made deposit or final payment.
If you cancel 95 days or more prior to departure, you will be charged 30% of the total fare
If you cancel 55 to 94 days prior to departure, you will be charged 55% of the total fare
If you cancel less than 55 days prior to departure or don’t show, you will be charged 100% of the total fare.
* When calculating the refund for your cancellation, we will deduct the wire fees and credit card commissions.
FORCE MAJEURE
In the event of unpredictable or unavoidable situations, beyond our controlling capability, including but not limited to the event of war, civil or political unrest, strikes, catastrophes, epidemics, adverse river conditions or disruption to fuel supplies to the vessel, the Strand Cruise may cancel the trip and make a full refund of all the payment made by the passengers. However, if the cruise is canceled due to the above force majeure circumstances after the start of that cruise period, no refund will be made and the company will bear no liability for making compensation.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION & INSURANCE
The passengers have to ensure that they have necessary documentations to travel to Myanmar and sufficient travel insurance for their trip. The passengers must bring a passport valid for at least six (6) months after their scheduled leaving from Myanmar. The passengers must verify and obtain a visa to enter Myanmar themselves. If you fail to obtain visa, your cancellation fees will not be waived under the circumstance that you want to cancel your trip. The Strand Cruise shall bear no responsibility or liability for the delay or missed portioned of any cruise because of invalid travel documentation.
CHILD POLICY
The Strand Cruise allows children of six year olds and older to share a cabin with their parent(s). The active land expeditions and the atmosphere on board are not appropriate for younger children. For children older than 12, a private cabin is required. The parents must supervise their children all the time and be responsible for their safety. There are no child-care or babysitting services on board.
HEALTH SERVICES AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
The cabins and public areas on The Strand Cruise are allocated over its four decks, and unluckily, there is no lift connecting the decks for passengers with limited mobility. Therefore, those who want to take the cruise must have a well-functioned body. When the passengers confirm their bookings, they also guarantee that they are physically fit and capable of complying with the rules and regulations on the ship and instructions of the crew.
MYANMAR VISA
A valid passport with a valid Entry Visa to Myanmar is required of all visitors. A Tourist visa allows a maximum stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days.
You all need visa for Myanmar before arrival. Please get your Myanmar visas if you have your Myanmar Embassy or Consulate at your country. As normally, it will take you from 7 – 10 days.
Besides, it is our great pleasure to inform you that Myanmar Tourist E-Visa Application System has been officially launched on 01st September 2014. Those who are supposed to travel to Myanmar can be able to obtain entry tourist visa through online. For more detail information, please kindly visit at http://evisa.moip.gov.mm.
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