14 day group tour of Burma

TRIP PROFILE. Our trip takes us from the capital Yangon (Rangoon) the main gateway to Myanmar. Perhaps the last remaining authentic example of an Asian tropical city still true to its former colonial origins. Most famous for its unique and glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, but it also has a wealth of other sights awaiting visitors, including diverse temples, markets and impressive colonial-era buildings.

From the capital we move north to the floating villages on Inle lake. This interesting local society live on a vast lake which is studded with floating islands and is renowned for its unique leg-rowers and local markets.

Continuing to the Ancient City of Mandalay the second largest city and former Royal capital of Myanmar. From Mandalay we take a side trip into the near by hills and the old hill station at Maymyo. Founded during colonial times at over 1,000 m above sea level you can enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool climate and nostalgic atmosphere of former days with its old buildings and botanical gardens. Returning to Mandalay before cruising down one of the world's greatest rivers the Irrawady, to the ruins of Bagan, one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. We spend a night at the near by ECO- Resort at Mount Popa before returning to Yangon.

We use a combination of different types of transport, including trains and boats. This tours covers all the main sites of Burma at a comfortable pace with plenty of time to explore the towns, historical sites, markets and to relax. Leg rower on Lake Inle

DAY 1: Mid-day departure with Thai International Airways from London, Heathrow.
DAY 2: Arrive at Bangkok airport and transfer to the connecting flight to Yangon (Rangoon) and transfer to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant.
DAY 3: Sightseeing tour to include the old colonial-style city centre. Karaweik Hall, Royal floating barge and extended visit to Shwedagon Pagoda.
DAY 4: After breakfast take the early morning flight to Hedo and then proceed to Inle lake by road. Take a boat trip around the lake visiting the floating gardens and villages.
DAY 5: Morning drive to the old British hill station at Taunggyi, famous for its colourful local markets, ruby market, cheroot work shop and near by pagodas. After lunch fly to Mandalay.
DAY 6: All day tour of Mandalay and the Royal Palace.
DAY 7: Morning drive to PYIN OO LWIN (Maymyo) A cool hill station, over 1,000m above sea level founded during colonial times. Here we enjoy beautiful scenery, a cool climate and a nostalgic atmosphere with its old buildings and botanical gardens. We transfer to the Candacraig Hotel for dinner and over night stay.

DAY 8: Morning tour of the town before descending back down the hill into the central plains to Mandalay. Transfer to the hotel.
DAY 9: Early morning start, board the boat for a river journey down the mighty Irrawaddy River, to Bagan. The trip takes approximately eight hours. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Evening dinner on the banks of the Irrawaddy while watching a local display of Burmese puppetry.
DAY 10: After breakfast a full day of sightseeing with visits to a diverse selection from the most important pagodas and temples.
DAY 11: Morning depart for Mount Popa. Mount Popa is a steep sided volcanic peak rising 1,520 meters above the plain. The surrounding mountain slops are now a National Park and after lunch we will visit the parks information centre. We also visit the herbal medical centre and walk some of the forest trails in search of the recently introduced golden deer.
DAY 12: After breakfast the morning is free to relax. After lunch we drive back to Bagan to catch the late afternoon flight to Yagon. Transfer to hotel.
DAY 13: Transfer to airport for the flight home or alternatively extend your stay with a beach trip or a short trip to other designations in our brochure.
DAY 14: Arrive London.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

· Economy class return flights with Thai International airlines (will be booked separately if required, see main box).
· UK Air Passenger Duty Tax
· Accommodation as specified (tax and service charges are also included as is breakfast)
· Services of a Western tour leader throughout
· Local guide throughout
· Private air-conditioned vehicles in each location
· Private (group) transfers to and from airports and train stations
· Entrance fees to museums, etc., permits, etc.
· Breakfasts & Dinners
· Private boat trips on Inle Lake and along the Irrawady River.
· The services of our local staff in Burma

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

· Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, tips, etc.
· Visas
· Airport transfers on arrival and departure if you are not arriving on our standard flights (supplement payable).
· Airport taxes payable locally on each departure
· Lunch

FOOD. All breakfasts (e.g. bread, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee) are included as are all Dinners which are taken as a group and arranged in good local restaurants were a variety of dishes can be tried. Lunches are on a daily kitty of £4 per person per day.

EXTRA EXPENSES. Food (see above): Visa £40. Departure tax: currently US$7. There are also a number of entry fees not included in the price: as it is hard to say what people would like to visit. There will also be a kitty to cover soft drinks, mineral water and snacks for consumption whilst travelling, though this is unlikely to cost more than about £20.

GROUP, STAFF & SUPPORT. The group size will be between 8 and 16. All groups will be accompanied by an experienced English guide, plus a Vietnamese guide and where applicable a local driver. All your luggage and personal belongings will be carried with the vehicle.

ACCOMMODATION. The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of good quality private hotels (mostly 2 to 3- star). The hotels have air conditioning and we will normally have twin rooms with private facilities. In general, the hotels we use are of a good standard, and will be clean and comfortable with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, minibar and TV.

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES

	Duration	Price	Flight ex London
Saturday 6th Oct - Friday 19th Oct 2007	14days	£675.00	£645.00
Saturday 3th Nov - Friday 16th Nov 2007	14days	£745.00	£685.00
Saturday 5th Jan - Friday 18th Jan 2008	14days	£785.00	£665.00
Single supplement		£250.00

We will arrange twin share accommodation for single travelers, the supplement is for those requesting their own rooms.

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