Essence of Myanmar October 2016

Myanmar (Burma) has been mostly hidden from the outside world for many years. Now the wonders of this magical land begin to reveal themselves - diverse in both landscape and culture. Discover the winding lrra-waddy River, sandy beaches, jungles, or plains dotted with thousands of stupas. With its wonderful temples, history and culture, take a step back in time and come with us to unspoilt Asia. Our journey starts in Myanmar’s Yangon (Rangoon - the previous captial) A mix of colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhit pagodas define it’s skyline. Thousands of pilgrims make their annual voyage to this fascinating city that is full of Buddhist sites. From Yangon we fly north west to Bagan. Incredibly, between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2,200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day. Take a balloon ride for a bird’s eye view of this amazing landscape. From Bagan our group then heads to Mandalay. Once the royal capital of the country, Mandalay is a feast for the eyes with its pagodas, monasteries and palaces dating back hundreds of years. Next we head to the beautiful lnle Lake, staying on the edge of the water before a relaxing stopover at Ngapali Beach to relax at leisure. An amazing 12 days of exploring Asia as it used to be. Can we count you in?

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ESSENCE OF MYANMAR

M Y A N M A R

12 DAY SOLO TOUR OCT/NOV 2016

DETAILED ITINERARYWELCOME TO MYANMAR

Day 1 [26 October 2016]:YANGON ARRIVAL (D)Arrive in Yangon where you will be met by our guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel.Welcome meeting and dinner at local restaurant. § Accommodation: Grand United (21st Downtown). Deluxe Room with ensuite.

Day 2 [27 October 2016]:YANGON FULL-DAY CITY TOUR (B)Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out to explore. Although Yangon is no longer the official capital of the country it is still one of the most dynamic and busiest cities in the country. Today explore the many cultural and historical highlights that can be found in between the hustle and bustle of city life. Drive to downtown, photo stop around Town Hall and old streets lined with colonial buildings. See the colossal reclining Buddha of Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda and take a stroll in the park at Kandawgyi Lake. Then visit Botataung Pagoda and jetty. In the afternoon, grab a bargain at Scott Market. In the evening take in the spectacular view of Shwedagon Pagoda all lit up. This is the most important Buddhist site in the country and is said to hold strands of Buddha’s hair and other relics. The spire reaches up to 110m and is encrusted with diamonds and covered by gold plate.

§ Accommodation: Grand United (21st Downtown). Deluxe Room with ensuite.

Day 3 [28 October 2016]:YANGON - BAGAN (AM FLIGHT) FULL DAY TOUR (B)After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport, where you will hop on a short flight to Bagan. Here the landscape is a sea of stupas and temples. This ancient city and important archaeological site once held more that 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries. With the ravages of time only 2,200 temples survive. Explore some of the last of the remaining temples and watch the sunset over this wondrous landscape from atop of Shwesandaw Pagoda.

§ Flight: Yangon - Nyaung-U § Accommodation: The Floral Breeze Hotel. Deluxe Room with ensuite.


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Day 4 [29 October 2016]:BAGAN FULL-DAY WITH TANT KYI TAUNG (BY BOAT) (B)Enjoy a balloon ride over Bagan. This is by far the best way to view Bagan: from high up in the sky. Today, board a hot air balloon for a bird eye view of the ancient city. Watch the landscapes drift by and enjoy the serene atmosphere. After the landing a celebratory glass of champagne will be served.Take a short drive to the nearby jetty and take a local boat to the Tant Kyi Taung Pagoda perched on a hill on the western side of Irrawaddy River. The temple is said to house a tooth relic from Buddha, given by a Sri Lankan king. Back to Bagan and continue on to Manuha Temple, a small square shaped building that is steeped in legend and later to Myinkaba village. See its ancient temple adorned with well-preserved paintings and then pop into a local craft shop where lacquer ware is expertly made by hand. § Accommodation: The Floral Breeze Hotel. Deluxe room with ensuite.

Day 5 [30 October 2016]:BAGAN - MANDALAY (RIVER CRUISE) (B)After breakfast you will set sail for Mandalay on board a river cruise ship and watch as the countryside unfolds. This slower pace of travel gives you an opportunity see a traditional way of life unchanged over time. Relax with the rhythm of the river arriving into Mandalay later in the afternoon.Note: full day cruise as in up to 12 hours or more depends on water level! § Accommodation: Hotel Yadanarbon. Superior room with ensuite.

Day 6 [31 October 2016]:MANDALAY FULL-DAY AMARAPURA-SAGAING-INWA (B)Mandalay is the last of the royal cities and is encompassed by smaller capital cities dotted around its edges. This morning, visit Amarapura with its working monastery dating back to 1783 and walk along the U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in the world. Later travel to Sagaing, a former Shan capital in the 14th century with many impressive stupas scattered on its hill, and on to the Inwa with highlights such as the “leaning tower of Ava”, and the elegant teakwood monastery Bagaya Kyaung. § Accommodation: Hotel Yadanarbon. Superior room with ensuite.

Day 7 [1 November 2016]:FULL-DAY PYIN OO LWIN (B)After breakfast this morning we will drive about an hour to Pyin Oo Lwin, a former British Colonial Hill Station. Originally named Maymyo, after the British General who founded the town, it is renowned for its beautiful botanical gardens that were built by Turkish prisoners of war during the First World War. Other highlights to take in are Purcell tower, the morning vegetable


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market and the hilltop pagoda of Naung Kan Gyi Paya from where the entire town can be seen. After a day in this picturesque town return to Mandalay, arriving in the late afternoon.

§ Accommodation: Hotel Yadanarbon. Superior room with ensuite.

Day 8 [2 November 2016]:MANDALAY - HEHO (AM FLIGHT) INLE LAKE (B,L)After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport. Today, fly to Heho the gateway to Inle Lake and drive about an hour to reach the lake. Take a boat ride across the lake and admire the unique one-legged rowing style as you pass by floating gardens filled with fruits and vegetables that provide an income to the lake dwellers. Enjoy a delicious boat lunch on the lake. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, famed for its five small gold-gilded Buddha images, now covered in so much gold leaf they are more like round balls! See traditional handicrafts villages and Nga Pe Kyaung Monastery better known as the Jumping Cat Monastery. Although the performing cats no longer remain, the monastery houses an impressive collection of Buddha images.

§ Flight: Mandalay - Heho § Accommodation: Paramount Inle Resort. Superior Teak room with ensuite.

Day 9 [3 November 2016]:INLE LAKE - FULL DAY INDEIN TOUR (B)After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit one of the local markets. It is held daily but the location of the event rotates through five different sites around the lake area, thus each of them hosting a roaming markets every fifth day. You will get to experience the way of life of the tribal residents who come to these markets to sell their commodities. Then watch as workers hand roll Burmese cigars! In the afternoon, cruise by small boat to Indein nestled on the banks of the lake. The village is famous for its overgrown and mystifying 16th century stupas as well its artisan handicrafts.

§ Accommodation: Paramount Inle Resort. Superior Teak room with ensuite.

Day 10 [4 November 2016]:INLE LAKE-HEHO-THANDWE (AM FLIGHT) NGAPALI (B)Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.

§ Flight: Heho - ThandweTransfer provided by the hotel upon arrival at Ngapali beach.Day at leisure to relax at the beach and enjoy the local surrounds.

§ Accommodation: Pleasant View Resort. Deluxe Beach Front Sea View Room (two storey) with ensuite.


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Day 11 [5 November 2016]:NGAPALI (B)Day at leisure.

§ Accommodation: Pleasant View Resort. Deluxe Beach Front Sea View room (two storey) with ensuite.

Day 12 [6 November 2016]:THANDWE-YANGON (AM FLIGHT) DEPARTURE (B)Transfer from the beach to the airport provided by the hotel. Fly back to Yangon to either connect with your departure flight home, or to stay on and explore South East Asia further.Special note: Time between domestic arrival and International departure require minimum 3 hours. In case domestic flight delays cause you to miss your international flight, airlines do not takeresponsibility.

§ Flight: Thandwe - Yangon

TOUR PRICING $4,990 PER PERSON PLUS AIRFARES

TOUR DATES: 26 OCT - 6 NOV 2016

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

§ Accommodation based on a sole-use throughout at above selected hotels with daily breakfast. Your own room – always!

• Check-in time at all hotels is 2.00PM and check-out time at all hotels is 12.00PM.

• Early check-in and late check-out is subject to availability with surcharge.

§ All transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle includes 1 bottle of water per person

§ All entrance/zone fees as per program

§ Domestic flight tickets for Yangon – Nyaung U, Mandalay – Heho – Thandwe – Yangon

§ Ballooning in Bagan on Day 4

§ Boat lunch at Inle Lake on Day 8

§ English speaking guide throughout (except at the beach)

§ Boat and cruise as per program

§ Horse-cart as per program

§ Transfer provided by hotel at beach


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Participation in this tour requires a good level of fitness and you should be in general good health. The tours frequently include walking for extended periods often over uneven ground and/or uphill. Factors such as bumpy roads, dust, traffic, stairs, humidity, delays and unfamiliar customs and cultures also add to the physical toll. Keep in mind you will sometimes need to carry your own bags.

Altitude sickness: You may also be affected by altitude sickness. Parts of our trip go above 2800 metres where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary!

Before your trip: Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your doctor. We understand certain medications are reported to aid acclimatising to high altitude. Please discuss these options with your doctor.

During your trip: While our tour guides have basic first aid training and are aware of the closest medical facilities, it is very important that you are aware of the cause and effects of travelling at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly.

Please read the following document carefully and, during your trip, utilise the table on the back daily to record your own perspective of your general health and any symptoms you may experience:

For more information please see www.twosacrowd.com.au/altitude

Diving in the Galapagos: Due to our guide’s internal safety policy, our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking this activity.

FITNESS AND HEALTH WHILE TRAVELLING IN SOUTH AMERICA

Terms & Conditions: • Prices are per person and based on sole use rooms throughout • Prices are correct as at 10 July 2015 and are subject to change until paid in full • Refer to our website www.twosacrowd.com.au for full terms and conditions. ©2015 Travel Passion Pty Ltd | ABN 32 140 754 856 trading as Two’s a Crowd.

Two’s a Crowd and the disk logo are registered trademarks of Travel Passion Pty Ltd.

NEED MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT THE TEAM: Phone: 1300 55 45 01 (AUS) or 0800 895 145 (NZ) Email: [email protected]

ABOUT TWO’S A CROWD: Two’s a Crowd is owned and operated by Noonan’s Travel (Licence No. 32931) which has been providing travel services since 1978. Two’s a Crowd was born out of our recognition of the growing number of people travelling solo whose needs are not well served.

Our commitment is to make solo travel more enjoyable and affordable.

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T R A V E L S !

29 Jan 2016 &

Myanmar ground operator: Buffalo Tours.

§ Porter fees at airport

§ Tips and gratuities

§ CHI Travel Insurance (underwritten by Allianz). Standard Policy. Additional premium may apply if over 60 years, or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, or if you wish to extend your travel dates longer than the propsed tour.

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

§ Visas (we can provide advice on visas)

§ International flights and taxes (we can assist with all airfare bookings).

§ Services and meals if not mentioned in itinerary

§ All drinks, including water, soft drink and alcohol on all included or optional excursions


ESSENCE OF MYANMAR

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Essence of Myanmar October 2016

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