Pandaw River Expeditions
EXPEDITION No 26 BURMA COASTAL EXPEDITION
7 NIGHTS
The southern region of Burma between a small Mon town of Thanbyuzayat and southernmost town of Victoria Point (Kawthaung) is often referred to as ‘Burma’s Deep South’. The region was closed to tourism until mid-2013, but now we are pleased to offer two 7-night reconnaissance cruises in March 2016 aboard the extremely comfortable and well-equipped expedition ship, the MY Drenec, exploring the undiscovered old colonial ports and the incredibly beautiful and little known Mergui Archipelago with its thousand tropical islands, stunning white beaches and encounter it’s sea gypsy inhabitants. We also visit charming Moulmein and include a stop at Kyaiktiyo Pagoda famous for its Golden Rock.
As the MY Drenec has only 5 en-suite cabins (including a wonderful owners suite), places are limited – so book early to avoid missing out on this unique and exclusive adventure.
Price Includes: Transfers from Rangoon to Moulmein, all excursions as stated, Entrance fees, guide services (English language), main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes, use of dinghy boat, snorkelling equipment, fishing gear and sea kayak.
Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, port dues usd 290 per person, laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all alcoholic drinks, all tips (suggested usd 20 per person per day for ship’s staff).
Please Note: Drinks and crew gratuities are NOT included on our partner cruises.
Getting There/Away
Flying to/from Kawthaung If you are arriving from within Burma, you can fly directly to Kawthaung Airport, which is connected to various domestic airports and served by several local airlines. We’d be more than happy to help you organise transportation and meet you at the airport.
Flying to/from Ranong Another option is to fly to Ranong Airport. There are daily flights from Bangkok's domestic airport by Nok Air. The airport is well served by local taxi drivers but we can also pick you up from Ranong Airport, of course. Once you are in Ranong, we will take a longtail boat across the Pakchan River to Kawthaung on the Burma’s side, which takes only a few minutes. We will help you with the immigration procedures before boarding the ship.
Arriving via Phuket Phuket International Airport is a convenient and well-connected place to fly to. From there, it’s a scenic 4-hour car ride to Ranong, the Thai border town. Here, too, we are happy to assist and help you get organised. UPSTREAM ITINERARY
PRE‑TOUR EXTENSION
DAY 1
BANGKOK
Sawasdee and welcome to Thailand! Your chauffeur will welcome you at the arrival hall at Suvarnabhumi airport and transfer you to your hotel in Bangkok city. Check-in and rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: none.
DAY 2
BANGKOK ‑ RANONG
Breakfast at your hotel and check-out. At 10.00hrs your local guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby and you start the "Unknown Bangkok Tour".
Take a stroll through Yaowarat Road, the main street in Chinatown Bangkok. This busy street, lined with ubiquitous goldsmith shops, sharksfin and birds’ nest restaurants, shops and vendors selling Chinese herbal medicine, dried mushrooms, salted fish, Chinese calendars, almanacs and of course, herbal tea, is a melting pot of communities engaging in thriving commerce. Continue to Pak Klong Talad, the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok. This roadside is a kaleidoscope of bright, blooming colours, as vendors receive floral goods from each flower-growing area in the country. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit Wat Suthat, better known for the towering red Giant Swing that stands at its entrance and is one of the oldest and most impressive temples in Bangkok. It features an elegant chapel with sweeping roof, magnificent wall murals and exquisite hand-carved teakwood door panels. Wat Saket is easily recognized by its golden Chedi atop a fortress-like hill. The Golden Mount houses relics of Lord Buddha and affords visitors who climb its 318 steps a panoramic view of old Rattanakosin and the roofs of Bangkok from above. From there we continue to the Monk's Alm Bowl Making Village. “Baan Batr” is the last existing place in Bangkok that still hammers out – by hand – the brass bowl that Buddhist monks carry with them during the morning alms round. Tucked away in a narrow backstreet south of Wat Saket, it looks no different from any other backstreets of Bangkok where old, non-descriptive buildings fail to give any hints of what’s hidden down the alley.
After the tour your local guide will wish you farewell and your chauffeur will take you to Don Muang airport.
Flight to Ranong (DD 7318 ETD 17.30hrs). Arrival at Ranong airport at 18.55, transfer to your hotel without guide (flight times subject to change).
Overnight in Ranong.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch at local restaurant.
DAY 3
RANONG ‑ KAWTHAUNG
Time at leisure. Transfer to the border crossing with Burma. Meet our representative and transfer to Kawthaung jetty in Burma.
DISCOVER
Oriental Residence Bangkok & Ranong 2 Nights
This is a private tour.
Easily reach your departure point for ‘Burma Coastal Expedition’ with this well organised and exciting extension in Bangkok & Ranong.
Rates include: 1 overnight at Oriental Residences Bangkok (Grand Deluxe Room), 1 overnight at Namsai Khaosuay Resort in Ranong (Superior Room), 1 flight from Bangkok to Ranong, transfers in private, air-conditioned vehicle as per itinerary, sightseeing tour as per itinerary with local English speaking guide, admission and entrance fees as per sightseeing itinerary, meals as specified in the program (02x breakfast, 01x lunch), Thailand travel accident insurance, service charge and government tax (subject to change).
Rates exclude: Any services not specified in the program, any optional tours, meals not specified in the program, drinks during meals, seasonal surcharges, personal expenditures (e.g. Laundry, souvenirs, gratitude to guide, etc).
Note Please advise arrival flight details in order to arrange the transfer accordingly Check in time at hotel is 1400hrs Check out time from hotel at 1200hrs Early check in and late check out are subject to hotel room availability
* Please note that your hotel will be confirmed after we have received your deposit payment. Prices are subject to change. Hotel subject to availability. We will try to offer you alternative accommodation if the requested hotel is not available.
ORIENTAL RESIDENCES Oriental Residence Bangkok 110 Wireless Road Lumpini Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Tel+66 (0) 2125 9000 (operator)
Visit Hotel Website
PRE‑TOUR EXTENSION
DAY 1
PHUKET
Transfer from Phuket International Airport to Avista Resort & Spa on Kata Beach. Rest of the day at leisure. DAY 2
PHUKET
Day at leisure.
DAY 3
PHUKET ‑ RANONG
Transfer from Avista Resort & Spa to Ranong, where you will cross the border with Myanmar. It’s a 5h scenic drive through Southern Thailand. Our representative will pick you up and transfer to Kawthaung jetty on the Myanmar’s side of the border.
DISCOVER
Avista Phuket Resort & Spa Phuket 2 Nights Northbound
Avista Phuket Resort & Spa is perched on a verdant hill overlooking the aquamarine expanse of the Andaman Sea and pristine white sands of Kata Beach in southern Phuket. It’s a perfect addition to ‘Burma Coastal Expedition’.
Rates include: Two nights at specified hotel or similar, including breakfast, service and taxes; transfer from Ranong to Phuket and from the resort on Phuket to Phuket International Airport.
Rates exclude: Lunch and dinner which are at your own arrangement in the hotel or in one of the many nearby restaurants.
Public facilities include: Spa & massage, restaurant, two swimming pools, pool bar, kids club, wine cellar – The Bar, recreation room, shuttle service, meeting room, library room, fitness centre, laundry service, business centre and Internet Café, Conference Facilities, Tour Desk.
Note: - Check in time to hotel at 1400hrs - Check out time from hotel at 1200hrs - Early check in and late check out are subject to hotel room availability
* Please note that your hotel will be confirmed after we have received your deposit payment. Prices are subject to change. Hotel subject to availability. We will try to offer you an alternate accommodation if the requested hotel would not be available.
AVISTA PHUKET RESORT & SPA Avista Phuket Resort and Spa Kata Beach 4/1 4 Leam Sai Road Karon District Amphur Muang 83100 Phuket - Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 76 298 888 Visit Hotel Website
River Conditions Warning!
The rivers you will sail on are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level, in some places as much as 30 metres. Water levels can change dramatically overnight and a sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably and even prevent us from passing under certain bridges. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Groundings on sandbars are not infrequent and are part of the excitement of any Pandaw expedition. Published itineraries are indicational only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop. Passengers are thus forewarned and expected to be flexible and patient. River cruising in Asia can be a dramatic and adventurous experience - not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also that we operate in areas with little or no developed infrastructure and subject to the strictures of local officialdom. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun!
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