Day 1: Arrival Bangkok, Thailand
November 4, 2012

Guests arrive in Bangkok and are transferred a short distance to the hotel.  Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel – Executive Floor Rooms.

Days 2 & 3: Yangon, Myanmar
November 5 & 6, 2012

Regularly scheduled morning flight to Yangon, Myanmar; sightseeing Yangon including the Botataung Pagoda, dedicated to the men who brought back relics of the Buddha more than 2,000 years ago from India; Sule Pagoda, the focus of much of the social and religious activity of the city and the tallest building in the town area; the National Museum which displays the country’s finest antiquities; Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda which houses the fourth largest image of the Reclining Buddha in Myanmar; Bogyoke Aung San or Scott Market; and a sublime sunset visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, possibly the greatest of its kind in the world and comparable in size and grandeur to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia; Welcome Cocktail Reception and trip orientation hosted by Tour Director Richard Koegl.  The Governor’s Residence – Deluxe Garden View Rooms

Days 4 & 5: Bagan
November 7 & 8, 2012

Regularly scheduled morning flight to Bagan, the 11th century capital of the country and home to over 2,000 pagodas, temples and stupas; Bagan sightseeing including the village of Minnanthu, a quiet and less traveled area of Bagan which is home to a cluster of temple ruins where village life is slow and gentle.  Visit Sulamani Temple, one of the largest in the area; Nandamannya Temple, known for its fine Mahana Buddhist frescoes and Dhammayangi Temple, famed for its stunning brickwork;  optional hot air ballooning over the magnificent plain of Bagan; the colorful morning vegetable market in the town of Nyaung U; Shwezigon Pagoda, considered the prototype of all Myanmar Stupas and the greatest temple constructed during the reign of King Anawratha in the 12th century; Htilominlo Temple, built around 1211 and one of the largest temples of Bagan and famous for its exquisite frescoes; the 13th century Gubyauk Gyi Temple in Wetkyi-in village, displaying some of the finest wall murals in Bagan; horsecart ride through the dusty lanes of Bagan to the stunning Ananda Temple, the first of Bagan’s great temples and considered one of the finest and most beautiful architectural complexes in the world; visit to the country’s famous lacquerware workshops in its place of origin; sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda, one of the most inspired moments anywhere.  Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort – Deluxe River View Suites.

Days 6 & 7:  Cruising the Ayeyarwaddy River
November 9 & 10, 2012

Embark the RV Paukan, a beautiful, 2007-built riverboat that gently cruises the Ayeyarwaddy River between Bagan and Mandalay.  Built on the model of its 1947 predecessor the RV Pandaw, the feeling aboard is modern colonial with its teak-timbered cabins filled with traditional Burmese motifs.   Spend the first day gently cruising the river before making a stop at Shwe Pyi Thar, a charming rural village with 70 households and whose residents are farmers of corn, peanuts, tobacco and small areas of paddy.  During the second day of cruising stop at Yandabo, a riverside village that specializes in pottery making.  The village is probably best known as the place the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on February 24, 1826.  RV Paukan – Upper or Main Deck Cabins.

Days 8 & 9: Mandalay
November 11 & 12, 2012

Disembark the RV Paukan at Mandalay and visit Amarapura, the former capital for three periods during the Konbaung dynasty in the 18th & 19th centuries; U Bein Bridge constructed from huge teak planks in 1849 over Taung-Tha-Man Lake; Maha Gandayon Monastery where 1,000 monks have their main meal of the day.  The monastery was founded around 1914 and is a renowned center for monastic study and strict religious discipline; visits to a silk-weaving mill to view traditional cloth manufacturing, bronze casting, stone carving and wood carving workshops in Mandalay; Mahamuni Pagoda built in 1784 by King Bodawpaya and constructed to house the Mahamuni Buddha Image; Shwenandaw Monastery or the ‘Golden Palace’; Kuthodaw Pagoda, dubbed ‘the world’s biggest book’.  A visit will be made to Sagaing, the capital before Inwa in 1315 AD; Sagaing Hill at Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, known as a religious retreat where over 400 monasteries for monks and nuns have been constructed; Inwa or Ava, a city founded in 1364 and whose rule of Burma lasted until 1555; Bargaya Monastery and finally the Leaning Tower of Inwa (Nan Myint).  This 90 foot high masonry watch tower is all that remains of the palace built by King Bagyidaw; Mandalay Hill for sunset.  Sedona Hotel – Deluxe Rooms.

Days 10 & 11: Inle Lake
November 13 & 14, 2012

Regularly scheduled morning flight to Heho; Inle Lake sightseeing including Nga Phe Kyaung ‘ Jumping Cat ‘ Monastery; the Floating Gardens, a unique method of farming a wide variety of market and subsistence crops; leg-rowing fishermen;  the Floating Market where the local hill tribes gather at market in their traditional clothes to buy and sell local produce; Nam Pan and Inn Paw Khon Village where cottage industries such as silk-weaving, blacksmith, boat building and cheerot making are seen; Inn Paw Khone Village for ikat-stlye silk-weaving; Phaungdaw U Pagoda which is regarded as one of the three principal shrines in Burma and the holiest religious site in Southern Shan State; the magnificent Indein Pagoda complex built between the 17th-18th century; Shwe Inn Dein, an impressive and unrestored collection of ancient Shan style stupas.  Inle Lake View Resort – Deluxe Rooms.

Day 12: Bangkok
November 15, 2012

After breakfast take a regularly scheduled flight to Yangon for lunch, then connect through to Bangkok and transfer a short distance to the hotel.  Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel – Executive Floor Rooms.

Day 13: Departure Bangkok
November 16, 2012

US$6,675.00* per person land cost based on minimum 10 participants in shared accommodation (and a maximum of 20 guests).

US$855.00 per person domestic air flights in economy class Bangkok / Yangon / Bagan; Mandalay / Heho / Yangon / Bangkok.  Due to the instability and fluctuation of fuel costs, fuel surcharges and rates on domestic air flights are subject to increase until ticket issuance. 

US$1,775.00* per person Single Supplement.

Trip Cancellation Insurance: Call Kathii Benn for a quote.

*This published tour fee is based on the current exchange rates between the USD and local currencies.  As rates of exchange fluctuate every effort will be made to keep the tour fee as is.  However if rates change beyond our control we reserve the right to add a surcharge to the tour fee.  We will assess this prior to departure and before final payment is due.

Tour Fee Includes:

10 nights accommodation in deluxe hotels with priority rooms as indicated and available; 2 nights aboard the R/V Paukan River Boat in Upper or Main Deck Cabins as available; 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 5 dinners; Welcome Cocktail Reception and dinner at the Orient Express Governor’s Residence in Yangon; Farewell Cocktail Reception and dinner at the Inle Lake View Resort; VIP fast track service for clearing immigration on arrival in Bangkok on November 4th + 15th, 2012; all sightseeing, entrance fees and transfers on published tour dates by private air-conditioned motorcoach / minivan / car / longboat where available with an accompanying English-speaking local guide throughout; bottled water during transfers and during all sightseeing; baggage handling, taxes, service charges and gratuities to all local guides, drivers, and the staff and crew aboard the R/V Paukan; services of Professional Tour Director Richard Koegl; Oasis pre-departure information. 

Not Included:

International airfare to / from Bangkok, Thailand; domestic airfare as noted in Tour Fees; tourist entry visa for Myanmar, passport, photos and applicable fees; non-medical / accident / baggage / cancellation insurance – all highly recommended; anything other than mentioned in inclusions;  any items of a personal nature including alcoholic beverages, room service, etc.

Bangkok: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is situated a short walk from the International Airport in Bangkok.  Its location makes it ideal for traveling throughout Southeast Asia.  The hotel boasts 612 comfortable and contemporary rooms, has 2 bars and 4 restaurants, a fitness center including massage, and an outdoor swimming pool.  Executive Floor Rooms have a separate check-in reception and the Lounge offers breakfast and evening cocktails.  Room amenities include safety deposit boxes, a minbar, internet connection, and international direct dial telephone and satellite TV.

Yangon: The Governor’s Residence

Built in 1920, The Governor's Residence is a beautiful two-story mansion originally built as the official home of one of the governor's from the southern states of the country. It is surrounded by a lotus garden which overlooks the hotels’ many verandahs. Orient Express has recently taken over the property and restored it to its original splendor.  There are 45 deluxe rooms all luxuriously decorated with teak furniture, tropical cottons and silks. Hotel amenities include a swimming pool, traditional massage and Wi-Fi internet service.

Bagan: Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort

Managed by the Japanese firm EXE-Sakura International, the Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort sits on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River and is surrounded by 24 acres of gardens containing exotic flowers, plants and shrubs that have been lovingly tended over the years.  The spacious bungalows are spread out among the gardens and each contain individually controlled air conditioning, a minibar, satellite television, international direct dial telephone and safety deposit boxes.  The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and spa.

Cruising the Ayeyarwaddy River: RV Paukan – Upper Deck Cabins

The 29 cabin RV Paukan was built in 2007 at the Myanmar Shipyards in Yangon for Ayravata Cruises. The boutique size boat is tastefully furnished with a unique combination of modern and traditional motifs including teak-timbered cabins which contain modern amenities.  There is a sun deck for relaxing and enjoying cultural performances, a bar, lounge, and lecture / movie room.  Locally inspired meals are served in the dining room.  As well there are two massage rooms on the lower deck offering traditional Myanmar massage.

Mandalay: The Sedona Hotel

Nestled on four acres of landscaped gardens, The Sedona Hotel Mandalay is ideally located in the heart of the city and faces the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay Hill.  The hotel’s 247 graciously appointed rooms and suites feature individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite television with in-house movies, hairdryers, a minibar, safety deposit boxes and international direct dial telephone.  The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and fitness center.

Inle Lake: Inle Lake View Resort

The Inle Lake View Resort is the only deluxe boutique hotel on the shores of Inle Lake.  It’s situated on 24 acres of lush gardens and has direct access to the lake from the hotels’ jetty.  The resort has 38 large and spacious bedrooms, tastefully decorated in Burman – Asian style with soft tropical hues, and all rooms have a private balcony with excellent views on to the Lake.  Room amenities include satellite TV, minibar and a safety deposit box.  The hotel has an excellent restaurant serving international and Asia fusion cuisine, a full Spa offering traditional and specialty massage, and internet connection.