This Burma holiday is for all those looking to see the highlights of the country but also wanting to get away from it all and explore the remote and picturesqe Mergui Archipelago. Visit Yangon with its awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda and head across the Yangon River to Dhala and discover the quiet side streets located a short boat ride from the bustling city. Head south to enjoy a luxury sailing trip around the Mergui Archipelago. Still a relatively untouched part of Burma, the area is home to the Sakone sea gypsies who still live a lifestyle largely untouched by modern development. Enjoy sailing the islands, snorkelling colourful reefs and spending the nights under starlit skies onboard the luxury yacht. Return north and visit the temple complex of Bagan, the bustling city of Mandalay and iconic Inle Lake with its traditional farming communities and floating villages.
Call Regent Holidays and speak to a Regent Burma Travel Specialist today to discuss your Burma holiday plans
Tour Itinerary
Land Yangon and transfer to the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel. Check-in and relax.This afternoon, visit Kandawgyi Park, one of the cities greenest areas, and end with a visit to the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda. One of the most important sites to the Burmese, the pagoda dominates the skyline. This evening, enjoy a 'welcome to Burma' dinner at Monsoon restaurant. (D)
Accommodation
Chatrium Hotel
This morning take the local morning ferry across the Yangon River to the scenic town of Dhala. Enjoy a trishaw ride through this pretty town and visit the market and the monastery to learn about monastic life. Return to Yangon and start a walking tour of Yangon. Highlights include City Hall, Sule Paya, and Bogyoke Market. End the tour with a tea or coffee at a tea shop favoured by the locals. (B)
This morning fly to Kawthaung in the Mergui Archipelago. Meet on arrival and transfer to the yacht SY Meta IV. Enjoy a welcome drink on board plus a boat orientation and safety briefing. Head off towards Hasting Island and enjoy dinner on the beach. (B,D)
Continue cruising to Lampi Island, the largest island in the region. Enjoy brunch on board followed by a visit to a village of the Moken sea nomads. Take a dinghy excursion to Clara Island with a visit to the nearby mangrove forest. (B,L,D)
Cruise to Pila Island and enjoy a barbecue on this lovely long beach followed by a jungle walk. There is also the opportunity to enjoy snorkelling, followed by a sundowner on the boat deck. (B,L,D)
Start today with an early morning sail towards the Mid Group. Explore the small islands and hidden coves and beaches. Visit Frost and Potter Islands which are famous for their large fig trees by the beach. (B,L,D)
Today enjoy a long, leisurely sail towards Zadetkyi Island with its beautiful bays and beaches. Enjoy snorkelling to explore the reefs and their colourful underwater wildlife. Dinner party on board. (B,L,D)
Today start your final cruise through the Archipelago back towards Kawthaung. Upon arrival, disembark and transfer to the airport and fly back to Yangon. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Accommodation
Chatrium Hotel
This morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel before returning to Kawthaung airport and flying onwards to Bagan, via Yangon. Transfer to the Bagan Lodge and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Accommodation
The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate
Start a full day tour to the temples of Bagan. Included are visits to the golden stupa of the Shwezigon Pagoda, Dhammayangyi Temple, the highest temple in the complex and Sulamani Temple. Also enjoy a visit to a laquerware workshop and enjoy sunset over the temples from the upper terrace of one of the temples. (B)
Today fly from Bagan to Mandalay and begin a tour of the main sites of the city. Visit Mahamuni Pagoda which is home to one of the country's most revered Buddha images and also visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, otherwise known as the 'world's biggest book'. Enjoy sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill. Overnight Mandalay Hill Resort. (B)
Accommodation
Mandalay Hill Resort
After breakfast depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Mingun, Ava and Amarapura. Cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Mingun Pahtodawgyi, the unfinished pagoda, and also visit the Mingun bell, the worlds largest uncracked ringing bell. Return to Mandalay and head to Ava to visit the old Bagaya Monastery by horse and cart. After lunch stop at Amarapura to visit a silk weaving workshop and end with a walk along the famous 200 year old U Bein Bridge. (B)
Return to the airport and fly to HeHo and drive onwards to Inle Lake. En-route pay a visit to the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which has some beautiful carvings. Afterwards, board a private boat and head out onto the lake passing stilt villages and floating gardens. See the famous and hard working leg-rowing fishermen and visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Explore the local 'cottage industries' including a cheroot factory and weaving village. Overnight Villa Inle Resort & Spa. (B)
Accommodation
Villa Inle Resort & Spa
This morning travel down a small canal to Indein, a Pa-Oh village known for the stupa-coverd hill at Alaung Sitthou. Explore the area on foot and visit a local school. Continue onto a local Inthar family home and enjoy a fun, interactive cooking class in the traditional Inthar kitchen. (B,L)
Start the day with a visit to the morning market which is frequented by people from the surrounding hill tribes. Transfer back to HeHo and fly to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to the Insein train station and board the circular train which rides through the outskirts of the city, a fun way to view city life along the way. Transfer to the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Accommodation
Chatrium Hotel
The day is at leisure before returning to the airport for the flight back to the UK.
Pricing Information
18 day tour, from £5775 per person
(Single person supplement + £1690)
Price Includes
- Return flights in economy class with Malaysia Airlines from London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur
- Internal Burma flights in economy class
- All airport taxes & security charges
- Accommodation as stated on a bed and breakfast basis
- Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Full board on the Mergui Archipelago yacht (shared service, max passengers 12, depending on specific yacht)
- All touring with English-speaking guides and drivers (different guide and driver in each location)
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Any meals not mentioned
- Myanmar Visa
Price Notes
Please call a Regent Holidays Burma specialist to request sailing dates. The Mergui cruise departs weekly on Saturdays from mid October through to mid May.
SY Meta IV
The luxurious yacht SY Meta IV sails through the Mergui Archipelago exploring the beautiful islands and villages. Meta IV was designed by the naval architect Thomas E. Colvin, she is made entirely of Thai teak, one of the best woods for building classic boats. It was constructed in 1998 as a private yacht for a Swiss businessman who made his fortune in hotels. In 2010, the Austrian skipper Herbert Mayrhauser found her at a pier in Phuket and immediately fell in love. After two years of intensive restoration work and refitting, Meta IV started her new life as a luxury charter vessel.
Meta IV measures 85 feet in length and has just four guest cabins, each fully air conditioned with en-suite bathrooms and electric toilets. Two of the cabins boast queen-size beds, while the other two feature twin beds. Behind the cockpit is the triple stateroom. The entire aft of the boat is shaded and fitted with multiple dining spaces and sunbathing areas. The boat's centre is dominated by the generous galley and saloon dining area but chances are that you'll be enjoying most of your meals outside in the sun or in Myanmar's mild evenings.
Activities available include snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, and BBQ beach dinners. The cruise package includes all onboard meals and non-alcoholic drinks, fuel for boat tender and generator, snorkelling equipment and fishing gear, kayak and dinghy.
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