This wonderful price for a tour to exciting, mysterious Burma (Myanmar) covers all of the following:

• Return Air fares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Rangoon with Thai International, one of the world's best airlines and three domestic flights within Burma. 

• A 12-day tour of Burma by coach, plane and boat. Although this is one of the world's poorest countries, it is rich in culture, with lovely, friendly people and magnificent scenery.

• A 2 night stopover in Bangkok.   

• Full breakfast daily in Bangkok and Rangoon, with all meals supplied outside these two cities.  

• All transfers and transport. 

• Good accommodation, mainly three to four star.

• Services of Burmese and Thai tour guides and also an Australian tour leader for the flights between Sydney and Bangkok and for the stay in Bangkok.

If you don't have a travel partner but wish to travel at twin share rates, we will do our best to match you up, but this is not guaranteed.
If you require a single room, there will be an additional charge of $425.        

NOTE: Burma is very much a third world country, so not everything always goes to plan. Also some of the roads are quite rough, so road travel can take longer than expected.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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	Burma (Myanmar) Tour - May 2008
Note:	Meals are included in the itinerary as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
19.05.09	Depart Brisbane at 11.55pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am the next morning.
20.05.09	Depart Sydney at 10.00am on TG 994, arriving in Bangkok at 4.25pm. Depart Melbourne at 4:05pm on TG 982, arriving in Bangkok at 10.25pm. All flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the Manhattan Hotel, in central Bangkok in the Sukhumvit shopping and entertainment district within easy walking distance of the Sky rail & Underground Railway Station. Accommodation: Manhattan Hotel.
21.05.09  (B)	Bangkok A morning optional tour to one of the seven wonders of the world, Bangkok's magnificent Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Emerald Buddha and replica of Angkor Watt. This is followed by a visit to the temple of the huge Reclining Buddha, with his massive mother-of-pearl feet. Price $38.00 Accommodation: Manhattan Hotel.
22.05.09 (B)	Bangkok - Yangon Transfer to Bangkok Airport, departing at 8:00am on TG 303, arriving in Yangon (Rangoon) at 9:00am. On arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today's sightseeing tour includes the old colonial style city centre, the Gilded International Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years. The tour continues to Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda, a huge reclining Buddha image, followed by a photo stop made at the Karaweik Royal Floating Barge. An extended visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments, will conclude the tour of this picturesque Garden City. The golden dome of Shwedagon Pagoda rises 98 metres above it's base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. Overnight in Yangon.
23.05.09 (B/L)	Yangon - Bago - Yangon Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will leave the hotel and drive to Bago. The journey from Yangon to Bago leads through a picturesque rural landscape of paddy fields and small villages. Bago, formerly called Pegu, was founded in the year 825 by two Mon princes. The town, a former ancient port and capital, is situated about 84kms from Yangon. The highlights include the enormous reclining Buddha image, one of the country's most revered objects, and the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old. Repaired after an earthquake in the 1930's, the pagoda has an impressive spire, one that is even taller than that of Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda. At the nearby local market, agricultural produce grown locally is on sale. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. On the way back to the capital, visit Htaukkyan War Cemetery, situated between Bago and Yangon. It houses the graves of more than 27,000 allied soldiers. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission administers this beautifully landscaped cemetery. This is a tour that gives insight into the history and culture of this region. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Yangon.
24.05.09 (B/L/D)	Yangon - Heho - Pindaya After early breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Pindaya (2 hours).  Lunch at local restaurant on the way. The road is bumpy but the scenery is interesting - endless paddy fields in the morning and rolling hills in the afternoon, as the road climbs into the mountains of southern Shan State.  Arrive Pindaya and visit magnificent Pindaya Caves, set in the limestone ridge overlooking a picturesque lake, where thousands of different types of Buddha images are on display in the various cave chambers.   Overnight in Pindaya.
25.05.09 (B/L/D)	Pindaya - Inle Lake Breakfast at hotel.  Proceed by road to Nyaung Shwe (95km - 2 1/2 hour) and transfer by boat to your hotel for check-in.  After lunch at a local restaurant, you will commence the excursion by boat on the Inle Lake. En-route you encounter famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery. Visits are made to Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda; the weaving village of Inpawkhon. Dinner and overnight in the Inle Lake Region.
26.05.09 (B/L/D)	Inle Lake - Heho - Mandalay This morning, you will travel by boat to the Western shore of  Inle Lake, where you will find the beginning of a stair path leading to the hidden and unknown Inn Thein Pagoda complex. Transfer by boat and road to Heho airport (25km - 1 hour) for your domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival in Tado Oo Airport, transfer to your hotel in Mandalay. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.
27.05.09 (B/L/D)	Mandalay - Amarapura - Mandalay Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery , where more than a thousand monks live and study. Continue to the 150 year old U Bein teak bridge, built in 1851 at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital. Visit Bagaya Monastery, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. An afternoon of comprehensive sightseeing in Mandalay includes Mahamuni Pagoda with it's spectacular Buddha images covered with thick layers of gold leaves. A visit to a craftsman's workshop to see Kalaga tapestries being created, Shwe Nandaw Kyaung (or Golden Palace Monastery) a superb example of a traditional wooden building and Kuthadow Pagoda (known as the world's largest book) consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures.Enjoy a sunset from Mandalay Hill. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Mandalay.
28.05.09 (B/L/D)	Mandalay - Maymyo Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we leave Mandalay for a scenic drive to the cool hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) with it's lovely lake and waterfalls, botanical garden and colonial era buildings. Explore the town centre by the famous horse-drawn carriages. Lunch at a local restaurant. Sightseeing continues to the National Kandawgyi Gardens, the beautiful botanical gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin. The cooler weather allows many flowers and fruits, commonly found in the temperate climates, to thrive here. An opportunity to take pictures is made at the historic Candacraig Hotel, which was built during the colonial era about one hundred years ago. Overnight in Maymyo.
29.05.09 (B/L/D)	Maymyo - Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Mandalay. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch proceed for a boat trip to Mingun, site of a brick pagoda towering 50 metres above the Ayeyarwady River, and home to the world's largest intact bell. The boat trip is interesting because you see all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. Return to Mandalay to visit Zegyo market. Overnight at Mandalay.
30.05.09 (B/L/D)	Mandalay - Mt Popa - Bagan  Breakfast at the hotel. Overland drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with a shrine dedicated to animist spirits, known as "Nats".  For the energetic it is time to climb 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the volcanic plug. Lunch is served at Popa Mountain Resort. Continue to Bagan, a scenic journey of varied agricultural landscapes and small villages.  Late afternoon arrival in Bagan.   Overnight in Bagan.
31.05.09 (B/L/D)	Bagan After breakfast, stroll through the colourful local market.  Continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; see 12th century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha cave Temple; Ku Byauk Gyi, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes; Ananda Temple, with four standing Buddha images and Thatbyinnyu Temple, known as 'temple of omniscience' and dating from 1144.  After lunch (on own account) at a local restaurant, learn about one of Myanmar's most treasured handicrafts at a lacquer ware craftsman's workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. Proceed to Bupaya Pagoda or Shwesandaw Pagoda to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner and overnight in Bagam.
01.06.09 (B/L)	Bagan - Yangon Breakfast at hotel. Visit Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan Thu village, Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temples (noted for exquisite 13th century murals) and Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a famous meditation centre in Bagan. Visit farming villages around Bagan. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to Bagan Airport and fly to Yangon. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Yangon.
02.06.09 (B)	Yangon Today is at leisure. Then in the evening you will be transferred to Yangon airport. Departing at 7.40pm on TG 306, arriving in Bangkok at 9.20pm. Brisbane passengers will be transferred to a hotel in the Bangkok Airport area for an overnight stay. Sydney passengers depart Bangkok at 11.59pm on TG 995, arriving into Sydney at 12.00 noon the next day (03.06.09)
03.06.09 Note:	Melbourne passengers will depart Bangkok at 12.15am on TG 981, arriving in Melbourne at 12.05pm. Brisbane passengers will be transferred back to Bangkok Airport, departing at 8.00am on TG 991, arriving in Brisbane at 10.45pm (The flight goes via Sydney) For Brisbane passengers there will be an extra charge of $65.00 per person, twin share or $110.00 single room for the nights accommodation with a return transfers.
Also Note:	Airport taxes and levies at present total an additional amount of approximately $550. We have no control over this price and it is subject to change.

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Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 8 weeks prior to departure. 

Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.

Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.

Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. Visas are not required for Thailand if travelling on an Australian passport. A visa is required for Burma at a cost of $35.00, plus a $20.00 processing fee.

Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. Also travel insurance and airport taxes & levies. These taxes and levies  must now be paid with your ticket, and comes to $550 at present.
****Please note that these taxes are subject to change.****

Health and Fitness - Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour. Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.

Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.

Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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