Go in search of the lesser known face of Myanmar and venture off the beaten track with a two day visit to Monywa Po Win Taung. Depart from Mandalay on a three hour drive to this typical Burmese town on the banks of the Chindwin River, stopping en-route to visit temples. This brief package tour takes travellers in serach of one of Myanmar’s most important pilgrimage sites, home to the largest reclining Buddha images in the country and exploring the extraordinary complex of sandstone caves in Po Win Taung. An insightful and unusual trip perfect for those in search of a deeper understanding of this amazing country.

Last chance to book this special festival tour

The Burmese New Year, Thingyan, will be celebrated 13-16 April this year. This is the most popular and colorful celebration of the year in Myanmar and Exotissimo has designed a tour for travelers wanting to join in the festivities.

Celebrate Myanmar New Year a six-day festival package that visits Yangon and Ngwe Saung. Spending three days in Yangon, guests have a chance to join locals in ‘water wars’ along the streets and witness the street performances and dancing. The program continues to Ngwe Saung Beach where they can experience the festivities in a different setting and enjoy a relaxed beach vacation at the same time. Returning to Yangon, guests will partake in a merit-making session at the Shwedagon Temple to conclude the Burmese New Year celebrations. It is best to start the tour between 13 to 16 April to capture the most of the Thingyan festivities.

For the detailed itinerary, click here.

Or contact myanmar@exotissimo.com

Located in the town of Hpa An in Kayin State, the 24-room Zwekabin Hotel offers the area’s best accommodation. The hotel is situated near its namesake, Mt Zwekabin, and offers a convenient base for exploring the natural and cultural sites of the Kayin State. The twin and double rooms are housed in villa-like buildings with expansive balconies from which to enjoy the views and feature televisions, en-suite bathrooms and ample space. The staff are helpful and welcoming and an on-site restaurant serves local specialties and some international dishes. Click here to download the hotel fact sheet. The hotel details can be viewed here. Zwekabin Hotel also makes a great base for our Hidden Treasure of Myanmar: Mawlamein and Hpa An tour. To view program details, click here.

The 4 Days / 3 Nights Hidden Treasure of Myanmar: Mawlamein and Hpa An tour takes travelers off the beaten path into the heart of the Burmese countryside. The tour starts with a scenic drive south through rural villages and a stop in Bago to visit the massive reclining Buddha statue. At Mawlamein, the capital of the Mon State, guests can stroll along the riverside lined with old colonial buildings. The second day is spent sightseeing in Mawlamein, visiting colorful local markets, hillside stupas and a boat trip to the famous Shampoo Island. The third day consists of a scenic drive leads to Hpa Apa, the capital of Kayin State, and visits to Buddha-filled caves. On the final morning, a boat trip along the Than Lwin River includes shore excursions to local pagodas and caves. Finally, return by road to Yangon. Click here to view program details.

A festival package is one of the best ways to experience Southeast Asia’s vibrant traditions firsthand. To immerse guests in the merry atmosphere of the upcoming traditional New Years this April, Exotissimo has created two unique festival packages:

Celebrate Khmer New Year is a four-day tour in Siem Reap that explores the colorful traditions of Chaul Chnam Thmey, the Khmer New Year. Guests will receive a special monks’ blessing, join locals in festive games and partake in a traditional ritual to pour water over sacred Buddha statues. The program includes excursions to explore the ancient Angkor temples, a cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake and a visit to a Khmer silk weaving workshop. We recommend starting this tour on 14 April to coincide with the 2010 celebrations. Click here to view the program details.

Celebrate Myanmar New Year a six-day festival package that visits Yangon and Ngwe Saung. Spending three days in Yangon, guests have a chance to join locals in ‘water wars’ along the streets and witness the street performances and dancing. The program continues to Ngwe Saung Beach where they can experience the festivities in a different setting and enjoy a relaxed beach vacation at the same time. Returning to Yangon, guests will partake in a merit-making session at the Shwedagon Temple to conclude the Burmese New Year celebrations. It is best to start the tour between 13 to 16 April to capture the most of the Thingyan festivities. For the detailed itinerary, click here.

Myanmar’s Ngapali Beach is an ideal location for a tranquil getaway. It has a good resort collection, including Bayview Beach Resort which recently completed its renovations. To view pricing of Bayview Beach Resort, click here. The program of Ngapali Beach Break can be viewed here.

Recommended for clients seeking a truly serene getaway, this new 6-day Myeik Liveaboard Cruise offers a chance to explore the untouched Myeik Archipelago in Myanmar’s south. Sailing on a liveaboard, clients are free to dive, snorkel or kayak to discover the pristine underwater environs. Click here to view the detailed itinerary.

Ngwe Saung Beach Break is a new 4-day program designed for those wishing to experience a tranquil beach vacation in Myanmar. Ngwe Saung features 14 kilometers of sandy beaches and is accessible by a 5-6 hours’ drive from Yangon. Travelers can choose to spend their time freely or take up any Exo day trip in this 4-day break. View the program details here.

Our annual Professional’s Guide is now available. In this 2010 edition, you will find the inclusion of Indonesia as an Exo destination in addition to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The guide continues to be a showcase of our expertise in tailor-making tours and include other interesting features such as a hand-picked selection of hotels and resorts, stunning photography and staff picks. To view the brochure, click here.

Also available is our newest Adventure Brochure, an all-encompassing guide to adventure travel in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia. It features an exciting line-up of experiential adventure travel options, ranging from biking and trekking to kayaking and snorkeling, as well as a highlight of our responsible travel initiatives and tour products. Click here to view the brochure.

For more information about our brochures, contact marketing@exotissimo.com.

Paukan recently announced its sailing schedules for 2010/11, offering shorter exploration cruises along the Irrawaddy River. Our 2-day Cruise Mandalay to Bagan is the perfect itinerary for travelers who wish to experience the charm of the Irrawaddy without embarking on a long, costly journey. The detailed itinerary can be viewed here. For more information please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.