Exotissimo News Blog

Sunrise At Mount Merapi – Jogjakarta

Exotissimo — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:42:54 +0000

The hiking route up one of Java’s highest mountains, Mount Merapi, is once again open after previously closing during the rainy season. Travelers can enjoy the unforgettable experience of sunrise at its summit after taking on the challenging 5-hour walk begins at midnight to its peak. Exotissimo run this spectacular day trip with expert local guides on hand, providing light snacks, water and a rewarding cup of coffee on reaching the summit as the sun rises to reveal a spectacular landscape.

To view the full program click here

For more details please contact indonesia@exotissimo.com

New Exo Touch in Laos: Save A Tree

Exotissimo — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:23:24 +0000

Guests can visit a local school and donate books published by the PhaTad Ke Botanical Garden to educate local children about natural flora and biodiversity in Laos. The Pha Ke Botanical Garden will officially be open to the public in 2015 with the aim to promote environmental education and raise public awareness of the importance of local plants and habitats. A very rewarding option to include for groups and FITs interested in helping underprivileged children at a local school.

To view the factsheet, click here

For more details please contact laos@exotissimo.com

NEW TOUR: Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2012

Exotissimo — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:00:08 +0000

A thrilling tour to tempt any petrol head or traveler looking to witness one of Japan’s great sporting events. Enjoy the privileges of a 3 day Race Pass at the Suzuka circuit to watch the practice, qualifying and final Formula 1 Grand Prix 2012 in Japan. We combine the Formula 1 with 3 days of sightseeing around Japan. Explore the stunning Kyoto using its comprehensive bus system to visit some of the World Heritage Sites found there and take a train to Osaka to soak up the flamboyant atmosphere, amazing food and do some last minute shopping. Always a spectacular event, the Japanese Formula 1 is one of the most memorable during the season and combined with some light touring makes a memorable holiday.

To view the full program click here

For more details please contact japan@exotissimo.com

Great Value Set Departure Tour Taking Travelers Through Thailand

Exotissimo — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:46:17 +0000

‘Classic Thailand’ is a set departure tour offering great value for money that uncovers the stunning central and northern regions of Thailand. This 6 day/5 night program is ideal for single traveler looking to travel with a group or a group wanting to join others. It begins in the buzzing capital of Bangkok before venturing north to explore the historical cites of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, pivotal cities in the golden age of Thai history. Using traditional transport guests can explore the ancient temples with an expert guide and learn about their intriguing past. They will also visit Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok and Lampang as we continue our journey to Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the north. Guests can witness the chanting of monks in the early morning hours and walk along the banks of the Mae Ping River in Chiang Mai before wandering the colorful markets and visiting its captivating temples. An experienced guide drives guests up the mountain to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep and explains the legendary story of the white elephant while showing the sites beautiful murals.

The tour departs fortnightly on Saturdays commencing 12 May. A minimum of 2 persons is required to operate the program. Rates start at 19,900 THB per person based on twin/double sharing.

To view the full program click here

For more details please contact thailand@exotissimo.com

Vietnam Airlines Increase Airfare

Exotissimo — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:53:25 +0000

We have just received the reconfirmation from Vietnam Airlines (VN) that domestic airfares will increase from Monday 23 April 2012

The increases in the more current booking class are around 3-5 USD per sector; the one sector with a significant jump is HCMC to Quy Nhon which goes up 25 USD per leg in K Class .

In order to avoid this extra cost, we recommend to issue all tickets for firm bookings in 2012 before the deadline and need to receive your go ahead and the files concerned by Saturday 21 April.

Please confirm this to your usual contact and always cc your message to our Ticketing Manager Mr Manh manh@exotissimo.com who will be issuing tickets until Sunday evening if needed.

Should we not receive the go ahead for issuing, we will be granting a 30 day grace period til 22 May 12 included for confirmed bookings before applying the applicable surcharges. For all existing bookings arriving from 23 May onwards the surcharge will be applied in all cases and added to the invoice or re-invoiced.

The new domestic airfares table is already loaded and can be retrieved by clicking here

Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback on this by return email to vietnam@exotissimo.com

Myanmar Announces Fuel Surcharge for all Airlines

Exotissimo — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:35:25 +0000

This week all domestic airlines in Myanmar announced a fuel surcharge of between 11-27 USD per sector for every domestic flight. This surcharge will go into effect as of the 1 May 2012 regardless of ticket issuing date.

On our most popular routes this means:

Yangon – Mandalay // Yangon – Nyuang U (Bagan) // Yangon – Heho (Inle Lake)// Yangon – Sittwe // Yangon – Thandwe (Ngapali Beach): Additional 19 USD per ticket per sector
Nyaung U ( Bagan ) – Mandalay // Mandalay – Heho (Inle Lake) // Nyaung U (Bagan ) – Heho (Inle Lake): Additional 11 USD per ticket per sector

Although we received the information with just three weeks notice we are granting a full 30 day grace period to our clients before applying this surcharge to existing bookings. Please see the below course of action:

For all new bookings with domestic flights on 1 May and onwards, new surcharge will be charged to the client
For all domestic flights from 1- 10 May (inclusive), Exotissimo will pay the surcharge on existing bookings
For confirmed, invoiced files with flights on 11 May and onwards we will issue a second invoice to cover the fuel surcharge added.
For files that have not yet been invoiced add this surcharge when we issue the invoice.
For all future bookings: the new selling rate will be applied.
Fully updated tariffs has been added to our online Travel Trade.

Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback on this by return email to myanmar@exotissimo.com

Otherwise our staff will be in touch with further details on each file that is affected by a surcharge.

Click here to see the file.

Earthquake with magnitude 8.7 strikes the west coast of Northern Sumatra

Exotissimo — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:17:10 +0000

This afternoon an earthquake with magnitude 8.7 struck off the west coast of Northern Sumatra in Indonesia’s northern Aceh province. Tremors were felt as far as Thailand, Singapore, India and Myanmar. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said it is not yet known whether a tsunami had been generated, however authorities have been advised to take precautions.

A tsunami warning alert has been issued across the whole pacific rim as a precautionary measure which is advice to government agencies. It is not actually known if a tsunami has been generated, the measures are being taken based on the earthquake evaluation. A Pacific center analyst has told BBC World that the off-shore quake was horizontal, not vertical so chances of a tsunami are small.

Indonesia

We are working with our partners to determine any subsequent damage across Sumatra resulting from the earthquake today. At this stage there are no reports of damage to Aceh province or southern areas of Sumatra.

Thailand

Local governors have issued warnings for Phuket and Krabi and precautionary measures are being taken to evacuate to higher ground. . Our Phuket office has already contacted every hotel in the area where clients are staying and been advised by all hotels that they have ordered clients to evacuate and move to Tsunami evacuation areas. We have also been in contact with all clients in Khao Lak, Phi Phi Island and Krabi and have reports that most people are not taking any risks and have already moved to higher ground.

Phuket airport is temporarily closed

If you have any direct bookings and would like our team to check on your guests, please do let us know.

For further information please review the Tsunami warning centre website:

http://ptwc.weather.gov/ptwc/text.php?id=indian.TSUIOX.2012.04.11.0845

We will keep you informed in case of any further developments.

Celebrate Khmer New Year 2012

Exotissimo — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:18:57 +0000

To celebrate Khmer New Year the Kingdom of Cambodia is preparing for their 3-day Buddhist New Year celebrations that take place next month (April 13-15). Visitors to Cambodia will have the chance to immerse in local celebrations and cultural activities during their ‘Celebrate Khmer New Year 2012′ itinerary. The first day, Moha Songkran, sees families gather to light candles and burn incense at temples while visitors partake in a special Buddhist blessing ceremony. Wanabat, the second day, is a traditional day of giving charity to the less fortunate. Travelers will visit a charitable organization, working to preserve the local cultures and ecological system of the Tonle Sap Lake. On the third day, Tngai Laeung Saka, visitors have the opportunity to join locals in a variety of games and witness devotees pouring water over sacred Buddha images.

During Khmer New Year we are able to offer a special rate at the Borei Angkor Hotel for the period 12 April – 31 May.

To view the full program, click here

Exo Myanmar Gives Back To The Community

Exotissimo — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:49:17 +0000

In mid-February, 18 staff from Exotissimo Myanmar spent a morning volunteering at a non-for-profit school for the blind. This was the first activity in a series of quarterly activities where our team can go out and make a difference in the community. The school has 160 students, many of whom live on site and rely on the contributions of donors to support the activities and teachers at the school. During our visit we played games, sang songs and talked to the students. Several members of the Exotissimo team also volunteered to record audio books for the students. As braille books are limited in Myanmar, these audio books are a great form of entertainment and way for the students to learn.

If you are interested in finding out more about this charity, or incorporating a visit in your program, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com

Update on Myanmar Bi-Elections

Exotissimo — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:50:59 +0000

On 1 April 2012 the Republic of the Union of Myanmar will be holding bi-elections contesting 48 seats in the country’s Parliament. Although there has been a lot of international attention on these coming elections, there is not expected to be any major activities here on the ground. Most of the voting will be restricted to rural villages and townships outside of the main tourist destinations. It is likely that visitors will be unaware of the day’s activities. Businesses will be open as usual, with no heavy traffic or other transportation disruptions expected.

Should you have further questions please contact: myanmar@exotissimo.com