Exotissimo News Blog » Exotissimo-Myanmar

Sailing in the Myeik Archipelago

Exotissimo — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:44:54 +0000

For the upcoming high season, Exotissimo will be offering sailing cruises in the Myeik Archipelago. Both charter and Seat-in-Coach (join in tours), will be available aboard 2 sailing boats, the SY Colona II and the Wanderlust. Each boat features air-conditioned cabins, large sundecks and full safety equipment.

Our Sailing the Myeik Archipelago program includes a 5D4N cruise through the 8000 islands of this region. Travelers can swim, snorkel, kayak and take light treks on the uninhabited islands. The cruises commence and return to Kawthaung port in the far south of the country, a town which is accessible by land via Phuket in Thailand or from Yangon by flight.

Scuba Diving programs are also available for certified divers.

Myanmar’s Myeik Archipelago (also referred to as Mergui), opened to tourists in 1997 but due to its remote location has been rarely explored by visitors. The area’s coral and sea life has not suffered the effects of global warming nor been affected by tsunamis the way that other regional reefs have. In addition to the colorful corals and sea fans, Myeik also features manta rays, whale sharks, lobsters, crabs, monkeys and dozens of bird species.

For more information on these programs contact myanmar@exotissimo.com

Myanmar-Style Wedding Ceremony

Exotissimo — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:37:09 +0000

Exotissimo Myanmar now offers an opportunity for couples to experience the unique tradition of a Burmese-style wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony will take place in a picturesque village near Bagan and follows all of the local rituals and customs. This program can be arranged as a day excursion or incorporated in to our ‘Seventh Heaven – Honeymoon in Myanmar’ package. View the detailed itinerary here or contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information.

Chinlone Festival in Mandalay

Exotissimo — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:25:17 +0000

From now till 7 July 2009, the annual Chinlone (Cane Ball) Festival is being held at the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay. Besides chinlone competitions, there are also folk performances and local food and handicrafts for sale. For travelers already in Myanmar who wish to attend, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for tour arrangements.

Art Gallery Tours in Myanmar

Exotissimo — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:36:29 +0000

Myanmar’s interest in Western art first arose in early 20th century during the British colonial era but no art gallery was established until 1920. In the post-war period, several art galleries opened in Yangon, including Gallery Orient established by a group of young artists and Lokanat Gallery which still exists today with a variety of exhibitions each year. Exotissimo Myanmar has created specially-guided excursions for Asian art enthusiasts to explore the modern Burmese art scene in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. For more information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Summer Season Special Promotions

Exotissimo — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:45:31 +0000

The months of October through March may be regarded as the best time to visit Myanmar, but from May to September travelers can experience the country from a different perspective. The crowds are lesser, hotels are cheaper and landscapes are greener due to higher rainfall. For this coming summer, Exotissimo Myanmar has created the following special packages to suit all budgets:

* Myanmar Luxury Holiday – 6 Days / 5 Nights
* Special Seat-In-Coach Tour – 8 Days / 7 Nights

Click on the tour names to view the detailed itineraries. For further information on these packages, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Exotic New Destinations

Exotissimo — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:15:06 +0000

Exotissimo Myanmar has developed new travel programs to Loikaw and Demawso in Kayah State which is home to stunning landscapes and rich ethnic cultures. Travelers can visit the villages and observe the distinctive customs and traditions of the Padaung tribe, which is best known for its long-necked women. Contact myanmar@exotissimo.com to find out more.

Fascinating Cruise along Irrawaddy

Exotissimo — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:01:12 +0000

The lifeblood of Myanmar, Irrawaddy River is intricately linked to the country’s history, culture and people’s livelihoods. A cruise along the Irrawaddy is highly recommended for visitors to Myanmar. We have created several cruise tours along the Irrawaddy for clients who wish to experience the stunning views and ethnic villages along this mighty river. For details, contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Thingyan Special Package

Exotissimo — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:24:55 +0000

Taking place from 13 – 17 April 2009, Thingyan (or Myanmar New Year) is a great opportunity for travelers to observe the cultural traditions of Myanmar. The Myanmar people celebrate the Thingyan Festival by sprinkling or pouring water on one another, believing that all the evils and bad luck of the previous year will be washed away. Exotissimo Myanmar has created a Thingyan Special Package (a 6 Days / 5 Nights program from 12 – 17 April) to immerse clients in this merry festival. Click here to view the itinerary, or contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information.

Exotissimo Helps the Irrawaddy Delta

Exotissimo — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:53:45 +0000

Exotissimo has set up an emergency fund with a donation of 20,000 USD, and over 15,000 USD has been donated by our generous travel trade partners. This fund will be managed by Exotissimo until we find a trusted and effective NGO or charity to take over.

Exotissimo Myanmar has already begun providing relief services. We sent a four-person team to the hard-hit Irrawaddy River delta to assess the situation and provide immediate and direct aid. Once on the ground, our team found that families really appreciated the private donations coming direct to them. We began our efforts with funds from Exotissimo Travel and the Appletree Group, and will continue as long as these funds and those from generous donors last.

On 10th May, our team visited a village opposite the western part of Yangon where 1300 families were affected by Nargis. 300 families were made homeless by the cyclone and diarrhea has already broken out among those in the public shelters. The government plans to setup a water purification facility. Exotissimo will build a small medical clinic to help the village. The 25 ft X 25 ft facility will cost 4000 USD, and be staffed by a volunteer doctor and nurse. Local Exotissimo staff donated their own personal resources to the victims of Nargis here.

On 11th May, Exotissimo sent a truck to Phyapone and Maubin towns in Irrawaddy River Delta. In these two towns, there are many victims taking shelter in monasteries and rescue camps. Upon arrival, our staff will personally distribute goods totaling 6000 USD, including food, clothing, mosquito nets and blankets.

Hotel Situation Update in Yangon

Exotissimo — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:46:04 +0000

Exotissimo Travel would like to say “Thank you very much” on the behalf of the poor victims in Myanmar for all the kind support and every dollar donated to help them through this difficult time.

Most parts of Yangon are now getting back to normal with electricity becoming available. Gradually, many shops and restaurants are opening. The transport is back since all roads are open. Important attractions are also back to normal such as Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market), Shwedagon and Sule Pagoda. National Museum and Kaba Aye Pagoda are still closed but will open soon.

Yangon is safe now and we would like to take this chance to report on hotel situation there. Even though most of places affected by the cyclone are busy with cleaning up fallen trees, branches, leaves and other wind-blown debris, there also are hotels undamaged, with services readily available.

Park Royal: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Summit Parkview: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Traders Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Strand Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and it is fully operational with electricity, telephone and Internet all working as normal.

Sedona Hotel Yangon: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Inya Lake Hotel: The hotel was not damaged and electricity, telephone and Internet are all working.

Chatrium (previously Nikko) Hotel: The hotel’s main building and garden were not damaged. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

And below are those hotel slightly affected by the cyclone. Some are back to normal operation with limitations while some are sill closed due to both the cyclone and low season.

Governor’s Residence: The hotel property itself sustained some damage, while there are a few guests during this time due to the low season. The hotel is unlikely to resume operations for at least 2 months. All guests and staff are safe.

For another property, the Road to Mandalay, it is still closed due to the low season. The ship now is in Yangon and was badly damaged.

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel: The hotel faced no major damage and therefore guests can stay there without being disturbed. Some windows and roofs are broken, yet these need only minor repair work. Electricity, telephone and Internet are all working as normal.

Savoy Hotel: The hotel has been operated with generator with limited hours, and therefore the phone lines are not working properly at the moment. The hotel has been trying to get power as soon as possible. Internet connection is also not working.

Thamada Hotel: The hotel faced only minor damage. Elevators are not working at the moment but electricity and telephone are working.