With its rich cultural and natural heritage, Myanmar makes a great vacation destination for the entire family. In our new Family Holiday in Myanmar, guests can experience the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Yangon’s downtown as well as the city’s colonial atmosphere through its monuments and museums. In Bagan, the guests can look forward to exploring the ancient temples and learning about the unique craft techniques of the locals. Inle Lake makes a memorable stop as the whole family can admire the tranquil lake views and discover the one-legged rowing techniques of the Intha fishermen. Click here to view the full itinerary. Contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information.

Falling on the full moon day of Thabodwe (the eleventh month in the Burmese calendar), Mahamuni Pagoda Festival will take place on 8-9 February this year. During this festival, thousands of Buddhist pilgrims make their ways to Mandalay to pay homage to the highly revered Buddha image in Mahamuni Pagoda. The temple compound is usually crowded with street vendors selling thanaka (traditional make-up), handicrafts and local snacks. It is worth visiting Mahamuni Pagoda during this period to witness Myanmar’s many colorful traditions and cultures.

Congratulations to Thida Myint who has been promoted from Exotissimo Yangon’s Sales Manager of English Department to Director of Sales and Operations, effective since 1 January 2009. Having been with Exotissimo for the past nine years, Thida possesses an in-depth understanding of the company operations and has garnered good working relationships with international tour operators. She will oversee the sales and operational facets of all departments and guide the business development strategies of Exotissimo Myanmar. Thida can be contacted at thida@exotissimo.com.

The dry season from November to May is the best time to visit Myanmar as travelers have greater mobility in and around the country. This period is also marked by many colorful festivals, such as Independence Day in January, Union Day in February, Peasants’ Day in March and Thingyan or Water Festival in April. Thingyan – Myanmar’s New Year – is the merriest of all Burmese festivals. Recommending travelers to visit Myanmar from now till Thingyan, Exotissimo Myanmar has created the following special promotion packages:

* Promotion Luxury Stay in Myanmar – 6 Days / 5 Nights
* Special Seat In Coach Tour – 8 Days / 7 Nights
* Celebrate Myanmar New Year – 12-17 April 09

For more information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, is accessible from both Shan and Karen States. From Inle Lake, it takes 5 hours by boat to Hpe Kom followed by a 2-hour car ride to Loikaw. From Heho, it is a 5-hour drive to Loikaw. Both routes take visitors through the scenic landscapes of Myanmar.

Loikaw’s attractions include the Taung Gwe Pagoda, Htee Pwint Lake, weaving workshops and a cultural museum. In the hill regions, the Padaung tribes are interesting cultural groups with their traditional costumes and unique ways of life. Native to the Kayah State, the Padaung females wear brass rings on their necks in the belief that a woman’s beauty is judged by the length of her neck.

The Kayah festivals are equally fascinating and offer cultural insights. The Kayah people celebrate Kae-Hto-Boe (or Dagundaing) to mark the New Year, Moe-Khaw-Pwe (Rain Wishing) in April, as well as the Deeku (boiled sticky rice snack) and Kay (hunting) festivals. Before undertaking important tasks such as hunting or harvesting, they will predict their own fortunes by piercing a freshly cut chicken leg with a sharp, thin layer of bamboo stick.

For more information and itineraries in Loikaw, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

With the opening of the Thanaka Museum and Spa in Bagan in January 2009, tourists can learn about the history and use of thanaka in Burmese culture. The new museum also features a plantation with more than 300 thanaka trees. A distinctive feature of Myanmar, thanaka is a yellowish-white paste that is commonly applied onto the faces of women and children in circular patches or sometimes in the shapes of leaves. The fragrant cream is made by grinding the bark of the thanaka tree with drops of water on a circular stone slab called ‘kyauk pyin’ and is thought to beautify the skin and provide sun protection. Please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com for more information.

Rakhine state is home to many diverse ethnic tribes. Mrauk U is an ideal place to start a fascinating exploration of these unique culture systems.
The Thet is one of the oldest and smallest tribal groups from the age of Pyu. They are known by foreign scholars as Sakkya tribe and famous for their large earrings made of silver and bamboo. Visiting the Thet village, guests can enjoy the unique tradition and culture of this vanishing tribe in Myanmar.

After a scenic 2-hours cruise along the Lemro River, guests arrive at Nan Cha Laytoo Chin Village. These Chins called themselves Laytoo Chin or Arrow-throwing Chin. Many of the women bear facial tattoos. They began to tattoo the face at about thirteen years old and the process can take years. However, Chins under thirty years old can no longer tattoo their faces as this ancient practice is now illegal.
For additional information or enquiries about the itineraries, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

A former royal capital of the Rakhine State, Mrauk U is an ideal place to explore the history and culture with its numerous temples and pagodas. The ancient city is accessible by flight from Yangon to Sittwe followed by a 4 ½ hours (60km) boat trip along the Kaladan River to Mrauk U.

Koethaung Pagoda’s name means 90,000, which probably signifies the number of Buddha images that were supposedly housed inside the temple. Built in 1553 A.D. by King Minbin, the temple is surrounded by 108 sandstone stupas on the terraces. Measuring 230 feet from east to west and 250 feet from north to south, it is the biggest in size among the pagodas in Mrauk U.

About half mile north of the palace site is the Shitthaung Pagoda or the ‘shrine of 80,000 Buddha images’. The skilful art and decoration displayed within this maze-like pagoda is remarkable. It was built in 1535 A.D after Mrauk U’s successful defence against Portugese attack.

Standing near to Shitthaung Pagoda is Dukkanthein Pagoda, a 30-foot tall temple with a flat surface like that of a drum. The pagoda was built by King Minphalaung in 1517 A.D. Today, the temple is best known for its stone sculptures that depict seated ladies offering lotus buds to the Buddha in the vaulted passage.

For additional information or enquiries about the itineraries, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com

Also known as Ananda Pahto, the Ananda Pagoda is considered by many the finest, largest and best preserved of all the Bagan temples. Taking place in January, the annual Ananda Pagoda Festival is a highlight on Myanmar’s cultural calendar, and is a spectacle that attracts locals, pilgrims and tourists from all over the country. The full moon day of the lunar month is usually the busiest during this festival. Exotissimo advises visits to this sacred site from 7 – 10 January 2009. For more information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

Starting from 1 October 2008, AirAsia will re-launch a daily flight service on the Bangkok – Yangon – Bangkok routing. This is certainly good news for all travellers who wish to visit Myanmar during the high season.