Following its annual renovation, the scaffolds have been removed from Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. Visitors can pay homage to this splendid landmark as usual from 6am – 10pm every day without any disturbance.
As of 1 March 2009, Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel has changed its name to Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort. The hotel management and staff remain unchanged.
The Thanaka Gallery and Spa is a unique place to learn about the history and use of thanaka in Burmese culture. Thanaka is a yellowish paste commonly applied to the faces of women and children and is derived from the thanaka tree, 300 of which are located in a plantation on the property. The Beauty Salon and Health Care Center provides a special thanaka spa treatment and visitors can also purchase a variety of thanaka souvenirs at $1 each from the One Dollar Shop. For those who wish to have their fortunes told, a fortune teller makes predictions based on traditional Myanmar astrology and palmistry methods. For more information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
Come 1 October 2009, the Elephant Coach will also be available in Bagan. A luxurious replica of the 1950s Chevrolet passenger bus, the coach can seat 6 – 8 passengers comfortably (depending on the seat configuration). The teak interior is furbished with rich Shan fabrics and a mini bar. Fully air-conditioned, guide and hostess services are also available onboard. For inquiries and bookings, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
Mid-April is the time for many New Year celebrations in Southeast Asia. Exotissimo Cambodia and Laos will be closed from 14 – 16 April for Chaul Chnam Thmey and Pii Mai Lao respectively. In Thailand, our offices will be closed for Songkran from 13 – 15 April while our Myanmar offices will close from 13 – 17 April during Thingyan. Exotissimo Vietnam will remain open during this time. We would like to remind all agents to confirm bookings for this period as soon as possible.
We have moved our 2009 familiarization trips to September in order to better suit agent’s travel schedules. The new dates are Myanmar: 6 – 13 September, Vietnam – Cambodia: 13 – 25 September and Thailand – Laos: 20 – 27 September. To view all the itineraries and pricing information, click here. For booking inquiry, contact marketing@exotissimo.com.
After more than a year of extensive re-furbishing, Road to Mandalay will resume its river cruise operations along the Irrawaddy River on 26 August 2009.
All cabins and suites of this luxurious cruiser are now equipped with individual air-conditioning systems.
Situated on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy River, Pyay (Prome) is an important trading center between Lower and Upper Myanmar. The ancient Pyay capital, Srikhitra (meaning Field of Glory), was once the center of Phyu culture and civilization that flourished for more than a thousand years. It now houses a wealth of important archaeological and historical sites. Not far from Pyay at Hmawza, there is a field museum that displays artifacts collected from the Srikhitra excavations. Pyay is a good stop for travels between Yangon and Bagan. For traveling ideas in Pyay, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
Biking Challenges in MyanmarOrganized by Bike World (Myanmar) with sponsorship from Exotissimo Travel Myanmar and other local partners, the Amateur Mountain Biking Challenge was successfully held at Hmawbi Township in Yangon on 11 January 2009. 51 participants including expatriates took part in this challenge. Bikers rode uphill on the dirt tracks from Wa Net Chaung Village to Pan Ta Pwint Taung (One Flower Hill) for approximately 16 km before finishing at the first village. For clients who wish to explore Myanmar on similar biking challenges, Exotissimo Myanmar has several biking packages ranging from easy routes to difficult trails. For more information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
Pindaya in Shan State is famous for its scenic beauty and antique pagodas. The ancient capital of Bagan is a treasure trove of Myanmar culture. The picturesque Inle Lake is renowned for its natural scenery and traditional uniqueness. Now guests can enjoy the beauty of Pindaya, Inle and Bagan from a bird’s eye view on hot air balloon rides in each of these destinations. These exclusive flights will give guests an unforgettable experience. The Balloon Safaris Inle & Bagan tour is only available in December 2009. View the itinerary here. For more information, please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.
