Bangkok, Thailand, 20 January 2010
Take part in local festivities and experience rich cultural traditions with Exotissimo’s Burmese and Khmer New Year travel packages.
Exotissimo Travel has unveiled an innovative collection of festival packages to ring in traditional New Years in Southeast Asia. Spotlighting the Khmer and Burmese New Years in mid April 2010, these programs offer travelers unique opportunities to participate in traditional festivities and enjoy local sights.
“Southeast Asia’s New Years are often the most celebrated and grandest of all festivals, therefore making this period a great window for travelers to learn about the region’s culture and traditions,” said Anne Cruickshanks, Group Product Manager. “We’ve taken our best sightseeing excursions and timed them around these festivals so that travelers can partake in exciting local rituals and be a part of the revelry.”
Celebrate Khmer New Year
The four-day Celebrate Khmer New Year tour showcases the unique tradition of Chol Chnam Thmey, or the Cambodian New Year, which usually lasts for three days. To immerse travelers in Khmer style celebrations, the program highlights different cultural activities each day in accordance to Khmer customs. Exotissimo recommends starting the tour on 14 April 2010 to coincide with the Khmer New Year celebrations.
The first day, Moha Sangkran, guests will pay homage to a local temple and partake in a special Buddhist blessing ceremony. Vanabat, 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 ecosystem and be given a chance to support local livelihoods by receiving a massage from a blind masseur. On the third day, Tngai Laeung Saka, travelers will join the locals in a variety of games and witness devotees pouring water over sacred Buddha images.
This package tour also includes excursions to Cambodia’s greatest treasure, Angkor Wat, ancient temples such as Ta Phrom and Bayon, a cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake and a visit to Angkor Silk Farm to observe traditional weaving techniques.
To view the detailed itinerary of Celebrate Khmer New Year, visit http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/cambodia/tours/celebrate-khmer-new-year-cam...
Many of our other Cambodia tours can be arranged to coincide with the Khmer New Year. A full listing of Cambodia tours can be viewed here: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/cambodia/tours/
Celebrate Myanmar New Year
Taking place over the same period is the Burmese New Year, also known as Thingyan or Water Festival in Myanmar. The festival is celebrated throughout the country and usually last three to four days. Exotissimo recommends travelers to commence the six-day Celebrate Myanmar New Year tour on 13 April 2010 to experience the full splendor of Thingyan festivities.
Beginning in Yangon on the eve of Thingyan, the program kicks off with a city sightseeing tour and travelers can observe locals gearing up for the New Year celebrations. On the second day, which coincides with the first and liveliest day of Thingyan, the program features opportunities to experience merrymaking the local way. Driving around the city on an open-air truck, travelers can partake in the revelry by splashing water on one another and observe the festive singing and dancing on street stages.
After experiencing the exuberance in the city, the next three days are spent at Ngwe Saung where travelers can enjoy a tranquil beach getaway and celebrate Thingyan at a more subdued style in the countryside. Returning to Yangon on the fifth day, a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda offers opportunities to engage in local merit-making customs such as releasing birds, washing Buddha statues and offering traditional delicacies to monks and passer-bys. On the final day, travelers can take an optional ride on the Yangon Circle Train to the city outskirts and visit Bogyoke Market to browse Burmese handicrafts.
To view the detailed itinerary of Burmese New Year, visit http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanmar-new-year-tour/itinerary/.
Many of our other Myanmar tours can be arranged to coincide with the Burmese New Year. A full listing of Myanmar tours can be viewed here: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/.
Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. To view in full what the company can offer, visit www.exotissimo.com.
About Exotissimo Travel
Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Established in 1993, the company is now a network of 16 locally-based offices staffing over 500 travel professionals, with sales offices in San Francisco, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Melbourne. For more information, please visit www.exotissimo.com.
For more information, please contact:
Hamish Keith
Director of Business Development
Exotissimo Travel Group – Head Office
6th Floor Zuellig House
1-7 Silom Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
THAILAND
Tel: (66 2) 636 0360
Email: hamish@exotissimo.com
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