20-30 April 2017
11 days/10 nights fully escorted small group tour exploring Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, and Inle Lake
Tour Highlights • Discover the spectacular beauty of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon • Capture the mystery and romance of Mandalay The mystical charm of Myanmar is attracting an increasing number of travellers and is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. When Rudyard Kipling visited Burma a hundred years ago he described it as “quite unlike any land you know about”. To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world, a land of breathtaking beauty and charm that offers traditional Asian delights to all visitors. We hope you will join us on this fully escorted, small group trip for what promises to be a fabulous journey of discoveries and delights.
• Discover the royal temples and shrines of the plains of Bagan • Browse in bustling markets and craft centers • Attend the dazzling Shan State Tribal markets • Travel by traditional horse cart through scenic countryside • Cruise the tranquil waters of Inle Lake through floating gardens and villages • See the recently opened 17th century ruins in the Shan State • Stay in stunning deluxe hotels
Jean Wethmar | Your Personal Concierge Meet Jean Wethmar, CEO Cape Lux Travels - an all-round amazing woman whose charm and delightful nature is a gift. Jean’s passion for travel started when she was a little girl. She wanted to join the circus and become a gypsy! Thankfully sanity prevailed but the wanderlust never left her. Have you always loved travel? Yes, totally! Life, love, laughter – seize the moment! How many years have you been running Cape Lux Travels? "The Cape Club started in 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Our innovative personal itineraries and pre-organized tours aim to provide freedom and flexibility. We rebranded in 2014 to Glam Girls Lux Travels, because Glam Girls just love to travel! We only use fully registered wholesale tour operators to assist us with all ground operations – SE Asia, South Africa, Morocco, India, Sri Lanka, or wherever we roam… you’ll be in very safe hands! The concept is so inspiring… where did it come from? I realized that we all want a chance to travel and many prefer the camaraderie, convenience and fun of small group travel, with like-minded travellers; fabulous friendships have been formed this way. Where are your customers based and what is the average age range? Australia and USA mostly. Ages range from the magical mid 40s to the absolutely amazing 60s. ‘‘Recover, Renew, Reflect, Regain, Regrow, Reconnect, Relax’’ is my mantra, and the biggest compliment I have been given is to have the same girls booking time and again with me. For more information on Jean or Glam Girls Lux Travels please visit http://glamgirlsluxtravels.com/
Follow Jean: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanwethmar1 Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeLuxTravels
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017
Day 1 | Thurs 20 April | Yangon (D) Upon arrival in Yangon, we will be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred hotel for check-in. Formally known as Rangoon, current-day Yangon is a bustling and charming city. The remainder of the day is free for rest. In the early evening we will meet at the lobby and walk to the Sakura Tower (the highest building in Yangon) for dinner with a lovely view. Overnight at the Sule Shangri-La, Yangon.
Day 2 | Fri 21 April | Yangon (B/L/D) After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. We’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building – passing by the Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. After lunch we’ll visit an art gallery and meet with the artists. Then we’ll visit the famous Chauk Htat Kyi, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. The feet of the statue are carved with traditional symbols and you’ll often find local people gathering to pay homage and pray. Next we’ll have a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa and local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions. We’ll finish the day here to enjoy the amazing sunset view. Overnight at the Sule Shangri-La, Yangon.
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017
Day 3 | Sat 22 April | Yangon–Mandalay– Amarapura (B/L/D) We transfer to the airport for our flight to the legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. We’ll visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar (after the Shwedagon Pagoda), the Mahamuni Pagoda. Following this we’ll visit local artisan workshops including gold leaf making, woodcarving and marble carving. Our next stop is the Golden Palace Monastery, famous for its intricate woodcarvings. From here we continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. And finally, before sunset we’ll head to the most photographic site in Myanmar; a 200-year-old teak bridge, where you’ll get the opportunity to capture some magnificent shots to take home. Overnight at the Rupar Mandalar.
Day 4 | Sun 23 April | Mandalay (B/L/D) After breakfast this morning we’ll continue our sightseeing in Mandalay and then transfer to Gaewin Jetty to embark on the elegant Paukan, a charming cruising boutique hotel. First we sail upstream to Mingun, home to the impressive Mingun Bell (the world’s largest intact bronze bell), the Mingun Paya and lanes filled with art galleries and bullock taxis. After dinner onboard our ship, we will enjoy a dance and drama performance by the Mandalay Arts School on the sundeck. We moor overnight at a river village north of Mandalay. Overnight on board RV Paukan.
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017
The Irrawaddy River Our cruise on the RV Paukan takes us down the famous Irrawaddy River (also known as the Ayeyarwaddy River), a river that flows from north to south through Myanmar. It is the country's largest river and most important commercial waterway. Originating from the confluence of the N'mai and Mali rivers, it flows relatively straight north-south before emptying through the Irrawaddy Delta - the rice bowl of Myanmar - and into the Andaman Sea. Its drainage basin of about 255,081km2 (98,487 mi2) covers a large part of Burma. it is sometimes referred to as 'The Road to Mandalay', after Rudyard Kipling's poem. As early as the sixth century the river was used for trade and transport. Having developed an extensive network of irrigation canals, the river became important to the British Empire after it had colonised Burma. The river is still as vital today as it was then; as a considerable amount of (export) goods and traffic continues to move by river.
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017
Day 5 | Mon 24 April | Sagaing (B/L/D) Early in the morning we begin our cruise downstream. You’ll get to admire the natural morning beauty of the river and the life of its banks and enjoy the sunrise over Sagaing Hill, all while relaxing on the sundeck or on the promenade outside your cabin. After breakfast we can go ashore to visit Sagaing, with its hills dotted by hundreds of gleaming white monasteries. We’ll return to the ship for lunch onboard. In the late afternoon we’ll stop at Yandabo, a village specialising in Pottery-Making as it was done centuries ago. This is also where the peace treaty of the First AngloBurmese war was signed in 1826. Overnight on board RV Paukan, near the river village of Shwe Nann Tint.
Day 6 | Tues 25 April | Bagan (B/L/D) Experience the sunrise near Bagan as we proceed downstream. After breakfast, we’ll visit another typical river village, where we’ll begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. We’ll then spend the rest of the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town with visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Then we have a fabulous opportunity to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products: lacquer-ware and wood crafts where we’ll watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. In the late afternoon we’ll climb to the top of the Temple for a magnificent sunset view. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas. Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel, Bagan.
Day 7 | Wed 26 April | Bagan & Villages (B/L/D) Today we have the opportunity to get some amazing photos on a half-day photo tour with a professional photographer. While these are mostly free-shooting situations, your photographer will also do several arranged shoots with local impromptu models, including monks in beautiful pink robes. We’ll also get inside access to multiple temple interiors in Bagan for dramatic natural light portraiture.
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017 After lunch at a local restaurant, our tour continues with an overview of Bagan’s history, culture and local lifestyles. This afternoon we’ll see the real way of life for most Myanmar people by visiting villages near Bagan to see the local lifestyle. Then we’ll get an alternate perspective of Bagan with an exploration by pony cart; these carts can get to areas that cars are unable to enter, giving us a completely different feel of Bagan. We’ll end the day with dinner and a traditional dance show at another local restaurant. Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel, Bagan.
Day 8 | Thurs 27 April | Bagan– Heho–Inle Lake (B/L/D) Today we’ll enjoy a full day tour by private boat on Inle lake. After breakfast we fly to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake, and from here we’ll drive to NyaungShwe where we pick up our boat & transfer to the hotel for check in. Our boat trip today will take us to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda – the most holy religious site in southern Shan State – but first we’ll experience local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden handlooms and traditional blacksmith methods along the way. Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages on the banks of the river, and the endless floating gardens, houses, monasteries built on stilts on the lake. We’ll visit an Intha family that makes canoes, and have a chat and some tea with them, followed by a tour around their village by canoe. This is not only an outstanding experience but also a chance to learn first hand about the daily life of Intha people. Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel, Inle Lake.
Day 9 | Fri 28 April | Inle Lake – Indein – Red Mountain vineyard (B/L/D)
Today we’ll spend an incredible day learning shan/inthra style cooking. We’ll be picked up at the hotel in the morning to buy the fresh ingredients at the market, which we’ll cook together with the chef. Then we’ll get to enjoy the delicious dishes we help prepare; a truly memorable experience you can share at home.
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017 After lunch, we’ll visit the fascinating village of Indein with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas, and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls. We’ll visit weaving and craft villages perched on stilts, and see the “long neck” tribal women and the lake’s unique “leg rowers” who row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Today is truly a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream. In the late afternoon we’ll drive to Red Mountain vineyard – perfectly perched on a hill overlooking Inle Lake – to enjoy a glass (or a bottle) of locally made wine whilst looking out onto a magnificent view of Inle Lake and the surrounding vineyard. Overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel, Inle Lake.
Day 10 | Sat 29 April | Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (B/L/D) We have a morning flight back to Yangon, followed by a visit to the sprawling 75-year-old Scott Market for a variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs from lacquer ware to gems & jewellery. Make sure to bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! After this we’ll drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures on the region, including St Mary’s Cathedral built in 1899; the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya; and the beautiful Rangoon Synagogue, which is more than 100 years old. Here we’ll have the opportunity to meet the Trustee of the Synagogue and learn about Jewish life in the land of Pagodas. We’ll finish up with a visit Little India and Chinatown. After all that cultural exploration you may wish to spend a relaxing afternoon at the famous Inya Spa, before dinner this evening which will be at a local restaurant. Overnight at Sule Shangri-La, Yangon.
Day 11 | Sun 30 April | Departure After breakfast, we’ll have a day at leisure until transfer to airport for international departure.
Image credit: Adam Jones, Interior of Moseah Yeshua Synagogue, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma) (above middle)
Mystical Myanmar | 20 -30 April 2017
Tour Information Tour name: Discover Myanmar II – April 2017 Tour company name: Myanmar Shalom Booking code: 2017Myan02 Length of tour: 10 nights Destination: Myanmar Tour Starts: Thursday 20 April, Yangon, Myanmar Tour ends: Sunday 30 April, Yangon, Myanmar Cost: USD $3,980pp (twin-share). Single supplement USD $1,180. Accommodation (subject to availability) • Sule Shangri-La (Deluxe), Yangon • Aureum Palace (Jasmine Villa), Bagan • Rupar Mandalar, Mandalay • Aureum Palace (Villa), Inle Lake • RV. Paukan River Cruise (Upper Deck)
Cost includes: • 8 nights’ accommodation with breakfast • 2 nights River Cruise • All transfers and sightseeing by private A/C vehicle • 3 x domestic flights (Yangon–Mandalay & Bagan– Inle Lake–Yangon) • Half Day Photo tour with professional • Cooking Class with local family • Private boat-ride on Inle Lake • 10 dinners and 10 lunches at local restaurants • All entrance fees & zone fees • Bottled water on the van/bus • Experienced English-speaking local tour guide in each location • Government taxes & service charges Not included: • International Airfare & Travel Insurance • Drinks (Lunch & Dinner) • Other personal expenses eg laundry/telephone calls, tips & gratuities etc
Please see booking form plus full terms and conditions on following pages
Booking Form Traveller Details Name exactly as it appears on passport: Nationality as it appears on passport:
Passport number:
This is the passport I will be travelling on
Date of issue: Expiry date: Occupation:
Date of birth (DD /MM/YYYY):
Residential address: Suburb
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Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions?
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If YES, please describe Emergency contact name: Emergency contact phone: + (
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Room type preferred: Twin Share
Mobile:
Single (a higher rate applies - refer tour pricing information
I wish to share a room with (name): Signature
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I have read and agree to the terms and conditions as detailed on following pages
I have attached a scan/copy of my passport details page, which I understand is required for my 'visa on arrival' documentation
Tour Information Tour name: Discover Myanmar II – April 2017 Tour company name: Myanmar Shalom Booking code: 2017Myan02 Length of tour: 10 nights Destination: Myanmar Tour Starts: Thursday 20 April, Yangon, Myanmar Tour ends: Sunday 30 April, Yangon, Myanmar Cost: USD $3,980pp (twin-share). Single supplement USD $1,180. Excludes international flights, which you will need to arrange and book separately. Places strictly limited to 12.
Payment Details Deposit USD$500 before 20 November 2016. Full and final payment USD$3,480 required by 20 January 2017. Bank name and address: Westpac Banking Corporation, St Ives Branch; 186 Mona Vale Road, St Ives NSW 2075 Account Name: Jean Wethmar | Account Number: 30-2954 | BSB Number: 032-188/2188 | Swift Code: WPACAU2S Please email payment receipt/s to jeanw@thecapeclub.com The Cape Club - A More Collections Initiative PO Box 123 North Sydney, NSW 2060 | m 0423 306 481 jeanw@thecapeclub.com | www.thecapeclub.com
Tour includes: • • • • • • • • • • • •
8 nights’ accommodation with breakfast 2 nights river cruise All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle 3 x domestic flights (Yangon–Mandalay & Bagan–Inle Lake– Yangon) Half day photo tour with professional photographer Cooking class with local family Private boat-ride on Inle Lake 10 dinners and 10 lunches at local restaurants All entrance fees & zone fees Bottled water on the van/bus Experienced English-speaking local tour guide in each location Government taxes & service charges
Tour excludes: • • • •
International airfares and departure taxes International Airfare & Travel Insurance Drinks Tips
About The Tour Operator Myanmar Shalom Travels designs and arranges tours carefully crafted to the needs and interests of each individual and group. Our local guides, sightseeing programs, hotels and restaurants are carefully chosen to provide an insightful, authentic and meaningful connection to Myanmar’s people and to directly benefit the local economy. We know everyone has their own unique travel style and that’s why we work with you to create a personalized itinerary tailormade to suit your schedule, budget and interests. With our network of suppliers, we can access the best rates and latest promotions and pass these savings on to you.
Why Travel with Myanmar Shalom? Quality, trust and safety are key in travel and at Myanmar Shalom we take them seriously. Our travel consultants and ground staff work with great care to ensure that you experience nothing but the ultimate in comfort and luxury. Myanmar Shalom’s office team and tour guides are very knowledgeable, flexible and understanding of the rigorous requirements of today’s travellers. They have extensive experience hosting group and individual tours, sharing their love and knowledge of their native country with visitors from around the world. They’ll also help you choose a great restaurant, unique marketplace, or help you find the best price on that must-have souvenir. Sammy Samuels, Marketing Director and Travel Consultant is known to his friends as the “Ambassador of Burma.” He graduated from Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business in New York City, and during his time in America employed his knowledged of and passion for his country to assist many travellers in designing and arranging their visits to Myanmar. Now, through Myanmar Shalom, Sammy is dedicated to bringing more tourists to his amazing country.
Terms and Conditions The Cape Club – GlamGirlsLuxTravels is owned by More Collections Pty Ltd, and is not the tour operator. The Cape Club acts as “On Trip Concierge” only and assists the tour travellers for the duration of the tour, with any selling and travel-related services, accepting reservations and booking for services, and managing the relationships between the traveller and registered Tour Operator. The Cape Club / Cape Lux Travel is not responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, damage, loss of baggage, dishonour of airline, hotel or other reservations, delays, losses, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, airline or tour bankruptcies, accidents, or for the acts of defaults of any person or entity engaged in conveying participants or in carrying out other arrangements of the tour. The Tour Operator reserves the right to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour should such person’s health, actions or general deportment impede the operation of the tour or the right or welfare of other tour participants, and no refund will be made available for the unused portion of any tour. The Cape Club / Cape Lux Travels, therefore, shall not be responsible for breach of contract, failure to comply with any state or federal laws, or any intentional or negligent actions or omissions on the part of the Tour Operator and their suppliers, which result in any loss, damage, delay, inconvenience or injury to travellers or travellers’ companions or group members, or loss of income due to any mishaps. Without limiting the foregoing, if due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors traveller is required to spend additional nights, The Cape Club/ Cape Lux Travels will not be responsible for traveller's hotel, transfers, meal costs or other expenses, not included on our supplied itinerary. Traveller's baggage and personal property are completely at the traveller's own risk. The Cape Club / Cape Lux Travels shall not be responsible for, and travellers hereby release The Cape Club /Cape Lux Travels from, any claims, injuries, damages or other losses from any cause whatsoever, including but not limited to those in connection with terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climate conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other action, omissions, or conditions. Travellers further assumes complete and full responsibility for, and hereby releases The Cape Club /Cape Lux Travels from any duty of checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other requirements of each destination, and all safety and security conditions of such destinations, during the length of the proposed travel. By embarking upon his/her travel, the traveller voluntarily assumes all risks involved in such travel—whether expected or unexpected, the traveller is hereby warned of these above mentioned risks as well as possible travel industry bankruptcies/ medical/climatic disruptions, and the possibility that traveller/ travellers may be unable to travel as per the scheduled itinerary, due to any personal emergency which might arise. The traveller is hereby advised to obtain appropriate travel insurance coverage against these risks.
I have read and agree to terms and conditions as listed herein:
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