Burma Banks + Thailand

Transcription

1 Burma Banks + Thailand Luxury Liveaboard Diving Expedition Similan Islands Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock The Mergui Archipelago Thailand & Myanmar s BEST Diving Voyage Giant Pacific Manta Rays, Whalesharks, Blue Water & Superb Vessel Duration: 10 days 9 nights, 7 nights onboard (22 SCUBA Dives) Tour Leader: Gabby Hunter (gabby@questtours.com.au) Trip Code: TM19 Max. Passengers: 21 Min. Level: Open Water Dates: Saturday 2 nd February Monday 11 th February, 2019 Cost: from $AU 3,990 incl. Airfares ex. Sydney Options: Liveaboard extension to Similan Islands $AU1,990 & NITROX

2 Burma 2019 Please note, all flight times and schedules are as at May, 2018 are subject to change Saturday, 2 nd February, 2018: Depart Sydney at 10:00, arrive Bangkok 15:25. Depart Bangkok at 1655hrs, arrive Phuket 18:25. We will be met by vessel representatives and transferred straight to the Deep Andaman Queen to settle into our cabins. We will have a welcome dinner and boat orientation tonight before a good night s sleep while we travel to the awesome dive sites of the Similan National Park. The Voyage Sunday, 3 rd February, 2018: This morning we will wake to do 2 dives at Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, followed by 2 dives at Richelieu Rock. After diving, we cruise overnight to Ranong for immigration early in the morning. Sail from Phuket to the Similan Islands, then to Burma (Myanmar) & the Mergui Archipelago Monday 4 th February, 2018: Bright and early this morning we clear border formalities as leave Thailand and enter Burma (Myanmar). Expect to do 2 dives today exploring the High Rock, Rocky Island and Shark cave areas. Tuesday 5 th February Friday 8 th February, 2018: We will do 14 dives at a variety of dive sites (discussed further down the itinerary), which will showcase some of the best diving in the Myanmar/ Burma area. Expect to rarely see another vessel, a far cry from the renowned crowds out of Phuket. Saturday 9 th February, 2018: This morning we will once again clear border formalities as we leave Myanmar/ Burma and re-enter Thailand. We ve still got two more dives ahead of us this time two wrecks in crystal clear water await us. We will disembark the Deep Andaman Queen at 13:00, bidding her a fond farewell. We will transfer back to Phuket International Airport Hotel for an overnight stay. Sunday 10 th February, 2018: Leisurely lie in & late check out. This will be your opportunity to spend the morning exploring the area around Nai-Yang Beach. Souvenirs, swimming, nice food and plenty of cheap places to get a massage await you. Our flight departs at 15:20, arrive Sydney at 07:10 on Monday, 11 th February,

3 The Similan Islands The Similan Islands have been heralded as among the top 10 most interesting dive areas in the world. The islands themselves are only open to the public 6 months of the year, ensuring conservation of the area for future generations. Some of the most spectacular coral growths in the world can be found here, with large boulders lying on the sea floor creating an adventure play ground for SCUBA Divers. Koh Bon This is one of the best dive sites in Thailand for Manta Rays. You re also pretty likely to see leopard sharks, eagle rays and other big pelagics, in addition to so many critters we can t even begin to list them! Koh Tachai This site is on our way to Richelieu Rock. There are swim throughs and channels everywhere on this site, and you have a fair chance of spotting a whaleshark here too. Richelieu Rock Perhaps the most famous dive site in Thailand, this site deserves is place in the top 10 dive sites of the world. Whalesharks frequent Richelieu rock, which consists of a huge central pinnacle and a plethora of colonized rocks surrounding it. Look off into the blue and expect to see Manta rays, barracuda and huge groupers. Descend down the mooring line and head for the bottom max depth is around 26 metres. Dive slowly around the rock and marvel at the incredible fish life. 3

4 The Mergui Archipelago High Rock Characterised by just one tree on top of the limestone rock, this dive site in the Mergui Archipelago is often subject to strong currents (requiring negative entries) and as such offers incredible fish life and diversity. Black Rock With a depth ranging from 3 40 metres, this site has so much to see. There is a sloping reef on the north and east sides, with the south and west sides forming a vertical wall perfect for exploring. Expect incredibly dense mosaics of soft corals, sponges and critters mixed in. Fan Forest Pinnacle With visibility reaching well over 30 metres at times, this site offers a spiralling dive profile, with divers starting at a depth of around 25 metres, and slowly getting shallower around the rock as we explore. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled barracuda and manta rays frequently swim past this diverse dive site. North Twin Island This island is covered in trees and offers generally excellent visibility, averaging 20 metres but often much more. Expect large boulders with interesting crevices that are covered in soft corals and sponges. Seahorses and Ghost Pipefish can be found in the Sea Fans here see if you can spot them! Stewart Island This site offers the best swim throughs of the itinerary the walls of the dive site are also covered in sponges and colourful coral gardens, making this dive site very enchanting. 4

5 Myanmar 2018 The Deep Andaman Queen What to expect! In general we will enjoy between 2 & 4 dives a day, each one of them carefully prepared and checked beforehand, reassuring the right conditions. The day starts with a satisfying breakfast of fresh fruit juices, toast, coffee/tea and cereals to satisfy your early morning hunger. After the first dive a full breakfast is served, and in between eating and diving there will be spare time to relax on the sundeck, read a book, have a chat or check out the mornings digital photos on your laptop. Lunch is served after the second dive and usually, a quick afternoon siesta. The food-dive-food routine follows after the third dive of the day, after which you can enjoy a lazy late afternoon on the sundeck, lounging back and soaking in the wonderful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea and some snacks. Dinner is prepared after the night dive, and the food is excellent. All of the dives are lead in a 4 divers to 1 Divemaster ratio, ensuring the best and safest experience. Groups will be tailored according to air consumption and requirements (e.g. photographers) 5

6 The Vessel Myanmar The Deep Andaman Queen was built in 2012, so she s very modern. She has a cruising speed of 9 knots, and a top speed of 12 knots She is 28.5 metres long and 7 metres wide All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning All cabins have ensuite bathrooms There is a custom designed dive deck which is the pride and joy of the vessel. She can offer NITROX and a full compliment of PADI Dive courses She takes a maximum of 21 passengers and 15 crew, ensuring the highest level of safety, service and enjoyment. Spacious Quad Cabin $AU 3,990 per person Roomy Triple Cabin $AU 4,090 per person <<<Quad Triple >>> Standard Twin Cabin $AU 4,390 per person Superior Master King Suite $AU 5,190 per person <<< Std Twin Master suite >>> Upper deck Double Cabin $AU 4,790 Upper deck Superior Twin $AU 4,790 per person <<< Deluxe Dbl Deluxe Twin >>> 6

7 + Fact File Thailand Myanmar 2018 Maximum number of passengers on The Deep Andaman Queen is 21, plus 15 crew Your tour leader/ tour coordinator Gabby will organize flights, transfers, accommodation and anything else you may need We can accommodate Open Water Divers on this tour, however having your Advanced Cert will really open up the diving. You will need a SMB, whistle and Octopus (standard) Nitrox is available onboard and recommended. Nitrox for the whole tour will be approximately $AU150. Included in this price: 7 nights on Deep Andaman Queen with a/c accommodation + ensuites All airfares ex. Sydney All meals, tea/coffee and water while onboard, soft drinks are included so bring your favourite spirit All diving (normally 2-4 per day), tanks, weights Cruise director & experienced dive guides Return transfers from the airport/hotel to the boat 1 night accommodation Airport hotel Phuket Not included in this price: Myanmar Visa fees (THB 1,600, and $US200 per person, payable in cash onboard) Nitrox (THB 3,500 for the trip) Equipment rental Alcoholic drinks, Laundry, Crew tips and any onboard telecommunications 7

8 + The fine print! General Diving Rules Obviously on all dive tours, safety is our main concern. The quality of diving is guaranteed. Thailand has some of the best reef diving in the world and operating from a liveaboard will give you the chance to reach unbelievable sites, but it must be understood that being remote means potential risks. The use of a computer, octopus and SMB are mandatory. If you don t have these, let us know in advance and we will prepare them for you. There is some spare rental gear onboard, however we strongly recommend that you have your gear checked before the trip. Don t take brand new gear unless you re absolutely sure it will function adequately. Quest Tours Forster NSW Australia (Licence number: 2TA 10493) We may be flying a different combination of airlines to ensure that our connections all work on all legs of our journey. At this stage, we will be flying Thai Airways unless things dramatically change schedule wise. If you choose to book your own flights, in the event of any schedule changes we will not be responsible for any punitive charges that may be applied by other travel agents or airlines. Tour costed at $AUD 1.00 = $THB 22.3 (May, 2018) Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance at the same time as paying your deposit. SureSave, our recommended insurance provider, will cover you at the time of taking out your policy and until your tour s return date. We suggest carefully checking conditions of any other travel insurance you may be considering. Please note that DAN Insurance do not cover you for things such as flight cancellations, lost baggage or similar. They only cover you for diving related injuries. We recommend additional insurance to cover cancellations, airline changes and baggage if you wish to use DAN. 8

9 + Thailand & Myanmar 2019 Quest Tours Tour cost: from $AU 3,990 Quad Share Dates: 2 nd February 11 th February, 2019