MYANMAR S BEACHES 5TH JUNE 2018 BY AMEER VIRANI (MYANMAR PRODUCT MANAGER)

MYANMAR S BEACHES 5TH JUNE 2018 BY AMEER VIRANI (MYANMAR PRODUCT MANAGER)

INTRODUCTION Myanmar s Main Beach Destinations: Ngapali (Rakhine State) Ngwe Saung (Ayeyarwady Division) Mergui Archipelago (Tanintharyi Division)

NGAPALI WHAT S SO SPECIAL? Beautiful stretches of white sand beach Large sections of shallow water with no coral or rocks Very peaceful compared to other top beach destinations in Asia Stunning resorts by the sea from luxury to more basic Regularly among lists of the Top 10 Beaches in Asia

NGAPALI GETTING THERE BY PLANE (recommended) Daily flights between Yangon and Thandwe (Ngapali) until the early afternoon One flight every morning from Heho (Inle) to Thandwe (Ngapali) Thandwe Airport is around 15 mins driving from most of the hotels on the beach BY ROAD (not recommended) A 14-hour bumpy ride from Yangon!

NGAPALI OUR PREFERRED HOTELS DELUXE Sandoway Resort, Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa SUPERIOR Art of Sand, Amata Resort & Spa, Bayview The Beach Resort FIRST CLASS Thande Beach Hotel STANDARD Royal Beach Motel

NGAPALI FREQUENTLY ASKED When is the best time to go? QUESTIONS October May (many resorts are closed during the Green Season and there are very few flights) Are there dining options outside of the hotels? Yes, there are some great local restaurants on the beach itself and on the main road just behind all the hotels (easy to walk to all of these) What can we do for a bit of action? Snorkelling, diving, visit local fishermen s village, trekking, ballooning How can we get around to explore? Boat, bicycle, tuk tuk, own two feet Is it safe to go there?

NGWE SAUNG WHAT S SO SPECIAL? Stretches of clean, white sand beach Large sections of shallow water with no coral or rocks Accessible by road from Yangon Nice resorts by the sea Cheaper than our other main beach destinations

NGWE SAUNG GETTING THERE BY ROAD A 4-5 hours drive from Yangon along a relatively good road

NGWE SAUNG OUR PREFERRED HOTELS DELUXE Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort SUPERIOR Bay of Bengal Resort, Eskala

NGWE SAUNG FREQUENTLY ASKED When is the best time to go? QUESTIONS October May Are there dining options outside of the hotels? Yes, plenty that cater to the local market What can we do for a bit of action? Snorkelling, diving, visit local fishermen s village, surfing How can we get around to explore? Boat, bicycle, tuk tuk, own two feet What is the main difference between Ngwe Saung and Ngapali? Ngwe Saung is generally more crowded (especially on weekends) because it is cheaper and more popular with

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO Myeik (top of the archipelago) Kawthaung (bottom of the archipelago) WHAT S SO SPECIAL? 800+ islands, mostly uninhabited, with very few tourists it epitomizes idyllic! Stunning white beaches and perfect blue turquoise water with not a soul in sight Lots of amazing activities, including the best snorkelling in the country and kayaking through Lampi Island Marine National Park

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO GETTING THERE BY PLANE Daily flights between Yangon and Kawthaung Less frequent flights between Yangon and Myeik FROM THAILAND Easy border crossing from Ranong by boat (approx. 1 hour) When do I need to arrive in Kawthaung? Boats usually leave in the morning so clients coming from Yangon would need to fly in the night before and stay a night in Kawthaung (Victoria Cliff Resort) Clients coming from Ranong can cross the border on the morning of their trip start date

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO EXPLORING FROM MYEIK This is the cheapest option but only Day Trips from the town of Myeik are currently allowed Accommodation in the town of Myeik is very basic and the town is not especially interesting

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO EXPLORING FROM KAWTHAUNG There are two ways to explore the islands from the town of Kawthaung: 1) 2) Multi-day live aboard cruises Island resort overnight stays

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO LIVE ABOARD CRUISES (4 RECOMMENDED OPTIONS) Burma Boating 6D5N itinerary Most luxurious and expensive option From $500/person/night More focus on sailing than activities Max. capacity = 8 pax They have several different boats Pandaw 8D7N itinerary Suitable for luxury clients From $400/person/night Biggest boat around the islands max. capacity = 20 pax New itinerary 2018/19: 11D10N from Kawthaung to Yangon via Myeik, Dawei & Mawlamyine

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO LIVE ABOARD CRUISES (CONT.) Mergui Princess 6D5N itinerary Not suitable for luxury clients this is a basic converted fishing boat Lots of activities (kayaking, snorkelling) From $300/person/night Max. capacity = 16 pax Sea Gypsy 5D4N itinerary The cheapest and most basic option Very limited privacy there are no real bedrooms and two shared bathrooms for all guests Lots of activities (kayaking, snorkelling) No air-conditioning Maximum capacity = 10 pax

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO ISLAND RESORTS RECOMMENDED OPTIONS) Wa(4 Ale Island Resort (opening High Season 2018) 4D3N, 3D2N stays possible Luxury adventure resort with Treetop Villas (up to 2 pax) and Beach Villas (up to 4 pax) Lots of activities (kayaking, snorkelling, trekking) From $400/person/night (including transfers, meals, guides, alcoholic drinks) 2 hour speed boat ride to/from Kawthaung Awei Pila (opening High Season 2018) We recommend a minimum 4D3N stay Luxury Sea View & Jungle View Villas Resort surrounded by deep forest and 600m long natural bay Lots of activities (kayaking, snorkelling, trekking) From $250/person/night (including transfers, meals, guides)

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO ISLAND RESORTS (CONT.) Boulder Bay Eco Resort 3D2N, 4D3N, 7D6N stays possible 10 Bungalows that are fairly basic (we recommend Superior Bungalows) Boulder Bay itself is stunning, amazing snorkelling at various points around the island for adventurous clients From $240/person/night (including transfers, meals, guides) 100% solar-powered, on-site marine biologist 6 hour boat journey to/from Kawthaung Nyaung Oo Phee Island Resort We recommend a 3D2N stay to fully enjoy the resort Rooms range from luxury tents to Villa rooms Daily departures, good snorkelling, evening entertainment Entertainment can be loud and island can get busy during the day more suitable for younger clients on a budget From $150/person/night (including transfers, meals, guides)

MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS When is the best time to go? October May ONLY Should I call it the Mergui or Myeik Archipelago? We call it the Mergui Archipelago to avoid confusion with the town of Myeik What do all the rates include? Meals, soft drinks, guide services during activities, boat transfers Are there any Zone Fees? Yes, depending on duration of stay

THANK YOU AND WE WARMLY WELCOME YOU TO EXPLORE MYANMAR S BEACHES! EXO TRAVEL MYANMAR PRODUCT MANAGER AMEER VIRANI AMEER@EXOTRAVEL.COM

OUR NEXT WEBINAR LOCAL TOUCH IN VIETNAM THURSDAY 14 JUNE 11AM ICT / 4PM ICT