Treasures of Golden Myanmar
All-Gay River Cruise Tour 2017

January 30–February 10, 2017
Haimark Luxury CruisesR.V. Irrawaddy Explorer

12-day adventure starting in Yangon(Rangoon) and culminating with a 9-night luxury river cruise on the Irrawaddy River. Find yourself immersed in the history of the former British colony "Burma" and a rich culture of unique indigenous tribes. Including domestic air!

There is no better way to experience the wonder and mystery that is Myanmar that from the Irrawaddy River, and there is no better time to visit that now. As the country continues to evolve, as a result of opening its doors to the west, the opportunity to visit a country virtually frozen in time for decades creates the most unique and unforgettable journey.

From the bustling former capital of Yangon(Rangoon) filled with the excitement of what Myanmar's future holds, to the rural areas where ox carts are still the local mode of transportation – you will find no greater contrast anywhere in the world.

Find yourself immersed in the history of the former British colony "Burma" and a rich culture of unique indigenous tribes found throughout the country. Our custom designed shore excursion programs provide authentic and culturally enriching encounters.

All of this from the comfort of the most luxurious riverboat to cruise the Irrawaddy.

The Ship

Brand g Vacations has chartered Haimark's all-suite R.V. Irrawaddy Explorer. Launched in September, 2014 she is the third new vessel in their fleet. The 56-guest R.V. Irrawaddy Explorer embraces the ambience of once British Colonial Burma, whilst providing modern comforts and conveniences found only in the finest hotels of Asia. Smartly designed, this colonial-style vessel provides the ultimate in comfort, with five-star amenities.

Guests will find themselves spellbound as the mystery and intrigue of Burma unfolds before them, surrounded by the elegance and gracious hospitality aboard the Irrawaddy Explorer.

Public areas include a dinning room, fitness center, spa, bar and lounge on the Sun Deck. The ship also features a fully English-speaking staff.

Ship Specifications
Length: 188 Feet/57.3 Meters
Beam: 40 Feet/12.19 Meters
Draft: 4 Feet/1.22 Meters
Air draft: 38 Feet/11.58 Meters
Total Suites/Capacity: 28 Suites/56 Passengers

Accommodations

Accommodations aboard the Irrawaddy Explorer embody the grace and style of the British colonial era, incorporating modern conveniences and luxuries that rival the finest hotels of Asia. Spacious, well-appointed suites provide individual climate control, flat-screen television with on-demand movie system, spa quality robes, slippers and bath amenities, daily housekeeping with turndown service, fine bed linens, premium mattresses, duvets, your choice of pillows, and daily, international news.

Travel Itinerary

Day 1 - Monday, January 30, 2017
Yangon, Myanmar
Begin your exciting journey at the deluxe Sule Shangri-La Hotel conveniently located in the heart of Yangon. Upon arrival guests will have the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 2 - Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Yangon, Myanmar
Enjoy a comprehensive, full-day tour including a walk through the colonial quarter to revel at the British colonial architecture, a panoramic tour via embassy row and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi's house, lunch in a local restaurant for an introduction to Myanmar cuisine, visit to the impressive reclining Buddha and the most sacred Golden Pagoda which overlooks the city, Shwedagon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Welcome Reseption

Day 3 - Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Yangon / Prome (Pray)
Guests will enjoy a scenic drive from Yangon to Prome. Once controlled by the Mon tribe during the Bagan Era and then conquered by the Burmese King Alaungpaya in 1754, Prome boomed along with the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1890's and it is now an important trading post. In the afternoon we drive to Thayekhittaya (also known as Sri Ksetra, the "Fabulous City" in the Pali language), an ancient Pyu city that ruled in this area between the 5th and the 9th century AD. In central Prome we visit the impressive Shwesandaw Pagoda complex, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites of Myanmar, and the Wunchataung Paya (Apology Mountain Pagoda) a fabulous vantage point of the Shwesandaw Pagoda and the surrounding mountains. This afternoon we set sail for your exploration of the Irrawaddy River.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner, Welcome Reception

Day 4 - Thursday, February 2, 2017
Thayetmyo
This morning we explore the town of Thayetmyo: the oldest golf course of Myanmar with fascinating history. We then visit the local market as well as several colonial homes constructed during the British colonization of Burma.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Friday, February 3, 2017
Magwe
We arrive at Magwe this morning. Visit Myat Than Lun Paya, a 1929 built pagoda of gold solid bricks set on a hilltop with a beautiful panoramic vantage point.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Saturday, February 4, 2017
Salay & Tan Kyi Mountain
We visit Salay this morning, a village founded in the 13th century with Bagan-era shrines, beautiful 19th century teak monasteries and preserved British colonial buildings. After lunch, we continue upstream to the village of Tan Kyi. We'll reach the mountaintop by WW2 jeep where stands one of the four stupas that marked the original edges of the city and enjoy a marvelous sunset over the Bagan plains.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Sunday, February 5, 2017
Bagan
This morning enjoy a full day visit of the most significant Pagodas and Temples of the 2,000 listed around Bagan. Following lunch on board we'll set out via local Oxcart to view the sunset atop the most significant temple in the area with a champagne toast.

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Monday, February 6, 2017
Bagan / River Village
Explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, and rattan products. We'll visit a workshop to see the ancient technique of Burmese lacquerware making. Alternatively passengers can hire a horse cart or a bicycle and explore the site on their own or enjoy a splendid early morning Balloon Flight over Bagan (surcharge applied - optional). This afternoon we sail to Shwe Pyi Thar village for a leisurely walk through a typical village along the Irrawaddy River. This evening dinner, followed by a Puppet Show performance.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Yandabo
This morning we arrive at Yandabo, a picturesque village famous for its pottery, also where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. We go ashore for a walk stopping at workshops to witness their craft and interesting way of firing their pottery. Following we'll visit the local school and the monastery.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Monywa (Hpowindaung and Shwebadaung Caves)
This morning we'll depart early for Monywa to visit the Hpowindaung and Shwebadaung Caves where hundreds of Buddha Statues are placed inside niches decorated with wonderful mural paintings. After lunch, we visit the splendid Sambuddhai Kat Kyaw pagoda with its more than 500,000 Buddha images. We'll drive to Sagaing where we will rejoin the ship.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Thursday, February 9, 2017
Mingun / Ava / Amarapura
After an early breakfast visit Mingun the famous 'unfinished pagoda', and the largest working bell in the world. After lunch, we'll explore Ava by horse-cart visiting the beautiful 200 year old teak Bagaya Kyaung Monastery, Nanmyin watchtower (27mt. high) and the Me Nu Ok Kyaung monastery. We travel to Amarapura, the penultimate Burmese Royal Capital (1783) to visit U-Bein Bridge at sunset where we'll enjoy a sampan cruise and champagne toast before returning to the ship for our farewell dinner. Following dinner guests will enjoy a dance and theatre performance on-board.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

Day 12 - Friday, February 10, 2017
Central Mandalay / Disembarkation
After breakfast, visit central Mandalay: Mahamuni Pagoda and Mandalay Hill where spiraling staircases lead to sweeping views of the city and its temples. Nearby, we'll visit Kuthodaw Paya, which contains the world's biggest book, the workshops of gold leaf and tapestry making, woodcarving, marble carving and bronze casting. We'll enjoy lunch on-board before disembarking and our return flight to Yangon.

Meals included: Breakfast

Land Accommodations

Yangon, Myanmar
Sule Shangri-La Hotel
Sule Shangri-La Hotel, Yangon, sits at the kernel of Myanmar's economic capital. Blending elegance with gracious Myanmar hospitality, it is the perfect base for taking in the city's exotic and distinctive culture. With 334 spacious guest-rooms and suites which feature an extensive range of services and facilities.

The hotel presents delectable Asian and international cuisines, and has earned a reputation for excellent food, service and spectacular city views.

Cafe Sule is a newly renovated buffet restaurant that also offers a wide range of international a la carte food items to choose from. Gallery Bar is a cozy pub with great comfort food.

The Lounge and Gourmet Shop offer a delicious variety of cakes and snacks served with premium coffee. A 24-hour room service is also available daily. Summer Palace, the signature restaurant, located on the second floor serves delicious and authentic Cantonese cuisine.

12 Day Adventure

Your journey begins with a two-night stay in bustling Yangon. This is one of the best values in travel today – five star hotels and a five star ship for eleven nights of adventure.

Package includes:
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Yangon at the deluxe Sule Shangri-La Hotel (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast and full-day tour.
• 9 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom - with balcony.
• Life enriching tours and excursion.
• Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise.
• Free-flowing wine with dinner on board.
• Complimentary coffee, tea, water,local beer and soft drinks during cruise.
• Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily.
• In-room electronic safe.
• Welcome Dinner and Farewell Cocktail Party & Dinner.
• Onboard special highlights including cultural performances, educational discussion forums, theme dinners and ship tour.
• Non-smoking environment(smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck).
• All transfers with the purchase of cruise & pre/post nights.

Bangkok – 3 Night Pre-Program Extension*
January 27 - 30, 2017

Throughout Asia, Bangkok is known for its vibrant LGBT scene as well as its multi-faceted sights, attractions and city life. Royal palaces and temples as well as several museums constitute its major historical and cultural tourist attractions. Shopping and dining experiences offer a wide range of choices and prices and the city is also famous for its dynamic nightlife.

*Flight between Bangkok and Yangon, airport transfers, porterage, all applicable taxes, touring as described, daily breakfast and one lucnh.

Inle Lake - Optional Post Cruise Extension*
February 10 - 12, 2017

Complete your journey with our three-night program featuring the iconic Inle Lake, a wonderful body of water surrounded by mountains and populated by stilted villages, floating gardens, traditional fishing boats, and rich fauna and flora. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch overlooking the lake and travel by local long-tail boat to your home for 2 nights, the Villa Inle Resort & Spa. Enjoy a full-day tour by boat including a close up look at the life on the lake, visit to villages and workshops to learn of the local handicrafts such as silk and lutus weaving. Travel to Yangon for your international flight back home.

*Flight between Heho(Inle Lake) and Yangon, airport transfers, porterage, all applicable taxes, touring as described, daily breakfast, two lunches and two dinners are included.

FAQ - Preparations for the trip

Suggested Attire
Aboard the ship attire is casual and comfortable during the day, with resort-style clothing, and comfortable, but sturdy, footwear for excursions. On occasion, we will visit religious sites that may require long pants and covered shoulders. In this instance, our shipboard staff will notify you the day prior, to allow you to plan accordingly. Evening wear consists of open-neck shirts, trousers, skirt, or similar attire. Footwear is always required in all public areas, and when navigating stairs on board.

Baggage
Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. Guests are encouraged to contact individual airlines for weight limitations. All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at your own risk.

Communication
E-mail/internet is available in all public areas of the vessel, free-of-charge for passengers that bring their own WiFi-capable devices. Although the vessel does not offer direct dial calls from their suites while on board, in the event of an emergency, the Reception Desk can facilitate an international call, and associated costs will be billed to the guest's onboard account. The Irrawaddy Explorer contact information will be included in final travel documents, and may be provided as a contact number in the event of an emergency at home.

Onboard Account & Currency
The official currency on board is the US Dollar. All charges for services and products on board will be placed on the guest's shipboard account to be settled at the end of the voyage. MasterCard, Visa and US dollars are also accepted for the settlement of guest accounts.

Dietary Requirements
Our culinary team will make every effort to accommodate special dietary requests. Please inform our office at least 60 days prior to departure of these requests.

Electricity
The electrical current on board is 220V. For those items that are dual voltage, suites are outfitted with a multi-plug configuration feature. Guests should be sure to bring the appropriate converter for devices that are not dual voltage.

Fitness Centre
The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Guests may enjoy panoramic views of the Irrawaddy River while enjoying the Fitness Center, located on the Sun Deck.

Gratuities
Gratuities are a personal matter, and are a token of your appreciation for a job well done. Envelopes will be provided en-suite on the last night of your sailing. US dollars are the preferred currency; however guests may also charge gratuities on their shipboard account, which may be settled with a credit card at the end of the voyage. Suggested gratuities are $10 per person per day for shipboard staff and $6 per person per day for local expert guides and transportation providers.

Laundry Service
Twenty-four hour, professional laundry and pressing service is provided on board. Costs will be listed in each suite's directory, and charged to the guest's account. Mandalay Suite includes complimentary laundry services.

Medical Services
The Irrawaddy Explorer staff is trained in first aid, and we are never far from on-shore medical services. Guests requiring oxygen for medical reasons are welcome to bring their own equipment, as required. Guests must bring the appropriate electric converter for personal medical equipment.

Passports & Visas
A valid passport is required for all Brand g charters; your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return. Visas are necessary for all US and Canadian citizen for Myanmar. Non-US Citizens should check with their consulate on correct Visa requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and secure all required visas. Vacations can be disrupted, or altered if the correct documents cannot be supplied at airports or border crossings; please check your itinerary carefully. In the event that you lose your passport while traveling, we recommend you photocopy the first pages of your passport, airline tickets, driver's license and/or birth certificate to simplify and expedite the process of replacing lost documents. Keep the originals separate from the copies. This will make replacement easier if you lose them en route. It is also useful to carry spare passport photos. You may wish to scan your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers and email them to yourself as attachments, so you may download copies to assist in obtaining replacements.

Spa Services
The ship offers a range of spa treatments from well-trained, professional, spa staff. A menu of services is available on board, and all costs associated with spa services will be charged to the guest's account. Mandalay Suite guests will enjoy a one hour, complimentary, spa service of their choice during their voyage.

Shore Excursions
All shore excursions during your 12-night Treasures of the Golden Myanmar travel program are included in your cruise tariff. Excursions are led by expert guides, and guests are divided into three groups, guaranteeing there are never more than 19 passengers touring together. Electronic listening devices are complimentary to all guests in order to ensure that guests are able to hear their guides, even in crowded areas.

Smoking
The comfort and safety of our guests is our first priority. Smoking is not permitted in the suites or enclosed, public areas on board. There is a designated smoking area on the Sun Deck.

Visitors on Board/Security
Only guests who possess tickets for passage are allowed on board the Irrawaddy Explorer. Security services are provided on board to ensure everyone's safety throughout the journey.