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Mingalaba
(warm greeting from Tai Star Travels),
Since the last issue of the newsletter, we have a few updates on new travel services & travel ideas in Myanmar. New travel services feature from hot air balloon safari in Shan States, snowshoe hiking trip in Myanmar Himalayas to upcoming & new luxury cruises on the mighty Ayeyerrwaddy River.
We participated in PATA Exchange for the first time on the 16th March 2009 in London. We were very delighted to meet buyers from the UK, to introduce and to share the updates on travel services in Myanmar. We are continuously looking for and developing more environmentally friendly and sustainable travel ideas that benefit the local communities (member of the public) directly.
We also have lots of special offers and discounts on selected itineraries.
Tourism truly benefits the member of the public in Myanmar in many ways, so visitors to Myanmar make direct contribution to the local communities.
Tai Star Travels Team
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Click here for the full brochure
We have been updating our existing travel services as well as exploring the new ones. Here are some of the highlights from last few months.
(Snowshoe hiking, Mountain trekking & Himalayan Safari)
Our product team went on a F.A.M trip to MaDoi (at 14000 ft above sea level) in Myanmar Himalayas. It is a 16night 17day expedition featuring many activities in one single package, such as camping, village, jungle & mountain trekking from sub tropical region to snow capped mountains of the Himalayas, fishing, jungle safari and snowshoe hiking. The team has thoroughly enjoyed snowshoe hiking in the snowfields of Ma Doi.
Myanmar Himalayan peaks get snow until late April before it all melts from mid May followed by wet season (raining season) until it enters the open season in late September. See our website for Myanmar Himalaya itineraries short and long treks, safaris, expeditions and other special interests activities.
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It is one of the most colourful festivals in Myanmar, held at a Naga Villages on the 14th and 15th of January every year. The venue for Naga New Year festival is different from year to year. At the festival, Naga from both India and Myanmar gather at one place, exchange news, participate in sport competitions, showcasing exotic costumes of many different Naga sub-tribes, etc... It is a unique cultural display with truly magical ambience.
The trip includes many different modes of transports and optional excursions to surrounding Naga Villages through mountains. The festival also gives great unique opportunities for enthusiastic photographers to capture one of the most amazing images of people, culture, celebration, daily life and the festival itself.
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2 in 1 festival package of 2010 - Naga & Ma Naw Festivals trips
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In 2010, Naga New Year Festival is to be held in Nam Yun (a Naga Village) close to Myitkyinar (the capital of Kachin States). Myitkyinar hosts Ma Naw Festival in commemoration of Kachin State Day on 10th and 11th of January each year. The Naga New Year 2010 trip will include the option of going to both Naga New Year Festival and Ma Naw Festival in one trip.
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New travel services include Balloon Safaris in Shan States & beautiful Shan plateau, new river cruise services but with the same Pan daw Ship.
Balloon safari has arrived in Shan States
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The original Balloon Over Bagan has now extended its balloon safaris to Shan States (Pindayah, In Le Lake and surroundings). So, you can now view the beautiful, breath taking panoramic Shan Plateau as well as the ancient city of Bagan from bird's eye view and to take amazingly wonderful travel experience home.
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Ayravata, a new cruise line, is now operating short cruises between Mandalay and Bagan. It also operates between Royal cities: Mandalay, Kyawk Myaung - Mingun - Ava - Amarapura - Yandabo and Bagan. Long exploratory cruises are also operated along the Chin Dwin River (9night 10day) and the mighty Ayeyerwaddy (Irrawaddy) River up until its upper reach (near Bhamaw). These cruises with on shore excursions enable travellers to explore the other Myanmar which would normally be not possible when travelling via land or air and the usual tourist routes. The boutique luxurious vessels used are the historic RV Pandaw built by Yarrow & Co in Scotland in 1947 and the RV Paukan newly built in Yangon in 2007 and the latter even has a cinema on board.
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Here are some destinations, travel information, travel services and some good-to-knows.
Highlight destination of the month: Mrauk Oo
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Mrauk is in Rakhaing State in Western Myanmar. It is the ancient capital of Rakhaing kingdom which used to serve as a free port trading with the Asia, Middle East, Portugal, Spain and Holland. It was claimed to be one of the richest cities in Asia in 16th century. Mrauk Oo is intersected by several canals which are also the main source of transportation. Like in Bagan, Mrauk Oo has many ancient temples but smaller in size and scope. The remains of two earlier dynasties Dhanyawady (1st - 6th Century AD) & Wethali (3rd to 10th Century A.D.) can also be seen in the area. The other main attraction in Mrauk Oo is some local women with tattooed face.
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Visitors can enter or leave Myanmar via its border ports to or from mainland Myanmar. In addition to Myanmar visitor visa, additional travel permit to travel via frontier area is required, which can be arranged by a local tour operator or travel agent.
Crossing Myanmar borders overland not only save time and expenses it also gives unique opportunities to see more of Myanmar & its frontier area and to experience the diversity from people and culture to nature and geography.
Favourite border crossing points are:
• Tachileik - Me Sai between Myanmar & Northern Thailand.
• Kawthaung - Ranong between Myanmar and South of Thailand.
• Mu Se - Jegao (leading to Kumming or other part of China)
Click here for more details.
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Mergui Archipelago & Myanmar Andaman Resorts
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Pristine tropical island of Myanmar Andaman Resorts and rich marine with great biodiversity and great nature of Mergui Archipelago have a lot to offer to visitors from ultimate relaxation to many different adventure activities ranging from hill, beach & island trekking, sea & island river kayaking and cave diving to world class scuba diving. April/ May is one of the best seasons to visit the area before monsoon arrives in June. See more details of the suggested itineraries & services available here.
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Upcoming Festival in Myanmar
Buddha's Birthday on the full moon day of Kason
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It is the day of Buddha's Enlighten & the day he enter the Nirvana. It is celebrated on the 19th of May (this year) throughout the country. The celebration features the watering of sacred banyan tree. One of the recommended places to see the processions and celebrations of this event are Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda and Mandalay Maha Muni Images.
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Shite-thaung Pagoda Festival
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It is a 8 day ceremony from 19th to 26th of May. The festival is held on 3rd full moon day at Shite-thaung Pagoda in Mrauk U, Rakhine State. In addition to market stalls and evening entertainment in any other Myanmar pagoda festivals, it also showcases traditional boxing show and boat races and water spaying in Mrauk U canals.
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Special Offers (valid until 31st May)
10% off on Myanmar Himalaya Tours
10% off on Mergui Archipelago Trips
10% off on Balloon over Bagan ticket
15% off River cruises
25% great saving on group bookings of 4 or more
15% discounts on upgrading to Luxury River Cruising between Mandalay and Bagan with your Classic Myanmar Tour packages.
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