Burma Coastal Voyage

Explore Myanmar’s barely visited Mergui Archipelago aboard Pandaw Cruises classic motor yacht, the MY Explorer.

Burma’s Mergui Archipelago with its 800 islands is one of those areas that remain almost totally unvisited by foreigners and the bulk of the archipelago has remained effectively unvisited since colonial times.

There could be no more romantic way to explore this little known region of southern Burma than on board Pandaw Cruises new classic motor yacht, the MY Andaman Explorer.

This 10 night cruise is longer than the Mergui Explorer cruise with Pandaw and either begins or ends in Yangon.

The voyage includes exciting stops at the old coastal ports of Moulmein, Mergui and Tavoy. In addition, several little known islands will be visited, with opportunities to snorkel or kayak up rivers into the mangrove forests.

Visit islands with communities of Baptist Karens loyal to the KNU, others inhabited by Mokkein sea gypsies who speak a strange sort of Malay.

But the majority of islands are totally deserted with pristine white beaches, coral and diverse bird and sea life, not to mention the odd reptile like giant monitor lizards.

Please Note:

The voyage plan is very much a rough sketch and subject to daily changes depending on weather, pilot’s instructions and local permissions, so bear in mind that things can change at short notice on an expeditionary journey such as this.

The ship carries two Zodiac tenders allowing unscheduled expeditions to islands, beaches and into the coastal ports.

Passengers will be required to climb in and out of Zodiac type tenders and up and down steep steps so must be reasonably fit and mobile.

Day 1: Fly UK to Yangon

Overnight flight from the UK to Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon

On arrival in Yangon you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

There will be the chance to add a half-day tour in Yangon to see the Shwedagon Pagoda and more should you wish.

Overnight Yangon. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Yangon

Transfer to the MY Andaman Explorer for embarkation.

Enjoy lunch on board and set sail in the afternoon down the Rangoon River and out to sea for the 90 nautical mile crossing to Moulmein (Mawlamyaing).

Overnight on board. All Meals included.

Day 4: Thanbyuzayat

Moor in the estuary at Kaikkame and transfer ashore to travel by car to Thanbyuzayat to visit the war graves there and then on to Moulmein for lunch and the day exploring this important colonial outpost that was annexed by the British in 1824.

Visit old colonial churches and a splendid wood-carved royal monastery on the hill.

Overnight on board. All Meals included.

Day 5: Cruising

Spend the day cruising, with an island stop to swim and explore ashore.

Overnight on board. All Meals included.

Day 6: Tavoy (Dawei Creek)

Anchor in the mouth of the Tavoy (Dawei) creek and continue to visit this little known but once important town by tender.

Overnight on board. All Meals included.

Day 7: Myeik

Anchor off Mergui (Myeik) for a full day exploring the many architectural marvels of this old British port town.

Visit the house of the author Maurice Collis which is in fact on the site of the house of Siamese White, the 17th century English pirate who came to be governor of the province for the King of Siam.

Overnight on board. All Meals included.

Pandaw Club Members

Cruised with Pandaw before?

Then make sure you sign up as a Pandaw Club Member with us to receive further discounts and benefits on your next Pandaw Cruise holiday with Jasmine Holidays.

Benefits include:

• Exclusive Members Club Cruise Discount
• Unlimited in-house wine package worth up to $220
• Free Laundry Service worth $50
• Pre-post Expedition Discount

Remember that we guarantee a better price than booking direct and your holiday can be completely tailor made and will always be ATOL Protected if your holiday is flight inclusive.

Is this a Private Tour or a Group Tour?

All of our tours are private tailor made itineraries, customised for you - we can amend things to entirely suit you around the cruise itinerary.

You will have your own private car, driver and guide on any additional excursions you choose to do before or after the cruise.

All shore excursions are done on a group basis with other cruise passengers.

What are the departure dates?

Let us know your preferred dates of travel and we will find the best and most suitable flights to fit your itinerary.

We will organise dates around departure dates with Pandaw Cruises.

Which Airlines do you use?

We work with all the major airlines flying to this part of the world.

Typically for Burma, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines and Emirates would be airlines we would often use.

However, just let us know your preferred airline if you have one. We can organise flights from any regional destination in the UK.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Myanmar currently.

Which Hotels do you use?

We're careful with our choice of hotels, but we're guided by our customers also. If you have some preferred hotels, just let us know.

We specialise in boutique hotels and so we will often suggest some of our favourite smaller hotels where we think these will be suitable.

We keep on top of hotel developments in Burma from our office in South East Asia and regularly inspect the hotels we use.

Do you cater for Solo Travellers?

Yes, we have many solo travellers and Burma is a very safe, friendly and welcoming destination for those travelling alone.

River cruises in Burma are a popular option for solo travellers, especially with Pandaw Cruises who offer no Single Supplements on many departures.