BURMA--trip planning..
May 21st, 2009, 03:39 AM
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BURMA--trip planning..
As some of you know from reading several other threads here, I am planning to visit Burma with two friends next winter. We will take the 2-week Pandaw cruise on the Irrawaddy, departing March 1. (booked separately)
I just received a quote from one of the Yangon travel agencies recommended here (Gracious Myanmar) and am a bit surprised/shocked by the price. I did ask the TA to swap the InlePrincess for the InleLake View Resort,and to get us to Mandalay at the end, so that we can continue on to Shanghai from there.
Please let me know what you think:
Day 1. 26.02.2010 Friday
Arrival Yangon, GMT guide Ko Nyi Nyi Will meet on your arrival. Overnight at Savoy Hotel.
Day 2. 27.02.2010 Saturday
Fullday sight seeing, overnight at Savoy Hotel.
Day 3. 28.02.2010 Sunday
Fullday sightseeing, overnight at Savoy Hotel.
Day 4. 01.03.2010 Monday
Early morning transfer to Chatrium Hotel meeting point for driving to Pyay.
Pandaw, your own arrangement
PANDAW CRUISE (not included)
Day 17. 15/03/2101 Monday.
Pickup by GMT guide Ko Nyi Nyi in Mandalay jetty, check in at Emerald Land Inn.
Sightseeing Mandalay's highlights.
Day 18. 16/03/2010 Tuesday
Morning flight to Heho, transfer to Inle Lake and overnight at Inle Princess Resort.
Starts with boat trip to Inle lake or half day at leisure,
Day 19. 17/03/2010 Wednesday
Sightseeing in the lake and around lake.
Day 20. 18/03/2010 Thursday
Afternoon flight to Yangon, transfer to international airport for TG flight to Bkk at 1955hrs. If time permits in between connection flight you can visit agaain Yangon City or we
can arrange day room at airport hotel.
Estimate cost
1/ 1267.00 US Dollar per person sharing Double Room
2/ 1467.00 US Dollar per person in Single Room
Price Includes
# English speaking thrughout guide
# Domestic flights ( Mandalay-Heho-Yangon )
# Transfers and land transportation with aircondition car
# Hotel accommodation with breakfast mentioned in our program
# Entrance fee as mentioned in our tour program
# Boat fee at Inle Lake
Related threads here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ll-me-more.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-lake-view.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...e-vs-savoy.cfm
Many, many thanks to everyone who has been so extraordinarily helpful so far!
I just received a quote from one of the Yangon travel agencies recommended here (Gracious Myanmar) and am a bit surprised/shocked by the price. I did ask the TA to swap the InlePrincess for the InleLake View Resort,and to get us to Mandalay at the end, so that we can continue on to Shanghai from there.
Please let me know what you think:
Day 1. 26.02.2010 Friday
Arrival Yangon, GMT guide Ko Nyi Nyi Will meet on your arrival. Overnight at Savoy Hotel.
Day 2. 27.02.2010 Saturday
Fullday sight seeing, overnight at Savoy Hotel.
Day 3. 28.02.2010 Sunday
Fullday sightseeing, overnight at Savoy Hotel.
Day 4. 01.03.2010 Monday
Early morning transfer to Chatrium Hotel meeting point for driving to Pyay.
Pandaw, your own arrangement
PANDAW CRUISE (not included)
Day 17. 15/03/2101 Monday.
Pickup by GMT guide Ko Nyi Nyi in Mandalay jetty, check in at Emerald Land Inn.
Sightseeing Mandalay's highlights.
Day 18. 16/03/2010 Tuesday
Morning flight to Heho, transfer to Inle Lake and overnight at Inle Princess Resort.
Starts with boat trip to Inle lake or half day at leisure,
Day 19. 17/03/2010 Wednesday
Sightseeing in the lake and around lake.
Day 20. 18/03/2010 Thursday
Afternoon flight to Yangon, transfer to international airport for TG flight to Bkk at 1955hrs. If time permits in between connection flight you can visit agaain Yangon City or we
can arrange day room at airport hotel.
Estimate cost
1/ 1267.00 US Dollar per person sharing Double Room
2/ 1467.00 US Dollar per person in Single Room
Price Includes
# English speaking thrughout guide
# Domestic flights ( Mandalay-Heho-Yangon )
# Transfers and land transportation with aircondition car
# Hotel accommodation with breakfast mentioned in our program
# Entrance fee as mentioned in our tour program
# Boat fee at Inle Lake
Related threads here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ll-me-more.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-lake-view.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...e-vs-savoy.cfm
Many, many thanks to everyone who has been so extraordinarily helpful so far!
May 21st, 2009, 05:02 AM
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Eks,
I think you'll find the prices are pretty much the same if you use a TA for everything. We had the same kind of quotes from at least 4 travel agents so in the end we ended up booking the hotels our self and only using the TA for the flights.
For example - your itinerary if I were to do the booking myself:
# English speaking throughout guide / About $25 - 30 per day for the whole group when needed.
# Domestic flights ( Mandalay-Heho-Yangon ) / About $75 per sector per person so the total will be $150.
# Transfers and land transportation with air condition car / The hotel at Inle can arrange this and in Mandalay and Yangon I would use a taxi - total about $50 per taxi for the 3 towns for 3 people or $17 each.
# Hotel accommodation with breakfast mentioned in our program / Savoy(rack rate) = $180 nett for an executive suite inc breakfast or $90 per person per night. Inle Princess(rack rate) = $250 for a lake view chalet or $125 per person.
# Entrance fee as mentioned in our tour program / miniscule $20 top for the whole trip.
# Boat fee at Inle Lake / the hotel will arrange a boat for you at a cost of around $25 per day for the whole boat which can seat upto 5 - 6 people.
So the total roughly would come to about $800 per person staying in the best rooms at each resort(using the expensive rack rate), I don’t know the kind of room your TA have in mind.
I think you'll find the prices are pretty much the same if you use a TA for everything. We had the same kind of quotes from at least 4 travel agents so in the end we ended up booking the hotels our self and only using the TA for the flights.
For example - your itinerary if I were to do the booking myself:
# English speaking throughout guide / About $25 - 30 per day for the whole group when needed.
# Domestic flights ( Mandalay-Heho-Yangon ) / About $75 per sector per person so the total will be $150.
# Transfers and land transportation with air condition car / The hotel at Inle can arrange this and in Mandalay and Yangon I would use a taxi - total about $50 per taxi for the 3 towns for 3 people or $17 each.
# Hotel accommodation with breakfast mentioned in our program / Savoy(rack rate) = $180 nett for an executive suite inc breakfast or $90 per person per night. Inle Princess(rack rate) = $250 for a lake view chalet or $125 per person.
# Entrance fee as mentioned in our tour program / miniscule $20 top for the whole trip.
# Boat fee at Inle Lake / the hotel will arrange a boat for you at a cost of around $25 per day for the whole boat which can seat upto 5 - 6 people.
So the total roughly would come to about $800 per person staying in the best rooms at each resort(using the expensive rack rate), I don’t know the kind of room your TA have in mind.
May 21st, 2009, 06:12 AM
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We did substantially better than the rack rates by booking our hotels through Santa Maria. They itemized everything for us so we knew where the savings were. Our airfares were also booked through Santa Maria. While we did not save anything on airfare versus booking on line, they did reconfirm all of our flights for us (important!) so we didn't have to worry about it.
Can you book Nyi Nyi without going through Gracious Myanmar?
Can you book Nyi Nyi without going through Gracious Myanmar?
May 21st, 2009, 06:39 AM
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Thanks to you both. The more I think about it, the more ridiculous that price seems--this is for 6 nights and they are giving me a total of about $4,000 for three people! Would it be out of line for me to inquire about an itemized price list?
Craig: I will contact Santa Maria and see what they offer, and if it is not substantially different, I will proceed as directed by Agent Hanuman. Do we have any guide references for that agency? (I already have one name (female guide) NOT to use..) Who is the person I should direct my e-mail to at Santa Maria?
I would like to book NyiNyi on my own, but have no contact info..
Craig: I will contact Santa Maria and see what they offer, and if it is not substantially different, I will proceed as directed by Agent Hanuman. Do we have any guide references for that agency? (I already have one name (female guide) NOT to use..) Who is the person I should direct my e-mail to at Santa Maria?
I would like to book NyiNyi on my own, but have no contact info..
May 21st, 2009, 06:47 AM
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eks - the only thing that would be out of line is overpaying. My contact at Santa Maria has moved to Singapore. Just send them a general inquiry. I would start by asking for a quote on hotel prices and then follow-up with queries on airfare, guides etc. That is the way I usually do it and it assures that I get itemized prices.
May 21st, 2009, 07:40 AM
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Eks,
Another TA for you to get a quote from for hotels and airfare but this one is in Thailand - [email protected]
The agency is Global Union and they have affiliated offices in Myanmar as well. http://www.guetravel.com/index.asp
Tell them you are a friend of Pook.
Another TA for you to get a quote from for hotels and airfare but this one is in Thailand - [email protected]
The agency is Global Union and they have affiliated offices in Myanmar as well. http://www.guetravel.com/index.asp
Tell them you are a friend of Pook.
May 21st, 2009, 09:03 AM
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Excellent! I have already sent off a request for detailed breakdown to original agent, Gracious Myanmar, as well as request for quotes from Santa Maria.
Will proceed to follow up with the two sources provided by Hanuman. Will mention "secret" alias.
Will proceed to follow up with the two sources provided by Hanuman. Will mention "secret" alias.
May 22nd, 2009, 06:33 AM
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Bamboo tower, indeed!
Anyway, I received a nice note and an itemized price breakdown from Santa Maria. For example, their Savoy Yangon rates are $95 single with breakfast; $105 dbl with breakfast. Better than the online rate. There is a difference in price of about $10 per day (I assume per person; there are three of us) depending on whether we use a saloon car (4 seater) or town car/ace (5-seater) Any thoughts on this?
Also, the original agent, Sonny at Gracious Myanmar, responded to my request for a scale-back, suggesting that I do not use the same guide in both Yangon and Inle Lake. If I use their local Inle guide, this will cut costs since NyiNyi would not have to make the trip to Heho/Inle to meet us there. Thoughts on this?
Anyway, I received a nice note and an itemized price breakdown from Santa Maria. For example, their Savoy Yangon rates are $95 single with breakfast; $105 dbl with breakfast. Better than the online rate. There is a difference in price of about $10 per day (I assume per person; there are three of us) depending on whether we use a saloon car (4 seater) or town car/ace (5-seater) Any thoughts on this?
Also, the original agent, Sonny at Gracious Myanmar, responded to my request for a scale-back, suggesting that I do not use the same guide in both Yangon and Inle Lake. If I use their local Inle guide, this will cut costs since NyiNyi would not have to make the trip to Heho/Inle to meet us there. Thoughts on this?
May 22nd, 2009, 06:55 AM
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Go with the bigger vehicle. Otherwise you may end up sitting on your luggage. Remember - you need room for the three of you plus the guide and driver.
You could always use NyiNyi in Yangon and Joyce (our guide) at Inle Lake.
You could always use NyiNyi in Yangon and Joyce (our guide) at Inle Lake.
May 22nd, 2009, 08:58 AM
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Will do as you suggest and ask for the larger car.
Using NyiNyi in Yangon and Joyce in Inle would be ideal...do you suppose I can use either of these through either of the 2 agencies I contacted? Because NyiNyi guided Gloria, who booked through Graious Myanmar, and Joyce appears to work with Santa Maria.. Are these guides generally freelancers?
Using NyiNyi in Yangon and Joyce in Inle would be ideal...do you suppose I can use either of these through either of the 2 agencies I contacted? Because NyiNyi guided Gloria, who booked through Graious Myanmar, and Joyce appears to work with Santa Maria.. Are these guides generally freelancers?
May 22nd, 2009, 11:22 AM
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Thanks, Craig! I found Joyce's full name and contact info in your trip report!
On a related subject, there is a new film about Burma that premiered in the US at Sundance; the NY Times gave it an excellent review this week:
http://festival.sundance.org/2009/fi...films/burma_vj
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/20...0burm.html?hpw
On a related subject, there is a new film about Burma that premiered in the US at Sundance; the NY Times gave it an excellent review this week:
http://festival.sundance.org/2009/fi...films/burma_vj
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/20...0burm.html?hpw
May 23rd, 2009, 01:09 AM
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I heard back from the first agent, in response to my outline. Please let me know what you think and if I left anything out. The new price is now quite a bit lower (original prices in OP) :
"Single 1163.-USD/person if Nyi Nyi not following 1095.-USD/person
Twin sharing 917.-USD/person if Nyi Nyi not following 849.-USD/person
This means One day guide Nyi Nyi in Yangon with car and driver whole day ( Day 2 on 27th Feb ),
Station guide in Mandalay and Inle lake."
The outline I provided was this; since NyiNyi was so highly recommended by Gloria, I am inclined to have him guide us for the entire trip since the price difference is not great.
(This is the plan I sent to the agent):
Airport transfers, Yangon
Savoy Hotel, Yangon--3 nights:
One single deluxe room ($140 US rack rate; excluding breakfast; including tax and service)
One double deluxe room facing pool area ($150 rack)
One day touring with guide NyiNyi in Yangon
3/15 Transfer dock to hotel in Mandalay.
1 single room; one double room at Emerald Land Inn, Mandalay. (I am going to inquire bout the Inn at Red Canal in Mandalay)
City touring in afternoon with NyiNyi.
3/16 flights to Heho; transfer to Inle Lake View Resort--two nights at Inle Lake View Resort (one single deluxe lake view room; one double deluxe lake view room).
Afternoon sightseeing.
3/17 Sightseeing in and around lake with guide; including boat rental fees and air con car/driver
3/18 Transfer to Heho airport; flight to Mandalay in time to connect with China Eastern flight #2030 departing Mandalay at 2:40pm
Did I leave out anything? Many thanks!
"Single 1163.-USD/person if Nyi Nyi not following 1095.-USD/person
Twin sharing 917.-USD/person if Nyi Nyi not following 849.-USD/person
This means One day guide Nyi Nyi in Yangon with car and driver whole day ( Day 2 on 27th Feb ),
Station guide in Mandalay and Inle lake."
The outline I provided was this; since NyiNyi was so highly recommended by Gloria, I am inclined to have him guide us for the entire trip since the price difference is not great.
(This is the plan I sent to the agent):
Airport transfers, Yangon
Savoy Hotel, Yangon--3 nights:
One single deluxe room ($140 US rack rate; excluding breakfast; including tax and service)
One double deluxe room facing pool area ($150 rack)
One day touring with guide NyiNyi in Yangon
3/15 Transfer dock to hotel in Mandalay.
1 single room; one double room at Emerald Land Inn, Mandalay. (I am going to inquire bout the Inn at Red Canal in Mandalay)
City touring in afternoon with NyiNyi.
3/16 flights to Heho; transfer to Inle Lake View Resort--two nights at Inle Lake View Resort (one single deluxe lake view room; one double deluxe lake view room).
Afternoon sightseeing.
3/17 Sightseeing in and around lake with guide; including boat rental fees and air con car/driver
3/18 Transfer to Heho airport; flight to Mandalay in time to connect with China Eastern flight #2030 departing Mandalay at 2:40pm
Did I leave out anything? Many thanks!
May 23rd, 2009, 02:35 AM
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Thanks, Craig. I will do just that. I have not heard back from Santa Maria yet, but I am sure that both agencies are very good...I am probably obsessing over minor details, as usual...
May 23rd, 2009, 06:45 AM
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As you know, I researched doing a Pandaw trip. My memory is that the Pandaw cruise includes a night or two hotel stay at the end of the trip. I was looking at a different cruise, but a two night stay in Rangoon was included. Check your cruise - you might have a night in Mandalay included at the end of your cruise.
