Kathie

We are returning to Burma this year. We're putting off our return to Sri Lanka until next year. Both destinations are really wonderful.

cestgaston

Good choice Kathie.
Thought I let you know that there is now an afternoon flight out of Sitwe,which means that when you get out of Mrauk Oo(early morning) you don't have to spend another night there...And it is not a FAST boat...

Kathie

Thanks for that info. I was hoping we'd have to spend little time in Sittwe.

I'm putting together the pieces of the Burma trip and will contact Zaw (at Santa Maria) to actually book the flights and hotels.

Femi

I'm also now torn between the two countries though it may take a couple of years before I return. Can't I have both? So much to see, so little time, sigh.

kacollier

Kathie...on your first trip, did you use boutiquesrilanka.com? I was trying to send an itinerary (did sign up) but it showed a fee -- am I doing something wrong or have they started a downpayment to do trip planning & ideas? Although we liked ideas from Red Dot, many mixed reviews between Fodors & Trip Advisor...any other agencies anyone would like to mention or have tried (srilankanexpeditions.com or srilankaecotourism or srilankainstyle)?

Kathie

Yes, we used Boutique Sri Lanka for our first trip. I contacted them when I was thinking about going back this year, and I didn't see any fee, and I corresponded with them a bit before deciding to delay the next trip to Sri Lanka.

So, I'm not sure what you are doing that causes a fee to come up. Write to them directly. I intend to use BSL when we return to Sri Lanka, likely next year.

thursdaysd

You could try Quickshaws. They're a Lonely Planet recommendation. I tried them and got a prompt initial response, but then I dropped the ball.