Delta and Coast - All Southern Burma (Andaman Explorer)

Description

Explore all of Southern Burma with a loop round the Great Irrawaddy Delta on a Pandaw and then fly down to Kawthaung, the country’s southern most tip, to sail back up to Rangoon on the glamorous Andaman Explorer. This is a real opportunity to see these rarely visited regions that are full of cultural and scenic interest.

Trip Name

Delta and Coast - All Southern Burma (Andaman Explorer)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Passenger Capacity: 20 Lenght: 61 meters Built/Refurbished: 1963/2017 The Andaman Explorer was built as the MV Atlantic Guard in 1963 in Norway as a Norwegian coast guard vessel. She is 61 meters long with her original Rolls Royce engines. The hull is built to 'ice class' with extra thick plates and she has the power to withstand north Atlantic storms or chases out to sea. Very handy when cruising in tropical waters! She retired from coast guard duties in 1998 and was acquired by one Doctor Bogazzi, an Italian oligarch whose family owns the Carrara marble quarries. Dr Bogazzi lavished many a million on the ship, now renamed the MY Marina, completely refitting her with eleven very generous suites. Much of the ship is floored with Carrara marble, pleasantly cool under foot for those who go unshod. In recent times she has belonged to a powerful shipping family based in Dubai who maintained the ship to a very high standard. She has now arrived in Thailand and under going redecoration in the Pandaw Style so the photos of the interiors we show here are as she is now and not as she will be when we have finished with her. The Andaman Explorer really is a sixties classic. The sort of plaything associated with Onassis, Jackie Kennedy and more glamorous times. There could be no vessel more appropriate for the exploration of South-East Asia's unknown coasts. Please note: There is no credit card machine available on the Andaman Explorer due to connectivity issues. Please bring USD cash to settle your on board bill at the end of the cruise. ACCOMMODATION • 10 generously proportioned suites (9 x Double and 1 x Twin) with separate sitting room area • Private bathrooms • Carrara marble floors • Saloon • Dining room • Two teak observation decks • Kimonos and slippers • Spa-branded amenities • Unlimited mineral water • Electric mini safe • Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows • Premium mattresses • Convertible bed configuration • Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift • Mirror • Multi-configuration plugs • Generous closet space and under-bed storage • Hair dryer • Daily nightly turndown service • 24hr laundry service • Yoga mats in all cabins WINING & DINING • Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team • Personalized meal services • Daily lean & light menu options • Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices • Extensive wine list with premium wines • Welcome drink on arrival • Welcome cocktail • Farewell reception • Theme dinners • Open air lounge and bar • Indoor dining room with outside seating and air-conditioning inside • 24hrs hospitality bar ON EXCURSIONS • Two RIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) tenders • Admissions • Shoe cleaning after excursions • Bottled drinking water • We give away aluminium water bottles • Cold towel service after excursions • Refreshing drink following excursions • Private guide and transportation for all excursions SAFETY & SECURITY • All on-board crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards • Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas • Firefighting system in all ship areas • Expert marine superintendent • 24 hrs watch on duty • 61 metres long • Original Rolls Royce engines • Ice class hull

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1 RANGOON

Embark in Rangoon for lunch and set sail in afternoon down the Rangoon River and out to sea for the 90nm crossing to Moulmein (Mawlamyaing).

Day 2 - DAY 2 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.

Day 3 - DAY 3 CRUISING

Cruising all day with an island stop to swim and explore ashore.

Day 4 - DAY 4 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.

Day 5 - DAY 5 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.

Day 6 - DAY 6 LUN LUN ISLAND

Morning visit Port Maria in Lun Lun Island. This populated island is Karen and the KNU flag flies above each door and the local government is run by the KNU not Yangon. The Baptist Karens are very welcoming and keen to show their church. We also explore by tender or kayak the system of bays and creeks reaching inland from Port Maia. Afternoon sail to Bailey Island for spectacular snorkelling or swimming in this most lovely of bays.

Day 7 - DAY 7 CRUISING THE ARCHIPELAGO

A day cruising through the Archipelago with a stop to swim and snorkel.

Day 8 - DAY 8 TANN SHEY ISLAND

Visit Tann Shey Island, forming the main part of Lampi marine national park, and explore the mangroves by kayak where you may see wild monkeys.

Day 9 - DAY 9 PHI LAR ISLAND

Sail the Loughborough Passage where dolphin sightings are common and stop to visit a Mokkein sea gypsy village on Phi Lar Island. This is a great place to buy giant lobsters that we serve fresh at dinner.

Day 10 - DAY 10 COXCOMBE ISLAND

Moor off Coxcombe Island to explore the secret lagoon, timing and entry, by swimming or by kayak, depend on a low tide. Continue to Kawthaung, entry here depends on a mid to high tide but hopefully allowing an afternoon or evening walk about this bustling port city.

Day 11 - DAY 11 KAWTHAUNG

Disembark at Kawthaung and transfer to Kawthaung Airport for domestic flights Rangoon and transfer to your delta ship. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 12 - DAY 12 RANGOON TO PYAPON

Early morning departure from Rangoon via the Twante Canal stopping at Twante to view the potteries and on to Pyapon (64miles) a delightful delta town and seaport with lively docks and markets.

Day 13 - DAY 13 PYAPON TO BOGALE

Bogale is at the heart of the delta and once a Mon capital and trading port connected to international trading routes between the 15th and 18th centuries. We hope to visit the Mein Ma Hla Kyun Wildlife Reserve, an island of just under one hundred square miles classified as a mangrove eco system reserve and home to salt water crocodiles.

Day 14 - DAY 14 BOGALE TO MYAUNGMYA

This will be the most fascinating day’s sailing as we weave through creeks and channels cross-country across the heart of the delta. We will stop for a walk about in a suitable village.

Day 15 - DAY 15 MYAUNGMYA TO BASSEIN

Morning cruise across the final section of delta to join the great Bassein River that takes us up to Bassein, the capital of the delta and an important seaport too. Of interest here are the traditional umbrella manufacturies, where the typical monk’s waxed cloth umbrellas are made. On foot we will explore the town, its shrines and vibrant markets.

Day 16 - DAY 16 BASSEIN

Day 17 - DAY 17 BASSEIN TO WAKEMA

Noon departure with lunch to follow, taking the more usual upper delta route of the old IFC ‘launch service’ between Rangoon and Bassein. Evening exploration of this attractive river port.

Day 18 - DAY 18 WAKEMA TO MAUBIN

On these busier channels there will be a variety of shipping whilst the riverbanks team with life and activity. Maubin is a very pleasant place to enjoy a sunset walk along its colourful strand.

Day 19 - DAY 19 MAUBIN TO RANGOON

Morning run crossing the Twante Canal and home to the Rangoon River and our berth in colonial downtown and disembarkation between 12 and 12.30 pm (lunch excluded).

Day 20 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Anchor off Mergui (Myeik) for a full day exploring the many architectural marvels of this old British port town.
Visit Tann Shey Island, forming the main part of Lampi marine national park, and explore the mangroves by kayak where you may see wild monkeys.
Sail the Loughborough Passage where dolphin sightings are common and stop to visit a Mokkein sea gypsy village on Phi Lar Island.