Myanmar — known formerly as Burma — is an enigma to most Western travelers. Until very recently this relatively large, politically socialist and profoundly Buddhist country had voluntarily shut itself off from the rest of the world. Then slowly, cautiously, the doors began to open. Because entry was restricted for so long, Myanmar is still largely unspoiled by modern influences and retains much of its Old World charm. Buddhist shrines abound everywhere in this country. You will discover a people who are spiritual, compassionate and soft-spoken living in a land of both abundance and poverty. Through its arts, crafts, history, cuisine, and amazing sights, you’ll come to appreciate much about this beautiful and mysterious land. This is a special opportunity to visit an extraordinary place.
The centerpiece of our journey to Myanmar is a 3-night cruise aboard the Orient-Express ROAD TO MANDALAY. Setting the standard for today's excellence in travel, Orient-Express offers an elegant sophisticated way to explore the most remote areas of Myanmar. This is an indispensable part of our journey.

Day 1 -- BANGKOK - YANGON
Meet at the Bangkok airport early this morning for our flight to Yangon which departs at 8:00am. Take a short flight to Yangon (formerly Rangoon). Upon arrival, transfer to the elegant Strand Hotel. Following lunch at the hotel, tour the colonial-style buildings downtown, the Chinatown area, and the Indian quarter. Stop at Sule Pagoda with its golden chedi, then continue to Botathaung Pagoda, which is said to contain relics of Buddha. Experience sunset at the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the heart of Buddhist Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old, and its massive golden central stupa is surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. Dinner this evening is at Le Planteur, Yangon’s finest French restaurant.

Day 2 -- YANGON
Our morning begins at Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda with its huge, reclining Buddha. Continue to the newly renovated National Museum to view the Lion’s Throne and stop at Bogyoke Market to browse for Myanmar’s wide range of handicrafts. After a savory Burmese lunch at Green Elephant Restaurant, we visit Yangon’s unique glass factory, where skilled craftsmen create original hand-blown glassware. Dinner and overnight are at the Strand Hotel.

Day 3 -- YANGON - HEHO - INLE LAKE
Transfer to YAngon Airport for a short flight to Heho. Ride to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake and board our own local boat to our hotel, the Inle Lake View Resort. Lunch at the hotel. A photographer’s dream, the lake’s calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, while scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. During an afternoon lake cruise, look for the lake’s unique "leg rowers" —Intha people who row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State, then see traditional Myanmar handicrafts — such as silk weaving on wooden hand looms. We pass endless floating gardens, where fruit and vegetables are grown. A stop at Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery gives us the opportunity to view its famous "jumping cats". Dinner and overnight at Inle Lake View Resort.

Day 4 -- INLE LAKE
This morning, we cruise to at the village of Maing Thauk on the edge of Inle Lake. Walk through the village and continue up the hill to a stupa which affords us fantastic views over the lake and surrounding hills. Lunch today is on the lake at Ann's Place. This afternoon, we travel by boat tour to Indaing at the western end of the lake. En route, we pass through a long channel where we observe farmers cultivating their produce. Again, our dinner and accommodation are at Inle Lake View Resort.

Day 5 -- INLE LAKE - HEHO - MANDALAY - EMBARK Road To Mandalay
After a morning flight from Heho to Mandalay board the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet, opposite the beautiful pagoda-studded Sagaing Hills. After lunch on board enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay, regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to the ship stopping en-route to admire sunset over the river. Enjoy dinner and local entertainment on board in the evening. Overnight on board.

Day 6 -- SAGAING
After breakfast visit Sagaing, the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silver and silversmiths, who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. The ship gets underway mid morning for its journey south. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board, observing the fascinating local river life from the top deck. In the afternoon, your guide gives a lecture on the Myanmar way of life. Enjoy dinner and local entertainment on board during the evening.

Day 7 -- BAGAN
The ship arrives in Bagan in the morning, where over 2,000 temples and pagodas remain on the awe-inspiring plain. A guided orientation tour introduces you to the most important temples. After lunch you may rejoin the guide to visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon, your guide takes you to watch the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the plain. Dinner and local entertainment await you on board.

Day 8 -- BAGAN/YANGON
After breakfast you are transferred to Bagan airport for your onward flight to Yangon. Check back into the Strand Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own or to relax at the hotel. Dinner and overnight are at the Strand Hotel.

Day 9 -- YANGON/BANGKOK
Fly to Bangkok this morning.

THE STRAND HOTEL - 5* - Back when this place was called Rangoon, Burma, and specifically at the turn of the twentieth century, when Burma was still a part of British-run India, the Strand was the finest hotel in town. Built by the brothers responsible for Singapore’s Raffles, the Strand was an elegant colonial palace hotel, a favorite of the British contingent and a symbol of Rangoon’s now long-faded wealth. Today, after decades of decrepitude followed by a Herculean refurbishment, the Strand is back, the hotel bar providing the natural gathering place for the city’s burgeoning entrepreneurial class, and the guest rooms serving as a security blanket of Western luxury for foreign travelers on expeditions to what may be one of the last of a historically authentic and pre-industrial Southeast Asia.

 

        

   

                                

                                                                                  

 

  LAKE VIEW RESORT INLE LAKE  - 5* The Inle Lake View Resort is the only deluxe boutique hotel of international standard on the shores of Inle Lake, built on 15 acres of lush land of trees and flowers, ideally located in a picturesque area overlooking the Inle lake. Located on the western edge of the lake, the hotel offers luxury and elegance throughout. The restaurant serves some of the finest wine and cuisine to be found in Myanmar, and the spa center is beautifully designed and able to cater to the most discerning visitor.

 

ORIENT-EXPRESS ROAD TO MANDALAY

 

STATE CABIN
The largest of all cabins on the ship, the State cabins are located on A Deck and comprise twin beds, sofa and a writing desk with two panoramic windows. Dimensions 4.5m x 4.8m / 22 m2. Large window overlooking the river. Beds are two twins pushed together.

 

SUPERIOR CABIN - Decks A & B
Located on decks A and B. Superior cabins on A deck have twin beds and a panoramic window. Superior cabins on B deck have twin beds and two smaller windows. Dimensions 2.25x 4.8m / 11 m2. On A deck - large window overlooking the river or on B deck - two windows (20 cm above water). BEds are two twins pushed together.

 

SINGLE CABIN
Located on B deck, each cabin has a single berth and two small windows. Dimensions 2.25m x 4.2m / 11m2. Two windows (20 cm above water).

 

 

 

 

 

ESSENTIALS DATES October 11-19, 2008 THESE DATES ARE THE START AND FINISH OF THE TRIP IN BANGKOK AND DO NOT INCLUDE THE DEPARTURE FROM THE USA. TOUR DATES   Meet in Bangkok End in Bangkok October 2008 10/11 10/19 DEPOSIT A deposit of $750 per person is required at the time of registration. FINAL PAYMENT Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure and is payable by personal check. Credit card charges for final payment are assessed a processing fee. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS A visa is required for entry into Myanmar for American and Canadian passport holders. Your visa can be obtained upon arrival at the airport in Myanmar or obtained in advance of travel. To obtain your visa at upon arrival, Coda must submit your personal and passport information and a digitized copy of your passport to our local handling agent. Please let us know if this is how you wish to handle your visa. If you prefer to obtain your visas prior to departure, we recommend using Zierer Visa Service. To Speak directly to ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and processing may take several weeks to complete. SHOTS None required or recommended. It is recommended you have your regular vaccinations up-to-date before traveling. For further information, visit the Center For Disease Control website. INT'L AIRFARE United Airlines, Korean Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways are among airlines that can be used for this trip. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to try to use Frequent Flyer Miles for free tickets or upgrades or the American Express Platinum card 2-4-1 program. MINIMUMS All departures are guaranteed on a minimum of 2 participants. A Coda Tour Manager accompanies the tour on a minimum of 12 participants. TOUR RATES - 8 luxury hotel nights and 23 meals included October 2008 Land Price Intra-Tour Air (2 flights)** Total Per Person State cabin $5595 $400 approx $5995 Superior A cabin $4995 $400 approx $5395 Superior B cabin $4795 $400 approx $5195 Single cabin $4995 $400 approx $5395 ** Internal flights in Myanmar are included in the tour rate. Additional flights are Bangkok/Yangon/Bangkok. These flights are in economy class. INCLUDED Tour rates are per person in U.S. dollars. Most major credit cards are accepted for Tour Deposit. Final payment is payable by personal check. Final payment by credit card is assessed a processing fee. Tour Rates include accommodations as listed in the itinerary, intra-tours flights (a $600 value), entertainment, special meals, air conditioned, motor coach, van or sedan transportation, sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, local guides and drivers. Mineral water on busses and at meals. Arrival and departure transfers are included for those who purchase international air through Coda International Tours. Separate transfer costs will be charged to those who are not ticketed by Coda International Tours. Participants are required to provide Coda Tours with complete international flight details at least 2 weeks prior to the schedule tour departure date. Tour Rates include accommodations as listed in the itinerary, intra-tours flights (a $600 value), entertainment, special meals, air conditioned, motor coach, van or sedan transportation, sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, local guides and drivers. Mineral water on busses and at meals. Arrival and departure transfers are included for those who purchase international air through Coda International Tours. Separate transfer costs will be charged to those who are not ticketed by Coda Most meals are included as indicated in the itinerary. The m eal codes are: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner; R=Cocktail Reception. Participants with specific dietary requirements must inform Coda Tours at least 2 weeks prior to departure. Every effort will be made to accommodate special dietary needs where possible. Most meals taken as a group are pre-ordered. Local cuisine is given preference over Western choices. NOT INCLUDED International airfare is not included. Coda Tour will be happy to assist with business, first or coach class airfares . If you are planning to use Frequent Flyer Miles for an upgrade or free ticket, we highly recommend booking your tour at least 7 months prior to departure. Passport and visa expenses (if required). Please check our Travel Documents requirements for this trip. Always double check that your passport will remain valid for at least 6 months past your return to the U.S.and that you have sufficient empty pages in your passport to accommodate visa and entry/exit stamps. Always carry a copy of your passport packed separately from your travel documents and leave a copy with someone at home. Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance which is highly recommended to protect your travel investment in the unlikelihood you would need to cancel or return home early. We recommend Travel Insured International and will send you an application form with confirmation of your trip. You may check the rates for insurance on their website at www.travelinsured.com. We also recommend insuring any expense for airline tickets issued prior to the determination if a tour is guaranteed to operate. We cannot assume responsibility for losses incurred due to the cancellation of a tour. Gratuities to porters, waiters and hotel staff are included. Gratuities to local guides & drivers are not included. Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees (if applicable) and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant. EXTENSIONS AFTER YOU ARRIVE WEARING Light cotton fabrics are best. T-shirts, khakis, shorts, jeans and similar casual wear will be best for daytime touring. Our hotels and cruise ship (Road to Mandalay) are among of the highest international standards, so in the evening you will want to dress casual/chic for dining in the hotel & ship restaurants. A jacket is not required but is commonly seen on gentlemen aboard the ship. WEATHER The weather in Southeast Asia is generally hot and humid year round with little fluctuation. Average high temperatures in Southeast Asia generally range from 85 to 95°F (29 to 35°C) in Yangon , with high humidity throughout the year. AVERAGE TEMPERATURES AVERAGE RAINFALL     Bangkok Yangon High Oct 89 88 Low Oct 77 75 Inches Oct 9.1  8.3 EATING Your journey to Southeast Asia will include a balance of western-style menus and regional fare. Thai food is typically mild in Myanmar, but you can request more spice according to your taste.. Rice and noodles are the basis of meals in Myanmar. Water is included with meals. Some meals will be served in hotel restaurants where cleanliness is good and service is attuned to the international traveler. Some meals have been scheduled for popular local restaurants. SPENDING The official currencies for the countries visited on this tour are: Kyat (K) The local currency in Myanmar is Kyat. US Dollar bills are widely used in Myanmar and accepted almost everywhere. FEC's (Foreign Exchange Certificates) used to be compulsory but this is no longer the case and they are not really used by visitors anymore.  We recommend that you carry US dollars in small denominations for miscellaneous spending.  Please note CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN MYANMAR (including aboard the Road to Mandalay), likewise travelers checks and other currencies.The traveler must be prepared with cash upon entering. Exchanging money on the black market is illegal. RECHARGING The electrical current in the hotels in Asia is 230V 50HzHz AC. If you plan on bringing electrical devices with you, it is suggested that you bring an electrical converter with an adapter plug set, although it may not be necessary as all hotels have pre-adapted outlets for razors, as well as hairdryers/. The following adapter plugs are used on this trip. Aboard Road to Mandalay, every cabin is equipped with sockets that are suitable for 2-pin round plugs (220 volts). . A PRETTY FACE Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tour Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tour Director at the start of your tour.