Myanmar’s tropical paradise and premiere beach resort, Ngapali Beach, is a tropical paradise of pristine sand, clear blue waters and groves of picturesque coconut palms. Over 10km of white sand beach runs along the Bay of Bengal, with a smattering of only a dozen or so resorts to create a sense of seclusion and hidden discovery. The limited development and small number of visitors means the beach never feels crowded, a dream come true for lovers of the sun, sea and sand. Besides the usual sunbathing and swimming, leisure activities include snorkeling, sailing, scenic walks and bike trips. Far away from tourist crowds, Ngapali Beach is still a truly undiscovered paradise.

 

The long beach is dotted with charming boutique style resorts built from local materials, the architecture blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. There are no high rises, no noisy roads, no booming discotheques, no jet skis and no packed rows of oiled bodies baking in the sun. The stretch of white sand, natural beauty of the blue sea, swaying palm trees and quiet privacy are guaranteed ingredients of an exquisite beach holiday.

 

Active visitors can choose between visiting the colourful local market in Thandwe (Sandoway), biking along the coast to surrounding villages, or hiring a boat to go fishing or sailing against the coastal backdrop of the Rakhine hills. An early morning’s cycle ride to the nearby fishing villages – where hordes of small fishing boats return home with the night’s catch, baskets of fish ready for the women to spread on the beach to dry in the sun, will give you an insight into the local life along with ample opportunities for photography. And as the sun drops below the horizon out over the water, gorgeous sunsets are a pleasure to watch with a cocktail or two back at the hotel’s intimate beach bar. There also are several local restaurants within walking distance where local dishes are served, in particular fresh fish and seafood. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy some of the largest, most flavorful and most affordable lobster, crab, giant prawns and a variety of ocean fish in all of Asia. All hotels also offer a choice of restaurants serving Western and Asian cuisine. In short, all the creature comforts of home are on offer, but in an environment of tranquility rarely encountered in the modern world.

 

Brief Itinerary

 Day 1: Yangon – Sittwe

Day 2: Sittwe – Mrauk U

Day 3: Mrauk U – Wethali

Day 4: Mrauk U - Sittwe – Ngapali Beach

Days 5 & 6: Ngapali Beach

Day 7: Ngapali Beach - Yangon

 

Day 1: Yangon - Sittwe                                                                                 [-/-/-]

 

After a morning pick up from your hotel in Yangon, you transfer to Yangon domestic airport for a flight to Sittwe, arriving in the afternoon. Sittwe is a former seaside capital of colonial Burma where the Rivers Kaledan and Lemro meet the grand Bay of Bengal. After enjoying a late lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the following town highlights; the Cultural Museum with an impressive wealth of cultural artifacts representing the Rakhine civilization that dates as far back as 3000 BC; the Buddhist Nunnery, a stately building hailing from bygone times; and the fascinating local fish market, at times with thousands of fish on display from the deep Bay of Bengal. We continue to the mouth of the River Kaledan where it kisses the Bay of Bengal, and stroll on the black sand beaches amidst a beautiful setting sun.

 

 

Overnight stay:          Sittwe hotel

 

 

Day 2: Sittwe – Mrauk U                                                                  [B/-/-]

 

After an early breakfast at the hotel you transfer to Sittwe jetty for the boat journey to Mrauk U. The 70km cruise upstream on the Kaledan River travels though the farming region and several small riverside communities. The travel time varies between 4-7 hours depending on boat size and river conditions. Simple packed lunches are provided on the boat. On arrival to the Mrauk U Pier half a mile south of the town’s central market, you transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you embark on a journey to the ruins of the lost Arakan Kingdom of Mrauk U, a seaport at the crossroads of ancient trading routes between the East and West. Mrauk U has inherited a rich cultural legacy, particularly the 700 enchanting temple ruins scattered over misty hills.

 

You visit the fortress-like Shite Thaung Temple, a solid structure with thick heavy walls housing some 84,000 Buddha and reputed to be modeled after Indonesia’s Borobudur. We continue to the adjacent Andaw Thein Ordination Temple, which houses a stupa believed to contain the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka by the Burmese King Mindon. On a nearby hill you find the Htukkan Thein Fortress Temple, with only one entrance, three inner chambers and small windows designed to let the rays of the dawning sunlight shine directly onto the central Buddha statue in the main vault.

 

 

Meals included:         breakfast

Overnight stay:          Mrauk U hotel

 

 

Day 3: Mrauk U - Wethali                                                                [B/-/-]

 

After breakfast, we visit the central Mrauk U market to see the typical Rakhine foods and products sold, and then drive 30min/14km to the ruins of Wethali. The ancient city of Wethali was a thriving dynasty from the 4^th to 9^th centuries, though little but overgrown bushes remain. At the Great Wethali Payagyi we admire the 17ft-high seated Buddha crafted from a single slab of sandstone, set amidst a panoramic view of quaint villages and farmland. We return to Mrauk U for lunch and later in the afternoon, visit the serene Pharaouk Temple, built in the late 1500s and with a solid stupa featuring 29 life-sized Buddha’s seated radially in its wall. Continuing to Kothaung Temple, we visit the massive temple of Mrauk U, named for the 90,000 statues it originally housed. If weather permits, we climb to the Shwegudaung Paya, the highest pagoda of Mrauk U to enjoy the captivating views of temples winking under the setting sun. 

 

 

Meals included:         breakfast

Overnight stay:          Mrauk U hotel

 

 

Day 4: Mrauk U - Sittwe – Ngapali Beach                                                   [B/-/-]

 

After an early breakfast at the hotel we take a boat ride to Sittwe. If time permits, we can visit en route an Mro ethnic minority village, known for the intricate designs of the Khami traditional dress, hand woven on a local backstrap loom. Lunch is served on board. On arrival at Sittwe, we transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Thandwe (8km from Ngapali Beach). Upon arrival at Thandwe airport, you will be welcomed by your hotel transfer rep and transferred to your hotel. 

 

 

Meals included:         breakfast

Overnight stay:          Ngapali resort           

 

Days 5 & 6: Ngapali Beach                                                               [B/-/-]

 

After breakfast at your hotel the rest of the holiday is for you to enjoy the pristine beaches of Ngapali, relaxing in the shade of palm trees by the sea. Active visitors can choose between visiting the colourful local market in Thandwe (Sandoway), biking along the coast to the surrounding villages, or hiring a boat to go fishing or sailing against the coastal backdrop of the Rakhine hills.

 

 

Meals included:         Breakfast

Overnight stay:          Ngapali resort.

 

 

Day 7: Ngapali Beach - Yangon                                           [B/-/-]

 

After breakfast at your hotel, you have free time until you transfer to Thandwe airport for your flight to Yangon.

 

 

Meals included:         Breakfast 

 

 

INCLUDED

 

•          Private tours and transfers with air-conditioned vehicles as specified in our itinerary

•          All entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary

•          Private transfers & tours with English speaking guides (language guides with supplement). In               Ngapali Beach hotels handle all transfers.

•          2 bottles of water and 2 refreshing towels per person on full day excursions

•          Lodging with breakfast as specified in the itinerary

•          Meals as specified in the itinerary

 

 

NOT INCLUDED

•          Visa to Myanmar

•          International airfares or domestic air fares

•          Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary

•          Early check-in, late check out, services and non-mentioned meals in the          itinerary

•          Drinks during meals, hotel extras and other expenditure of a personal nature

•          Travel insurance

•          Tips

  This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The ‘Price From’ quoted is for a party of 6 to 8 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

 TBA