The Magic of Cruising in Myanmar... while saving up to $3540

Happy fisherman on Inle Lake
Photo Credit: Insider Journeys, Ian Richards

The Irrawaddy River is the lifeblood of Myanmar. Experiencing its many activities from sunrise to sunset is an essential part of any trip to the country. Asia travel specialists Insider Journeys are making an Irrawaddy cruise even more attractive with a limited time offer of up to $3,540* off selected cabins on their November charters booked before 31 July 2016.

Insider Journeys are offering the chance to see Myanmar like never before, balancing days of cruising in luxury on the stunning Irrawaddy Explorer with unique insights in pre and post backstreet walking tours in Mandalay and Yangon.

Travellers have the opportunity to visit curious unknown pockets of these cities, such as the captivating market where the locals trade their wares on the railway track, dispersing whenever a train approaches, and seeing local life and the lesser known sites which give insights into aspects of culture and history visitors don't normally learn about.

There's also the chance to kayak or sunset canoe around the stilt villages and floating farms of Inle Lake and to visit community projects that are focused on supporting local communities, improving their lives and protecting the local culture.

Travelling in luxury aboard the Irrawaddy Explorer
Photo Credit: Insider Journeys

The ship embraces the ambiance of a colonial era, with highly attentive staff, exceptional customer service, luxurious amenities and modern conveniences, a rejuvenating spa and a diverse menu of regional and western cuisines.

The 12 day Treasures of Golden Burma cruise includes

-      9 nights' cruise accommodation in a Maugham Suite
-      2 nights' hotel accommodation
-      Breakfast daily, 9 lunches and 11 dinners
-      Western Cruise Director
-      Sightseeing with local English-speaking guides and entrance fees
-      Arrival and departure transfers
-      Tips and porter charges

The 20 November departure travels upstream from Yangon – Irrawaddy River Cruise – Mandalay.

The 29 November departure downstream starts Mandalay – Irrawaddy River Cruise – Yangon.

Visit www.insiderjourneys.com.au or call 1300 365 355 for bookings.

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* Save up to $3,540 in Insider Journeys' "Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off" for select cabins on the 20 November 2016 and 29 November 2016 Irrawaddy Explorer departures. Conditions apply, based on per person twin share basis only. Offer valid until 31 July 2016 or until sold out.

New in river cruising from Insider Journeys

#expeditioncruising

Insider Journeys adds 3 new river cruise ships to existing portfolio and introduces river tours to selected Small Group Journeys

Insider Journeys has launched its ‘2015-17 Asian River Cruising’ brochure with itineraries across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, India, and China. The company’s most comprehensive cruising brochure yet, the 90 page guide includes information on three new river cruise ships, the ‘Mekong Eyes’, ‘Pandaw’, and ‘RV Anawrohta’, Insider Journeys’ expanded range and its portfolio of more than 25 Asian river cruises.

As small boat specialists, Insider Journeys has introduced a new product option coupling a Small Group Journey with river cruise to serve the growing demand in the Asian river cruising market. The first such offering is its ‘Mekong & Beyond’ small group journey, which combines a complete river cruise and land tour for a 16 day two country exploration through Cambodia and Vietnam that includes 7 nights’ hotel accommodation and 8 nights’ cruising.

Additional nights cruising have also been added to the ‘Vietnam Discovery’ Small Group Journey with a night’s cruising on the Mekong as well as Halong Bay, and to the ‘Burma Revealed’ journey with two nights on the Irrawaddy.

Managing Director, Paul Hole, says Insider Journeys has combined cruise with land touring in response to passenger demand.

“Trip extensions have become very popular. In the last 12 months, Insider Journeys’ Mekong cruises have seen almost half of our passengers take the ‘Cruise Plus’ option of combining cruise and land arrangements,” says Hole.

The beautifully crafted ‘Pandaw’ ships have also been introduced into the Insider Journeys stable and their new itineraries include:

· A 15 day The Mekong: From Laos to China river cruise on the mighty upper Mekong River, from Vientiane to tropical Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan, China, with an overland side trip to Burma.

From $11,932 (AUD) per person twin share

· An 11 day Red River Vietnam river cruise on the Red River Delta cruising into Ha Long Bay. The RV Angkor Pandaw sets sail from Hanoi on a round-trip adventure that includes scenic national parks, historic villages and hilltribe communities.

From $4,618 (AUD) per person twin share

Paul Hole says Insider Journeys’ Asia River cruising portfolio has expanded rapidly over the past three years.

“We’ve continued to expand our river cruise offerings to keep up with travellers’ seemingly insatiable appetite for new experiences along Asia’s fascinating main rivers. Increasingly, passengers are discovering how river cruising throughout Asia provides a unique opportunity to gain greater access and deeper insights into a way of life that has remained relatively unchanged,” says Hole.

The small boat specialists offer cruise bookings on a range of river cruises across Asia, including the ultra-luxury of Aqua Expedition’s Aqua Mekong. River cruising itineraries are offered on the Ganges (India), the Irrawaddy (Burma), the Mekong (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) and the Yangtze (China). 

For more information and bookings, Insider Journeys’ Asia experts can be contacted on 1300 362 777 or visit www.insiderjourneys.com.au.

For great travel adventures and stories, follow the Insider Journeys team at http://www.insiderjourneys.com.au/blog, on Twitter @InsiderJourneys 

Mekong and Irrawaddy Rivers with Insider Journeys

#rivercruising

Explore the Mighty Mekong and Irrawaddy Rivers in Luxury Boutique Style for Less with Insider Journeys

Savings from $2,866 per couple

Deck of the Jahan

For the month of August, Insider Journeys is offering Mekong River cruise savings starting from $4,916* per couple for December departures aboard luxury boutique cruise vessels. Selected Burma cruises are also available for October departures at 30%^ off if booked before 31st August.

Experience a river cruise along one of Asia's major lifelines, the Mekong, combined with a few days exploring the bustling streets of exciting Saigon, visiting the famous Cu Chi Tunnels and discovering the temples of Angkor, all guided by an expert local guide.

Insider Journeys' Mekong packages start from $2,916 per person twin share cruising on Heritage Line's charming Jahan or Jayavarman through Cambodia and Vietnam for departures 3 Dec, 10 Dec and 17 December 2015.

The itinerary includes Saigon, Cai Be, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Tonle Sap Lake, and Siem Reap.

The Jahan and the Jayavarman cruise ships offer the features of a luxury boutique hotel in the form of a river cruise. All superior staterooms are situated on the main deck, with modern amenities and full-sized balconies enjoying river views. Attentive staff are on hand to take care of passengers' every need, ensuring a relaxed and luxurious experience cruising along the Mekong.

River view from a Jayavarman Superior Stateroom

With only 12 superior staterooms available on the Jahan and 14 on the Jayavarman per departure, this opportunity will not last.

The tour includes 4 nights hotel accommodation, 7 nights cruise accommodation, breakfast daily, 7 lunches, 11 dinners, transport in air-conditioned vehicles, join in touring, entrance fees, local English speaking guides, return transfers, tips and port charges. Prices inclusive of flights** are available, with departures from most Australian capital cities.

Enjoy sailing the magnificent Irrawaddy River onboard the new Anawrahta, due to be launched September 2015. With some of the largest cabins and highest crew-to-passenger ratios on the Irrawaddy, the Anawrahta offers a luxurious onboard experience for its fascinating itineraries along the Irrawaddy.

The Golden Land Voyage package includes 4 nights cruise accommodation in a deluxe cabin, breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, sightseeing with local English speaking guides and entrance fees, arrival and departure transfers, tips and port charges.

For more information and bookings, Insider Journeys' Asia experts can be contacted on 1300 362 777 or visit www.insiderjourneys.com.au.


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* For sale until 31st August 2015

^ Burma price from $3,444 per person twin share

** Flight and airfare information is available upon request