Terra Nova Travel

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NTBG Myanmar & Thailand

Botanical and Cultural Tour November 3-21, 2004

Flower Southeast Asia harbors an incredible biological diversity that includes more than 10,000 flowering plants, 2,500 tree species, and 1,300 orchid species, 7-10% of which are said to be endemic. For centuries, these fertile lands with strategic ports and precious resources have attracted traders and travelers from afar, nurturing a cultural diversity, religious art and heritage equally as great.

In collaboration with Christina Wilson and Terra Nova Travel, LLC, KarmaQuest has specially designed this trip for the National Tropical Botanical Garden Board (NTBG) Trustees, Fellows and Friends to experience a grand tour of some of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious botanical gardens and natural landscapes, world heritage cultural sites, and architectural wonders.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

November 3 Day 1 Wed. Depart from US or on independent flight schedule.

November 4 Day 2 Thu. Arrive in Bangkok. Transfer to Peninsula Hotel.

November 5 Day 3 Fri. Bangkok.

After a leisurely morning at this lovely riverside hotel, we’ll float through Bangkok’s interior canals where farmers and fishing communities still live at water’s edge. The afternoon is free to rest, shop for Bangkok bargains, enjoy a Thai massage or explore on your own. Overnight at the Peninsula Hotel. (B)

November 6 Day 4 Sat. Bangkok-Nong Nooch Gardens

This morning we’ll head to Nong Nooch Gardens, near Pattaya and the coast (two hours drive) for a specially guided tour amidst some of the world’s best displays of Palms, Cycads, and expansive gardens of Euphorbias, Orchids, Bromeliads, and some of Southeast Asia’s rarest plants. Return to Bangkok, overnight at the Peninsula Hotel. (B/L)

November 7 Day 5 Sun. Bangkok-Ayuthaya

Today’s explorations take us to the ancient capital city of Ayuthaya, from where Thailand’s historic kings reigned for 400 years. Now a World Heritage site, its splendid carved stone structures rest in ruins reminiscent of Cambodia’s Angkor. We’ll travel to Ayuthaya by coach and return by boat on the scenic Chao Phraya River. Lunch is served on board. Overnight at the Peninsula Hotel. (B/L)

November 8 Day 6 Mon. Bangkok to Chiang Mai

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly north to Chiang Mai. After lunch, relax in the lush gardens of the Four Seasons Resort, set amidst terraced rice fields of northern Thailand; or stroll to a nearby orchid garden. Overnight at Four Seasons Resort. (B)

November 9 Day 7 Tue. Chiang Ma

Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, named in honor of Thailand’s Queen, has been established to preserve Thailand’s green heritage. We’ll tour the royal gardens, housing 500 terrestrial and epiphytic species, addressed by the resident botanist. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in Chiang Mai. Overnight at Four Seasons Resort. (B/L/D)

November 10 Day 8 Wed. Chiang Mai to Yangon, via Bangkok

Departing Chiang Mai, we’ll fly to Bangkok and transit to Yangon (Rangoon), capital city of Myanmar. Arrive in the evening, and transfer to the Pansea Hotel. (B)

November 11 Day 9 Thu. Sightseeing in Yangon

Join the devout on a visit to the unforgettable Shwedagon Pagoda, arguably the world’s most impressive golden stupa, ringed with spires and temples, and set high above Yangon. Visit a colossal reclining Buddha, and the beautiful Kandawgyi Lake. A special talk on plants of Myanmar will be presented. Overnight at Pansea Hotel. (B)

November 12 Day 10 Fri. Yangon-Bagan

Today we’ll fly to Bagan, and a drive through the countryside to Mt. Popa, a natural reserve and spiritual abode of the all-powerful Nats. On the way, we’ll visit a toddy palm juice production plant. We’ll spend the afternoon walking in the forest, and bird watching from Mt. Popa, with its panoramic view of the lowland tropical region. Overnight at the Popa Mountain Resort. (B)

November 13 Day 11 Sat. Aboard the Orient Express, Bagan

Sunset This morning, we’ll drive to Bagan and check into the showpiece Orient Express cruise ship, our home for the next four nights. After a welcome lunch on board, we’ll visit Bagan’s ancient temples: Ananda Pagoda considered a masterpiece of Mon architecture, and the Gubyaukgyi Temple, with its fine frescoes. We’ll watch the sunset – an unforgettable moment, with sky ablaze with color and the outlines of stupas dotting the horizon – from one of the temple roofs. We’ll return to the ship for dinner and entertainment on board. Overnight on the Orient Express. (B,L,D)

November 14 Day 12 Sun. Aboard the Orient Express, Bagan & Up the Irrawaddy River

Boatman After breakfast, we’ll return to Bagan’s shores to tour the highest, biggest and most important temples including the Htilominlo Temple and the Schwezigon Pagoda. Mid-morning, we’ll return to the Orient Express and set off up-river. From on board, in a deluxe setting, we’ll watch the river life glide by. Activities on board include demonstrations of longyi tying (the Burmese women’s dress) and lectures. Dinner and overnight on board the Orient Express. (B,L,D)

November 15 Day 13 Mon. Aboard the Orient Express, Up the Irrawaddy River

Enjoy the morning on board as the ship cruises towards Mandalay. After lunch, arrive at the quaint village of Shwe Kyet Yet and disembark for a guided tour, visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and the Shwe Nandaw Monastery. Return to the ship via the U Bein Bridge, a 1.2km long teak bridge. Enjoy a relaxed dinner and local entertainment on board. Overnight on the Orient Express. (B,L,D)

November 16 Day 14 Tue. Aboard the Orient Express, Mandalay

Today we’ll travel by road and local river vessel to Mingun, home of a gigantic ringing bell and the remains of a lovely ancient brick pagoda. Ferries, teak and bamboo rafts, paddle steamers and numerous small boats ply these waters. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Sagaing Hills and enjoy views of the countryside from this hilltop vantage. We’ll return to the Orient Express for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

November 17 Day 15 Wed. Mandalay

Fountain After breakfast, we’ll say farewell to the Orient Express and transfer to the Sedona Hotel in Mandalay. Today’s outing takes us by road to Kandawgyi National Garden (previously called “Maymyo”), named for British Colonel May who patterned the gardens after Kew Gardens in 1915. The nearly 440 acre garden is planted with 67 species of exotic hardwoods, 75 species of bamboo, 133 species of orchids and 410 species of plants used in the production of traditional herbal medicines. Overnight at the Sedona Hotel. (B)

November 18 Day 16 Thu. Mandalay-Inle Lake

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for a short flight to Heho and a drive to Inle Lake. Inle Lake (11 km in width by 22 km in length), at 875 meters above sea level, is part of Myanmar’s Shan State. Our hotel lies at lake’s edge, like everything on Inle. Here local people live in houses on stilts over the water, travel by dug-out wooden boats, and even farm their food and cut-flowers on floating rows of bio-mass. We’ll travel by longboat to see scenes of this fascinating lifestyle. Overnight at the Inle Lake View Resort. (B,D)

November 19 Day 17 Fri. Inle Lake

After a restful sleep to the sound of lapping lake-water, we’ll embark by boat for a tour of the lake, beginning with a visit to the 16th century pagodas of Indein. We can’t miss the famous ‘jumping cats’ monastery, where Buddhist monks entertain visitors with their trained jumping cats; the Phaungdaw U Pagoda; and a silk weaving factory. We’ll bid farewell to Myanmar with a special dinner celebration. Overnight at the Inle Lake View Resort. (B,D)

November 20 Day 18. Sat Heho-Yangon-Bangkok

From Inle Lake, we’ll drive back to Heho airport, and fly to Yangon. Time permitting (depending upon flight times), we’ll take a last tour of Yangon. We’ll fly to Bangkok and overnight at the Amari Airport Hotel, convenient for early morning departures or onward travels the following day. (B)

November 21 Day 19 Sun Bangkok-Travel to US

Rise early for your homeward flight.

Pricing: Call Terra Nova Travel at 800-267-8002 or for current information.

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