The adventure Cruise and excursions in Mergui Archipelago & Myanmar Andaman Islands
(5night 6day Adventure Cruise)
Join in the annual ritual ceremony of the celebration of Mokan/ Salone, nomadic sea gypsies. Discover their culture and their way of life.
Explore the untouched world, amazingly rich marine life, incredible biodiversity and paradise desert islands in some of the 800 or more islands in Mergui Archipelago.
Enjoy island hopping on a live-aboard cruise, jungle trekking, wild life watching, sport fishing, sea kayaking, swimming and snorkeling in the clear blue water!
Liveaboard adventure with onboard and local home stay in a sea gyspy village of Makyonegalet in Mergui Archipelago!
| Duration: | 5nights 6days |
| Coverage: | Kawthaung – Tha Yae Island – 115 Island – Nyaung Wee Island – Bo Cho Island (Makyone Galet where held Salone Festival) – 254 Beach – 256 Island – 60 Island – Ko Phawt – Nga Man Island – Bo Ywe Island – Kyun Phila Island – Myauk Nee Island – Kawthaung |
| Accommodation: | on board a live-aboard diving boat |
| Meal: | Full board meal, water and soft drink on board as per itinerary |
| Best time to go: | October to April |
| Getting to the yacht: | Kawthaung in MYANMAR, transfers can also be arrange for the arrival and departure in Ranong (hotel, jetty, airport) in THAILAND. |
Fleet
Mergui Princess
MV Mergui Princess Cruise is an 80 feet long, fast and comfortable wooden boat. It was built in Myeik and Kawthaung in Myanmar, designed for adventure cruises in Myanmar Andaman Sea. I can accommodate up to 16 guests and 5 crew.
Cabins & Quarters
- Three airconditioned master/ family bedrooms with shower and toilet.
- Two airconditioned king sized bedrooms
- Three airconditioned twin rooms
- Three separate toilets and showers.
- Dinning room
- Sitting area
- Sundeck
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Kawthaung – Thay Yae Island
Day 2: Tha Yae Island – 115 Island – Nyaung Wee Island – Bo Cho Island
Day 3: Makyone Galet Village (Salone Ritual Ceremony)
Day 4: 254 Beach – 60 Island – Ko Phawt Island
Day 5: Nga Man Island – Bo Ywe Island – Kyun Phila – Myauk Ni Island
Day 6: Myauk Ni Island – Kawthaung
NOTE:
We reserves the right to change the itineraries (rearranging the order of the tour programs, to cancel or substitute places to visit) at any time without prior notice depending on the weather, operational and local conditions. Customers are liable to pay for all the supplementary and extra costs that may occur due to these changes. Please also ensure your travel insurance covers for the extra costs incurred due to unforeseen circumstances.
Contact us for special offers, tailor made requirements, accommodation options, pre and post sailing travel services, extensions, transfer to and from boat for arrival and departure in Kawthaung (Myanmar) or Ranong (Thailand), and zone specific on-arrival-visa that is valid for travel only in Kawthaung and Mergui Archipelago area.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kawthaung – Thay Yae Island
Our service starts from Myoma Jetty in Kawthaung. Arrival in Kawthaung, embark on Mergui Princess. Leave for Thay Yae Island. There is a range of activities on offer such as kayaking around mangrove forest, sunbathing on the beach, camping and overnight on board nearby. Enjoy the dinner and overnight on board. (_, L, D)
Day 2: Tha Yae Island – 115 Island – Nyaung Wee Island – Bo Cho Island
After the breakfast on board, continue to 115 Island. Arrived at 115 island and then free at leisure to explore the beauties of the virgin island. Activities on offer include sea kayaking around the island, snorkelling, fishing, jungle trekking, swimming and sun bathing on the beach. Continue to Nyaung Wee island and then head back Mykone Galet Village on Bo Cho Island. Enjoy the lunch on board. After lunch, you can enjoy sea kayaking around the island, snorkelling, fishing and sun bathing on the beach. Dinner and overnight at Mykone Galet Village. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Makyone Galet Village (Salone Ritual Ceremony)
After breakfast, you can observe and or participate in Salone (Mokan) traditional races in swimming, diving, rowing and running. Food and drinks offering ceremony to the festival comers will also be held. Salon ritual ceremony will be held at night. The Salon people worship two spirit gods, the good and the evil. Shamanism is the main element during the spiritual ceremony. The devotional offerings at the ceremony include pop corns, wild boar, alcoholic drinks, honey, betel and flesh and blood of ducks, chickens and turtles. After the offering, Shaman recites and calls upon the Salone spirit to receive offering and worship. The Salone people used to sing at the ritual ceremony and play the drums made from monitor lizard skin. They are remarkably talented and could sing a song at hand to the scenes, happenings and fact they see. Nowadays they play the modern studio music song, folk singing and a traditional Salone feast. The ceremony will be closed by happily singing and dancing with local sea gypsies. Dinner and overnight at Ma Kyone Galet. (B, L, D)
Day 4: 254 Beach – 60 Island – Ko Phawt Island
After breakfast embark on the long tail boat and leave for 254 Island (Lampi Island) which is small but with its white sand and semi-circle shape of the beach, it is one of the most popular among tourists. It is the most beautiful area with full of coral reefs in Lampi Island and various kind of fish species can be found while snorkelling. Lunch on board and then continue to 60 Island where you can enjoy swimming. Then proceed to Ko Phawt Island where you can enjoy snorkelling and kayaking around the island. Dinner and overnight on board. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Nga Man Island – Bo Ywe Island – Kyun Phila – Myauk Ni Island
After breakfast leave for Nga Mann Kyunn which has beautiful hard and soft corals as well as Nurse Sharks. There is an underwater cave where many different kinds of fishes can be seen. Then proceed to Bo Ywe Island where you can enjoy snorkelling. Lunch on board. Continue to Kyun Phila Island (Great Swinton) which is one of the most popular and beautiful islands in Mergui Archipelago where you can enjoy activities like swimming, fishing and sun bathing on the beach. Proceed to Myauk Ni Island. Dinner & overnight on board nearby Myauk Ni Island. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Myauk Ni Island – Kawthaung
After breakfast, enjoy the activities of your interest such as sea kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. Lunch on board. Head back to Kawthaung. Arrival at Myoma Jetty in Kawthaung. End of our service. Overnight in Kawthaung. (B, L, D)
NOTE:
We reserves the right to change the itineraries (rearranging the order of the tour programs, to cancel or substitute places to visit) at any time without prior notice depending on the weather, operational and local conditions. Customers are liable to pay for all the supplementary and extra costs that may occur due to these changes. Please also ensure your travel insurance covers for the extra costs incurred due to unforeseen circumstances.
Contact us for special offers, tailor made requirements, accommodation options, pre and post sailing travel services, extensions, transfer to and from boat for arrival and departure in Kawthaung (Myanmar) or Ranong (Thailand), and zone specific on-arrival-visa that is valid for travel only in Kawthaung and Mergui Archipelago area.
| Sailing Dates | Price (US$) per person |
| Date for February 2016 to be confirmed | US$ 1080 |
* The above price is for the Salone Ritual Ceremony Tour on a live-aboard cruise boat in February 2015, based on a twin shared cabin. This price is subject to changes for the tour in February 2016, we will update it as soon as the price for 2016 becomes available. Contact us for more details.
Private chartered rates
| Private Charter Rates | 1 – 8 PAX Price (US$) per day |
9 – 16 PAX Price (US$) per day |
| MV Mergui Princess | US$ 1850 | US$ 2250 |
Contact us for tailor-made itinerary, privately chartered boats and yachts, pre and post sailing travel arrangements, transports to and from yachts from either Kawthaung (Myanmar) or Ranong (Thailand), zone specific on arrival visa valid for travel only in Mergui Archipelago zone, domestic flight booking, extensions wihtin Myanmar and other travel requirements within Myanmar.
NOTE:
On arrival visa arranged in Kawthaung on this tour is valid for travel in Mergui Archipelago region only.
If your first point of entry into Myanmar on this trip is via Kawthaung/ Ranong Myanmar/ Thai border and if you are planning to travel to other destinations in Myanmar outside the Mergui Archipelago zone, you will need to obtain Myanmar Visa in your passport prior to your arrival in Myanmar. Please note that Myanmar border ports are currently not able to process a standard on-arrival-visa and eVisa that is valid for travel in Myanmar.
Service includes:
- Twin shared cabin on Mergui Princess Boat
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board as per itinerary (minimum 3-4 dishes per meal), fruits and snacks (*** special dietary requirements needs to be informed at the time of booking)
- Free flow of soft drinks, drinking water, tea and coffee on board
- Pre and post cruise same day transfer between the boat and Kawthaung Airport in Myanmar/ Ranon Jetty in Thailand.
- Local English speaking guide service
- Sea Kayaks (sit-on-top), snorkelling set (face masks, snorkels and fins), jungle boots, fishing poles, life jackets and dinghy/ life raft
Service excludes:
- Domestic and international airfare (we can arrange Myanmar domestic flights to and from Kawthaung)
- Mergui Archipelago zone entry fees (~US$ 80 per person)
- Single supplement for sole occupancy of a twin shared cabin, 50% of the price
- Hotel accommodation in Kawthaung, Ranong or Myeik
- Myanmar Visa (~US$30 per person, on arrival visa which is valid to travel only in the Kawthaung and Mergui Archipelago zone could be arranged for you. You need to bring 4 passport size photos.)
- Travel Insurance
- Expenditure on personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, gratitude to guides & crew
- Diving equipment rental fees
- Bank transfer charges and fees charged by paypal or your card providers
- Any service items not mentioned in price inclusion above
Payment
- Deposit equivalent to 30% of the price will be requested to secure your booking
- The balance needs to be paid at least 30 days prior to the departure date
- If full payment has not been received as per above timeline, Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd has the right to cancel the booking
- Booking made within 30 days of the departure date must be paid in full at the time of the booking
- All payment should be made in US Dollar only via a Bank Transfer or by using major credit or debit card via paypal.
Cancellation Policy
- Deposit is non refundable
- Cancellations 30-15 days prior to departure will be charged 75% of the total price
- Cancellations 15 days or less before departure will be charged 100% of the total price
- In case of no-show, 100% of the total price
- Cancellations during the trip, 100% of the total price
- Unused services, 100% of the total price
What is a Discovery / Adventure cruise?
Discovery / Adventure cruise consist of live-aboard boat with island hopping, Mangrove tour, island trekking, Kayaking, snorkeling, bird watching and observation of native Salone or Moken sea gypsies. Meals are served on the boat with dedicated cook. You can discover the hidden and well protected beauty of Nature in its pristine condition.
When is the best time to visit?
The Myanmar (Burma) dive season runs from end of October to April. The weather and Andaman Sea are at their calmest during the months of February to April and this is when visibility is at its best. This time of year is also manta ray and whale shark season.
What will the water temperature be like?
Beautiful, during the day time 26-29°C or 79-84°F! The water temperature will be about 26-29°C.
Will I need a visa for Myanmar?
Yes. Most travellers will get a visa-on-arrival in Myanmar and we will take care of the procedure when you enter the country while you relax or explore. It takes no time at all. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end of your cruise. Click here for more information. (Link to General Information page)
Is it safe to travel in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago?
Yes, it is! There are no violent conflicts in our sailing area, nor are there any pirates.
The archipelago is not home to crocodiles and, unless you swim around with cutlets tied to your hips, you are very unlikely to attract the attention of sharks. In fact, the number of sharks in the area has unfortunately dwindled due to shark fishing.
There is a mid-level malaria risk in southern Myanmar and you should take precautions by using mosquito-repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers if onshore at night (which you are unlikely to be much).
All guests should get a suitable travel insurance before joining our cruises.
Is it ethically OK to travel to Myanmar?
We think so.
Until a couple of years ago, Myanmar was shunned by most international travellers. Visiting the country was seen as endorsement of the then military dictatorship, a view supported by Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader. Since then, things have fundamentally changed in Myanmar and Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest. She and her party now embrace individual and ethical tourism by travellers whose money does not go straight into the pockets of the generals. We are here to support just that.
How do I book?
Easy. Just send us an email stating your preferred cruise dates, number of guests and preferred cabin type. We will be in touch to confirm or answer your questions. Also do let us know if you preferred to charter the whole boat/ yacht for a private cruise.
We accept all major debit and credit cards via paypal, paypal payments and bank transfers. Card payments and paypal transfer incur a charge of 2%. In case of payments by bank transfers, clients need to ensure that the net amount is transferred and all transfer charges their bank may apply are debited from their account.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Due to the limited number of reliable boat operators running liveaboards in Burma, you must try to book 2-3 months in advance to ensure availability. You can always check with us by sending an email.
Where can you pick me up from?
We can arrange transfers to your liveaboard from your hotel in Kawthaung and Ranong, jetty in Ranong and also from the airports in Kawthaung and Ranong if you arrive just before the departure of your boat. Please make sure you check the departure and arrival time of the boat in Kawthaung for your trip before booking y our flights. Please advice us of your preferred transfer point before you arrive.
What about money, cash and the local currency?
The local currency is the Myanmar Kyat (MMK) with an exchange rate of 1 USD to about 1,000 MMK. Do bring cash as the newly installed ATMs in Kawthaung may not function and as credit cards are not always accepted. For any purchases in the region, you can also use Thai Bhat – the change you will receive will most likely be in Kyat.
What kind of food is served?
Chinese, Myanmar, Thai cusine for meals and European breakfast is served on board. The standard of cuisine is quite good throughout the industry here.
Can I request vegetarian food?
Yes, you can. You just need to tell us your dietary requirements at the time of your booking and we will cater as per your request.
Can I bring alcohol on board?
Yes, you can bring any food and drink you would like on board. If you have a favourite tipple or taste, feel free to bring it along.
Is there on-board power, fresh water and internet?
It is recommended to rechange your batteries while cruising current is stable during cruising as we can run large generator. Please check with the boat captain how to change your batteries. There is fresh water for showering and in the kitchen. Internet is not available on-board.
What else should I bring?
You don’t need much. Bring your bathers, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, your camera and you’re pretty much set! It’s best to also bring mosquito repellent and you may want to consider bringing anti-malarial tablets. Do remember to get a travel insurance before joining our cruise. On board, you won’t need shoes but you can bring flip-flops or reef shoes for beach outings if you want.
What should I bring on board?
All your personal equipment (expect tanks, weights and weight belts), barthers, beach towels, toiletries, T-shirts, shorts, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, prescription medicines if you take one, your camera and an underwater digital camera if you need one for diving or snorkelling. You may also want to bring something a little warmer for the evenings.
It would be great if you could bring soft luggage instead of a hard-case suitcase so that it can be stored away more easily after unpacking.
We provide full lodging, including bedding, towels, all meals, water and soft drinks. We also provide fishing and snorkelling equipment and first-aid, if necessary. We recommend you brin your personal first aid kits for your convenience.
Where can I leave my access baggage when I go on a cruise?
If your hotel can not help you store your baggage, then we are more than willing to help. You can store your bags at our office in Kawthaung for the duration of your liveaboard trip. Please don’t leave any valuables and money, take these with you.
Will I get sea sick?
All the liveaboards in the Mergui Archipelago use mooring points to over-night at the islands visited on the cruise. These mooring points are located in the island’s bays, sheltered away from any open sea swells. If you are particularly susceptible to motion sickness, then you should consider joining a cruise in February to April, when the seas are very calm. Do bring your own motion sickness medicine.
Do I need a travel insurance?
Yes. Before joining any of our tours in Mergui Archipelago, you need to get a suitable travel insurance that covers for your journey in Myanmar water and remote Mergui Archipelago and the activities you will be participating during the trip.
Is Malaria a problem?
The Myanmar liveaboard scuba destinations are free of Malaria. However, please do bring mosquito repellent and you may want to consider bringing anti-malarial tablets if you are concerned.
Do I have to share a cabin?
As space is the ultimate premium on all liveaboards, single cabins are extremely rare and expensive. Unless we manage to book you a single cabin, you will be expected to share. It may be, if the boat is not full, that you can have your own cabin but this situation can not be guaranteed. The only way to guarantee a cabin for yourself is to pay for two beds!
Can I explore the beaches at the islands?
Our Discovery/ Adventure cruise will stop at each selected destination for you to discover the island, beach & under water beauty. Please do advise the tour leader before and each time you disembark from the boat. Note, make sure you bring sun-cover of some sort as it can be very hot.
What about tipping?
Tipping is entirely a matter of your choice. If your Myanmar (Burma) liveaboard charter met or exceeded your expectations, you may wish to leave a tip of up to 10% of your cruise price. Smaller tips are welcome too!
Transfer to and from Yacht in Kawthaung (Myanmar) and a few places in Thailand
We can arrange transfer to and from the yacht at Kawthaung pier whether you arrival or departure for onward journey is in Kawthaung on Myanmar site or Ranong, Phuket, Surathani, Khao Lak and Krabi on Thai site. Please contact us to arrange the transfer. See the rates for road transfers.
Domestic Flights
Current season air fares between Yangon and Kawthaung is US$198 per person each way and subject to changes by airlines for the following seasons. We can arrange your flights on request.
Pre and post sailing travel services
Hotels, airport transfers and other excursions before or after your arrival in Putao for our Myanmar Himalaya Tours. We can arrange these services on request.
Travel Insurance
It is client’s responsibility to ensure that they take a suitable travel insurance that covers for the trips and activities involved, before joining our tours.
Contact us for tailor made extension on your journeys to Myanmar (Burma).
