Signature Collection 2012-2013 Operations offices: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Bangkok, Yangon. Thailand Myanmar Vietnam Cambodia Laos Bali
Follow our trail. Create your journey.
Dear Travel Partners, After twenty years in the travel industry and more than ten years developing Trails of Indochina into one of the leading specialty tour operators in the region, I would like to share with you my personal travel philosophy. I believe travelers are curious individuals, open to new experiences and to connect with people from other cultures. I know, because travel is my life. When our team designs your travel itinerary, we do so with excitement in our hearts, confident that we can deliver an innovative program which offers a highly personalized experience. One of my personal passions is to search for new opportunities to better present my country and its heritage. Most recently, I was involved in the rescue and renovation of five eighteenth-century garden houses in my hometown of Hue. In developing the Ancient Hue Cultural Complex, I am able to share with visitors the original architecture of the traditional wooden-house and a taste of fine Royal cuisine. As you read these travel narratives, I d like you to remember we share this journey together. Some time back, fate took my sight but through knowing in my heart what your eyes will see and what your soul will experience, I see again. John Tue Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Trails of Indochina Introduction 3
Signature Collection, Myanmar The Chinthe is a leogryph, lion-like creature. Often seen at the entrances of pagodas and temples in Myanmar, the Chinthe is featured prominently on the kyat, the national currency. The Chinthe is almost always depicted in pairs, and serve to protect the pagoda. They typically appear as animals, but are sometimes found with human faces. 29 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 30
All apprehension disappeared after our master guide lead us off the beaten track. Signature Collection, Myanmar 31 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection 32 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 33
Myanmar Mystical Myanmar, with its stilt-houses, oxcarts and ardent Buddhism, is largely the INDIA C same Burma Rudyard Kipling waxed lyrical about a century ago. Yes, this is partly due to its years of political and economic isolation. But in the past several years, Mandalay is a famous poem the tourism industry has prepared itself for enhanced global exposure, and private by Rudyard Kipling that was citizens are more eager than ever to engage with international guests. first published in 1892. The Mandalay MYANMAR VIETNAM Hanoi Mandalay referred to in this poem was the sometime capital city of Burma, which was Just a few hundred thousand foreigners visit Myanmar every year, making a trip there, first, automatically off the beaten path and, second, a membership card to a small club of adventurers who have borne witness to this warm, unique and ancient Sittwe Ngapali Bagan Heho Inle lake Naypyidaw LAOS Vientiane Gul of Tonk a British colony from 1885 to 1948. The British troops stationed in Burma were taken up (or down) the Irrawaddy society. Ancient, like the gleaming gold and diamond-crusted Shwedagon Pagoda, said to be 2,500-years old and holding relics of four Buddhas, that looms over Yangon s crumbling colonial architecture and city of pagodas. Or like Bagan s acres of Angkor Wat-like temples and extinct volcano, Mt. Popa both best seen from Yangon River by paddle steamers. Rangoon to Mandalay was a the basket of hot-air balloon. This is Burma, as Kipling wrote, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about. THAILAND 700km trip each way. Bangkok CAMBODIA Gulf of Thailand Phnom Penh 24 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 25
Myanmar A Bespoke Journey Min-ga-la-ba, and welcome to Myanmar! Yangon is a charming city founded on a gleaming tin, lead, marble and iron-brick. Those hairs rarely make For the largest concentration of those seeking inspiration, After a leisurely horse-carriage ride in Mandalay, take an shrine, therefore, a perfect metaphor for devout and public appearances, but the 76-carat diamond atop the head next to Mandalay, home to more than 3,000 monks even more serene boat trip on Inle Lake, where you can developing Myanmar itself. Among the draws of now fully gilded stupa is just as precious. and 100 meditation centers. You ll also see the stunning see up-close the agile skill of leg-rowers, a tradition native this former capital are the 2,200-year-old Sule Paya, 200-year-old teak U Bein bridge, the stone tablets to this place. There are interesting ethnic minority groups the enormous reclining Buddha and the chaotic In Bagan, the capital of several ancient Burmese comprising the world s largest book, and the gallery of a to meet, and a peripatetic market to track down. The Indian quarter. But it s the golden mountain of the kingdoms, a different kind of majesty calls, with about well-known painter who will discuss with you the life of location changes every five days, so your guide will lead Shwedagon Paya that dominate the skyline half the area s original 4,400 ancient temples still an artist in contemporary Myanmar. you there yet one more of Myanmar s mysteries Trails of and the imagination. standing, and Mt. Popa climbing into the clouds. Indochina helps you unlock. Our expert in Burmese history, who assisted in Two and a half centuries ago, it is said, King Okkalapa restoring many of the temples, will guide you through enshrined eight hairs of the Buddha in a temple of gold, this transcendent landscape. enclosed, Matryoshka-like, in succeeding temples of silver, 26 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 27
The Strand, Yangon Colonial charm doesn t come any lovelier than The Strand in Yangon. This Victorian beauty in the heart of the city will whisk you back to 1901, when it opened, with its valuable private collection of local art and antiques, rattan furniture, stately chandeliers, marbled lobby and flawless staff. The exclusive all-suite hotel has just 30 rooms ensuring each guest receives meticulous service from the team of butlers at your disposal 24 hours a day. The rooms epitomize timeless elegance, showcasing high ceilings with slow-whirring black lacquer fans, teakwood floors and spacious living areas in which to relax. The grand Strand Suite boasts a private verandah overlooking the river. The Strand Grill is one of Yangon s most elegant dining rooms. Another namesake, the legendary Strand Sour, makes for required tippling at where else? the lively Strand Bar. There s also an art gallery, a spa, a business center and boutiques for beautiful Burmese jewelry, textiles, lacquerware and handicrafts. 28 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 29
Signature Stay Ngapali The Bay of Bengal s turquoise waters deliver some of Myanmar s finest seafood bounty. Myanmar couldn t properly claim its place in oceanic Southeast Asia without whitesand beaches. You ll find them in Ngapali, just a quick flight from Yangon. Yes, this is the country s seaside hotspot, but don t expect rowdy beach bars and noisy hawkers. With oxcart tracks in the palm tree-studded sand, it s the perfect place for bungalow-dwelling relaxation. Go snorkeling, have a boat-trip BBQ, and find inspiration at Lontha bay, where Kipling is said to have written the The Jungle Book. 30 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 31
Signature Stay Mrauk U Originally a small fishing village, Sittwe became an important seat of maritime commerce, especially as a port for the export of rice after the British occupation of Arakan, now known as Rakhine State, following the First Anglo-Burmese War. Even among the intrepid visitors to Myanmar, its far-western reaches remain off the beaten path. The region s gateway is Sittwe, accessible only by plane and proffering panoramic views across the Bay of Bengal. The once-fearsome, seafaring Rakhaing dynasty empire had its capital at Mrauk U, to which you ll sail up the Kaladan River. It s a living museum of an archaeological site, whose landscape is wondrous because of not just the 700 ancient temples and palaces dotting it but also the goat-herders and farmers who live and work in their shadows. The Chin, a nearby minority group, also keep the past alive, in the tattooed faces of their women. The old tradition is credited to mothers who disfigured their daughters to prevent the king from taking them as concubines. Their elaborate visages like the whole of your visit to this enigmatic place, will be unforgettable. 32 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection Myanmar 43
Choosing Trails of Indochina Trails of Indochina was established in 1999, the We have grown considerably since our inception, Our range of Signature Experiences, something Our determined voyage has seen Trails of Indochina realized vision of Mr. John Tue Nguyen, current CEO, stretching our legs outside of Vietnam and currently that differentiates us from our competitors, keeps develop into a globally competitive, multi-award Founder and sole owner. Without a specialty operator employ more than 160 staff across six destinations in us absolutely at the forefront of the industry. This, winning organization that has never shifted from its based in Vietnam focused on bringing to life the South East Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, coupled with our unrelenting focus on consistency and vision: to deliver absolutely unique and completely standards expected of our global audience particularly Myanmar and Bali. Our positive growth has come reliability in delivery, is a potent combination. tailored signature experiences in Southeast Asia to the in the area of luxury travel that was not being catered through increased demand from a list of loyal industry highest possible global service standards. to at the time, John sensed a unique opportunity for partners and their clientele to further explore this still his native country. somewhat undiscovered region. Follow our trail. Create your journey. 106 Trails of Indochina Signature Collection
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