Khiri Travel offers new Myanmar-Thailand tour options as border crossing opens

BANGKOK - Khiri Travel has announced new destinations and personalized tour options following the opening of the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border last month. The opening of the border facilitates land travel between Bangkok, central Thailand and the Kayin and Mon States of Myanmar and on to Yangon and the rest of Myanmar for the first time in over a hundred years. 

Khiri Travel has already surveyed attractions and set up facilities and services along the route. They have created many travel options linking Sukhothai and Mae Sot in Thailand to the remote and rarely visited Hpa An and Mawlamyine areas of upper peninsula Myanmar.

 Some highlights of Khiri Travel's new itineraries and travel options include: 

Sukhothai to Yangon (or vice-versa) for four days and three nights, with kayaking, Golden Rock and insights to 7th century Buddha images in the holy Kaw Goon Cave.

Soft Adventure Mon and Kayin States for four days and three nights. These trips are for higher-end luxury clients and include Bago, Golden Rock, the colonial city of Mawlamyine, Mon villages (sarong weaving), monasteries, a Thanlwin (Salween) river cruise, and kayaking in rivers and rice paddy fields surrounded by dramatic karst scenery.

Adventure in Mon and Kayin States. These are for adventurous clients and involve train travel, a visit to the wonderful Seindon Mibaya monastery, Ni Paya (where Orwell and Kipling lived), kayaking for three to four hours, Golden Rock, and travel by public bus. 

"The opening of the border crossing between Mae Sot and Myawaddy is hugely significant," said Edwin Briels, General Manager of Khiri Travel Myanmar. "It allows us to create pre-scheduled or tailor-made excursions in culturally and geographically fascinating areas that rarely, if ever, receive international visitors."

 For example, guests take a rarely travelled scenic road to Hpa An, the capital of Kayin State. Roads are narrow and steep. On even days of the month local vehicles drive up to Hpa An. On odd days, traffic only goes in the direction of Myawaddy.

"Expect the unusual on this trip," said Briels, "But also expect to experience a richness of culture and insights into rural lives far removed from mainstream travel. Khiri believes that soft adventure, culture, nature and meaningful contact with local people should be included in every highlights of Myanmar trip." 

Travelers can exit Myanmar from Yangon. The package trips have guaranteed departure dates for groups with a minimum of two people. Only Khiri Travel offers kayaking in the area.

 Khiri Travel starts a join-in bus trip from Yangon to Sukhothai on 1 October 2013 - a four-day/three-night itinerary with guide, sightseeing and accommodation in Kyaiktiyo, Hpa An and Sukhothai for USD475 per person.

Khiri Travel Myanmar says that all tourists need to get a valid Myanmar visa before going to Mae Sot. Myanmar visas are available in one day at the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok. There are no visas on arrival in Myawaddy.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews