CHINDWIN CRUISE

From Bagan to Homalin to Kalewa on Pandaw II
(25.08.09 – 06.09.09)

In 2005 the Irrawaddy Flotilla successfully ran the first Chindwin expedition since 2000 and it was a resounding success. For the first time since colonial days a river cruise ship with foreign travelers on board voyaged the full navigable length of the river as far as Homalin. The Chindwin is one of the most difficult rivers in the world to navigate. We must traverse labyrinths of sand bars and mount violent rapids. Whirlpools guard entry to tight gorges. Water levels are prone to drop 6ft (2m) overnight and can leave a ship high and dry in the midst of an island. Then there is a ten month wait for the next rise. No wonder we have been nervous about offering such an experience again. Given the success of the 2005 expedition we will run two back-to-back expeditions in 2006. To make the expedition even more exciting we fly our passengers in or out of Kale-myo airfield by private air charter to embark or disembark the ship at nearby Kalewa. This then gives our expedition a real start to enable us to penetrate deeper into the Upper Chindwin than in the past when reached as far as Kindat.

On the Chindwin you will pass through some of the most dramatic and exciting riverscapes possible. Jungle cascades into the fast flowing, muddy rivers and not far to the west across the steep mountain ranges lies India. Of great interest are a number of unpublished art treasures around Mingkin, which includes the oldest teak carved monastery in Myanmar.

We can only offer this expedition during the monsoon period. It will be rainy but not all the time. River banks will be muddy and slippery. On the positive side the rains do keep the heat off and the atmosphere of cruising through tropical downpours can be romantic in the extreme. But be warned! We are linking this 10 night cruise with the 10 night Upper Irrawaddy so that serious river explorers can cover the two great rivers of Myanmar on one visit with 20 nights on board the much loved Pandaw II. Pagan and Mandalay sight seeing have not been included as most of our passengers know these places well but extra nights on board or in hotels may be booked at these places if required.

13 DAYS MYANMAR ITINERARY

YANGON – BAGAN – LOWER CHINDWIN – MONYWA – MINGKIN – PAUNGBYIN – SITTAUNG – TAUNGDOOT – HOMALIN – DOWNSTREAM – KALEWA – KALEMYO – YANGON

Fri. 04.09.09 RETURN DOENSTREAM TO KALEWA
 

PRICE FOR MAIN DECK:
US$ 2.696,-- per person in twin sharing cabin
US$ 3.145,-- per person in twin cabin single use
PRICE FOR UPPER DECK:
US$ 3.146,-- per person in twin sharing cabin
US$ 3.595,-- per person in twin cabin single use

CRUISE PRICE INCLUDES:
- Bed & breakfast
- Main meals
- Entrance fees
- Guide services (English language),
- Port dues
- Locally made soft and alcoholic beverages
- Jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes
- Mineral water
- Transfers to and from the ship at the start and end of a voyage are included
- In Myanmar domestic flights are included in particular cruise packages.

CRUISE PRICE EXCLUDES:
- International flights
- Port dues (if levied)
- Laundry
- Gratuity to crew
- All visa costs
- Fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions)
- Imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs
- Fancy soft drinks like Perrier
- Expresso and cappuchinos at bar.

BOOKING CONDITIONS:
OPTION TERMS:
For agent bookings, reservation options will expire within the following time periods:

Options will expire automatically if deposit payment is not received by the stated date.

PAYMENT TERMS:
20% deposit is required upon confirmation of any bookings and is non refundable.
Final balances must be paid 31 days before departure or the booking may be cancelled and the deposit forfeited.

CANCELLATION TERMS:
For cancellations of bookings, the following charges will apply:

CURRENCY:
All prices quoted, invoices and receipts sent are in US dollars. Any other currencies stated in any correspondence between the client and Pandaw Cruises are indicational only and subject to variations in the prevailing market rates.

CREDIT CARDS:
There is a 2% charge on credit card transactions of over US$10,000 which will be added to the invoice subsequent to booking.There is no charge for transactions of less than $10,000.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE ON PANDAW SHIPS:
1. Though every effort will be made to ensure that the published itinerary is followed as closely as possible, given uncertain river and other local conditions, all schedules and itineraries may be subject to alterations and delays at short notice.
2. The ship's purser and captain are jointly responsible for passengers' comfort and safety. Passengers must accept their decisions and instructions.
3. Whilst our crew do everything in their power to facilitate landings, access to the ship at certain river stations can be difficult, with steep and sometimes slippery river banks. Elderly passengers should consult their doctor to ensure that they are fit for travel. Wheel chairs are not allowed.
4. In the case of water levels being too high or low or defects to the vessel beyond the control of the company an alternative itinerary will be offered to passengers after consultation between the ship's captain and the company's management, subject to accommodation and meals being maintained on board the vessel unless by prior agreement with the passenger.
5. Should it prove difficult to embark or disembark passengers at the scheduled points the company are not liable to bear any extra cost of transporting passengers to and from the revised point of embarkation or disembarkation unless passengers or their agents have purchased a complete package tour which includes land services from us. Any reason for changing the points of embarkation or disembarkation can not count as a reason for cancelling this contract.
6. Passengers should seek advice from their doctor regarding relevant inoculations and prophylactics for travel to these countries.
7. Passengers must be fully insured to cover any risk of medical expenses and repatriation (which includes repatriation of remains) and the Company is in no way responsible for such liabilities. Passengers must settle before departure any medical bills incurred whilst on a company ship for doctor's attendance, drugs supplied, and any other medical facilities provided by the company for the passenger.
8. Once a booking has been received through a sales agent or directly from the passenger a contract exists between the Company and the passenger and these terms and conditions must be adhered to by both parties.
9. Unless otherwise agreed agents are responsible for the transfer of their passengers to and from the ship on time and in the event of a late arrival the ship is not obliged to delay departure thereby upsetting tight schedules.
10. The company accept no liability or responsibility for loss or damage to passenger's property whilst on board a company vessel.
11. During the river stops on the company provide an guide service in the English language. Foreign language guides must be pre booked and there may be extra charges for this. Personal guides must be booked at normal rates in passenger accommodation.
12. The company reserve the right to refuse to allow anyone on board if a ticket can not be produced and the company can not guarantee the exact allocation of cabins and deck location which may in the event of extenuating circumstances differ from the cabin number indicated on the ticket.
13. Within the ticket price fuel costs have been calculated on average prices as of the publication of this document. Should fuel prices rise by more than 10% the company will be entitled to impose a fuel supplement equivalent to the amount by which the fuel price exceeds the price allowed for in the contract.
14. It is not permitted to allow any breed of animal on board.
15. Infants below the age of 4 years may sleep in their parent's cabin without extra charge but the company can not guarantee the availability of a cot. Children of 4 years and + must solely occupy a berth and pay full rate.
16. In the event of a dispute the law of the country in which the vessel is operating will apply.
17. The company reserves the right to change the vessel without notice.
18. Payment terms and cancellation policy is printed on an invoice issued for each booking whether for an individual or for a group. Passengers and their agents must abide these terms and the company reserve the right to either cancel an existing reservation or to refuse passage in the event that these terms have not been adhered to.
19. In the event that one passenger enters into a commercial or other form of relationship or arrangement with another passenger the company is no way liable for the obligations of one passenger to another passenger or any claim arising thereof.
20. For cruise departures where occupancy is less than 5 cabins the company reserve the right to cancel the departure giving all passengers with confirmed bookings 30 days prior notice of this intention. An alternative departure date will be offered subject to availability. If this alternative date is not acceptable to the passenger any downpayments made for the cancelled cruise will be refunded. In the event that a passenger has cancelled and paid cancellation fees and the Company subsequently cancel that departure then any cancellation fees (and down payment) will be refunded in full on the request of the passenger.
21. The company reserves the right to change a cabin allocated without notice and in the event that a passenger is downgraded to a cheaper cabin then the difference in cost between the cabins will be refunded to the passenger or the passenger's agents.
22. Force Majeure: in the case of circumstances beyond normal control, such as war, civil or political unrest, strikes, catastrophes, epidemics or disruption to fuel supplies for the vessel, the Company may cancel the cruise and there will be a full refund of all monies paid by the passenger. In the event of a cruise being cancelled as a result of the above force majeure situations following the commencement of that cruise period then monies will not be refunded.

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