Mandalay Holidays

Service rating : I booked this very late - once the components of the trip were confirmed back to the agent - Liz Cathcart - she worked with me to get it booked / guidance on visas / flights arranged with preferred airlines etc. Nothing was too much trouble
Product : An amazing tour through an incredible country - it would be lovely if it were a few days longer to allow a little time in places like Kalaw to walk / an additional day at Inle to do your own thing - kayaking / relaxing etc Yangon - as there is so much more to this diverse city to see / visit.......The journey was structured well - though question the trip out to Pyay and back from Yangon - is there no other way to structure to avoid the back track and loss of a day essentially on a reverse trip. Aside from that we saw the main "tourist" trail plus the joy of going to a few lesser known areas - which were an absolute joy and trove of hidden treasures - especially the trip upto Monywa and the Po Win Daung Caves - Kalaw was another stunning surprise. Our guide - Kyaw - was a huge part in making this trip so memorable and his insightful and honest commentary with his obvious love of his country made the trip all the more vivid.

The only slight drawbacks the hotels in Mandalay and especially Yangon - were far from the main city - ok it was only a few $$ to get into town - but it would have been nice to have been more centrally located thus offering the ability to go for a walk in the evening if wanted - cities like these have a different facet in the evenings - I understand the whole "Fully Inclusive" concept appeals to many - it would be nice to be "let off the reigns" at times to make our own choices for meals - and discover a little more for ourselves.

It would be nice if you offered additional extras at time of booking / or have your ground operator offer at the outset eg: Balloon flights in either Bagan or Inle. We did get this sorted but we had to approach our guide & request he sort it out for us, rather than it been offered as an additional. It is a magical experience.

Final bit - may I suggest that you offer the opportunity for a couple of additional days in Yangon - on an "extension basis" - either working with your ground operator to create a couple of day packages - or just to allow self exploration. It is easy to get round - there are several interesting things to do - both in and around - I wish I had had a couple additional days to fit it all in

Service rating : Very good guide. Saw all the key sites and a few more.
Product : Very good. A bit too much emphasis on Budda and the religion. A bit more of the country and wildlife, birds etc would be better for me. A couple of hiccups on transport- plane from Yangon to Mandalay had a bad engine and had to land twice - alterative in place in 2 hours - very ggod. Boat on Irrawaddy broke down but was repaired in again about a couple of hours - no changes to the itinerary - guide was very good at reorganising schedule. It also added to the excitement for me!! Hotels excellent - much better than I expected. One more day on the lake would have been good - a highlight for me