Example Itinerary

Tranquil Island Luxury in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Price Per Person

Interests: Diving, Beaches, Open Spaces

Destinations: Myanmar

Having been off-limits to foreigners until 1997, Mergui consists of more than 800 islands that remain largely untouched by modern development. Thanks to this, the archipelago is a haven for an abundance of wildlife, including birds, migratory whales, monkeys, and more. It is a mecca for divers and snorkelers, as well, with an abundance of reefs and caves that serve as an ideal safe haven for many large, endangered marine animals like whale sharks, dugongs, and manta rays. Leave everyday concerns and worries behind on the mainland and dive into the numerous aquatic activities offered by the Wa Ale and Awei Pila resorts. The Mergui Archipelago is a jewel set amid the aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea, offering a rare glimpse at a pristine marine environment largely unspoiled by human influence.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

Island Paradise at Last: Only in recent years has the Mergui Archipelago been able to boast luxury accommodations, but now travelers can enjoy luxury beach stays in the most exclusive island destinations in Myanmar at Awei Pila Resort and Wa Ale Island Resort.
Sea Gypsies: Also known as Moken or the Salon, these people of Mergui spend their lives on and under the waves, living a largely nomadic life on Myanmar’s least explored waters.
Under the Sea: The best reason to visit the Mergui Archipelago lies under the waves. Besides untouched dive spots and abundant sealife from sharks to rays, the unique underwater landscapes make for otherworldly swim throughs.

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Day-by-Day

Day 1

Mergui

Fly Yangon to Kawthaung and enjoy a quick, private transfer to the jetty, after which take a one-hour-and-40-minute speedboat ride to the island location of Wa Ale Resort. Relax and unwind from your travels for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening, we suggest sampling some of the in-house Wa Ale chef’s fresh, healthy fusions of Southeast Asian and Mediterranean cuisine styles.

Hotel Options

Why We Love This Hotel

Nature: Sea eagles soar overhead, the verdant jungle sharply contrasts with the expansive blue sea, and sea turtles mull around the soft stretch of private beach. The resort can arrange a number of nature excursions, but here simply stepping out of the villa counts as an adventure.

Luxury: Guests to this patch of luxury can lounge on their deck and enjoy the sound of the lapping ocean or dine over a gourmet meal prepared with the freshest ingredients on the planet.

Remote: Only accessible via a three-hour-long speedboat ride, Wa Ale Island is exceptionally remote, which translates to a feeling of unparalleled serenity.

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Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Mergui

Today is yours to spend as you please with an abundance of options at hand amid the luxurious facilities and expertly guided activity options of Wa Ale. The resort itself is nestled within the Lampi Marine National Park, meaning a pristine marine ecosystem and lush jungle habitat are literally right on the doorstep. To kick off your time on the island, we suggest taking a walk through some of Wa Ale’s magnificent jungle trails. The park houses hundreds of bird species – some of which are threatened and quite beautiful – along with numerous reptiles and amphibians, including several species of endangered sea turtles. A day spent exploring the park may be capped by taking in a view of the crimson sunset from your private veranda.

Day 3

Mergui

We recommend participating in any of the numerous aquatic activities offered at Wa Ale today, such as diving or snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, or merely relaxing on the beach. Dive enthusiasts will be awestruck by the abundant reefs and caves of the archipelago, as well as the abundant marine flora and fauna that await discovery. For those wishing to explore inland, the verdant riverine habitat of the island is ideal for kayakers and paddle boarders wishing to view exotic wildlife found only in Southeast Asia, such as the tree-dwelling pangolin.

Day 4

Mergui

Today, take a speedboat onto your next destination, Awei Pila. After checking in at Awei Pila, the remainder of the day is yours to settle in, relax, and spend as you please on Pila Island. You may opt for staying in and enjoying the Awei Pila’s state-of-the-art facilities, including a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and diving center, or head out to the beach or surrounding jungle to explore. In the evening, we suggest sampling the resort’s beachfront restaurant that serves dishes prepared with fresh ingredients grown locally on the island.

Day 5

Mergui

Today, we suggest taking advantage of the numerous expertly guided tours and experiences offered by the Awei Pila. The resort’s list of possible outings is pages long, with experiences broken down into “underwater, in-water, beach, and cultural” categories. Divers will find themselves spoiled for choice, with dive courses and trips including but not limited to night dives, advanced deep diving, and the option to partake in the “underwater scooter specialty” option—a thrilling chance to pilot a DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) and glide effortlessly underwater in James Bond-esque fashion. For those wishing to stick closer to the mainland, we recommend any of the beach experiences, including kayak and stand-up paddleboard lessons or hiking and bird watching. Like Wa Ale, Awei Pila is situated on some of the world’s best exotic bird habitats, with populations of hornbills, kites, white-bellied sea eagles, and many more.

Day 6

Mergui

On the last full day of your excursion around Mergui, we recommend partaking in the unique cultural experiences offered by the Awei Pila. Specifically, the Moken people are fascinating in their seagoing, nomadic ways, and they are typically welcoming to visitors who seek to learn about their unique culture and ways of life. The Salone Festival, which occurs every February, is a joyful time when people gather in villages, make offerings of food, and pray for commerce, good health, and prosperity in the coming season. The Moken normally live in small handcrafted wooden boats outside of the monsoon season, which serve as transportation and also as a kitchen, bedroom, and living area. For those wishing to pay a visit to a Moken fishing village, opt for the “Fishing Village Community Experience” – an hour-and-a-half trek to a Moken village accompanied by a local guide.

Day 7

Departure

After breakfast, pack up and take a speedboat back to Kawthaung. Here, depart for your flight home feeling rejuvenated after spending time exploring and relaxing in this island paradise of the Andaman Sea.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–6

Preferred Hotel

Awei Pila Resort

Off the southern coast of Myanmar lies the Mergui Archipelago, a collection of hundreds of islands boasting untouched coral reefs and beaches that were long inaccessible to tourists. Currently, there remain only a few islands open to the public in this area, and the Awei Pila Resort is one of them. The resort is nestled within virgin forest on Pila Island, which is located 80 kilometers from the shoreline of Kawthaung and is only accessible via private boat. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the Andaman Sea from the island's northernmost beach and enjoy a collection of chic, tented villa accommodations. Offering unparalleled privacy and built to allow for a low environmental impact, interiors are flooded with natural sunlight, and the light décor fosters a relaxing environment. Guests shower under the stars in their enclosed, outdoor bathrooms, and they can relax in private terraces that are surrounded by manicured gardens. The social hub of the resort is centered on the reception area, where there is a café and bar, as well as the resort’s flagship restaurant. Headed by a world-class chef, the restaurant strives to satisfy guests by serving up a gastronomical experience of local and regional flavors prepared with the freshest of ingredients – especially in terms of seafood. Of course, the main attraction to the island is the natural environment itself. The resort can organize a variety of snorkeling and scuba diving excursions for guests that reveal the complex, healthy ecosystems below, and a number of hiking and kayaking adventures can also be arranged. Additionally, the island is a paradise for birdwatchers, as a number of exotic species can be spotted here.

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Preferred Hotel

Wa Ale Island Resort

Nestled on an island amid a 9,000-acre wildlife reserve on the Andaman Sea, few places in the world can rival the isolation, serenity, and sheer natural beauty offered by the Wa Ale Island Resort. The resort is complete with 11 villas that are directly connected to a private stretch of beach and two treetop villas that boast unobstructed vistas of the ocean. Accommodations are open-air and lavishly appointed with furniture that is perfect for lazy days under the sun and constructed in an environmentally conscious manner. Reclaimed materials were used during construction to avoid disrupting the surrounding environment. Gourmet meals feature a combination of Southeast Asian and Mediterranean dishes, which are prepared by a head chef who values health just as much as he values flavor. Rich fruit smoothies go hand-in-hand with the surrounding paradise; light brick-oven pizzas remind one that this is a place to relax. Bocce ball courts are set up on the sand, and there are a number of excursions to be taken around the island, such as trekking through jungle trails or snorkeling and diving through the archipelago's abundant reefs and caves. Exploring marine life in Lampi Marine National Park is a highlight. Wa Ale Island is remote. It can only be reached by three-hour luxury speedboat from Kawthaung, which is on Burma's mainland, but this is a worthy price for all the island has to offer.

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Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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