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Burma

Serenity, Smiles and Succour

Join Conference Plus for the trip of a lifetime on one of our most unusual medical educational courses that we have ever arranged. We have chartered Orient Express's luxury river boat to provide an amazing venue for this course in one of the world's most reclusive countries - Burma.

Our privately chartered boat will cruise sedately along the mighty Irrawaddy river, her waters swollen by the August monsoons, the land vibrantly verdant along her banks. Our trip will start at the historic city of Mandalay, the past capital of the Burmese Kingdom and will end, seven nights later, amongst the golden temples of Bagan, which rise in serried magnificence from the river’s edge. On the way we will encounter colonial hill stations, wondrous temple complexes, small villages and bustling towns and the full tour programme, included within the package, will ensure that you are able to take full advantage of all that lies along our route.

However, we are privileged to be able to offer more than just an ordinary tour programme. The population that we encounter, some of the warmest and friendliest people you will meet, are almost devoid of any organised health care. The passage of the ship allows the ship’s doctor - normally there to service the needs of the passengers - to move into the villages and to provide whatever assistance he can (see photos above). We shall not only enhance this with our presence, our donations of medicines and equipment but included in the price of this conference is a sum to build a village centre at one of the villages en route - a building that can be used by all who offer help and care when they pass through.

In addition, we are delighted to welcome Dr David Gaskell to our academic faculty. He works for the foreign office in Bangladesh, his remit covers Burma and his knowledge and experience of the health needs of that country will focus our thoughts and our assistance on practical help for the population we meet.

The Road to Mandalay shall be our home for the week. Recently rebuilt after its destruction in cyclone Nargis its rooms and facilities are as luxurious as you would expect from the famous Orient Express company. Click here for deck and cabin plans. From delectable breakfasts to starry skied suppers every moment of the day is designed to help you relax and enjoy the privilege of spending your time on board. Everything, (apart from alcoholic drinks)  is included, even the whole tour programme!

Our academic sessions will usually take place whilst we are sailing to ensure that we can make the most of the sightseeing opportunities though the sheer fascination of the countryside and luxury of the boat will make sure that non-delegates will always have plenty to occupy them too. Once again our course content will strive to offer the highest quality of education possible, GP focussed and designed to enhance and improve your medical practice and serve as perfect material for reaccreditation. Naturally we will supply full course materials resources and help you double the reaccreditation value of your time with 'impact' suggestions.

Cambodia (incl Angkor wat) & Laos Extension

Though this trip will be magnificent in itself we are also offering the chance to make it the trip of a lifetime. Leave a week earlier for a pre course extension in Cambodia and Laos. Get to grips with the sobering recent history of Cambodia at the killing fields memorials in Phnom Penh and visit the stunning temples of Angkor Wat - the pinnacle of the ancient Hindu Khmer kingdom and one of the  seven wonders of the modern world. Then head to the serene magnificence of Luang Prabang in Laos, a gorgeous, small, UNSECO World Heritage town on the upper Mekong where temple lined streets are swollen with monks and cyclists. Stay at Orient Express luxury hotels en route and then save a whole day of travelling with a private charter flight direct to Mandalay to join the Road To Mandalay for its sailing.

Click here for the full Burma Conference itinerary
Click here for the full Cambodia and Loas Extension itinerary
Click here for information about the hotels on the Extension

Burma & The Boat

Burma is a country of the most wonderful serenity, people and magnificent treasures which faces a great deal of political and ethical complexity. The Government cannot be ignored and its control of the infrastructure means that any tourism must, by nature, comply with and provide economic benefit to them. However, on our inspection trip the private pleadings of everyone we met from guides to locals to encourage more visitors to end their isolation and lack of contact with the outside world was heartfelt and moving. This cry has now been taken up by Ang San Suu Kyi who, reports state, is encouraging tourism to the country to try and end the isolation of its people.

Succour

Just your being there, understanding and reporting and reflecting support and concern is sustaining. All the more so if you can leave your books, magazine and any other published material behind!

The poverty of the villagers is hidden under their warmth yet, aside from any medicine and equipment that we bring, you will be doing wonders with your tourist money. Every dollar that you spend at local markets on knickknacks or souvenirs will feed a family for days. Never has spending money been so altruistic.

If only this could be done without any money going to the Government! It cannot and one has to take a view on this. We are convinced that the balance is of benefit to the people.

Orient Express have to take a similar view and though they have to operate commercially in Burma, their support of education and health systems in the villages, as well as bringing wealth through their tourist clients, is of immediate and local importance.

The Boat

The cruiser has an on-deck swimming pool and a magnificent canopied observation deck where you can sit in the shade as you take in the serene surroundings. It is also a delightful retreat in the cool of the evening. Buffet lunches are served on the observation deck or in the restaurant and at dinner attentive waiters serve you delicious courses created by their experienced chefs. The air-conditioned Observation Lounge on the main deck is our conference room by day and the focus for the local on-board entertainment in the evenings. There is a boutique on board with a full range of gifts designed exclusively for the Road To Mandalay.  The atmosphere everywhere on board is informal and friendly.

We can honestly say that our short trip on the Road To Mandalay and our experiences of Burma were one of the most memorable trips of our lives and we cannot wait to share this with you. Anne & Michael Ingram

Our all inclusive Conference Plus price offers you...

• Seven nights cruise on the Road To Mandalay in the cabin grade of your choice*
• All meals, snacks and drinks (excluding alcoholic drinks)
• The complete tour programme as detailed in the itinerary Click here
• Sightseeing tour in Yangon (Rangoon)
• A night’s accommodation at the Orient Express Governor's Residence Hotel in Yangon** (not applicable for those doing extension)
• All flights and transfers to and from the boat
• Scheduled international flights as detailed below

* subject to availability
** dinner not included

Remember the only extras you have to pay are for are gratuities, visas, meals in Yangon and personal expenditure.

Click here for the full Burma Conference itinerary.

In addition, take advantage of our Cambodia and Laos extension offering...

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Phnom Penh and return from Rangoon on Singapore Airways (via Singapore)
• 1 night at the delightfully colonial Raffles Royal Hotel, Phnom Penh
• 3 nights at Le Residence D’Angkor situated near the world famous Angkor Wat Temples
• 3 nights at Le Residence Phou Vao in the serene Laotian town of Laung Prabang
• All transfers and internal flights
• Direct charter from Luang Prabang to Mandalay
• Optional tour programme throughout

Click here for the full Cambodia and Laos Extension itinerary.

Academic Faculty to include:

• Dr David Gaskell

  

  Regional Medical Adviser for Asia, UK Foreign Office - based in Dhaka

• Dr Nigel Hyman

  

  Neurology Lecturer for the Somerset Medical Academy

• Professor Michael Kamm

  

  Professor of Gastroenterology at St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia and at Imperial College, in London, UK

• Dr Paul Fogarty

  

  Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Ulster Hospital Belfast

  Obstetric Update; Endometriosis & pelvic pain; Gynaecological Malignancies

• Professor Tom McNicholas

  

  Consultant urologist - Lister Hospital, Stevenage

  New ideas in prostate cancer; LUTS Lumps and Stones

Flights

Flights on Singapore Airlines.

Burma:

	Depart	Arrive
Outbound 1	Heathrow, 4th Oct, 11:55	Singapore, 5th Oct, 07:45
Outbound 2	Singapore, 5th Oct, 14:20	Rangoon, 5th Oct, 15:45 *
Return 1	Rangoon, 13th Oct, 16:40	Singapore, 13th Oct, 21:15
Return 2	Singapore, 13th Oct, 23:30	Heathrow, 14th Oct, 05:55

(note flights whilst in Burma will be organised through Conference Plus and are not noted on this itinerary)

* Please note a tour of Singapore is being organised during the waiting period

With Cambodia and Laos extension:

	Depart	Arrive
Outbound 1	Heathrow, 28th Sep, 18:30	Singapore, 29th Sep, 14:20
Outbound 2	Singapore, 29th Sep, 16:20	Phnom Penh, 29th Sep, 17:15
Return 1	Rangoon, 13th Oct, 16:40	Singapore, 13th Oct, 21:15
Return 2	Singapore, 13th Oct, 23:30	Heathrow, 14th Oct, 05:55

(note flights whilst in Cambodia, Laos & Burma will be organised through Conference Plus and are not noted on this itinerary)

Flight Upgrade
If you would like us to reserve you a business class seat on this conference please add to booking form. Please note the flight supplement per person is £2399.

Guidebook

The brand new Insight Guide to Laos & Cambodia is wonderful. It is packed full of background history, interesting information about food/culture - a perfect read to whet your appetites. The lonely planet guide to Burma is a really excellent guide book and covers all our major "stopping" points and gives a details description of the on-going situation in Burma as well as its history.

• Insight Guides to Laos & Cambodia £16.99 – (£1 discount and free P&P) TOTAL £15.99
• Lonely Planet Guide to Burma £14.99 – (£2 discount and free P&P) TOTAL £12.99.

Please indicate your interest in these on the booking form.

Prices

Includes Seven nights cruise on the Road To Mandalay, all meals, snacks and drinks (excluding alcoholic drinks), all of the magnificent tour, sightseeing tour in Yangon (Rangoon), a night's accommodation at the Orient Express Governor's Residence Hotel in Yangon (not applicable for those doing extension), all flights and transfers to and from the boat, scheduled international flights as detailed.

Cabins are available based on:

• Single cabin £2799 NOW FULL
• Superior cabin £2799 per person with double occupancy NOW FULL
• Deluxe cabin £3499 per person with double occupancy (16 cabins available) NOW FULL
• State cabin £3899 per person with double occupancy (18 cabins available) THREE REMAINING!
• Governor’s Suite £4699 per person with double occupancy (only 1 cabin available) NOW FULL

Please note there are only 4 single cabins.  The single use of a double cabin will include a single room supplement of £2000 (superior), £2799 (deluxe). Click here for deck and cabins plans.

Course Fee £549

Cambodia and Laos Extension

£1399 (Single supplement £499) Includes:

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Phnom Penh and return from Rangoon on Singapore Airways (via Singapore)
• 1 night at the delightfully colonial Raffles Royal Hotel, Phnom Penh
• 3 nights at Le Residence D'Angkor situated at the world famous Angkor Wat Temples
• 3 nights at Le Residence Phou Vao in the serene Laotian town of Laung Prabang
• All transfers and internal flights, direct charter from Luang Prabang to Mandalay
• Optional tour programme throughout

Click here for Big Print Booking Conditions.

Booking

To book your place on this conference please complete the form below. If you would like to pay online you will then be directed to our new online booking service.