Offers:
06-14 Jan 19 | Four Kingdoms of the East | Central & South Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $2,780 as compared to regular USD $3,270

16-24 Jan 19 | Four Kingdoms of the East | Central & South Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $2,780 as compared to regular USD $3,270

27-Jan – 04-Feb 19 | Four Kingdoms of the East | Central & South Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $2,780 as compared to regular USD $3,270

Contact Symbiosis for further details.

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Details:
03-12 Jul 2018 | Four Kingdoms of the East | North & Central Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $3,182 as compared to regular USD $3,535
 
15-24 Jul 2018 | Four Kingdoms of the East | North & Central Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $3,182 as compared to regular USD $3,535
 
27-Jul – 05-Aug 2018 | Four Kingdoms of the East | North & Central Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $2,750 as compared to regular USD $3,535
 
08-17 Aug 2018 | Four Kingdoms of the East | North & Central Raja Ampat from/to Sorong | Special price USD $2,750 as compared to regular USD $3,535

Contact us to reserve your space now.

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Guaranteed Departure: 07th-14th August 2018

Contact Symbiosis now for more details.

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Listed as UNESCO dive site in the Philippines, Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef and a Natural Marine Park in the Sulu Sea. Due to its isolated location, it can only be visited by liveaboard, and the season only lasts from March to early June. Often, the boats get booked up very quickly and well in advance.

Dates:
05-11 May 2018 – 7D/6N – 2 spaces available
26 May-01 June 2018 – 7D/6N – 2 spaces available

Price: EUR €2,080 per person

Grab your space now, contact Symbiosis for more details.

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SMY Tambora

Offers are:

11-23 Apr 2018 | Hidden Bays & Painted Rocks | Raja Ampat & Triton Bay from Kaimana to Sorong | Special price US$3,816 as compared to regular US$4,770

11-22 May 2018 | The Sultan’s Fragrant Nails | South Halmahera from/to Ternate | Special price US$2,985 as compared to regular US$4,265

25-May – 06-Jun 2018 | Beneath Cliffs & Cloves | Raja Ampat and South Halmahera from Ternate to Sorong | Special price US$3,472 as compared to regular US$4,630

Contact Us now to reserve your spaces.

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Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel today to hold the cabin.

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23-Oct – 04-Nov 2017: Planet Pelagic
Ambon to Tual via Banda and the Eastern Banda Sea
Special price US$4,160 as compared to regular US$4,895

07-19 Nov 2017: The Blue Asylum
Tual to Saumlaki through the Eastern and Southern Banda Sea
Special price US$4,160 as compared to regular US$4,895

SMY Tambora

19-27 Jan 2018: Four Kingdoms of the East
Raja Ampat from/to Sorong
Special price US$2,945 as compared to regular US$3,270

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book.

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Fiji Siren  –  Dive Beyond the Bligh
• 10 nights: 25 August – 04 September 2017  

Indo Siren  –  Komodo National Park
• 10 nights: 01 – 11 September 2017

Palau Siren  –  Dive the Rock Islands
• 7 nights: 21 – 28 August 2017

Philippine Siren  – Malapascua & The Visayas
• 10 nights: 28 August – 07 September 2017

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now to book. This month only.

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‘The Chindwin is the loveliest of rivers…’ so wrote my late friend Alister McCrae of his 1930s trip up the great tributary as a young assistant of the Irrawaddy Flotilla*. And so it remains. I have been up a few rivers in my time and the Chindwin without a doubt remains the loveliest of them all. The Laos Mekong, with its gorges and rocks the size of apartment blocks is on a grander, almost intimidating, scale. The Irrawaddy is a magnificent beast as it expands and contracts through a series of vast shimmering water filled plain and tight defiles. Nothing could beat the Brahmaputra for bird and wildlife and nothing could beat the great Mekong Delta for human life.

I returned this year to the Chindwin to find it little changed in a world of great change. Timeless, soulful, the river meanders through range upon range of forested hills, through rocky narrows and great open spaces. You are up against towering bluffs to one side and shimmering seas of elephant grass on the other. Our course is punctuated by pristine villages that have not visibly changed in a millennia. On the Chindwin, you will find the real Burma: a quietly prosperous riverine economy, self-sufficient and at one with its self.

I first explored the Chindwin in 1986 when I travelled up river on a small motorboat. I was twenty-five then and spent the better part of a week sleeping on sand banks as the boatmen tried to coax our overladen vessel off these sand banks. This was in April and the river was so shallow you could walk across. I fell in love with the river and marvelled at the art treasures that awaited in long forgotten wood carved monasteries, one of which at Mingkin I believe to be the oldest in Burma.

The best places to stay, when not on the sand banks, were in the village monasteries. At Kan I formed a friendship with the spiritual, yet at the same time highly capable sayadaw (abbott), that lasts to this day. The Kan Sayadaw ran the village as a sort of benign theocracy and it was the tidiest, cleanest and most quietly prosperous village in Burma. His aura of authority was such that he was able to keep out the hordes of rapacious officials lying in wait in the nearby township of Mingkin.

The Chindwin is the Irrawaddy’s greatest tributary flowing down 700 miles from the Patkai Hills in North-East India, said to the be the wettest place in the world, which accounts for a monsoon rise of water levels of 100ft and sometimes the river can rise thirty feet in a night. In the low water season from mid-October onwards, the water level drops to three feet or less and is navigable only by vessels with the shallowest of drafts. The river is navigable from its confluence with the Irrawaddy as far as Homalin which is 400 miles.

Photos courtesy of Barry Broman and Paul Strachan

I did not return till the late 90s on our first Pandaw and there was virtually no change from when I had been up there fifteen years before. Roads were few and cars fewer. The Chinese ‘colonisation’ of Burma was just beginning and had yet to reach these remote parts. It was a joyful reunion with the Kan Sayadaw, witnessed by bemused guests on board. I have been lucky enough to do the trip a couple more times in the intervening years and it just seems to get lovelier and lovelier.

This year I took my family on our Kalay Pandaw, the five cabin so called ‘Pandaw Owner’s Yacht'; not that we get to go in it very much as it is usually fully booked. The Kalay followed the nine cabin Zawgyi. In December the weather is just perfect, the temperature ranging from 15C at night to 25C by day. No one used the air conditioners and most meals were taken outside, though fleeces are a must at breakfast time.

On both the Zawgyi and Kalay every single guest, bar one couple, had been with Pandaw before, many several times. Everyone was up for an adventure and had many a tale of past groundings, evacuations and the other dramas associated with a Pandaw river expedition. Perhaps to some people’s regret, this expedition went quite smoothly, as, though low water, the channels were very clearly defined and we never hit the bottom once. Both these ships draw just under three feet and being small can manoeuvre tight bends. A couple of years ago at the same time of year, the water got so low that a number of key channels blocked and there were queues of boats waiting to get through. We had a lot of complaints that year.

Things have changed now since the 80s and 90s. For one thing, there was 3G for the entire length of the river. I am not sure that is such a good thing as one of the joys of Burma river travel was going ‘offline’. Likewise, on the Irrawaddy you are now ‘wired’ the whole way. As a result, every local you meet, from fisherman to ploughman, has a smart phone and seems to be on Facebook. New roads run parallel to the river and you see cars in the village; as with everywhere in Burma today, everyone is dashing around on a scooter. Even, there is grid power in the larger villages, yet despite the march of modernity, the intrinsic atmosphere of these Chindwin towns and villages remained the same – very friendly, very polite and still with their original wooden houses, very pretty.

I am glad to say that the Kan Sayadaw, now in his eighties, is thriving. Lots of new houses seemed to be under construction around the village and he complained to me, somewhat ironically, that now the once draconian laws of the military dictatorship were relaxed, people were cutting down trees for wood. However, he had won the argument by telling the villagers that tourists want to see the trees and the place would not be so attractive without them.

The Chindwin was first explored in 1881 by two Scots, Fred Kennedy of the Irrawaddy Flotilla and Annan Bryce of the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, who had timber concessions up there from the Burmese king. Upper Burma was then ruled by King Thibaw whilst Lower Burma was British. The IFC ran paddle steamers from Rangoon, the colonial capital, to the royal capital of Mandalay and had agents there and upstream as far as Bhamo. The Chindwin, flowing up to the border of British India was of considerable strategic and commercial interest. However, the main barrier to any development of these opportunities were the water levels with, as said, an average dry season depth of about three feet and in the monsoon, a flow rate strong enough to stop any ship.

Fred Kennedy reported back to Glasgow where the legendary ship builder Peter Denny was one of the company directors. Denny went back to his drawing board in Scotland and came up with a radical new design – the Kha Byoo. In order to maintain trim, the boiler was situated in the bow and the paddles on the stern. One hundred and seventy-foot-long, it drew just two feet! The furnace was wood fired and the company went on to set up fuelling stations at regular intervals so the ship would not be weighed down with its wood pile. The loading was done by girls who would sing as they daintily stepped down the gangplank with stacks of wood beautifully balanced on their heads.

The IFC opened the Chindwin valley to trade and this rich hinterland was able to send its produce by steamer to market. In fact, the Chindwin then, as now, was agriculturally far richer than the Irrawaddy valley and had a far denser population in the arable flat lands. There were oil fields around Mawlaik and of course the rich forests, managed on a strict conservation basis, yielded many a raft of teak logs, floated down river to the great sawmills of Rangoon.

It was up the Chindwin that the British retreated in 1942 with the Japanese hot on their tail. In some instances, the Japanese would enter a town a mere twenty minutes after the British had vacated it. IFC ships were used to evacuate the British civilian population and then used to ferry the retreating army across at key points. The ships were scuppered at Shitthaung lest the Japanese use them to supply their planned invasion of India. In 1943 the Chindwin was crossed again as part of Operation Loincloth, the first Chindit campaign that wreaked havoc on the up till then seemingly invincible Japanese. And it was again down the Chindwin valley that in 1944 Bill Slim and the 14th Army marched back and turned ‘Defeat into Victory’.

Our fellow passengers were a fit bunch, preferring to go exploring on our village stops by mountain bike. (All our ships carry mountain bikes now.) I was amused to see a possy of mountain bikes bombing off down some jungle track being followed by a tuk tuk containing the rather portly local guide. I could see that our intrepid passengers were really enjoying a feeling of ‘exclusivity’, being the only foreign visitors on the whole length of the river. The great thing about the river being so shallow is that only very small, ultra-shallow draft ships can make it and none of the big white cruisers that congest the waterways between Pagan and Mandalay can get up here.

We travelled with our teenage son Toni and a friend of his – living proof that these expeditions are a great experience for younger people. There is just so much to see and do and they get a real insight into another culture and way of life. Each evening the crew would set up a badminton net for a crew vs kids session. This would generally disintegrate into a football knock around in which locals would join in. We had some trainees on board and it was suggested to Toni he might do something useful and teach them some English. He roped them into a marathon Monopoly game, conducted in English of course. There were great shrieks of mirth emanating from the saloon all afternoon.

It was with a heavy heart that we disembarked at Mingkin leaving our guests to continue to Mawlaik. We drove back to Pagan in just seven hours along a freshly cut mountain road, unthinkable a few years ago when the river was the only form of communication.

The Kha Byoo runs on the Chindwin weekly from September to February from Kalewa to Homalin (high water) Monywa to Kalewa (low water). Berths can be booked through Symbiosis Custom Travel who can also advise on and plan your travels before and after your cruise.

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12-21 February 2017. Sorong-Sorong. 9 nights. €2,745/person
23 February – 04 March 2017. Sorong-Sorong. 9 nights. €2,745/person

This route covers the very best dive sites of Raja Ampat Marine Park, one of the most diverse diving destinations in the world! Make your reservation now before it gets completely full! Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now.

This amazing pic by Alfonso Exposito, taken during his cruise with the Ondina, won the First prize in the Macro Category Deep Indonesia 2016

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Sailing a Phinisi schooner through the stunning waters of Indonesia is an amazing, romantic, adventurous and unique experience and exploring this incredible underwater world with the SMY Ondina and combining it with Yoga just makes it unforgettable and relaxing.

Inhale the sea-salt air. Exhale. Enjoy the silence. Consciously observe the body and breath. Develop mindfulness. Swim in crystal clear turquoise water. Relax & laugh… Dive into Yoga!

Yoga
In the mornings and/or evenings we practice Yoga at the beautiful sun deck for about 90 min. – remaining mindful, loving and focused throughout. In the mornings, start with vitalising breathing techniques (Pranayama) and invigorating body postures (Asanas). After diving or snorkelling we unwind with gentle stretching postures, conscious breathing and deep relaxation. A further enrichment to our yoga classes will be the silence we experience when observing nature – above and under water.

Diving
The optional integration of diving into the yoga vacations offers participants the opportunity to realise even more the meditative stillness of diving. The breathing is calm and smooth due to the practice of breathing techniques (Pranayama). Non-divers can go snorkelling and/or simply admire the stunning views and relax. Just below the surface of the water, you will find some of the most pristine and untouched coral reef in the world.

The Raja Ampat archipelago owns the worldwide record for the greatest number of different species found in one single dive. Add the most pristine and colourful coral gardens, outstanding landscapes, fishing villages and of course, Birds of Paradise.

.. only 15 participants – reserve your space as soon as possible. Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel.

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Amazing last minute special offer on this wonderful 8 day

The cruise starts at the home of Angkor Wat, the World’s largest collection of ancient religious monuments and a World Heritage Site, passes across South East Asia’s largest lake, the Tonle Sap, arriving at the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. From there the cruise continues lazily sailing through the verdant Mekong Delta of South Vietnam to the bustling commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city.

Vessel: Tour Tiou 1
Dates: 3rd to 10th January 2017
Discount: 50% Discount

For inquiries and reservations contact Symbiosis Custom Travel

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DIVE FIJI
• Easter in Fiji: 9-19 April 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 4150€ NOW 3320€
• Summer in Fiji: 14 – 24 August 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 4150€ NOW 3527.50€

DIVE INDONESIA
• Komodo: 30 Jul – 9 Aug 2017 (7 nights)
WAS 4290€ NOW 3646.50€
• Flores to Raja Ampat: 5-19 October 2017 (14 nights)
WAS 5950€ NOW 5057.50€

DIVE PALAU
• Get wrecked in Palau:16-23 Feb 2017 (7 nights)
WAS 3450€ NOW 2932.50€
• Summer in Palau: 24 Jun – 4 Jul 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 4790€ NOW 4071.50€

DIVE THE PHILIPPINES
• Tubbataha and More: 1-14 March 2017 & 31 May – 13 June 2017 (13 nights)
WAS 5600€ NOW 4760€
• Malapascua & the Visayas: 6-16 Aug 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 3490€ NOW 2966.50€

DIVE FRENCH POLYNESIA
• Fakarava to Rangiroa: 1 – 11 March 2017 (10 nights)
WAS $5675 NOW $4823.75
• Rangiroa to Fakarava: 14 – 24 June 2017 (10 nights)
WAS $5675 NOW $4823.75

DIVE TRUK LAGOON
• 7 nights: 23-30 April 2017
WAS $3095 NOW $2630.75
• 10 nights: 5-15 July 2017
WAS $4345 NOW $3693.23

DIVE THE SIMILAN ISLANDS, THAILAND
• 6 nights: 6-12 January 2017
WAS starting from 911€ NOW 774€
• 4 nights: 6-10 April 2017
WAS starting from 703€ NOW 597€

Offers are valid on new individual bookings only and must be confirmed by the 31st October 2016.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book and to arrange your travel.

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Duration: 2 days/ 1 night
Cruise programs: Upstream Cruise (Bangkok – Ayutthaya) and
Downstream Cruise (Ayutthaya – Bangkok)

Tell us your travel dates to check availability
​Reservations through Symbiosis Custom Travel

Package includes:
1 night accommodation in a cabin in the Mekhala boat
Cruise and meals as mentioned in the program
Note:
The special offer applies to upstream cruise (Bangkok – Ayutthaya) and downstream cruise (Ayutthaya – Bangkok) only.
The price is based on two persons travelling together.
The offer applies to new bookings only.
The price is based on two persons travelling together.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to plan your Thailand holiday now.

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Where: Philippines
Vessel: Philippine Siren
Offer: Reduced from 3300 Euro to 2640 Euro
A full charter has been released creating some spaces on this popular Malapascua and the Visayas itinerary which is almost completely locked out for 2016!
Dates: 8 – 18 Oct, 2016

Where: Fiji
Vessel: Fiji Siren
Offer: 15% OFF
Dates:
• 11 – 21 November 2016
• 3 – 10 Dec. 2016

Where: Indonesia – Raja Amat, West Papua
Vessel: Indo Siren
Offer: Early Bird Special – 10% OFF
Dates: 26 April – 6 May 2017

Where: Truk (Chuuk), Micronesia
Vessel: Truk Master
Offer: 15% OFF
Dates:
• 26 Oct – 5 Nov. 2016
• 7 – 17 Dec. 2016 2016

Where: French Polynesia
Vessel: French Polynesia Master
Offer: 15% OFF
Dates:
• 25 January – 4 February 2017 (Rangiroa to Fakarava)
• 4 – 11 February 2017 (Fakarava and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)

Terms and Conditions
• Specials only valid if booked before the 31st August 2016 and confirmed by the 15th September 2016,
• Only valid on new bookings,
• Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book and to start planning your journey

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