According to the information released from NASA, on Friday the 15th of January 2010, an annular eclipse of the Sun will be visible from within a 300-km-wide track that traverses half of the Earth. After it passes through Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia, it will cross the Indian Ocean where the maximum duration of annularity reaches 11 minutes and 08 seconds. The central path then continues into Asia through Bangladesh, India, Myanmar (Burma), and China.

Shwebo, two hours' drive north of Mandalay, is one of the best places in the world to see the eclipse as the city lies right on the central path where the sun will be obscured by the moon. The time for the maximum eclipse in Shwebo is at 08:34 hrs local time and the duration of the annularity will be 8 minutes and 38 seconds. Some other places like Monywa, the city in Sagaing Division, Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway and Sittwe also fall under the path of Annularity and will offer very advantageous views of the rare, spectacular and fascinating event on the day.

The very first Butterfly Museum in Myanmar will be opened at National Kandawgyi Park in Pyin Oo Lwin in December 2010. It will exhibit more than 100,000 mounted butterfly specimens including those found all over the country. It is open to everyone who’d like to learn about different butterfly species and the relationship between butterflies and the environment. According to the sources, more than 40,000 mounted Myanmar butterflies were donated by a Japanese collector back in September and the rest will be bought from Singapore, Thailand and other countries, costing US$5 to US$2000 per piece, depending on the rarity. The museum curators are also hoping to add a collection of mounted beetle specimens from around the world and to open a living butterfly garden adjacent to the museum next year.

Hoteliers are planning to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of Ngwe Saung Beach in March, 2010. The palm beach resort with endless white beaches and turquoise water near charming fishing villages was officially opened on 11^th of March 2000 as a holiday destination. Although the details including the event dates are yet to be confirmed, a plan for the event includes performances, musical entertainment, contests as well as cultural shows. The organisers are hoping to promote the event extensively to attract local and international travellers. The highway to the resort is currently under renovation which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. The improved highway will make the resort more accessible and the journey more comfortable.

The ancient city of Bagan on the eastern bank of Irrawaddy River is the birth place of Myanmar civilisation. It covers more than 42 square kilometers and hosts one of the largest sites of religious architecture in the world; Bagan is also known as "City of four million pagodas". This ancient city, enriched with archeological and historical records, offers visitors over 2000 religious edifices of marvelous art. The numerous temples, spectacular pagodas and the stupas reveal a rich architectural heritage from the 11th to 13th centuries and are the most impressive reminders of the first period of Myanmar greatness.

Records confirm that around 13,000 structures were built and once stood in ancient Bagan. The city was attacked and conquered by hordes of Mongolian horsemen under Kublai Khan in 1287 and many structures in towns were destroyed by the invaders. The city also suffered from severe earthquake in 1975 when many of Bagan's principal structures were destroyed. Today, 2,200 temples remain and it is difficult to cover all these Bagan monuments. Visitors are recommended to choose the main highlights, such as the Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, Damayangyi Temple and Shwezigon Paya.

The "Ananda" temple was built by the King Kyanzittha towards the end of the 11th Century AD and is considered the first great temple of Bagan. Visitors will find several small Buddhas that are placed within the walls while the high golden Buddha Statue can be found near one of the entrances of the temple. Colin Nisbet described this scene in his brief overview of Burma's Bagan; "Walking through the interior of the temple does evoke a feeling of moving through a space deep within the earth". The temple celebrates its festival annually on the full moon of Pyatho (usually between December and January, according to the Lunar Calendar).

Shwezigon with beautiful architecture was built as the most important reliquary shrine in Bagan and is known as a centre for prayer and reflection for the new Theravada faith of King Anawratha. It is ranked as one of the oldest pagodas in Bagan and also known as the site where the 37 pre-Buddhist nats (the spirits) were first officially endorsed by the Myanmar monarchy. Images of the 37 nats can be seen in a shed to the southeast of the platform. Shwezigon is also known for its importance in the development of Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar and still is an important part of the Burmese festival held during November and December.

With history dating as far back as the mid 9th Century AD, this city once the capital of a flourishing kingdom enriched with histories of Kings and Queens who built the splendid monuments and archaeological sites, Bagan is indeed a highly recommended must-see place in Myanmar.

Kachin Manaw Festival and Kachin State Day celebrations, are attended by all ethnic groups from the Kachin States of Myanmar and the Kachin & Tibetan descendents from the Yunnan Province of China. The festival also showcases colourful and vibrant costumes of the diverse ethnic groups in northern Myanmar. It's worth a visit to the panoramic river mouth where the May Kha & Malikha Rivers, originating from the Himalaya regions, join into the one vital river of Myanmar, the mighty Ayerwaddy.

Looking for an exciting once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the wilderness of the pristine Myanmar Himalayas? Our exclusive offers so far on our Myanmar Himalayan Mountain trekking expeditions run until early April 2010. The new 'off the beaten treks' are usually 10 night/ 11 day or 11 night/12 day trips.

Destinations include Mt. Phongun (3,600m) and Mt. Phonyin (4,560m), two of the most picturesque mountains in the Myanmar Himalyas and home to some of the world's most beautiful wild orchids among many other exotic plants, butterflies and musk deer.

During the promotion period (see the departure dates below), there is no single supplement for single travellers and 10% discount for travellers in small groups (group booking of 4 or more) on these trips. See the departure dates below:
We also offer tailor-made tours to suit your travel plans.
Email: info@taistartnt.com for further information.

• 10% off on Myanmar Himalaya Trip for group booking 4 or more
• 10% off Mergui Archipelago Trips
• 10% off Balloon Over Bagan flight tickets
• 15% off Balloon Safari in Shan States
• 15% saving on group booking for 4 or more on Classic Tours
• 15% discounts on upgrading to Luxury River Cruising between Mandalay and Bagan with your classic Myanmar tour packages.
• 20% off River Cruises