Journeys Within and Ray of Hope Expeditions Offer a One-Of-A-Kind Culture and Dive Trip to Myanmar

(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 28, 2011 ) Truckee, California -- Journeys Within Tour Company and Ray of Hope Expeditions are partnering to offer a truly unique tour to Myanmar. This two week trip, led by regional expert Andrea Ross and marine biologist Dr. Andrea Marshall will spend one week exploring the highlights of Myanmar and the one week diving in its amazing archipalego.

Â“Andrea and I have been friends since high school,Â” said Ross, Journeys Within founder, Â“to be able to bring our passion and diverse experience in travel and diving together is incredibly exciting.Â”

This 14-day trip includes on-land on-land highlights such as Schwedagon Pagoda, the Bagan temples, Inle Lake and even a visit to a Journeys Within sponsored community project. At sea divers will stay on the luxurious Diva Andaman and will visit the Burma Banks, Richelieu Rock and of course see the mantas that Marshall has spent much of her life studying.

Â“In the course of my career and research IÂ’ve dived all over the world and I can honestly say that Myanmar has some of the best diving IÂ’ve ever experienced,Â” said Dr. Marshall, also dubbed by the BBC, Andrea: Queen of the mantas! Â“IÂ’m excited to head back to Myanmar and tag mantas in those waters and to be able to take a group of divers to see this amazing area.Â”

The tour runs February 25 through March 9, 2012 and Journeys Within is accepting applications now with a maximum trip size of twelve. The cost is $6,840 sharing a double or twin room and single supplement costing is available on request.

To see the full itinerary and amazing photos visit http://www.journeys-within.com/tours/groups/documents/Myanmar-Culture-Conservation.pdf.

For more information contact Andrea Ross at andrea@journeys-within.com.

About Tour Leaders Andrea Ross and Dr. Andrea Marshall

Andrea Ross moved with her husband Brandon, in 2003 to Cambodia where they started the Journeys Within Tour Company and Boutique Hotel. In the last seven years Andrea has set up offices in Thai-land, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. Andrea Ross has been on the Wendy Perrin expert list for the last three years and takes her role as a regional expert seriously. She lives in Cambodia for half of the year and travels extensively through Southeast Asia to make sure the guides, drivers and hotels used by Journeys Within are up to standard. She loves to find new and unique trips, hotels and experiences for her guests. Since starting the tour company Andrea has focused on philanthropic travel and the idea that travel can change the world. Andrea is a volunteer executive director for Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC), a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by herself and Brandon. Andrea has two globetrotting children, who go everywhere Mom goes! When in the US for the summer Andrea continues to travel, speaking at clubs and schools, promoting Philanthropic Travel and fundraising for Journeys Within Our Community.

On the other side of the world in 2003, Andrea Marshall began studying manta rays along the remote coastline of southern Mozambique. Andrea was the first person in the world to complete a PhD on manta rays. After completing her thesis Andrea stayed on to spearhead the conservation efforts of this species in Mozambique, founding the Marine Megafauna Association. Her world‐leading manta ray research program examines aspects of their biology, reproductive ecology, habitat use, migrations and social behaviour. Aside from dramatically increasing the level of knowledge on manta rays them-selves, AndreaÂ’s discovery of a new giant species of manta ray in 2008 was one of the largest new spe‐cies to have been described by any scientist in the last 50 years. In 2010 Andrea started Ray of Hope Expeditions, a travel company that allows her to engage with the public and fund her international research on manta rays. Her specially designed research expeditions give guests the opportunity to dive with her and learn from her vast experience of diving with manta rays, while actively participating in marine research. In the evenings, Dr. Marshall will delight participants with specially prepared talks and presentations. As an accomplished underwater photographer, Andrea will also share her knowledge of how to best photograph these majestic animals.

Journeys Within
CONTACT: Andrea Ross
TEL: 877 454 3672
E-MAIL: andrea@journeys-within.com
WEB: www.journeys-within.com

Journeys Within
Stephanie Parnell
832-755-7661
stephanie@adventuremedianews.com