Without a doubt the most amazing way to see the culturally rich country of Burma is by taking a luxury cruise on the Irrawaddy River. Forget about packing and unpacking and just relax watching the amazing shoreline change. There is no better view of Burma than this!
Asia is a stunning continent with huge areas of coastline, so there is no better way to explore Asia than by boat! Here are our top six cruises, personally selected by Asia specialist Nathan, to inspire your very own boat trip around some of Asia’s most iconic and beautiful sites.
Apart from the stunning scenery, fascinating history and amazing culture, Burma is all about the people. They are some of the kindest and most compassionate people you will meet. One story that we can’t tell enough is that of the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp in Burma. There are so many elephant experiences that tourists can take part in across South East Asia, but many of them are simply tourist attractions that have no concern for the elephants’ welfare. At Green Hill Valley, love and care for animals is at the very centre of everything they do. Here is an interview we carried out with Htun and Maw who founded the camp. It gives you a real insight into their care and compassion for these beautiful animals.
Off-limits for years but now back on every intrepid traveller’s wish-list, Burma (now known as Myanmar) lies in the heart of Asia and is one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. Go and be overwhelmed by giant Buddhist temples and thousands of ancient ruins set across mystical landscapes, or venture out to remote villages, where you will be welcomed by the friendly locals still living their traditional lives with very little western contact. We've whittled down our top 10 things to see in this enigmatic golden land…
Burma’s doors are finally open, giving travellers the chance to experience the cultural treasures, architectural marvels, and natural splendour of this jewel in south-east Asia.
Your temple-spotting odyssey starts in the ancient city of Bagan. Whilst it is great to explore by bicycle, it is far better to take to the sky in a hot-air balloon at sunrise or sunset to see some of the 3,000 temples that dot the landscape below. Take a pilgrimage to the volcanic Mount Popa, where you can climb the 777 steps up to its sacred monastery.
For a heady dose of colonial-era architecture, tree-lined avenues and traditional shop houses, visit Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon). Here you can marvel at Burma’s most sacred site - the stupendous and iconic 2,500-year-old Shwedagon Paya (Golden Pagoda) that rises over the city in golden splendour.
In a country where drinking tea is a national pastime, the pace of life is slow. This is most apparent in Mandalay, the Buddhist spiritual centre on the banks of the Irrawaddy River that wows with pagodas, monasteries and Buddhist monks. Marvel at the Royal Palace, climb the 230-metre-high Mandalay Hill, and see U Bein Bridge glisten at sunset.
For a uniquely Burmese journey, cruise from Mandalay to Bagan along the Irrawaddy River, stopping at the town of Mingun. Equally sublime is Inle Lake, the most scenic spot in the Shan State. Meet the Intha people and discover floating villages before sailing to Kakku, the fabled “forest of temples”.
More back-to-nature thrills await at the hill station of Kalaw, an emerging trekker’s paradise to the west of Inle Lake. Trek to your heart’s content, hike to Cloud Hill, and stop off at the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp - this conservation area protects elephants in 150 acres of natural habitat.
With 2,000-kilometres of coastline, it is little wonder that Burma is primed to be one of Asia's beach hotspots. For sun-soaked perfection, hit the white sands at Ngapali to ease into beach mode.