Myanmar
In a region that can sometimes feel overwhelmed with tourists, Myanmar is perhaps the least visited part in South East Asia. Having only really opened up to tourism little more than a decade ago, recent troubles have seen travel here become more difficult, and visitors staying away.
With problems now abating in much of the country (including some of the most interesting parts!), we’re pleased to be venturing back to the ‘Golden Land’.
Our Myanmar holidays and tours show you a land of ancient kingdoms, golden pagodas and charming villages that have retained tradition over time – the lack of tourism here means that it feels like much of South East Asia was decades ago. The backpacker trails of Thailand and beyond haven’t stretched this far.
With the incredible pagoda dotted landscape of Bagan and the charming rural scenes of Inle Lake, Myanmar feels a little like stepping back in time, everywhere imbued with the essence of Buddhism and a history stretching back millennia. From the glistening spires of the exquisite Shwedagon Pagoda to the pilgrims climbing the steps up Mandalay Hill, evidence of Myanmar’s spirituality is pervasive. The people of Myanmar are no less of a highlight, of course, from the burgundy robed monks and thanaka daubed girls to the busy street vendors and tribal groups in the hills, friendly although still at times a little cautious of visitors.
Travelling in Myanmar has historically been a contested issue, but we believe that responsible tourism has an important part to play in local economies, and carefully managed can play a positive role in the country.
Join us in our rediscovery of magical Myanmar.
Top highlights on Myanmar holidays and tours
- See the incredible 11th century temples of Bagan
- Visit the floating markets of the Inle Lake
- Explore the bustling bazaars of Yangon
- The opulent beauty of Shwedagon Pagoda
Culture
Myanmar is largely Buddhist and you will find stupas, temples and pagodas almost everywhere you visit. Entering a monastery is very common among young men and you will see numerous monks when travelling in Myanmar. Other religions include Islam, Hinduism and indigenous beliefs in some of the tribal areas.
The official language here is Bamar, but many people will also speak English.
Burmese cuisine combines that of both the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia, with curries, noodles and fragrant spices, although it’s not quite so distinctive as either, and generally a bit more subtle. At popular tourist sites you’ll find restaurants serving all manner of cuisine to cater for the tastes of visitors, and you’ll also see a good number of Indian and Chinese restaurants dotted around the country.
When to go on holiday to Myanmar
The best time to visit Myanmar is from October to March, which coincides with the dry season. In the approach to the wet season, April and May can get very hot before the rain finally arrives. It’s still possible to visit Burma during the wet season though, as it generally only rains for a couple of hours each day and most of the rainfall is concentrated in Yangon and the delta region. Many people prefer travelling during this time, as the countryside is especially pretty, and there are far fewer visitors meaning that you can have the sites almost entirely to yourself.
Start planning your Myanmar tour
Check out our small group tours to Myanmar. While many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger groups. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made Myanmar holidays or our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.