Timeless, golden and deeply spiritual, Burma remains Asia’s great romantic journey. So you drift past a plain of two thousand temples, watch leg-rowing fishermen at dusk and end on an empty Indian Ocean beach. Tourism here is still young, which keeps the welcome genuine. We have curated journeys across the country for years. Every one of our tailor-made holidays is shaped around you. As a result, Burma rewards the curious like nowhere else.
Burma feels wonderfully untouched by mass tourism. So its pagodas, markets and river life carry on much as they always have. Meanwhile, fine boutique hotels and river boats have quietly arrived. The country suits travellers seeking depth over checklists. As a result, it leaves an unusually deep impression.
Most journeys begin in Yangon, the old colonial capital. So you watch sunset gild the vast Shwedagon Pagoda, the country’s sacred heart. A walking tour of colonial Rangoon passes grand, faded facades. Equally, the circular train offers a slow loop through everyday life. You might stay at the storied Governor’s Residence.
Nothing in Asia quite prepares you for Bagan. So more than two thousand temples scatter a bend of the Irrawaddy. At dawn, balloons drift over the plain in one of travel’s great spectacles. The stupas of Bagan glow rose and gold at each end of the day. You might stay at the Bagan Lodge or Aureum Palace.
The great river stitches the country together. So a cruise between Mandalay and Bagan turns travel into the destination itself. The Belmond Road to Mandalay stars in our Road to Mandalay itinerary, while the Orcaella reaches the remote Chindwin on our Remote Burma journey. Life along the Irrawaddy unfolds slowly from the deck. Read our guide to Irrawaddy river cruises to choose your boat.
Mandalay hums with craft and devotion. So you climb the hill for a famous sunset and watch the dawn alms round of the monks. Up in the Shan hills, treks from Kalaw thread tribal villages and tea fields. The Kalaw community trek is a gentle favourite. As a result, the hill country adds welcome cool and quiet.
Then comes the floating world. So long-tail boats carry you among the stilt villages and gardens of Inle Lake; the Inle Lake experience gathers its best moments. You might stay at Villa Inle or the Inle Princess. Finally, the palm-backed sands of Ngapali end the journey barefoot. The Sandoway Resort sits right on the beach.
There is a journey here for every traveller. So Burma in a Nutshell and The Golden Land cover the classics beautifully. Honeymooners love our Honeymoon to Burma, while families choose the Family Adventure. For something rarer, sail the Mergui archipelago or go deep with Burma in Depth.
Generally, October to April brings dry, golden days. By contrast, the summer monsoon is hot and wet, though the Chindwin cruises sail then. The hill country, meanwhile, stays pleasantly cool. So we tailor the timing to your plans. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.
Whether you dream of temples, rivers or empty beaches, we can weave them together. So a fortnight gathers the classics at a graceful pace. When you are ready, simply get in touch with our specialists. We will then craft a private itinerary around your interests. As ever, every detail is arranged for you.
Daily life in Burma is endlessly absorbing. So the markets of Yangon overflow with flowers, fish and thanaka-painted faces. A street-food tour grazes from tea shops to noodle stalls. Meanwhile, Mandalay’s workshops still beat gold leaf by hand. As a result, the everyday rivals the monuments.
The country rewards those who slow down. So you can cycle between Bagan’s pagodas or drift the lake by canoe. Treks from Kalaw reach villages without roads. Equally, the five-day floating market rotates colour around Inle. In short, the best moments arrive unhurried.
Everything we arrange in Burma is private and hand-built. So you travel with gentle, knowledgeable guides in each region. We know the boats, the balloon operators and the beach resorts personally. Meanwhile, our partners in Yangon are on call throughout. As a result, this most graceful of countries feels effortless.
In the end, Burma casts the gentlest of spells. So the gold of Shwedagon and the hush of Bagan linger for years. Many guests call it their most treasured journey. Meanwhile, the rivers and islands keep more in reserve. As a result, one visit is rarely enough.
You will hear both Burma and Myanmar used. So we use the traditional name our travellers know best. Either way, the welcome on the ground is the same. As a result, the only thing to decide is when to go.
Twelve days to a fortnight suits most first visits. So you can include a cruise without rushing. Longer trips reach the hills and islands.
It depends on route and style. So our Irrawaddy cruise guide compares the boats. We will match the ship to your dates.
Entirely. Every itinerary is private and shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
This shorter private tour of Burma combines all the main highlights of this amazing destination, exploring Yangon, visiting Mandalay, cruising the Irrawaddy, the temples and pagodas of Bagan and Inle Lake.
Explore Burma on a luxury private tour seeing all the major sights, plus a visit to Kalaw and ending with some well deserved time on the beach in Ngapali to end.
Nothing quite compares to a gentle cruise along the Irrawaddy from Mandalay to Bagan. You’ll see the major sights of Burma, but also see the traditional villages and rural charm along the banks of the river.
Burma makes for such a wonderful family holiday, packed with amazing experiences that the children will love, such as seeing lively markets, meeting elephants, cycling through Bagan and ending on the Indian Ocean.
With the introduction of a selection of new luxury hotels in recent years, Burma is fast becoming the destination to explore in style on a luxurious tour packed with authentic and amazing experiences.
A honeymoon to Burma allows you to have an amazing cultural adventure and a chance to leisurely kick-back on the Indian Ocean.
Explore the untouched islands of the Mergui Archipelago in southern Burma with the classics highlights of this amazing destination.
If you want to leave no stone unturned in Burma, then we can offer longer private journeys which get further off-the-beaten track to see more of this amazing country.
The further you get off-the-beaten track in Burma, the more remarkable the destination becomes. Ideal for a second-time trip, this tour explores the hidden Chindwin on the luxury Belmond Orcaella.
Ngapali Beach is located on the Bay of Bengal and is a wonderful beach destination, fantastic for some R&R after a tour of Burma. It retains a sleepy fishing-village vibe, with a long stretch of beach and waters that you can easily take swim. Hop on bikes and explore the villages, or just sit back and enjoy the setting.
The Irrawaddy, or Ayeyarwady as it is all known, runs from the snow-capped Himalayas, through the fertile plains in Burma past Mandalay and Bagan and down to the Indian Ocean. On its banks, you will see the timeless charm that hasn’t changed in centuries: bullock-carts and ox-ploughs working the fields, teak Buddhist Monasteries and glistening golden pagodas straddling the hillsides.
Bagan never ceases to make people simply go ‘wow’. With over 3000 temples and pagodas drifting off into the distance, wth the might Irrawaddy drifting past. At sunrise, take a balloon and see the sheer expanse of it all and at sunset, clamber on to one of the tallest pagodas to see the light shimmer and change against the various structures.
Mandalay was the former capital of Burma before the British moved it to Rangoon and has a long history of exotic rulers and colourful Burmese empires. At its heart of the old royal palace, which dates from the 1850s, but just outside of Mandalay you find Ava, Amarapura and Sagaing which are all former capitals.
Inle Lake is located in Shan State to the north-west of Yangon and is a large freshwater lake, home to the Intha people. They live on the lake, building their houses on stilts, with an array of cottage industries in evidence such as cheroot rolling, silk weaving and metal work.
Hpa-An is the capital of Karen State in Burma and is located to the west of Yangon and is very much off-the-beaten track, and with a visit to Golden Rock, you can see a part of Burma that few others visit.
Yangon (Rangoon) is Burma’s largest city and was founded in the 11th century by the Mon people and was a small community built around the amazing Shwedagon Pagoda. It was conquered by King Aluangpaya in 1755 who was reunifying Burma from his base in Ava, near present day Mandalay.
Most importantly, our luxury Burma holidays are fully customisable and conducted privately. For example, you can arrive and depart on any day you choose, with your own guides in each region. We can arrange international flights, or you can book these directly or with air-miles.
We always start with a blank sheet of paper when designing your holiday. Above all, the best way to begin is by calling us for a quick conversation about how we can make your trip to Burma exceptionally special. For instance, tell us whether the temples of Bagan, an Irrawaddy cruise or the beaches of Ngapali appeal most. As a result, we can craft an itinerary that fits entirely around you; our guide to Irrawaddy river cruises is a good place to start.
Flights: There are no direct flights from Europe, the USA or Australia, so most routes go via the Middle East (Qatar Airways or Emirates) or via Bangkok and the Far East (Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines). Yangon and Mandalay both have international airports, meaning you can fly into one and out of the other. Total flying time from the UK is about 14.5 hours. Time Zone: GMT +6:30.
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January is a great month to for Burma holidays, with warm and dry conditions, and the beaches fully open to end your Burma tour.
Temperatures are almost perfect in February in Burma, and it is also dry, making it one of the best months to travel.
March in Burma gets a little warmer, and during the heat of the day, it's best not to be out for too long. That said, it's the most popular time to travel for Burma holidays, with dry conditions.
The temperatures begin to rise fairly steeply in April, and can get over 40°C in some areas. Therefore it's important to see the sights early in the morning and late afternoon.
The temperatures continue to rise throughout May, until a freshening breeze comes in from the Indian Ocean, bringing with it showers that help to calm the heat.
June is a change-over month as the breeze and short showers turn into the monsoon later in the month. It's still very possible to travel, but it's not the best time of year for burma holidays. The beach resort close down for the summer, reopening in October.
The monsoon hits the south of the country, but you can escape to the north-east which is still fairly pleasant. The Chindwin River is fully navigable and there are a number of cruise departures during July and August.
Again, August is the best time to cruise the Chindwin River for your Burma holiday, but monsoon dampens the opportunities to travel elsewhere.
September is when the monsoon starts to come to an end in Burma, and can be an interesting time for Burma holidays where you might get a little rain, but on the whole its absolutely fine. That said, the beach resort are yet to reopen but you find a beautiful lush, green countryside. Temperatures have dropped to the high 20s.
October is the first month of the new season as the beach resorts reopen, and guests can see the lushness left over after the monsoon. Temperatures are great for seeing the country, and the rainy season is over.
Temperatures are perfect, being in the mid 20s by day, so great for exploring. It is dry, and a wonderful time to explore Burma.
Burma is a wonderful place to visit for Christmas or New Year holidays. The temperatures are pleasant, and it is dry.
The best time to visit Burma is from October to May, when the monsoon stays away. So the skies are clear, the rivers are calm and the beach resorts are open. By contrast, the resorts close down once the rains arrive. As a result, most journeys are planned for these months.
For the most easy-going temperatures, look at mid-October to mid-April. So the days are dry and the heat stays comfortable for sightseeing. After that, the mercury climbs steadily before the monsoon breaks in June. Meanwhile, the cool season is also ideal for Bagan’s balloons.
That said, summer has one great reward. The higher water of the monsoon months is the only time you can cruise the remote Chindwin River. So adventurous travellers can get truly off the beaten track into remote Burma. As a result, even the wet season earns its place in the calendar.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.