The Story

Best time to go: October Half Term, Christmas Holidays, February Half Term, Easter Holidays
Best for: Culture & Beach, Family Holidays

Burma may not spring to mind for a family holiday, yet children adore its authentic charms. So we adapt each day to keep things fun, with plenty of pool time built in. Rather than plod around the temples, you cycle from pagoda to pagoda. You hit the markets, bathe a retired elephant and end on the beach. You travel with hand-picked private guides throughout. As ever, the whole trip is private and tailored to your family.

Why Burma for Families

Few places surprise children quite like Burma. So we swap long museum visits for hands-on adventure. Meanwhile, we choose family-friendly hotels, all with pools. A friendly private guide keeps everyone engaged. As a result, children stay curious rather than weary.

Yangon: A Lively Start

Begin in Yangon, where you head to the golden Shwedagon Pagoda and the children learn their Burmese name. So the trip opens with a real sense of wonder. Then explore Scott Market and the lively streets. The glittering Shwedagon is unforgettable at sunset. After a long flight, the first day is gently paced.

Bagan: Temples by Bicycle

Next, fly to Bagan and the lovely Bagan Lodge. So you explore the temple-strewn plain by bicycle, which children love. At dusk, watch the sun set over the pagodas. The keen can even take a dawn balloon ride. The plain of Bagan is one of Asia’s great sights.

Mandalay and Ava

Then fly to Mandalay, or take the long, scenic boat down the Irrawaddy. So you see the city’s arts and crafts with your guide. Another day explores the ancient capital of Ava by bicycle, weaving among ruins and villages. The old royal city of Mandalay brims with workshops. As a result, the children stay busy and engaged.

Kalaw: Meeting an Elephant

Next, fly to Heho and drive up to the hill station of Kalaw. So the family visits the Green Valley Elephant Camp, home to retired logging elephants. There you feed an elephant, then take it to the river for a scrub. Another day brings a gentle four-hour village trek through farmland. You stay at the Kalaw Hill Lodge.

Inle Lake: Life on the Water

Then continue to Inle Lake, perhaps via the Buddhist caves of Pindaya. So you take a boat to the famous five-day market and the stilt villages. There you meet the leg-rowing fishermen and lakeside communities. The floating gardens of Inle Lake enchant all ages. You stay at the Sanctum Inle Lake.

Ngapali: Beach Time

Finally, fly to Thandwe for the beaches of Ngapali. So the family enjoys a few days of well-earned rest by the Indian Ocean. There you swim, snorkel and unwind on the soft sand. As a result, the trip ends in pure relaxation. You stay at the Sandoway Resort.

Where You Stay

Naturally, every hotel is chosen with families in mind, each with a pool. First, the Bagan Lodge. Then the Kalaw Hill Lodge and Sanctum Inle Lake. Finally, the Sandoway Resort on the beach.

A Land of Contrasts

The variety is what children remember. First come the golden pagodas. Then temples by bicycle. Soon after, an elephant and a lake. Finally, the beach. So no two days feel the same.

Best Time to Travel

Generally, October to April brings the most comfortable weather. By contrast, the summer months are hot and wet. The cool season, meanwhile, is ideal for families. So we tailor the timing to the school holidays. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.

Comfort and Peace of Mind

Above all, we want parents to relax too. So we choose hotels and guides we know and trust. Meanwhile, the internal flights keep travel days short. A friendly driver-guide smooths every step. As a result, the worries simply melt away.

A Gentle First Adventure

For families new to Asia, Burma is a kind introduction. So the country feels exotic yet wonderfully welcoming. Meanwhile, the pace stays relaxed throughout. As a result, it sparks a real love of travel.

A Trip to Remember

In the end, this is a holiday the whole family treasures. So the children gain stories to tell for years. Meanwhile, parents enjoy the comfort and calm. Above all, it is shared time that truly counts.

Easy to Tailor

Finally, every element flexes to suit you. For example, add more beach or more adventure. Equally, adjust the pace for younger children. As ever, the whole trip is shaped around your family.

A Beach to End

In the end, Ngapali is the perfect finale. So the children swap temples for snorkels and sand. Meanwhile, parents finally put their feet up. As a result, everyone goes home happy.

Designed Around Your Family

As ever, this is only a starting point. So we shape the pace and activities to suit your children. In the end, the adventure is entirely your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages does it suit?

It works well across a wide range of ages. We simply adjust the activities and pace. Older children get more adventurous options.

Is there much travelling?

The internal flights are short, and we break up the days with fun. So the pace stays manageable for children.

When is the best time to go?

Generally, October to April is most comfortable. We will advise on timing for your dates.

Can it be tailored?

Absolutely. Whether you want more adventure or more beach, it is all tailor-made. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.

Guide Pricing

Starting At

  • LOCATION:
  • £2570P.P
    Price per person including all accommodation, private transfers, unique experiences and excluding international flights. We can arrange international flights should you wish.

    Highlights

    • A varied family adventure: cities, the temples of Bagan, Inle Lake and the beach.
    • A destination largely untouched by time, with something new around every corner.
    • Stay in family-friendly hotels, all with pools.
    • Bathe a retired elephant and cycle among Bagan’s pagodas.
    • Private guide and transfers throughout.

    Suggested Hotels

    Days 1-2

    Sule Shangri-La

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Sule Shangri-La is located opposite Scott’s Market in downtown Yangon in Burma and is a classic modern international hotel.

    View hotel
    Days 1-2

    Sule Shangri-La

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Sule Shangri-La is located opposite Scott’s Market in downtown Yangon in Burma and is a classic modern international hotel.

    View hotel
    Days 3-4
    Exterior of Cottages - Bagan Lodge, Burma | Millis Potter | Luxury Tours in Burma

    Bagan Lodge

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Bagan Lodge a resort style contemporary hotel located close to the temples and pagodas of Bagan and is set within verdant landscaped gardens with two large swimming pools.

    View hotel
    Days 3-4
    Exterior of Cottages - Bagan Lodge, Burma | Millis Potter | Luxury Tours in Burma

    Bagan Lodge

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Bagan Lodge a resort style contemporary hotel located close to the temples and pagodas of Bagan and is set within verdant landscaped gardens with two large swimming pools.

    View hotel
    Days 5-6
    Rupar Mandalar, Mandalay | Boutique Hotels in Burma | Millis Potter

    Rupar Mandalar

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Rupar Mandalar is a luxury boutique hotel located in the suburbs of Mandalay in Burma, offering just 22 rooms and suites.

    View hotel
    Days 5-6
    Rupar Mandalar, Mandalay | Boutique Hotels in Burma | Millis Potter

    Rupar Mandalar

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Rupar Mandalar is a luxury boutique hotel located in the suburbs of Mandalay in Burma, offering just 22 rooms and suites.

    View hotel
    Days 7-8
    Kalaw Hill Lodge, Burma

    The Hotel – Kalaw Hill Lodge

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Hotel – Kalaw Hill Lodge is a delightful off-the-beaten track boutique hotel located in the hills above Kalaw in Burma.

    View hotel
    Days 7-8
    Red Canal, Mandalay, Burma

    The Hotel by the Red Canal

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Hotel by the Red Canal is a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Mandalay in Burma, set within lush gardens.

    View hotel
    Days 9-10
    Sanctum Inle Lake, Burma | Luxury Hotels in Myanmar | Millis Potter

    The Sanctum Inle Lake

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Located on the eastern banks of the lake, Sanctum Inle Lake is the most luxurious of all hotels in the area.

    View hotel
    Days 9-10
    Sanctum Inle Lake, Burma | Luxury Hotels in Myanmar | Millis Potter

    The Sanctum Inle Lake

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Located on the eastern banks of the lake, Sanctum Inle Lake is the most luxurious of all hotels in the area.

    View hotel
    Days 11-13

    Sandoway Resort Ngapali

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Sandoway Resort is a gorgeous boutique beach hotel offering wonderful Indian Ocean views set amongst the palm trees of Ngapali Bay in Burma.

    View hotel
    Days 11-13

    Sandoway Resort Ngapali

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Sandoway Resort is a gorgeous boutique beach hotel offering wonderful Indian Ocean views set amongst the palm trees of Ngapali Bay in Burma.

    View hotel

    Customise Your Itinerary

    We can tweak and change any element of this itinerary and you can depart on any day you want, add nights here and there, and we can fully customise your day-to-day experiences depending on your interests. Here are just a few ideas of many that we can look at and discuss when we come to plan your tailor-made itinerary.

    Idea 1

    The length of the itinerary can be adapted if you just have a week or so, but it might mean cutting out a few of the destinations

    Idea 2

    Instead of ending in Ngapali Beach you can travel to the beaches of Thailand to end your trip

    Idea 3

    Be even more adventurous and take a private boat along the Irrawaddy, just for your family, stopping off half way in a boutique hotel beside the river

    Further Itinerary Suggestions

    Family Adventure to Bhutan & Oman

    Kathmandu - Thimphu - Punakha - Paro - Dhulikhel - Muscat  

    Bhutan is an adventure playground that children adore. So they can trek remote villages, raft Himalayan rivers and meet monks their own age. They can also make prayer flags and even create their own stamps. Helpfully, for children under 12 the government waives most visa royalty fees. Travelling as a family, you are classed as …

    15 days from £5000 p. p.

    High & Wild: A Family Adventure to Nepal

    Kathmandu - Bandipur - Annapurna Trek - Pokhara - Seti River Rafting - Chitwan - Dhulikhel  

    Nepal is quite simply one of the world’s best adventure playgrounds, one that makes for the ultimate family holiday combining so many amazing experiences that your children will love.

    13 days from £3300 p. p.

    Family Holiday to India

    Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore National Park - Jaipur - Goa  

    Colourful, vibrant and exotic; a family adventure to Rajasthan will no doubt spellbind your children. See the Taj Mahal, tigers, forts and palaces before ending on the beach in Goa.

    14 days from £4000 p. p.

    Kerala Family Holiday

    Cochin - Kanam Estate - Backwaters - Marari Beach  

    Spices, elephants, backwaters and beaches await you on a family holiday to Kerala, packed with fascinating experiences and a tropical climate, perfect for a winter-sun family adventure.

    12 days from £1715 p. p.

    A Family Holiday to Sri Lanka

    Negombo - Hill Country - Kandy - South Coast Beaches  

    Think Sri Lanka, and think of wild elephants, jungles, tea plantations, spices and palm-fringed beaches. All of which makes for a wonderful family adventure, designed to not involve too much driving which can always be a downside to travelling with children in Sri Lanka.

    14 days from £2500 p. p.