Myanmar (Burma) Holidays
There have always been huge complexities involved in travelling to Myanmar, and we work hard to ensure that what we offer is appropriate and has the most positive impact possible. However, since 1st February 2021, when Myanmar’s democratically elected leaders were deposed by the country’s military in a violent coup d'état, we have been unable to travel there. Our hearts go out to the people of Myanmar, and we fully support them in their struggle against the military junta. We hold out hope that their situation will change for the better in the near future, and are committed to maintaining a momentum for travel to this beautiful and vibrant country.
Wherever we go, we focus on ensuring our travel supports local projects and people, and nowhere is this more pressing than in Myanmar. When undertaken in the right way, the benefits that travel can bring directly to local individuals are immense. It’s crucial that the economic boosts travel brings to a country firmly benefit local micro-economies, and we want to make sure this happens again in Myanmar as soon as possible. We work in a detailed way with our local partners, and are constantly in discussion with them to better understand how to shape a travel offering that supports local communities and individuals even more effectively.
With its complex culture and astonishing beauty, this is a country with soul. A holiday in Myanmar does require forethought, and we strongly encourage those who travel there to enhance their experience by supporting some of the country's inspiring community-based tourism projects.
But get it right, and you'll find yourself rubbing shoulders with some of Asia's most inspiring people, supporting impressive sustainable projects, admiring some of Asia’s finest heritage, and trekking in hauntingly beautiful landscapes.
Heritage highlights
Old Bagan is Myanmar’s answer to Angkor Wat or Machu Picchu, drawing people from across the world to admire its 3,800 ancient temples. Other famous sights include Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, its gilded stupa topped with a massive diamond, and Golden Rock, a much-loved Buddhist shrine. Beyond these, Myanmar brims with impressive heritage, from the colonial-era buildings of Yangon to the regal palace of Mandalay.
High impact eco-projects
We’re talking about the real deal — a crop of legitimately sustainable lodges, resorts and initiatives which have sprung up across the country. They’re all unique, but have in common big hearts and a well-considered approach to tourism. Created with local communities on board, and designed to have a minimal impact on the country’s ecosystem, they’re an ideal way to support the people who live here.
Cultural contact
Burma’s diverse mix of people makes the country both fascinating and infamously conflicted. Your travels will include many opportunities to meet the locals. Sit down in a Yangon tea house or hike up to a mountain village, and you’ll glean a far broader sense of life in Myanmar than you can possibly get from the news.
Amazing trekking
Combine a strikingly beautiful natural landscape with ancient temples, active monasteries and remote communities, and you’ve got some really interesting trekking. Several great routes lead from and around Inle Lake, and we’re also big fans of trekking in Kayah State, where a community-inclusive guiding project helps to involve locals in your visit.
Take a boat upriver
Travelling along one of Myanmar’s rivers lets you witness daily life on the riverbanks whilst enjoying a change of pace from road travel. Routes range from the classic two-night hop between Mandalay and Bagan to more extensive voyages such as the one up the Chindwin River to Homalin, near the Indian border.
Coastal beauty
Whether you’re admiring it from your beachfront veranda or the basket of a hot air balloon, Myanmar’s shoreline is largely undeveloped and ruggedly handsome. You can find truly sustainable island resorts in the beautiful Mergui Archipelago, in Burma’s far south..
Things to love in Myanmar
What to do in Myanmar: Discover more with our hand-picked experiences & highlights
The Selective difference
With us, you are taken care of from enquiry until your reluctant homecoming. Your holiday is designed by a specialist who knows your destination first-hand. Throughout your travels, you'll have expert personal guides where requested & our full logistical support. And, it goes without saying, we'll be waiting to hear all about it once you're home.
LOCAL EXPERTISE
Our Brighton-based Destination Specialists spend each day working closely with colleagues and partners across Asia. This ensures we stay several steps ahead when designing inspiring holidays, staying up to date and overcoming obstacles, which means your holiday will be crafted using both local and international expertise.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
The welfare of our destinations and their communities is incredibly important to us. We are focused on ensuring that your money makes a positive impact, as often as possible, by supporting communities and wildlife conservation through dedicated initiatives and by very carefully choosing our partners in Asia.
EXCEPTIONAL STANDARDS
We may be partial to the occasional bad pun, but we don’t joke around when it comes to designing first class travel experiences. Over 90% of our clients rate us 5/5 after their holiday, and we're not ashamed to crack a proud grin on behalf of our award-winning teams in the UK and Asia.
WORRY-FREE
We know your time is precious, before and during your trip. We want you to have a smooth and relaxing experience so that your main concern on holiday will be whether to order noodles or rice. There will be no hidden extras, and your holiday will be orchestrated seamlessly by your Destination Specialist plus our local guides and behind-the-scenes crews in your destination.
Dig Deeper
Explore Burma's highlights
Responsible Travel in Burma
We are endlessly inspired by Myanmar, from its awe-inspiring natural and cultural scenery, to its enterprising, resilient people. They've endured considerable troubles over the years, so it's great to see the impressive grassroots initiatives that are now coming through. The time you spend in Myanmar can make an unusually huge impact on local people's lives, so travelling 'the right way' here is particularly crucial. We're excited by the recent growth of legitimately responsible enterprises such as (and to shine a light on just a few of our favourites) the low-impact community-based Arakan Nature Lodge, the thoughtfully beautiful Wa Ale Island Resort, and 9 Generation Force, a community-inclusive guiding project in Kayak State. Despite growing out of challenging times, these projects are leading lights for responsible tourism in Asia, and they have our wholehearted support.
We’re strong believers in travelling as an informed responsible tourist, and in supporting projects that have a genuinely positive impact on their communities and habitats. We are hugely excited about these, and if you do decide to visit Myanmar and want to make a difference, these are the places we’ll encourage you to visit.
We know that making the decision whether to travel in Burma can raise questions. Learn more
Find out more about Selective Asia's Responsible Travel policy and our innovative One Bottle at a Time initiative.
