Myanmar & Ayeyarwady river expedition cruises - Temples of Bagan

Myanmar expedition cruises

A growing number of expedition ships are finding their way to Myanmar, which has been virtually closed to tourists for so long. Highlights include the crumbling colonial streets of Yangon (Rangoon), the magnificent temples of Bagan and the sleepy islands of the Mergui Archipelago.

Our insight

Myanmar expedition cruising

Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is the bustling former capital and the gateway to the rest of the country for visiting ocean ships. The faded, and in places crumbling, colonial buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with ornate stupas and the beginnings of new developments in the city. The Shwedagon Pagoda is the highlight, a towering gold pagoda topped with a huge diamond which is a dazzling sight during the day, and equally splendid at night when lit up by an array of flashy lights. The accommodation in the city is varied but a particular favourite of ours is the outstanding Belmond Governor's Residence, a colonial style mansion dating from the 1920s.

Many itineraries will spend several days docked in Yangon, allowing you time to fly inland to Bagan. Here over 2,000 temples, stupas and monasteries are spread over some 26 square miles, creating a magical landscape that's particularly stunning at sunset and sunrise. Some expedition ships will also explore the unspoilt Mergui Archipelago in the Andaman Sea, home of the Mokken people or 'sea gypsies', who traditionally lived nomadically, moving from island to island.

Inle Lake is another must and makes an excellent add-on to a cruise. Surrounded by villages built on stilts to cope with the ebb and flow of the waters, the appeal of just spending time relaxing, travelling around by boat or bicycle and soaking up daily life can't be underestimated. With the exception of the temples at Bagan, this is our favourite place in the country.

There is also the burgeoning beach resort of Ngapali just a short flight from Yangon, with a handful of small hotels on the wide golden sand beach. Life is at a slower pace here and, like most of the rest of the country, it's hasn't succumbed to the commercialisation that mass tourism brings.

Getting around Myanmar is tricky, and flying internally usually involves a coloured sticker rather than a boarding pass (both charming and comical, but it seems to work) so we recommend booking all arrangements with us, so that we can ensure you have support on the ground in case you need it.

The best time to travel is between December and March when there is little rain, however the temperatures do start to soar from late March, reaching the high 30s in April (a trip to the cooler Inle Lake at this time can provide a welcome relief from the heat). The summer months see the most rainfall, and bringing the temperatures down to a more manageable 29-30 degrees.

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