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Myanmar, perhaps better known as Burma, is one of the poorest but also one of the most fascinating and beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. There are two sides to this complex land. On one hand you have a country rich in natural resources offering incredible landscapes, some truly breath-taking man made edifices, like the temples at Bagan or the shimmering golden Shwedagon, and a warm and friendly people. On the other hand you have a country at odds with itself and the international community.
For decades Myanmar’s hard-line government has left the country isolated which in turn has restricted the country’s development to such an extent that holidays to Myanmar or a tour to Myanmar is like travelling back in time. How far back into the past you travel depends on where you choose to go. A visit to Yangon, compared to Bangkok, may only take you back 10 or 20 years but a visit to some of the more isolated hill tribes may seem like a voyage back to the Middle Ages! Despite Myanmar’s contradictions this is a wonderful land that is bound to surprise and delight you, should you choose to visit.
Should you go?
The political controversy surrounding Myanmar’s government has led some people to argue that tour operators should not offer holidays or travel to Myanmar. We do not subscribe to this view as we feel that boycotting the country only further harms Myanmar’s wonderful people. In offering holidays to Myanmar and tours to Myanmar, wherever possible, we will only deal with non-government hotels, airlines and companies when making your travel arrangements, and we have chosen to work with partners in Myanmar who support a number of projects that help local communities. However we do accept that it is not always possible to prevent the government earning some money from tourism.
We would therefore ask that you research this emotive issue and make your own mind up as to whether you feel it is appropriate to visit Myanmar. If you would like help on where to find balanced arguments, for and against travel, please let us know and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.
If you do decide to go, an extraordinary, spiritual and exciting country awaits you. For more information on your holiday to Myanmar please choose one of the links on the left, or to book a tour to Myanmar, please contact us.
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