Thailand And Myanmar

This is a holiday well off the tourist track. We are a long way away from the tourist beaches in southern Thailand. We explore ancient cities and walk amongst ancient tribes who inhabit the countryside. Both Thailand and Myanmar are kingdoms with history stretching back through the ages. In Myanmar we will find remnants of British colonial occupation. Though of all the ex-British colonies Myanmar is the country that shows the least strong colonial influence. However, pockets do remain as we will discover on our explorations. 

We begin in Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai, exploring on foot and uncovering the local flavours with an included cookery class. We have plenty of time to master local delicacies. We then venture into the rural areas for jungle views and coffee plantations. Continuing north we learn of the many distinct local tribes that still inhabit the area. Many tribes preserve traditional culture of which they are very proud. At Chiang Saen, we reach the mighty Mekong River and the fabled Golden Triangle.

Crossing over the border into Myanmar, we take a flight to Kalaw. This former British hill station has a pleasant climate, perfect for hill walking. The colonial architecture stands out amongst tradition Burmese buildings. We visit Inle Lake with its famous fishermen and local markets, before cruising on the lake by boat and canoe, and exploring its shores on foot. We save the best for last with a visit to Bagan; 2000 temples cover the plains making this one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. Watch the temples rise from the jungle as the sun sets. A classic way to finish the holiday.