A Travel Boom in Myanmar
Myanmar, once among the more isolated countries in the world, is in the midst of an epic tourism boom, with the number of annual visitors expected to multiply seven times by 2020?1?That kind of splashy growth is getting high-end travel companies to take notice.
This month,?1which already has a colonial-style hotel in the former Burmese capital of Yangon, will begin its second Myanmar river cruise on a new ship,?1?The 200-foot luxury craft ? complete with a small swimming pool and spa ? is named for the snub-nose dolphins that swim the Irrawaddy River. It was designed with a very low draft, ideal for snaking in and out of shallow waters that other boats can?t explore. There are just 25 cabins, most of which have ?Juliet? balconies from which to take in river views of gold-topped Buddhist temples and traditional villages.
In addition to the Irrawaddy, the boat will also cruise the Chindwin river on?1?from Mandalay to the town of Homalin near the Indian border. Seven- and 11-night cruises are offered, and rates start at $5,040 per person (including meals, excursions, transfers and domestic flights).