Tailormade Holidays in Burma

Burma’s capital city is a heady mix of ancient Buddhist pagodas and temples, faded colonial grandeur and, a short drive outside the city, a bird-rich wildlife park. The Shwedagon is a stunning 2,500-year-old golden pagoda that towers to a height of over 100 metres and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Peregrines are often present and a sunset visit reveals the emergence of Wrinkle-lipped Bats. The city is a veritable treasure trove of colonial architecture best explored on foot, and there are several other places worthy of a visit including Kandawgyi Lake, the colossal reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda and the famous Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market, noted for its variety of handicrafts. On the outskirts of Yangon is the Hlawga Wildlife Park, a small educational and recreational park that offers an introduction to the country’s wildlife, with bird species such as Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Racket-tailed Treepie, Black-naped Oriole, Striped-throated Bulbul, White-crested Laughing-thrush, Olive-backed Sunbird and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker to be seen here. The wetlands nearby are also worth a visit, offering a wealth of waterbirds.

The little-visited wetland site of Moeyungyi, a couple of hours’ drive north of Yangon, can be visited on a day excursion or as an overnight visit. Moeyungyi is an important wetland habitat for both resident and migratory birds, the latter passing through between the months of October and April, coinciding well with the country’s best weather. Accommodation here is simple, but adequate for a night.

Inle Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in Burma and, situated at an altitude of 880 metres, is often pleasantly cooler than the lowland plains. Both birding and sightseeing activities are predominantly undertaken by boat and, while cruising the lake, you will see fisherman propelling themselves using a bizarre ‘leg rowing’ technique. Common Asian wetland species to look out for here include Grey-headed Lapwing, Chinese Pond-heron and Pheasant-tailed Jacana plus such local specialities as Jerdon’s Bushchat and Collared Myna. The peaceful village of Indein has a large number of small stupas which lie concealed amongst scrubland, and other highlights include the floating vegetable gardens and a visit to one of the markets.

A few hours’ drive from Inle Lake is the former British colonial ‘hill station’ of Kalaw. The journey winds through hills, past monasteries and local markets. Kalaw is a sleepy town that’s best explored on foot and there are some lovely restaurants where it is possible to sample local culinary delicacies. There are good walking trails in the surrounding hills and several ethnic tribal villages. Of course there is some cracking birding here too, with several hill specialities present such as Black-headed Greenfinch and Burmese Yuhina. The Amara, a quaint colonial 10-room cottage, is the best place to stay.

No holiday to Burma would be complete without a visit to Mandalay. Sitting on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy (formerly called the Irrawaddy), Mandalay is dubbed Burma’s ‘cultural capital’ and for good reason. The ancient royal capitals of Inwa (Ava) and Amarapura lie on the outskirts of modern day Mandalay and are well worth exploring. The iconic teak bridge of U Bein sees a near constant stream of saffron-robed monks and locals crossing, whilst in the heart of modern day Mandalay you will find the Mahamuni Pagoda which houses one of the most venerated Buddha statues in Burma. A river trip to the unfinished pagoda of Mingun is another pleasant excursion that also often turns up some interesting bird species. However, the best birding is to be found at the nearby Paleik wetlands, a fabulous marshland habitat just a 30-minute drive from the city and one of our latest finds!

The temples of Bagan constitute one of the most significant archaeological sites anywhere in the world. There are thousands of structures, ranging from very small shrines to the largest temples. No two are the same but as a whole they represent many centuries of Burmese Buddhist history and are one of the most magical cultural spectacles in Asia. The Bagan temples also hold hidden delights – a number of endemic bird species inhabit this special eco-region, known as the ‘dry zone’, including White-throated Babbler, Burmese Bushlark and the exquisite Jerdon’s Minivet. A relaxed afternoon on a local boat on the Ayeyarwaddy River might reveal White-tailed Stonechat, Great Thick-knee, Indian Skimmer, Greater Spotted Eagle and Laggar Falcon.

Mount Victoria in Burma’s Chin state takes some getting to, but for serious birders it’s ‘a must’ and, whilst exploring its slopes, you will also have the chance to meet villagers from various ethnic groups such as the Dai and the Muun. On the drive from Bagan it’s worth stopping to explore the rustic wayside villages and local markets whilst keeping your eyes peeled for such endemic bird species as the beautiful Hooded Treepie. Once on the montane slopes of Mount Victoria, highlights may include bamboo specialists such as the delightful Buff-breasted Parrotbill, White-browed Fulvetta and the bizarre Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler, plus a wealth of other specialities. Amongst these are White-browed Nuthatch, Burmese Tit, Mount Victoria Babax, Chin Hills Wren-babbler, Assam Laughing-thrush, Striped and Brown-capped Laughing-thrushes, Green Shrike-babbler, Bar-tailed and Hume’s Treecreepers, Black-throated Prinia, Whistler’s Warbler and the rare and shy Blyth’s Tragopan!

Ngapali is a 2-mile stretch of white sandy beach fringed with palm trees – a great place to relax and cool off after enjoying the magnificent cultural and birding sites found throughout Burma. The clear waters and coral reefs allow for excellent snorkelling, diving and fishing trips. However, Ngapali is equally a place in which to relax with a good book, enjoy delicious seafood in excellent local restaurants and take things nice and slowly. Accommodation options range from luxurious boutique hotels to simple properties.