Burma small group holiday
These small group journeys have a maximum of 16 like-minded travellers which ensures that all travellers have an amazing overall experience with the destination and that they enjoy the flexibility that comes with the small group dynamic. On this trip you will stay at boutique accommodation with character. Our numbers are discreet enough for us to interact with local families in their homes and meet people in markets, bazaars and temples – something that’s just not possible when you arrive as part of a large tour group. Along with our unique combination of Western tour leader and local English-speaking guide this will ensure an unforgettable travel experience.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
We encourage all of our travellers to travel responsibly and offer advice on how they can best help local people through charitable donations and the purchase of certain goods. We also offer guidance, both verbal and written, on how travellers can best help and preserve the local environment.
This company is also committed to measuring and assuming responsibility for our carbon emissions. We have worked with Cleaner Climate to offset emissions from our Australian, United Kingdom and USA offices during 2011. The emission reductions are generated from Clean Technology (Kyoto compliant) projects in India (run-of-river hydro), Thailand (rice husk biomass), and China (hydro). These not only reduce emissions, but also contribute to the sustainable development of disadvantaged communities.
Community
We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of Vietnam’s beautiful natural environment. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. We recognise that well-planned itineraries and well-informed tourists contribute positively to cross-cultural understanding and the livelihoods of local people.
On this journey our local guides are trained to share their knowledge of cultural and other local issues in a balanced, informative way; in this journey alone you are likely to meet several local guides from different areas across the country. They share real experiences from their own lives and insights into family life, influences and beliefs, thus providing our travellers with a deeper understanding of the places they visit. This is what motivates our guides, not shopping commissions.
As an operator we joined the boycott against all tourism to Burma (Myanmar). Following the release of Aung San Suu Kyi’s (after almost 15 years under house arrest), the NLD’s (National League for Democracy) active promotion of sustainable and small-scale tourism to the country, we took the decision to introduce Burma to our growing list of destinations in Asia. This change of policy and our focus on small-group travel meant we felt the time was right to introduce Burma to our growing portfolio of destinations in Asia.
All of our tours to Burma (Myanmar) are, like our other destinations, are limited to 16 passengers. We firmly believe that by working with small groups we are better able to reduce the social and environmental impact on local communities.
Although we cannot guarantee that money from our small group tours will not make it into the hands of the ruling military regime (Junta) we try wherever possible to reduce its likelihood. Through our tours to Burma we use only privately owned hotels and resorts, privately owned vehicles and independent local guides. To provide a more intimate experience of Burma all lunches and evening meals are enjoyed in locally owned and run restaurants We also factor in ample free time so you can explore the streets of cities like Yangon for yourself, here you are free to purchase your products from independent artisans or traders and deliver money directly into the hands of the Burmese people.
As part of our style of travel we have also introduces ‘special touches’ such as a meal at a local Buddhist Nunnery and a chance to visit locals on the banks of the Irrawaddy. Experience such as this help broaden the understanding of locals and passengers alike, as well as provide opportunities to contribute to the local communities, both culturally and financially.
Our operations head office offices in Vietnam finance the Loretto Foundation in Saigon (which assists disadvantaged, poor and disabled children through education), and The Fred Hollows Foundation (which provides ophthalmologic services to underprivileged Vietnamese).
Our operations head offices in Vietnam (Saigon, Danang and Hanoi) Cambodia (Phnom Penh) are also staffed with local people wherever possible and we have a long term aim of filling management roles with competent local staff. This presence in Vietnam means we are much better able to control the content, the actions of our suppliers, and the style of our small group journey.
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