Myanmar 13 day tour, hidden treasures

Planet

This Myanmar itinerary includes three nights stay at Arakan Nature Lodge, which opened in 2017 on Zikhone beach. This eco-lodge was constructed using recycled wood and sustainable local materials and runs completely on green technologies and practice. South Rakhine is one of the poorest regions of Myanmar and the lodge has created much-needed job opportunities amongst the local community. You can be confident that the money you spend during your stay goes directly into the hands of the local people.

Another inspiring eco-lodge included in this Myanmar itinerary is A Little Eco Lodge. This family-run property is built along eco-tourism principles: the lodge was constructed from locally sourced natural materials; the home-cooked meals served in the restaurant use seasonal ingredients that are grown in their organic garden.

At the beginning of 2018 we launched our ‘One Bottle At A Time’ initiative to replace disposable plastic water bottles with refillable canisters across our destinations. Since May 2019 in Myanmar we have been providing refillable water canisters in our vehicles, meaning our travellers are not generating plastic waste through the daily use of water bottles (which on a full day of touring can be numerable). We also send our guests a wooden toothbrush to help avoid using hotels’ disposable plastic brushes, and educate clients about the limited recycling facilities in Asia, and best-practice regarding waste-reduction.

People

Already mentioned in the environment section above, A Little Eco Lodge is more than just an eco-friendly place to stay and plays an important role in the local community. The lodge staff are recruited from the surrounding communities, given extensive on-the-job training and actively encouraged to develop their skills in the hospitality industry. Alongside the accommodation the lodge operates ‘A Little Loom’ weaving centre, providing much needed income for local women as well as preserving traditional Shan state weaving designs and techniques.

We are of the staunch opinion that minorities aren’t tourist attractions. All our holidays that take place in and around minority communities are set up with the locals’ best interests at heart and we work with partners who do everything possible to ensure that the entire community benefits from our visits. This unusual Myanmar trip visits a number of small villages where tourism is only starting to impact communities and we want to ensure this is a positive experience, either in the form of overnighting in a homestay, purchasing produce from the local market or utilising local guides and transportation.

This Myanmar itinerary visits the remote region of Loikaw, which has only recently become accessible to visitors. We have established a close relationship with a Loikaw tour operator, who are supported by the World Trade Organisation and the UN to develop responsible tourism projects. Their close relationship to local villages assists with communication and trust of the villagers, and they are able to source good quality, regional guides. Our partnership ensures that the majority of money is reinvested back into the local communities, and without detrimental impact on their culture and environment.