What to Expect
- Physical requirements:
This adventure is only for the very physically fit and healthy travelers. It is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. You must be able to walk 2-3 miles unassisted over the course of each day, You must also be comfortable participating in 5-7 hours of daily physical activities—including 2 short hikes over hilly terrain. Be prepared for a high elevation in Kalaw (4,000 feet). In some of the small villages we must make do with Asian-style toilets (squat-style rather than seats). We reserve the right for our Trip Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances, send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group's experience.
- Climate & terrain:
Daytime highs are in the 70s and 80s from October through January, which is the cool season. Temperatures can reach the high 90s from February through mid-May. The rainy season, with occasional monsoons, begins in mid-May and ends in September. Temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler in the Inle Lake region. We’ll travel over some bumpy, unpaved roads.
- Pacing:
6 locations in 16 days with 2 one-night stays. There is a pre-dawn departure on Day 16. We also have 6 internal flights of about 1 hour each, 3 of which (Days 5, 7 & 10) require pre-dawn hotel departures (flight delays are frequent in Burma).
- Transportation:
We travel via air-conditioned bus (no toilet facilities on board), a boat on the Irrawaddy, horse-drawn carriages in Bagan and Inwa (Ava), and canoes and motorboats on Inle Lake. You will also travel along poorly maintained roads, and some dirt paths.
- Accommodations:
All our accommodations are hotel-standard, with air-conditioning and a variety of amenities and personal service, as well as private baths with hot showers and Western-style toilet facilities.
- Group size & leadership:
16 maximum with 1 Trip Leader.
Visa Information
U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:
- Thailand: No visa required.
- Burma: Visa required.
- Laos (optional pre-trip extension only): Visa required.
- Cambodia (optional post-trip extension only): Visa required.
Travelers who are booked on this adventure will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website.