3rd Trip with Indochina Pioneer (Myanmar) -Amazing!!!
Lam helped me organize a trip for my husband and I to Myanmar (Burma) in July. My first trip with Indochina Pioneer was with my family of 4 last June to Cambodia and Vietnam and second trip was with my high school students (14 photography students) in March (also to Cambodia and Vietnam). All the trips have been fantastic, and I trust Lam to organize all the details!
We spent 6 days in Myanmar beginning in Mandalay and then to Bagan, Inle Lake and Rangoon. Each place was unique and the short (20-40 minute) flights made it easy to get from one location to the next. Myanmar is changing very fast, so we felt lucky to visit now. There are many new cars on the road and lots of construction. Hotel prices are rising very quickly as well. Travel to Myanmar is not the same as other parts of Southeast Asia as the country does not have the same infrastructure. However, meeting people, learning about Buddhism and the country’s complex history and culture, sampling Burmese food, and seeing the mix of old/new everywhere made it worthwhile. Our guides were very hospitable, and I especially recommend Mr. Aung Min in Mandalay and Mr. Moe Zaw around Inle Lake. Lam did an excellent job choosing hotels which were of the same standard as my other trips to Vietnam and Cambodia.
If you are planning a trip to Myanmar, I do recommend booking through Indochina Pioneer because there is a shortage of hotels in Myanmar now that it has opened up to more tourism. In Inle Lake for example, hotels book up months in advance during the high season and festival times. Lam also booked all our internal flights (which were always on time…..never mind the size/condition of the airplanes and airports……you get used to it…….). Lastly, he is familiar with the hotels and can ensure quality which is not necessarily the same standards as other places that have seen more tourism.
