The road to Mandalay

Published Jun 9, 2015

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Naypyidaw - With over two million visitors in 2014 Myanmar, or Burma, is one of the hottest Asian countries to visit. Myanmar government data shows visitor numbers are tipped to rise to three million this year.

The country is also the setting for the novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North, by Richard Flanagan, a recent winner of the Man Booker Prize. Although the setting of the book features one of the more infamous episodes of World War 2's military history, this book is set to fan the flames of travel in the direction of Burma even more.

Myanmar already attracts the type of discerning explorer who takes travel cues and inspiration from art and literature. It's a fantastic destination for adventurers with artistic inclinations and now book lovers can read Richard Flanagan's novel and see the rich history and culture from within the pages come to life before their eyes.

In eastern Asia, Myanmar is something of a cultural melting pot, with Chinese and Indian influences evident in local architecture and traditions. For those with an interest in the visual arts, the Bagan pagodas are considered one of the best places in the world to discover ancient South-East Asian artworks.

Yangon and Mandalay are the country's biggest cities. Yangon is also known as the 'garden city of the east' owing to its stunning lakes, shady parks and verdant tropical trees. It is home to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the most religious place in the whole of Burma.

Mandalay is Burma's cultural capital and is a hub from which to explore the region on day trips. A trip up Mandalay Hill is worth it for the great sunset views. You'll find the local teenagers and monks approaching you to chat with you and practice their English.

On Mount Popa travellers can scale the volcano, all 4981 feet of it, and are rewarded with a 360 degree vista of views that are unsurpassed. The top of Mount Popa is also home to an old monastery.

Busabout general manager Kelly Jackson said that Burma was their hot new destination and that the company uses local guides for “off -the-beaten-track” adventures that opened up a part of the world that could be difficult for solo travellers. “We encourage travellers to create their own travels and are committed to the regions sustainable tourism, using local guides and offering traditional experiences along the way, such as the Burmese village trek in Kalaw,” she added.

Join Busabout for an incredible adventure through Burma and you'll get to admire the ancient, golden Shwedagon Pagoda. You'll walk amongst the monks at the largest monastery in Amarapura. Bagan is perfect for backpackers with its relaxed pace, good cafes and great shopping for the local lacquerware. Travellers can explore over 2200 temples in the Bagan area, and these are best taken in from above on a hot air balloon flight.

Transportation options in Burma abound and expect to use a combination of walking, trains, trishaws, horse carts, boats, planes and bicycles to explore Burma.

You'll be in foodie heaven in Burma and you simply must try 'Lahpet Thoke' (pronounced la-pay toe). Roughly translated this is a Burmese Tea left salad of pickled tea leaves, roasted peanuts, crunchy beans, toasted sesame seeds, fried garlic, dried shrimp and chopped tomato. It's meant to be served with all the ingredients in separate piles so that guests can pick out a combination to their own preference each time they grab a handful. Historically lahpet was an ancient symbolic peace offering that was exchanged and consumed after settling a dispute between warring kingdoms.

Burma is a country bursting-at-the-seams with jungles and mysterious temples. A place where cultural rituals have gone unchanged for thousands of years. It's all in Burma, one of the last great wildernesses of Asia.

Travelling to Burma will be an experience unlike any other travels you've done and with Busabout you can enjoy 11 days taking in Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Bagan, Kalaw and the Inle Lake from R21 980 per person sharing. This includes your local Burmese Busabout City guides, 10 nights' accommodation with breakfast daily and private transport including two domestic flights.

For more information visit www.busabout.com or speak the Reservations team on (011) 280 8455. Follow Busabout on social media using the #hopon hashtag - you'll find them on Facebook and Twitter (@BusaboutSA).

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