Burma Highlights

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 13 reviews.

John Harborne

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written April 2013
A well-planned tour under the supervision of a helpful careful leader. The best sights in South East Asia; at times there was a photo in every single direction. Friendly people and good food. All transfers throughout the trip went like clockwork.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The day trip by motor boat around Lake Inle, stopping at a beautiful river setting leading to the magical decaying stupas of Indein
What did you think of your group leader?
"Andrew" was very committed to our safety, welfare and enjoyment. He had good relationships with staff and clients alike.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for a busy schedule with some very early morning starts. But it's all worth it to complete the circuit in 8 days: the longer (15 days) would probably be overwhelming
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Exodus system of clients contributing to a group kitty and the leader dividing it between the dozens of porters, hotel staff and drivers etc completely takes the hassle out of tipping.
Colin Maw

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written April 2013
A comprehensive short trip to a fascinating country. Less rushed than many of these short tours as 2 days was spent in most locations and travel most of the time was by air. Great introduction to Burma.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Taking a horse drawn carriage around the beautiful temples of Bagan was a wonderfully relaxed way to tour the area. You may not get as far around as in a bus, but its the way to do it.
Pingaya Caves, which are being removed from the itinerary, were fabulous. Thousands of golden buddah's in a maze of caves. In addition there was a visit to a local paper factory where they made paper products and parasols. This was being removed based on customer feedback to spend more time at Inle Lake town. We got there mid afternoon and had plenty of time there to see what there is of the small place. It would be a shame if this was missed off future trips.
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon was simply stunning.

What did you think of your group leader?
Andrew (or Zo his local name) was excellent. He had a very appropriate laid back style, which suited the tour and was a reflection of the people of Burma.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The river cruise from Bagan to Mandalay is 13 hours long and to be honest from my point of interest not really that interesting. You also don't get any time in Mandalay to look round the city. If this hasn't been changed to an internal flight by Exodus, you may want to consider paying for the flight from Bagan to Mandalay and re-join the party at the Mandalay hotel later in the day.
We took Qatar airways flights via Doha which are much shorter than the Malaysian airways flights which were the Exodus flights.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great trip - definitely an introductory one to the country. Will definitely go back as more of the country opens up to tourism.
Brian Helsdon

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written February 2013
If you are young and fit with limited time this is the trip for you. All the main sights are covered burt the pace is very hectic with several early starts, eg leaving the hotel at 4.30am.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the sun set over the stupas and pagodas of Bagan, the sunrise at U Bein's bridge, and the Shwedagon Paya at Yangoon are the sights that stay in the mind. I was also overwhelmed by the friendliness and openness of the people.
What did you think of your group leader?
Andrew was simply superb. He was knowledge and informative and everything was extremely well planned. He was especially kind and considerate to a fellow traveller who had mobility problems during the trip. We had an early flight on the Saturday morning going home (not the group flight) and he got up to see us off at 5.45am and to negotiate the fare with the taxi driver. He went that extra mile which not every guide does.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for a very hectivc tour with very little free time to do your own thing. There are several very early starts. If going in their winter (Dec - Feb) be prepared for some chilly mornings especially at Inle lake. It was only truly hot in the middle of the day, otherwise the temperatures were very pleasant and we ate outside most evenings. I would also advise booking some wind down time after the tour either in Yangon or - better - at a costal resort. Exodus are not offering the Ngali extension at present but several of the group were going onto Thailand for a few days.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'm not sure that Exodus have the design of this tour quite right. If designed for 30+s fair enough but on our group this was not the main age group. Apart from two peple in their twenties we were all 50+. Certainly for me the pace was too hectic. An extra day at the beginning in Yangon to give time to recover from the flight and to see more of Yangon would be good. As it was all we saw of Yangon was a tour from 3.30 pm on the first day and 4pm on the last day. We could also do with an extra day in Mandalay to actually see the city itself. As it was we saw the U Bein's bridge and a series of pagodas outside the city.
Adrian Welch

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written January 2013
Brilliant organisation ensured that we saw the best of the classic sights with the minimum of hassle. Myanmar is in a state of rapid change and our tourism dollars were well spent encouraging individual enterprises.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The pagodas are still the centre of social life and provide islands of serenity that feel a million miles away from the stress and bustle of modern life. Although the tourism infrastructure is rudimentary, staff in local hotels go out of their way to provide service and create a good impression of their country.
What did you think of your group leader?
A model of efficiency and charm, Min guided us confidently and kindly through a culture which is often very alien to a westerner.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for very early morning starts and long days.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Remember that Myanmar is one of the least countries in the world: don't pack any expectations and you are likely to be charmed and delighted with your trip experiences.
Peter Grove

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written January 2013
A wonderful experience, Burma is a country that is just opening up but it's people are so friendly.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The amazing number of Buddhists monumnents testifying to the spirituality of the people. The availability of wonderful, cheap priced food.
What did you think of your group leader?
Min was amazing, he was always there for us, never late. The trip would have not been half as worthwhile without his unobtrusive leadership
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepapared for early starts! The trip notes were comprehensive but the early starts were the one thing I wasn't prepared for.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I recommend anyone to visit Burma NOW before it becomes commercialised.
Loraine Schorter

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written January 2013
The pagodas and the boat trips were as extraordinary as I had thought but I didn't expect Myanmar to be so comfortable hotel-wise!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the Inle Lake at dawn shrouded in mist (and wrapped in the blanket provided) and at dusk, sweeping (rather too quickly) along the floating gardens with their tomatoes, marrows & strawberries - how do they manage that?
And cruising up the Irrawaddy - peaceful but always something to see, from dredging for gold to a hazardous transfer of a pilot between boats in mid river, to agricultural activity on the banks, to huge bridges and finally the magic of the golden pagodas & temples of Sagaing gleaming and sparkling on their hill against the dark blue night sky.
What did you think of your group leader?
Min Zaw Lin was extremely well organised and efficient, very safety-conscious and wanting us to see everything possible - including little surprises not in the book! He provided us with local maps for any free time and made sure we knew where we were going. He loved making little jokes, with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. His English was quite good and he told us a lot about his country and of course about Buddhism.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
When the trip notes say to have warm clothing for Inle Lake, TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY!
and beware, the lake is a tourist trap - the only downside to the trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our guide swapped part of the first day for the last, so we finished, not separately with a complete free afternoon, but by visiting together the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. I think that on the first day after a long journey we would not have appreciated it as much, it was a fitting end to a great trip.
Philippa Stedman

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

Written January 2013
Wonderfully well organised trip providing a fantastic introduction to the people and culture of Myanmar. Delicious food.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Travelling down the Irrawaddy to Mandalay
What did you think of your group leader?
Very professional and efficient.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take brand new 100 and 50 dollar notes

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Our Clients’ Reviews

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS

BURMA HIGHLIGHTS