One could classify this trip as an adventure. Not recommended for beginners. I enjoyed it, my husband did not like it. It began in Bangkok. The guides there spoke poor English. I would recommend doing tours on your own thru the hotel. Those were wonderful, in a private car and with people that knew what they were talking about. A flight to YANGON followed. There we had a good and enthusiastic guide. Do not venture in the streets alone. Broken down, dirty, just like Calcutta. Nothing to buy. Take a taxi everywhere or the heat will get the best of you. This was followed by a 7 hour, uncomfortable bus ride cross country. Hideous bathrooms along the way.

Boarded our ship "Mandalay" there. Not up to viking standards. Food wasn't very good. Only oriental menu served. 11 days on the Irrawaddy River. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Culture shock along the way. Hot, searing hot. Cabins have AC. Loved visits to some villages and temples. Lots of Pagodas. Hated walking barefoot on their dirty floors. Under no circumstances drink the water. Rinse your toothbrush with bottled water regardless what the hotel manager says. You can get sick there. Naldo take malaria meds and vaccinate against hep A and B, tiphoid. Bugs are everywhere at night when we stop for the night. In spite of all this, it was enjoyable. Do not travel there in poor health. Mother just got their first X-ray machine in Mandalay. No medical care of any kind. You would have to evacuate to bangkok or Singapore. Buy insurance!