Mandalay
Best time to be there
Burma has three clear seasons: from March to May are the very hot summer months, the wet and humid monsoon runs from May to October and the cold dry winter lasts from November to February. The best time of year to visit is late November early December when the rains have gone, the landscape is lush and green and the skies are crystal clear. However any time from late November to March is a good time to travel.
Fly to
Yangon (Thai Airways via Bangkok)
flying time
12 hours 55 minutes via Bangkok
time difference
GMT +6 1/2 hours
Visas
Required for UK passport holders
Health Requirements
Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from an endemic area
Itineraries
Frontiers of Burma
Frontiers of Burma highlights * Observe rural life from the river * Trek by elephant * Historic pagodas and temples Read more ...
Photographic Burma
Visit one of our sponsored orphans in Yangon, take a hot air balloon flight over Bagan and experience a magnificent "birds'eye" view of the thousand year old pagodas. Read more ...
Classic Burma
Classic Burma highlights * Cruise the Ayeyarwady river * Learn to cook Shan sytle food * Hot air balloon flight over Bagan Read more ...
to speak to a consultant
"For the wind is in the palm trees, and the temple-bells they say: Come you back, you British soldier; come you back to Mandalay."
'The Road to Mandalay', Rudyard Kipling.
Mandalay was the last royal capital of the Burmese kingdom. Geographically and culturally at the core of the country, the city was established by King Mindon as a new centre for the study of Buddhism, and today remains the spiritual artery of a devoutly religious nation. Mandalay is home to more than half of the total population of monks in Myanmar. The former royal capital is itself only 150 years old, but its poetic and lyrical name, immortalised in numerous books and poems, conjures up childhood images of the romance and mysticism of the Orient.
The busy, dusty streets, full of rickshaws, horse drawn carts and bicycles are bustling with activity and trade, exuding a distinctly commercial atmosphere to the city. To the devoutly Buddhist Burmese, Mandalay is the city that truly reflects their soul. On its doorstep, the mighty Irrawaddy meanders languidly past. On the far reaches of its banks, perched atop a small hillock is the ancient, whitewashed city of Sagaing, the former capital of the once independent Shan kingdom. Just south of Mandalay is another former royal capital, Amarapura, which translates to "city of immortality".
Suggested Mandalay Accommodation
Rupar Mandalar Resort
Rupar Mandalar is a romantic hotel, set within 1.8 hectares of natural vegetation. Modern facilities combine with traditional materials, natural wooden decor...
to speak to a consultant
Guest Testimonial
Quite simply excellent. If I could say one thing it is that Egypt is the place to go right now, as there were virtually no tourists at some of the sights and that,I should think, is quite rare!
- JW, Gloucestershire
World Travel Awards
World Travel Awards
World's Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2011
A&K Philanthropy
Braille Without Borders
Educates and trains blind and sight impaired children, and tears down ancient prejudices against the blind in one of the poorest regions of China.
Latest from @AKTravel_UK: Buzzfeed rounds up 50 of the best eclipse photos from the weekend: http://t.co/BMQ0BGvV 22 May