ASK THE EXPERTS

EL readers present their travel queries to the team from luxury tour operator Scott Dunn.

Myanmar is a unique and inspiring country, rich in culture. As a result of the 15-year tourism boycott – which was only lifted five years ago – it has remained an untouched gem. Full of glistening Buddhist temples, hill tribe villages, remote beaches and enigmatic cities, it’s a place where you’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Any trip to Myanmar should include Bagan. Best admired from a hot balloon at sunrise, this ancient city stretches as far as the eye can see and boasts over 2,000 pagodas; it’s an amazing spectacle and one of the most iconic places in the country. Additionally, be sure to visit Inle Lake, best known for its beautiful setting lined with floating gardens, stilt-house villages and lake fishermen who employ a unique single-leg rowing technique. The surrounding road is mostly flat, making it ideal for cycling. Yangon is another must, full of culture including stunning colonial remnants and the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda towering over the city. Finally, the perfect end to your trip would be some well-deserved relaxation on the unspoiled white beaches of Ngapali.

With so much to discover from spectacular monuments, ancient cities and beautiful and varying landscapes, Myanmar is a fast-emerging country eagerly waiting to be explored.

For more information, visit scottdunn.com/burma or call 3158 6530.

“We’ve taken 10 days off work and have always wanted to travel to Myanmar; what would you suggest we do there? – Anika L