TAKE THE ‘ROAD’ LESS TRAVELLED IN MYANMAR

Myanmar is known as the Golden Land – and for good reason. Rivers glisten like gold, their banks dotted with small villages filled with shining temples, and at sunset the sun’s rays shimmer along the water. A great way to explore Myanmar’s golden heart is to cruise its waterways – the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers. Myanmar’s longest river, the Irrawaddy, flows through some of the nation’s most spectacular regions before emptying into the Andaman Sea. Irrawaddy’s tributary, the Chindwin, is also highly scenic. Steep banks of granite border the river, interspersed with rolling hills and verdant forest. Luxury boutique travel operator Sanctuary Retreats is one of a small number of companies to offer voyages along the Chindwin, taking travellers to places that others rarely see – the jungles of the north, forgotten villages and ancient towns almost to the Indian border – on its all-suite cruise ship, Sanctuary Ananda. Custom-built using traditional Myanmar materials, Sanctuary Ananda combines all the comforts of fivestar contemporary luxury with the refined elegance of authentic Burmese design, with a high staff-to-guest ratio – offering up a truly remarkable and fascinating way to enjoy one of Myanmar’s less travelled regions. sanctuaryretreats.com