Cruising with Communities & Dolphins

This morning the tour starts at 07:30 from the hotel. From there it is a short drive (from most hotels) to Mandalay Jetty where a small cruise boat will be waiting for the two-day adventure. After a short safety and itinerary briefing depart Mandalay.

About one hour later arrive in Sin Kyun village to learn about bamboo hat making.

Later, depart for Sein Pa Kone village for an introduction to the Irrawaddy Dolphins by the guide and local fishermen. These are one of only five species of dolphins in the world that live in rivers. The dolphins are critically endangered with less than 70 left in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River.

The tour takes place in the Irrawaddy River Dolphin Protected Area which is the only place to see both Irrawaddy Dolphins and the cooperative fishing tradition. Cooperative fishing is a unique phenomenon found in only two other places in the world (Brazil and Mauritania) whereby dolphins and fishermen communicate via calls and signals to catch fish. Dolphins rear schools of fish towards the cast-net fishing boats and signal to the fishermen to cast their nets when the fish are close to the boat. As the fisherman casts their nets the dolphins take advantage by swimming close to the net and catching those fish that manage to escape.

Have a community lunch in Sein Pa Kone Village.

After lunch depart for Myit Kyan Gyi Village and look for dolphins along the way. Upon arrival, take a guided tour around the village before spending some down time swimming in the river and enjoying the sunset.

Community dinner in Myit Kyan Gyi Village followed by story-telling by village elders.

Overnight on cruise boat or luxury bell tent. 

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: This tour creates incentives for dolphin protection and raises awareness about mutually beneficial traditional cooperative fishing. 

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Today the journey continues bright and early at 06:30. Enjoy the sunrise and transfer into small fishing boats to look for dolphins nearby. After 1-2 hours return to the boat for breakfast and learn to throw a cast net under the instruction of local fishermen.

Afterwards, depart the village and head towards She Ma Ga village.

Lunch in She Ma Ga village.

After lunch set off on a walk to the Sacred Forest along with a local conity guide to search for wildlife tracks. Make the most of it as this is the last bit of adventure before returning to the boat and heading back to Mandalay.

Depending on time and interest, an optional visit to Mingun Stupa can be included during the return boat journey at a small surcharge.

Arrive in Mandalay around 17:30 and say goodbye to the boat crew before continuing on the onward journey. 

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: This tour generates income for cooperative fishermen and their families. 5% of the proceeds from the project’s revenue are contributed to community development.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch