Flowing 1,350 miles through the centre of the country, the Irrawaddy is Burma’s lifeline and an essential element of Burma’s history, culture and economy. A commercial waterway for centuries, providing irrigation for agriculture, water for drinking and washing and even a spiritual link between communities, the banks of the river are busy with communities who farm or fish for a living. A few days on the river is a relaxed way to get between destinations and gives you the opportunity to see authentic Burmese life as well as some of Burma’s most important heritage that sits close to the water – Bagan and Mandalay to name a few.