The Shin Arahan is the embodiment of luxury and grandeur, much like the majestic Irrawaddy that it cruises on. Where Burmese tradition – ancient and everlasting - meets British colonial elegance. This dream-like ship could well be straight out of a Huckleberry Finn’s quixotic novel as this paddle wheeler marries romance with adventure Shin Arahan also pays tribute to the country’s deep-seated affection for Buddhism. The Burmese accents, artefacts, patterns and ornaments on the boat will inspire you to immerse yourself in the real Burma. And then, British flavour is thrown into the mix, colonial touches of an imperial era. The Shin Arahan boasts of the largest cabin floor space on the Irrawaddy. Four kinds of cabin categories are offered - each with its private balcony. The two enormous suites (53sqm) sit grandly on the terrace deck with a front view of the bow and the gorgeous Irrawaddy. Wide glass doors open to an extra large teak wood balcony where a private jacuzzi extends that extra floating feeling. Four signature rooms – slightly smaller - accompany the suites on this floor like their adjutants. However, they are equally impressive as their splendid interior design, peppered with fine Burmese artefacts, is visually captivating. 

Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a rare jewel - an untarnished diamond in Southeast Asia. There is a decidedly languid pace that flows through this undiscovered country. Gently stirred by the Burmese people who go about their quiet ways. Welcome to Myanmar. Age-old traditions and culture have stood the test of time. Monks in flaming red, walk cheek by jowl with cars and motorcycles. Pagodas and temples – in gushing devotion to the nation’s fervent belief in Buddhism – line the nation’s landscape. Squeezed between India and Thailand, Myanmar stills holds as much romance today as it did for George Orwell whose book - Burmese Days - gave the outside world a glimpse of this beautiful country. Resource rich, this Southeast Asian country has gold in abundance and the Irrawaddy river yields this precious metal. As Buddhism is the dominant religion of this country, most of the Irrawaddy gold ends up on Buddha statues and pagodas. No description of Myanmar is complete without a paean to the Irrawaddy. Myanmar’s longest and most important commercial waterway, it flows from the northern tip of this landlocked country into the southern delta. The Irrawaddy’s history is steeped in myth. According to a legendary tale, the Great Spirit of the world on the icy Himalayan peaks poured water from two gold cups: the Mai Kha River flowed from the cup in his right hand and Mali Kha, from the left. The two rivers were twins - male and female – and they merged at the confluence, giving birth to the Irrawaddy river. Throughout its voyage of 1240 miles, the Irrawaddy acts with divine generosity, infusing life into a livelihood, a people and its economy. Huge rafts transport teak wood downstream. Entire families – from wizened grandmothers to knee-high grandchildren – live on board bamboo rafts. The Irrawaddy is also impeded by a series of three defiles. Those defiles are narrow points - gorges - of which the one close to Katha is the most spectacular. The Chindwin river, the largest tributary of the Irrawaddy spills its strength into t mother of rivers not far from Mandalay. What it lacks in length, it makes up in the spectacular scenery of lush jungles and sheer cliffs, misty-blue mountains and charming towns and villages, proudly running through a region of abundant natural resources and fertile meadows. The benevolence of Myanmar and the Irrawaddy benefits all – journey with us as it is time to explore the latest jewel of South East Asia. 

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