The area is a former British colony that has been isolated, retaining its old Buddhist culture and way of life.
Some cruises are on the Irrawaddy River.
Other cruises are on the Chindwin, which joins the Irrawaddy just above Pagan. Some voyages reach as far as the remote colonial outpost of Mawlaik and upstream to Kindat. Many of the places visited cannot be reached by land as there is no access by road. The departure dates for the itineraries are conditioned by water level and season, and the Chindwin can only be attempted at the end of the monsoon. Cabin windows have insect netting so windows may be kept open at night.