Introduction 1-Day

Take a 1-day boat excursion to see Irrawaddy dolphins and cooperative fishing, with lunch in a fishing community.

Experience 2-Day

Experience dolphins & life on Ayeyawaddy, overnighting in tents at a fishing community & learning how to fish with dolphins.

Explorer 3-Day

For best chances of seeing dolphins and a rich cultural experience, explore the Ayeyawaddy Dolphin Protected Area on a 3-day journey.

WHY OUR TOURS

  • We are a social business. All tours include local guides, local food, local crafts & activities with local people. All tours include a dolphin conservation fee. All tours are carbon neutral.
  • Itineraries are designed for best chances of seeing Irrawaddy dolphins & cooperative fishing.
  • Only glamping experience on the Ayeyawaddy.

WELCOME TO THE LIVING IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN PROJECT!

The Irrawaddy River is home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, found just north of Mandalay. What’s unique about Burma’s (Myanmar) Irrawaddy dolphins is their relationship with local fishermen. Dolphins and fishermen communicate and fish together, a practice called “cooperative fishing”–a unique phenomenon found in only two other places in the world! Your visit helps raise awareness for dolphin protection and generates income for local fishermen to continue their practice of cooperative fishing with dolphins. The Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project is an initiative of Living Irrawaddy Travel and works with 6 communities to help them develop  and market community-based ecotourism.

Cooperative Fishing with Irrawaddy Dolphins - An Experience Found Only Here!

We are a proud Travelife Partner (click to see our certificate)! The Travelife Partner award is a recognition of our commitment towards social and environmental sustainability. We are complying to more than 100 criteria related to sustainability management, office operations, working with suppliers and customer communication. We are working towards further improvements aiming to eventually reach the Travelife Certified stage.

The Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project was the winner of the 2020 Experience Mekong Showcase for its significant social impact to its community, having an innovative concept and sustainable business model, and providing an authentically local experience positioning the GMS as a responsible, inclusive, and experiential tourism destination.

  • star rating  My husband and I booked the 1 day dolphin tour. We were picked up on time by our Guide Chid and taken to the jetty where we boarded a slow... read more

    avatar thumb novakarla
    March 5, 2019

    star rating  Day trip on local very comfortable boat. Dolphins are came, but you must be a very quick photographer to take them. Telephoto or binocular are fine. Also our choice to... read more

    Tom
    March 1, 2020

    star rating  Though I am typically inclined to skip tours in favor of my own plans, I am so glad we had this amazing experience! We did the full 3 day tour... read more

    avatar thumb NewYorkAirmail
    June 9, 2018
  • star rating  My wife and I booked a private 1 day tour (we wanted to do 2 days, but only had 1 extra day in Mandalay). We booked in advance, Paul... read more

    CoddiwompleBlues
    March 21, 2020

    star rating  Who knew there were dolphins in the Irrawaddy. This was a fascinating trip and truly off the beaten track. We were fortunate to see a pod of eight dolphins. We've... read more

    Robert K
    June 10, 2019

    star rating  This trip was definitely one of the highlights of my time in Myanmar. The team made every effort to ensure we had a great time and that everyone on the... read more

    avatar thumb jisuka_sama
    November 20, 2018
  • star rating  I came to write an article about the traditional cooperative fishing with the dolphins for a Swiss magazine and "Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project" facilitated the trip and helped me to... read more

    avatar thumb eva_voyageuse
    December 20, 2018

    star rating  This is a top notch experience from any angle. As a tour it's excellent, with temples, traditional farming and fishing, and rural landscapes. As a cultural experience, it's... read more

    avatar thumb Barflyer
    March 26, 2019

    star rating  Spending 2 days 1 night on the river with Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project was the best decision we made in Mandalay. The most amazing thing about this trip was not... read more

    avatar thumb Reveusehn
    June 11, 2018

Glamping on the Irrawaddy

Treat Yourself to Our Deluxe Tent

  • Luxury bell tent with double or twin bed and shared bath
  • Included for all 2-day and 3-day tours (no additional cost)
  • Realx and enjoy the view of the Irrawaddy at sunset and sunrise
  • Feel good that your stay generates greater income to the community (the community earns more revenue for setting up and managing the tents)

Compare Our Programs

Introduction 1-Day
$125
Per Adult (discount for groups 5-10 / extra fee for small groups 1-2)
Accommodation: n/a
Activities: Cooperative fishing demonstration & dolphin viewing on fishing boat
1-2 cooperative fishing communities visited benefit
Lunch prepared by the community.
$5 Contribution to dolphin conservation
Handicraft gift
Complimentary fruit, tea, coffee & water on the Living Irrawaddy Boat
Book Now
Experience 2-Day
$185
Per Adult (discount for groups 5-10 / extra fee for small groups 1-2)
Accommodation: 1 night - Deluxe Tent
Activities: Cooperative fishing demonstration & dolphin viewing on fishing boat, Learn how to throw a cast net, Visit the Sacred Forest with a local guide
3-4 cooperative fishing communities visited & benefit
4 meals prepared by the communities
$10 Contribution to dolphin conservation
Handicraft gift
Complimentary fruit, tea, coffee & water on the Living Irrawaddy Boat
Book Now
Explorer 3-Day
$265
Per Adult (discount for groups 5-10 / extra fee for small groups 1-2)
Accommodation: 2 nights - Deluxe Tent
Activities: Demonstration of cooperative fishing & dolphin viewing from fishing boat, Learn how to throw a cast net, Learn how to communicate with dolphins, Participate in a local livelihood activity, Visit the Sacred Forest with a local guide
5-6 cooperative fishing communities visited & benefit
7 meals prepared by the communities
$15 Contribution to dolphin conservation
Handicraft gift
Complimentary fruit, tea, coffee & water on the Living Irrawaddy Boat
Book Now

OUR PROJECT - Why it's important & What we do

Why protect Irrawaddy dolphins & cooperative fishing?

Irrawaddy dolphins are an endangered species found in only three rivers in the world, including the Irrawaddy River in Burma (Myanmar)--the only place where cooperative fishing with Irrawaddy dolphins exists.

What is our project?

The Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project is a social business working to protect Irrawaddy dolphins and the tradition of cooperative fishing through community-based ecotourism.

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