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  Chit our guide collected us at 730 for our day trip. We were the only 2 guests on the traditional river boat. Chit and the crew were very kind and... read more

    avatar thumb Margot_Solomon
    May 7, 2019

    star rating  We weren't to sure about this tour as it was a part of our pre organised package. From the minute we stepped on the boat, we got great surprises. We... read more

    shauniron81
    January 8, 2020

    star rating  Truly a very special experience to spot the dolphins in their natural habitat! So beautiful! But also all other activities are more then worthwhile! Lovely to visit the local communities... read more

    TvBalen
    March 3, 2020
  • star rating  We had a fantastic day sailing along the Irrawaddy River, stopping off to eat food, see how the villagers live and watch the bamboo hat weaving process with their hands... read more

    FoodieSandar
    July 24, 2019

    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  We joined the day tour on the Irrawaddy in the hope to see the Dolphins. Unfortunately it was not at the right time. However.. We had a beautiful day on... read more

    NinaTempeh
    July 10, 2019
  • star rating  Our day began with a short ride to the boat dock where we took a boat crewed by a local family and our guide Chit along the Irrawaddy river past... read more

    Julie D
    March 22, 2020

    star rating  We took the two day tour with camping/ glamping for the overnight. Despite a romantic name, Mandalay was a little underwhelming so this experience was a highlight of the... read more

    briancQ6189CQ
    November 26, 2019

    star rating  We had an incredible day on this trip. Sitting in rattan chairs on the deck sailing 3 hours up the Irrawaddy in the sunshine, watching life on the river. Visited... read more

    avatar thumb Fiona B
    December 4, 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
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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
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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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