- 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.
Irrawaddy Dolphins
Fishing with Dolphins
the Ayeyawaddy River
of the Ayeyawaddy
Burma's Irrawaddy Dolphins
by Supporting Communities
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
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.
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Cruise was very relaxing although weather was slightly hot. Our guide "Chit" was knowledgeable & kind! We took the small sampan out to search for the dolphins. It was a... read more richardlye2019
May 2, 2019 What a great day! Back in December, my partner and I were lucky enough to be the very first tourists to experience the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Projet 1-day trip. We... read more Sophie G
May 28, 2018 We had a beautiful day cruising up the Ayeyarwaddy River on a very comfortable boat which resulted in seeing dolphins. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly and we felt... read more Stephanie F
November 11, 2018 - My husband and I did the 3-day Explorer. I don't even know where to begin. This trip was so amazing on so many levels. First of, I have... read more jmoksim
March 1, 2019TomLLJ I strongly recommend this experience ! We had the chance to see two groups of Irrawady dolphins and we saw fishermen collaborate with dolphins to fish : unbelievable unti ... read more
September 24, 2019clementko We spent 2 really great days with the Dolphin Project and their guide, Chit. It was close to be perfect, with a very enjoyable mix of nature and culture. The... read more
November 27, 2019 - CoddiwompleBlues 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
March 1, 2020 I would really recommend this trip to everyone! The first day started with the pickup at our hotel. We went to the river and went on board the boat. The... read more TatjanaL98
December 25, 2018 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 NewYorkAirmail
June 9, 2018
Our Activities
Engage with communities and learn about local livelihoods, such as throwing a cast net, making a bamboo hat and fishing with dolphins.
Our Boat
Travel on the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Boat and take in the scenes of the Ayeyawaddy Dolphin Protected Area.
Our Food
Get to know local culture through local food. Enjoy authentic dishes prepared and hosted by communities.
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.
