Australia’s leading Asia travel specialist, Travel Indochina, has announced it will now offer Small Group Journeys to Burma from January 2012.

The itineraries for the guaranteed departures include a 9 day ‘Highlights of Burma’ and a 13 day ‘Burma Revealed’. The journeys cover Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Lake Inle, and the 13 day trip also visits Pindaya Caves, Kalaw, and a Hilltribe experience.

Travel Indochina Managing Director, Paul Hole, says the company’s loyal travel community drove the decision to offer the Burma journeys.

“Many travellers have been fascinated by Burma, but have made a conscious decision not to travel to the country as a stance,” explains Paul.

“Following the signs of change that have been occurring since November 2010 and based on survey feedback from our travellers where 86% were in favour, we have begun to rethink our strategy.

“The official Travel Indochina policy statement, available online outlines our rationale. Importantly, we believe that exchanges through responsible travel can be an important catalyst for change.”

Now that responsible travel, specifically genuine small group experiential travel, to the country is encouraged both from within Burma and externally, travellers will have the opportunity to experience its magical wonders. Diverse in both landscape and culture, Travel Indochina’s Small Group Journeys offer passengers the chance to discover the winding Irrawaddy River, sandy beaches, pine forests or plains dotted with thousands of stupas, and to interact with the disarmingly warm and welcoming people of Burma.

Prices for the 9 day ‘Highlights of Burma’ package visiting Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake start at $1745* per person twin share and includes breakfast daily, one lunch, four domestic flights, all sightseeing as specified including entrance fees, tour arrival and departure transfers.