Meet Irrawaddy Dolphins on Burma Eco Adventures

2 Day Irrawaddy Dolphin Eco Adventure, Myanmar Travel

Departing from Mandalay by boat the journey takes you up the Ayeyarwady River (formerly the Irrawaddy River) to see a now protected pod of wild Irrawaddy Dolphins. Stopping off at the villages of Mingun and Shein-ma-kar, this 2 day river dolphin watching adventure also offers an insight into the lifestyles and cultures of rural Myanmar. Taking meals onboard, decide where you would prefer to sleep; either on the boat or as a guest in a monastery. Though neither option is luxurious both will contribute to the sheer authenticity of this adventure.

But the real purpose of the trip is for you to see the Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Ayeyarwady River and the opportunity to do so is presented to you during the morning of day 2 when you exchange the boat for a fisherman’s kayak. Over the years the fishermen of the Ayeyarwady River have formed a close relationship with the dolphins who respond to the calls of the fishermen by pushing shoals of fish towards their nets and you will be privileged indeed if you get to witness this incredible relationship between man and dolphin.

Irrawaddy Dolphins

Irrawaddy dolphins look similar in appearance to the Beluga whale but are actually more closely related to the Orca (aka Killer Whale). The average length of a fully grown Irrawaddy dolphin is 2.3m (8ft).

Sometimes referred to as the Irrawaddy River Dolphin, it is not an accurate name as the species is not a true river dolphin but instead an oceanic dolphin. The preferred habitat of the Irrawaddy Dolphin is brackish water near coasts, river mouths and in estuaries but sub populations do live in freshwater rivers such as here in the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy River), the Ganges and the Mekong River.

Today the Irrawaddy Dolphin is most predominant in Bangladesh where over 90% of the world’s population in found. The second largest stronghold is India and after that sup populations of Irrawaddy Dolphins survive in isolated pods across six countries in southeast Asia of which Myanmar is one although their status remains “threatened”.

Irrawaddy Dolphins in Myanmar / Burma

In Myanmar the population of Irrawaddy Dolphins plummeted largely because of electro-fishing methods and pollution from gold mining. Accidental drowning in gill nets and purse nets has also taken a toll.

The Department of Fisheries in Myanmar designated a 74km stretch of the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy River) as a protected area in 2005. Within this zone electro-fishing is prohibited, the length of gill nets is limited to 300 feet, dolphins found entangled in nets must be released and no-one is allowed to kill the dolphins or trade in their body parts. Furthermore, it is thought that gold mining in the river and mercury pollution has now been eliminated or greatly reduced.

One of the most incredible characteristics of the Irrawaddy Dolphin in the upper reaches of the Ayeyawady River is the relationship that they have with the local fishermen. Using various calls and sounds the local fishermen can call the dolphins who drive fish into their cast nets and are rewarded with a share in the harvest. So close is this relationship that individual dolphins have become entirely loyal to a particular fishing village and fisherman within.

Mandalay and the Ayeyarwady River

The ZiZ Inspire Irrawaddy Dolphin watching eco adventure departs from Mandalay early in the morning and charts a course upriver stopping off at Mingun before arriving at Myay-zun. One of the main highlights of this journey is its absolute authenticity; there are no frills but raw, authentic travel from start to finish.

While seeing and meeting the Irrawaddy Dolphins will steal the show and become a memorable experience, so will the people that you meet; simple, warm and extremely welcoming. Neither the boat nor the Temple (the two options available to you for your overnight stay) have been refined / adapted for tourism; they are basic and authentic.

Book Myanmar Travel and Meet the Irrawaddy Dolphins