Belmond has recently tucked 20 years of cruising Myanmar’s rivers under its proverbial belt, and to celebrate they’re going back to the start with a special cruise for their valued guests. On board the Grand Dame of the Ayeyarwady River, Belmond Road to Mandalay, the four-night, five-day journey follows the inaugural cruise from Bagan to Mandalay – with plenty of festivities for a thoroughly modern travel experience.

The cruise begins on October 1 with a traditional dance ceremony and cocktail reception on the riverbank; adventurous couples can even float high above the temples and pagodas in a hot air balloon, or opt for a more traditional sightseeing venture with a horse and cart ride to golden Buddha statues.

Along the river, the views are mesmerising – golden stupas peek over the greenery, the amber sunsets creating a perfect backdrop to an alfresco feast aboard the ship’s Observation Deck. As the world swims by you, you’ll be ensconced in bliss. The cruise shop has its own on board spa, or join a sunrise yoga session to find your inner romantic bliss.

Upon disembarking in Mandalay, you’ll get to participate in the first ever Belmond Road to Mandalay Rally, where you’ll try out traditional Burmese skills and activities (ox-and-cart driving among them). A prize giving ceremony, held at the sumptuous Gala Anniversary Dinner, will finish the evening off under the stars. Bliss.

If you want a philanthropic bent to your travel, here’s an added bonus – five percent of every ticket sale for the anniversary cruise will be donated to the Belmond Myanmar Foundation to support the opening of a new hospital in Bagan. You’ll also get the opportunity to visit Bagan’s free clinic, where Doctor Hla Tun (the ship’s doctor and leader of Belmond’s Myanmar Foundation) treats hundreds of patients in his free time.

Prices start from £3069pp, including two nights at Belmond Governor’s Residence in a Deluxe Garden room. This includes breakfast, transfers to the hotel and onwards to Belmond Road to Mandalay, based on a couple sharing a Deluxe Cabin.

To find out more, visit Belmond.