Belmond Launches Guest Speaker Program On Board Road to Mandalay and Orcaella

Sue is the first of a group of experts, from various fields, set to host enriching journeys on board Belmond's luxury river cruisers next year. Sue will be hosting journeys on Belmond Road to Mandalay as it sails between Mandalay and Bagan on 14th March and 18th March, and on board Belmond Orcaella on an 11 night journey departing on 22nd October 2015.

With 2015 marking 20 years since Belmond's first endeavour into Myanmar, the new guest speaker programme provides the ultimate educational and immersive holiday experience for guests. Experts will impart their personal insights, skills and experiences in both formal and informal settings as they join guests on daily excursions into undiscovered territory and host lectures and skill lessons on board.

Specializing in wildlife and with a love for travel, professional photographer Sue Flood uses still images to engage people's interest in the natural world. Sue spent 11 years with the world-renowned BBC Natural History Unit, working on award-winning documentaries including The Blue Planet and Planet Earth. Sue left the BBC in 2005 to concentrate on her photography and is now represented by Getty Images. Continuing to garner awards, Sue won the International Photographer of the Year's Travel and Tourism award, has been recognised in the Travel Photographer of the Year and International Conservation Photographer of the Year competitions and her first book, Cold Places, was also recognised for its excellence in the International Photography Awards in 2011.

On three journeys next year, Sue will teach guests the intricacies of professional photography. With undiscovered river banks, stunning sunsets and species such as elephants and water buffalo to spot, Myanmar is a haven for the keen photographer. Sue will conduct one-on-one photography sessions and provide detailed instruction on the best ways to capture an action shot during the ship's excursions. The culmination of her work with Belmond will be the production of a book on the beauty of Myanmar which guests will be able to purchase.

Belmond Road to Mandalay is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015, the ship journeys down the Ayeyarwady River and sails between Bagan and Bhamo via Mandalay. It shares the waters with its smaller sister ship, Belmond Orcaella, which voyages along the rarely visited Chindwin River for an adventure into some of the country's most dramatic scenery. Those wishing to explore the city of Yangon in detail can shoulder their cruise with a stay at Belmond Governor's Residence, a romantic colonial –style mansion in the heart of the city.

Prices for a three night, four day journey from Mandalay – Bagan on board Belmond Road to Mandalay start from £1,640 per person based on a stay in a state cabin and including table d'hote meals, soft drinks, internal flights between Yangon and the ship as per the itinerary and all excursions. For further departure dates or to book please visit belmond.com.