An hour outside Mandalay, a bumpy road ends at a ferry crossing over a tributary of the Irrawaddy River.

BBC: A new dawn in Burma

He says he has tried to travel down to the Irrawaddy River delta but was turned back by police, who want to control the situation there.

NPR: U.N. Obtains Visas for Myanmar, Reporter Says

The 10-day tour, limited to 18 travellers, begins in Yangon and includes visits to Inle Lake and a boat trip on the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay, along with cooking lessons in a private home and a visit to the pagodas in Bagan.

BBC: Openings: London, Vietnam, S?o Paulo, Burma

In the past week the president (and former general), Thein Sein, has announced that construction of the Myitsone dam across the River Irrawaddy would cease.

ECONOMIST: Hope in Myanmar

While Bangladesh currently supports relatively large populations of Ganges river dolphins and Irrawaddy dolphins, conservationists argue that it's crucial to address the threats they face now, while the potential for long-term survival of both species is still relatively high in comparison to other areas in Asia.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Bangladesh's majestic dolphins at risk

But it's the Ganges river dolphin and the Irrawaddy dolphin which give the most cause for concern.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Bangladesh's majestic dolphins at risk