TransIndus
"We've sold it continuously for 10 years," says co-founder Amrit Singh, who was born in Burma. "Demand has been minuscule from the UK, largely as a result of Tourism Concern's call for a boycott (tourismconcern.org.uk), which stopped tourists while British corporations and the government engaged with the Burmese military. We don't use military-owned facilities or services, hotels, airlines or agencies, just small owner-managed ones and private guides. Most of our clients' money goes directly to local people. Since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, inquiries have shot up 500%. People want to go before it becomes mainstream. Few raise the question of ethics now."
• An 11-day Burma Classic with TransIndus (transindus.co.uk) costs from £1,595, including flights. It will also tailormake trips
Mountain Kingdoms
"We refused to sell Burma for 24 years due to the democratic opposition's call for a tourism boycott, but now that's changed we are working with private companies. We recognised a pent-up demand for travel there among clients – our first trip sold out in a week."
• A 16-day guided group tour with Mountain Kingdoms (mountainkingdoms.com) costs £2,465 including flights, departing 1 December 2011
Regent Holidays
"We've sold Burma since the early 1990s. Demand has fluctuated according to positive or negative media coverage – it dropped between 2007 and 2009 when there were mass pro-democracy demonstrations, and increased in 1991 when Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel peace prize, and since her recent release. It's not possible to guarantee that no money will reach the government (through taxes, say) but we work with private companies who support community projects and sustainable development. People should visit now, while it still has that unspoilt spiritual air."
• Regent Holidays (regent-holidays.co.uk) has a 10-day group tour from £1,250, excluding international flights, departing 29 October
Panoramic Journeys
"We're running our first exploratory trips in the autumn, because of the National League for Democracy lifting its opposition to tourism. We'll use independent hotels, and set up sustainable tourism projects and homestays in rural areas."
• A 17-day hiking tour to remote villages and up Mt Popa with Panoramic Journeys (panoramicjourneys.com) costs £2,945 excluding international flights, departing 21 October
