BETWEEN ROYAL MANDALAY AND ANCIENT BAGAN
Day 1
(THURSDAY)MANDALAY (SAGAING) – YANDABO The embarkation time is 10.00 hrs at SAGAING jetty and cast off after half an hour. Welcome Cocktail and briefing in the Saloon or Sundeck followed by Lunch. Cruise all day long. In the late afternoon we stop at Yandabo, a village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. We visit the Pot workshops, the monastery and the school. Moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.
Day 2
(FRIDAY)BAGAN Early in the morning we continue downstream to Bagan. After breakfast (if time permits) we visit another typical river village. Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark at Bagan Aye Yar jetty by9:30 hrs.
Ancient Capitals
5 Days 4 Nights
Day 1
MINGUN Mid-morning you will board our luxurious river-cruiser, berthed on Mandalay’s river bank. Lunch will be served as we sail to Mingun, site of the huge unfinished pagoda of King Bodawpaya and the world’s biggest un-cracked bell. Here there will be an early-afternoon walking tour. Afterwards the ship will sail downriver to Sagaing where we will moor for the night, with a beautiful view of the illuminated pagodas of these sacred hills. Dinner and evening entertainment on board. Mandalay to Mingun = 6 miles Mingun to Sagaing = 15 miles Lunch and dinner
Day 2
SAGAING AND AVA An early-morning yoga session will be available. After breakfast a shore excursion will show you the main highlights of Sagaing before crossing the river using a bridge built by the Colonial British in 1934 and going to the ancient capital of Ava. Home to the Burmese Kings for many centuries, the tour of Ava will be by traditional horse and cart and will include a visit to the Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak monastery built in 1834 which continues to be a monastic school. At lunchtime the ship will continue downriver. During the afternoon there will be cultural demonstrations onboard and a late-afternoon lecture. Tonight the ship moors at Yanderbo. Ava to Yanderbo = 55 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 3
YANDERBO Today there will be an early walking tour into the riverbank village of Yanderbo. This is the place where, in 1826, the King of Ava signed the Treaty of Yanderbo signaling the end of the First Anglo-Burmese war. Now the villages produce a type of water pot which is reputed to keep water cooler than pots from anywhere else. As we sail on we will pass the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and it’s greatest tributary, the Chindwin River. We will arrive in Bagan in time to give you an orientation tour which will include the magnificent Ananda Temple, the pretty Sulamani Pagoda and end at one of the ‘sunset’ pagodas to watch the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the temple-strewn plain. Tonight the ship moors at Bagan. Yanderbo to Bagan = 63 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
BAGAN This morning there is the option to join a sunrise balloon flight over the area – an incredible experience. Please note that advance booking for this is nearly always required. After breakfast the morning tour will take you to the bustling Nyaung-U market and the revered Shwezigon Pagoda. Then you will make a visit to one of the famous lacquer ware shops where the fascinating production techniques of this ancient craft will be explained. After a visit to see the fine frescoes inside the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Pagoda you will return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon there are two options. The first is a visit to sacred Mount Popa, an extinct volcano which is believed by the Burmese to be home to their animist spirits the Nats. This will include a stop en route at a Toddy Palm plantation. The second option will first explore the area around Myinkaba Village. Here you will visit the Manuha Pagoda which dates from 1059 and is where King Anawrahta imprisoned the Mon King, Manuha. A short distance away is the beautiful architecture of the Gubyaukyi temple. The tour will then move to the area around Minnanthu Village and will include a walk through the village itself. Farewell Dinner and evening entertainment on board. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
CHECK-OUT Breakfast and check-out.
Golden Land Voyage
5Days/4Nights
Day 1
SALAY Around 11am you will board our luxurious river-cruiser, berthed at Bagan Jetty. Lunch will be served as we sail to Salay, a small riverside town which dates from the Bagan period. An afternoon tour will show you the beautiful Youqson Kyaung, a beautifully-carved teak monastery built between 1882 and 1892 and now run by the Department of Archaeology as a museum. A short distance away is the Mann Paya, home to a huge statue of the Buddha, unusually made from lacquer. In Colonial times Salay was home to wealthy merchants and still has some fine examples of Colonial houses. You will make a special visit inside one of these. Tonight the ship moors at Salay. Bagan to Salay = 30 miles Lunch and dinner
Day 2
PAKKOKU An early-morning yoga session will be available this morning. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the ship sails northwards. Through the morning there will be a cultural demonstration, a Book Review (with Burma as it’s subject) and a lecture on Myanmar culture entitled “Myanmar Ways of Lifeâ€. After lunch we will arrive at Pakkoku, a large trading town on the western riverbank. A tour will show you some of the small industries at work here such as a cheroot-rolling factory and a producer of ‘Burmese slippers’ (“flip-flopsâ€); the large and thriving market and will visit Shwegu Temple to see an incredible, intricate carving made from very rare Yamanei wood. After the excursion the ship will continue her journey northwards, eventually mooring around Ngar Lan. Salay to Pakkoku = 55 miles Pakkoku to Ngar Lan = 16 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
YANDERBO Early-morning yoga will again be available. This morning we will pass the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and it’s greatest tributary, the Chindwin River. Around 9am the ship will arrive at the small riverside village of Yanderbo, where you will make a walking tour. This is the place where in 1826 the King of Ava signed the Treaty of Yanderbo, signaling the end of the First Anglo-Burmese war. Now the villages produce a type of water pot which is reputed to keep water cooler than pots from anywhere else and you will have the opportunity to see their techniques. Back on board there will be a Cookery Demonstration from our Chefs. After lunch there will be another lecture, this time looking at Burmese history. Tonight the ship will moor near Ponna Chan. Ngar Lan to Yanderbo = 22 miles Yanderbo to Ponna Chan = 49 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 4
AVA AND MANDALAY After breakfast, leave the ship for a horse-drawn carriage tour of the ancient capital of Ava, home to the Burmese Kings for many centuries. A coach will then take you across the river to Sagaing using a bridge built by the Colonial British in 1934. Here you will visit a silversmith, seeing techniques unchanged for centuries. Back on board lunch will be served as we sail the final distance to reach Mandalay. A busy afternoon tour will show you the highlights of this fabled city including the Kuthodaw Pagoda (“the world’s biggest bookâ€), the atmospheric Shwenandaw Monastery, which used to be part of King Mindon’s living quarters and where he died in 1878; and a visit to see the highly revered, gold-encrusted Buddha at the Mahamuni Temple. If time permits you will also see gold-leaf beating, visit a silk-weaving factory, pass through dusty streets filled with marble-carving workshops and finish the afternoon with sunset at the famous 200 year old “U Bein’s Bridgeâ€. Farewell Dinner and evening entertainment on board. Ponechaun to Ava = 7 miles Ava to Mandalay = 11 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
CHECK-OUT Breakfast and check-out.
Timeless Landscape
7 Days 6 Nights
Day 1
SALAY Around 11am board our luxurious river-cruiser, berthed at Bagan Jetty. Lunch will be served as we sail to the small riverside town of Salay. The rolling hills en route are dotted with the ‘nodding donkeys’ of the oil fields of Chauk, the birthplace of British Petroleum (‘BP’). An afternoon tour of Salay will show you the beautiful Youqson Kyaung, a beautifully-carved teak monastery built between 1882 and 1892 and now run by the Department of Archaeology as a museum. A short distance away is the Mann Paya, home to a huge statue of the Buddha, unusually made from lacquer. In Colonial times Salay was home to wealthy merchants and still has some fine examples of Colonial houses and you will make a special visit inside one of these. Bagan to Salay = 30 miles Salay to Kyauk Yae = 29 miles Lunch and dinner
Day 2
MAGWE AND 19C FORTS This morning’s tour will show you around Magwe; first visiting Nga Ka Pwe Taung (Dragon Lake) where volcanic deposits have produced a strange lunar-terrain, said to be the home of fire-breathing dragons, before enjoying some more peaceful river views from the high vantage point of the beautiful Mya Than Lun Pagoda, built in 1929 using solid gold bricks. In the afternoon we will visit two 19 century forts, built by King Mindun with the help of Italian engineers to protect the Kingdom of Ava from British invasion. Kyauk Yae to Magwe = 35 miles Magwe to Minhla = 18 miles Minhla to Gwechaung = 4.5 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
THAYET AND PYAY This morning you can walk through the charming riverside town of Thayet which was built by the British in 1887, complete with Burma’s first golf course. After lunch back on board we will arrive at Pyay early in the afternoon. Known as Prome to the Colonial British, in the mid 19C this was the dividing line between British-held “Lower Burma†and the Kingdom of Ava and, as such, was an important trading point. We will also visit the ancient city of Sri Ksetra which was granted World Heritage Status in 2014. This was a huge city built by the Pyu people who ruled the area after coming down from modern day Yunnan. Minhla to Thayet = 54 miles Thayet to Pyay = 40 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
SHWE TAUNG AND SAILING For those wanting to take advantage of the healing powers of the only bespectacled Buddha image in Myanmar, there will be an early bus leaving for the short journey to Shwe Taung, home to this unusual statue. The rest of the day will be spent sailing as we make our way southwards. Late morning we will pause our journey next to some famous cliff-carvings at a place called Akauk Taung. There are hundreds of Buddha images, including some large reclining ones, making quite a sight. Early in the afternoon there will be a demonstration of “Myanmar Traditional Dress†and, to continue the cultural theme, this afternoon’s lecture will be entitled “Myanmar Ways of Lifeâ€. A Cocktail Party before dinner will give you a chance to wear your traditional “longyiâ€. Pyay to Moe Zar Kone = 89 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 5
ZALON AND DANUPHYU Local transport will take you along the main street of the small town of Zalon to the magnificent “Pyaytawpyan Pagodaâ€. The bronze Buddha image inside is famous for being stolen by the British Army but returned on the orders of Queen Victoria during one of her visits to India. After lunch we will visit Danuphyu. Here, in 1825, despite their heroic resistance and the skillful leadership of their great General Maha Bandoola, the Burmese army suffered a crucial defeat in the First Anglo-Burmese War. General Maha Bandoola himself fell here and we will visit his memorial, now situated in a Pali Monastic University. We will also visit a small, family-run cheroot producer and take tea with the locals in a tea shop. Moe Zar Kone to Zalon = 42 miles Zalon to Danuphyu = 26 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
YANGON This morning we will sail the final stretch to reach Yangon, passing through the Twante Canal which was built by the British between 1881 and 1883 to connect the Yangon River with the Ayeyarwady River to shorten transit times for the steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. After lunch there will be a visit to the National Museum, followed by sunset at the most beautiful and most famous stupa in Myanmar, the jewel-encrusted Shwedagon Pagoda Danuphyu to Yangon = 100 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
CHECK OUT For those not taking early-morning flights there will be a walking tour around the Colonial buildings of the Downtown area in the cool air of morning. Enjoy an early lunch on board before checking out. Breakfast and early lunch
Amazing Ayeyarwady
8Days/7nights
Day 1
SAILING DAY After checking-in and a short Safety Briefing you can enjoy a relaxing day’s sailing, an ideal way to unwind after the busy streets of Yangon City. Our spacious Spa facilities (including the Ayeyarwady’s only Swedish-style sauna) and our 8 meter, Jacuzzi-style swimming pool await you. For those wanting some mental stimulation there will be the first of our “Burmese-for-Beginners†language lessons during the morning and a lecture on the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company during the afternoon. We will pass through the Twante Canal which was built by the British between 1881 and 1883 to connect the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy River and shorten transit times for the steamers of the IFC, the biggest fleet of river ships ever seen. Yangon – Bo Myat Tun = 78 miles. Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 2
DANUPHYU Early-morning yoga is available as we sail for Danuphyu. Despite their heroic resistance and the skillful leadership of their great General Maha Bandoola, here, in 1825, the Burmese army suffered a crucial defeat in the First Anglo-Burmese War. General Maha Bandoola himself also fell here and we will visit his memorial now situated in a Pali Monastic University. We will also visit a small, family-run cheroot producer and take tea with the locals in a tea shop After lunch on board there will be an explanation and demonstration concerning the ancient habit of betel-chewing. Tasting is optional! Bo Myat Tun – Danuphyu = 18 miles Danuphyu – Hinthada = 43 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 3
SAILING DAY Early-morning yoga is available as we continue northwards. Again, relaxation is the order of the day simply watching the life on the riverbanks slipping by. A second “Burmese-for Beginners†is on offer this morning, followed by a Book Review, looking at classic and current literature available on this fascinating country. Early in the afternoon there will be a demonstration of “Myanmar Traditional Dress†and, to continue the cultural theme, this afternoon’s lecture will be entitled “Myanmar Ways of Lifeâ€. A Cocktail Party before dinner will give you a chance to wear your traditional “longyiâ€. Hinthada – Lat Pan Phu = 92 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 4
PYAY Our yoga session can again start your day before disembarking after breakfast for a tour of Pyay. Known as Prome to the Colonial British, in the mid 19C this was the dividing line between British-held “Lower Burma†and the Kingdom of Ava and, as such, was an important trading point. We will also visit the ancient Pyu city of Sri Ksetra which is nearby and was granted World Heritage Status in 2014. After lunch and afternoon tea there will be a lecture entitled “Myanmar, Past and Present†which will give an overview of the history of this complicated country, including a look at the present situation. Htonebo – Pyay = 29 miles Pyay – Thayet = 40 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 5
THAYET AND 19C FORTS This morning there will be the opportunity to stretch your legs early in the morning and walk in the Colonial period town of Thayet. Like many Asian countries, the cool of the morning sees small towns and villages at their busiest and in an ideal light for photography. Things will be a little hotter for the first of the two forts we will see in the afternoon – Gwechaung Fort. You will experience very local transport for the first (ox-drawn carts) while the second, Minhla Fort, is just a short walk along the riverbank from our mooring place. Thayet – Gwechaung = 49.5 miles Gwechaung – Minhla = 4.5 miles Minhla – Kanni = 9.5 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
MAGWE Another early-morning tour, this time by tuk-tuk, will show you around Magwe; stopping at the bustling market before enjoying some more peaceful river views from the high vantage point of the Mya Than Lun Pagoda. Back on the ship there will be the final “Burmese-for-Beginners†lesson where you can learn how to write your own name in beautiful Burmese script. After lunch our Chefs will have a Burmese Cookery Demonstration and after Afternoon Tea there will be a lecture entitled “History of Bagan†to prepare you for tomorrow’s arrival in Bagan. Kanni – Magwe 8.5 miles Magwe – Hsinpyu Kyun 46 miles Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Day 7
BAGAN Those enjoying our morning yoga session on the Sun Deck may enjoy beautiful views as the pinnacles of Bagan’s temples and pagodas come into view. After breakfast you will disembark for an Orientation Tour of this incredible area. You will be shown some of the more significant sites including Manuha, Gubyaukgyi and Ananda and including a visit to a local lacquer ware producer to have a fascinating explanation of this ancient craft, for which Bagan has long been famous. After lunch (back on board) your guide will depart for a Sunset Tour of this fascinating area, starting with the mysterious Dhammayangyi, built as an apology for patricide, and continuing on to see the pretty Sulamani before visiting a local village and finishing at one of the “sunset†pagodas. After your Farewell Dinner there will be a performance by a local “Bagan Dance†troupe in the Mandalay Lounge. Hsinpyu Kyun – Bagan = 42 miles Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
BAGAN AND CHECK OUT For those not taking early-morning onward flights there is the opportunity to have one of the most famous experiences on offer in Myanmar – a sunrise flight in a hot air balloon over the Bagan plain. These flights are extremely popular and nearly always require advance booking of two or three months. Flights last approximately 45 minutes and require a departure from the ship well before dawn. Check-out after breakfast on board. Breakfast