Itinerary
Cruise Ship: The Anawrahta
Destinations: Mandalay – MingunKyaung – Myaung – Tagaung Katha – Shwegu – Bhamo – Shwepaw – Katha – Kyanhnydat – Mogok – Mandalay – Bagan.
Duration: 12 days, 11 nights
Price: from $6,966/Person
There is an extraordinary timeless quality to Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River, also known as the Ayeyarwady. Rising among Himalayan glaciers and flowing freely for almost 2,200 km across the whole country into the Indian Ocean, this river is a witness of contemporary history. These journeys will bring you to the most popular sites in Myanmar, with highlights in Mandalay, Homalin and the thousands of majestic temples filling the Bagan plains that you can’t afford to miss. You will learn Myanmar through their language, visit some cave-temple complexes believed to be around 300 years old, attend a special ceremony at the local monastery, and much more.
DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 1/ Mandalay – Mingun – KyaungMyaung (-/Lunch/ Dinner)
Welcome on board and enjoy lunch while we cast off Mandalay. In early afternoon, we visit Mingun, the world’s largest, unfinished brick pagoda. It also has a 90-ton bell, said to be the largest, undamaged bell in the world. Enjoy welcome dinner with performance of Burmese traditional costumes by our staffs.
Mandalay-Mingun: 6miles
Mingun-KyaungMyaung: 46miles
Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 2/KyaungMyaung – Tagaung (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
After breakfast, visit KyaungMyaung, which is famous for its manufacture of large glazed earthenware pots known as Martaban jars. The biggest of these jars can hold about 105 gallons (over 400 liters). Later we sail past the beautiful island pagoda of Thihadaw toward Tagaung.
KyaungMyaung-Tagaung: 75miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 3/Tagaung – Katha (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
In the morning, visit Tagaung, the shrine of Bo BoGyi a famous nat, the archaeological area and the fortifications. The ruins of the fort walls and traces of moat are the only remnants of this ancient site. The western wall appears to have washed away by the river. Continue cruising upstream for the rest of the day.
Tagaung-Katha: 66miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 4/ Katha – Shwegu (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
In the morning, take a trishaw to explore the enchanting colonial town of Katha. Katha is the site of George Orwell’s famous book, “Burmese Days,” A story of what life was like in a remote station during the colonial era. The town is still charming with its teak homes and quaint streets. In the afternoon, take a small boat to visit Shwegu, the village lies at the end of the spectacular second Shwegu features large family potteries making large quantities of unglazed earthenware pots employing a technique of throwing and beating. You’ll find many bargains here on hand-carved,
Wooden gold-panning bowls.
Katha-Shwegu: 44miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 5/Shwegu – Bhamo (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Today, we will cruise from Shwegu toward Bhamo, where the river cuts its way with narrow channel through this most beautiful Gorge with high cliffs and thick forests. Drop anchor and take a tour to Bhamo. The town is one end of a famous old caravan trail into China. Only a track through the mountains, it was centuries old when Marco Polo discovered it in the 13th century…and the route is still in use until today. Explore local market often filled with ethnic tribes such as Kachin, Lisu and Shan. Visit magnificent Theindawgyi Paya pagoda. From here you can also take a small launch to explore the First Gorge of the Ayeyarwady River. Cruise down river and anchor at Shwe Paw.
Shwegu-Bhamo: 40miles
Bhamo-ShwePaw: 40miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 6/Shwepaw – Katha (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
In the morning, visit picturesque island of Shwe Paw Myanmar and its ancient pagodas. Then continue cruising to visit the riverside village of Mae Dar before cruising downstream toward Katha.
ShwePaw-Katha: 44miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 7/ Katha – Kyanhnydat (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
In the morning, take a train to the forest station of Naba and journey into the thick Kachin jungle and teak forests. Back on board and enjoy cruising with a nice river view.
Katha-Naba: 14 miles by train
Katha-KyanHnydat: 86miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 8/Kyanhnydat – Mogok (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
In the morning, cruise to Thabeitkyin and take a tour to Mogok. Mogok has been famous since ancient times for its gemstones, especially ruby and sapphire, but semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, garnet, moonstone, peridot and chrysoberyl are also found. The gems are found in alluvial limestone gravels by means of panning, tunneling and digging pits by hand. You will travel by road towards Mogok where you will see the forest in which there many rare botanical specimens used for production of essential oils. You will be driven further into a Burmese teak forest to meet working elephants. In the afternoon our ship will sail downstream toward Mandalay.
KyanHnydat-Thabeitkyin: 30miles
Thabeitkyin-Mandalay: 77miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 9/Mandalay (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Upon arrival in Mandalay in the early morning, breakfast severed, and then takes a tour to Ava by horse cart. The ancient city was founded in 1364 by King Thadomin as his capital. Little remains of the old city but it is noted for the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery and Mae Nu Oak Kyaung, which are the fine examples of Myanmar masonry, art and architecture. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant then visit the Sagaing Hills. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic views and stop by a convent, Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda and a silversmith. Drive onto Amarapura and visit a textile workshop before visiting the U Bein Bridge, the longest and oldest teakwood bridge in the world, at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 10/Mandalay – Bagan (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Relax on board while cruising downstream to Bagan. Late morning, we will visit Yandabo, a remote village by river bank. It is famous for the production of terracotta pottery made from river bank mud and you can view the pottery making process at various stages. Yandabo is also famous in Burmese history as the place where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed in1855 between the Burmese king and the British.
Mandalay-Yandabo: 47miles
Yandabo-Bagan: 82miles
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 11/Bagan (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
In the early morning, take a tour to visit magnificent Bagan, the capital city of Burma from 1044 to 1287. This plain east of the curving Ayeyarwady is one of the most wondrous sights in Myanmar. We visit several of the 3,000 listed monuments, including Dhammayazika Paya, with its amazing view from the terrace, and the biggest temple, Dhammayangyi – both built in the 12th century – and one of the best preserved of all Bagan temples, the 11th-century Ananda. Enjoy farewell dinner with traditional puppet show. (Options: Bagan tour in the morning and Mt. Popa in the afternoon).
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise
Day 12/Bagan (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
Bid farewell to the crew and disembark in Bagan. End of the trip.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Service includes
Price includes:
- Group shore-excursions
- Entrance fees
- Transportation
- Tour guide services (English speaking)
- Taxes, fuel, river pilots
- Port dues
- Mineral water, coffee/tea
- Group transfers from/to the meeting point to/from embarkation/disembarkation point or vice versa
- Soft drinks and local beer is included all day.
- Fruit juices are included in addition during breakfast and afternoon tea.
Price excludes:
- Crew gratuities (8 USD – 10 USD per passenger/day are recommended).
- Fuel surcharges, if any.
Remark
- Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather and operating conditions. Unused services are not subject to a refund.
- Meals on board are fusion: Vietnamese, Cambodian & international. Guests should advise of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least three days prior to the cruise date.
- Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry date for all passengers. A valid passport is required upon check-in. Otherwise, boarding may be denied by port authority.
• Peak season surcharge for all cruises falling on New Year’s Eve and/or Christmas.
