Croatia - Coastal Cruises
Burmese Odyssey - 12 days / 11 nights
Based on the R/V Paukan
Departure Dates: 26 November 2015 (sold out), 8 January 2016, 15 February 2016 & 14 March 2016
Downstream sailing: Mandalay- Bagan
Day 1: UK flight to Burma
Day 2: Yangon (Rangoon)
Morning arrival in Rangoon. Bus transfer to Chatrium**** Hotel (or similar) and Lunch in a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Yangon also known as Rangoon, literally “end of strife”. The former capital city is often nicknamed “The Garden of the East”. Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial centre. You will be surprised with its numerous cultural treasures as the city has the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia today. Amongst many wonders, visit of the Sule Pagoda and St Mary Cathedral. Cross the colonial district where the buildings have retained their ancient charm. By late afternoon, you walk up to the hill where Shwedagon Pagoda, the city’s emblem, overlooks the entire city. Dinner in a restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Yangon
After crossing the Burmese countryside, arrive in the small town of Syriam. The avenues of the Than Lyn and Kyauk Tan market reflect the traditions of their people. The visit continues with Ye-Le Pagoda, built around the third century BCE. This Buddhist temple houses a large collection of paintings and works of art. Return to Rangoon for the Lunch, and visit Botataung and Chaukhtatgyi Pagodas. Then a must stop at the Scott Market, both worthy for its architecture and its craft shops. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun - Start of Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Mandalay. You embark the RV Paukan in late morning. Welcome cocktail and Lunch on board. The ship starts its navigation on the Irrawaddy River heading for the village of Mingun, where you visit the unfinished Pagoda dating back to the Burmese Kingdom. Then you will admire the largest working bell in the world (weighting almost 90 tons) and you finish this day of visit by the “Home for the aged”. Dinner & overnight on board.
Day 5: Mandalay - Amarapura
Morning exploration of Mandalay, which abounds with ancient palaces and numerous religious sites. Start with the Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most revered shrines of the country and the nearby Kuthodaw Paya Temple, which contains the world’s biggest book, the workshops of gold leave making, tapestry making, woodcarving, marble carving and bronze casting. After the onboard Lunch, excursion to Amarapura, the penultimate Burmese Royal capital (1783), to visit a traditional silk weaving workshop followed by U-Bein Bridge, the world’s longest wooden bridge (1.2 km) on the Taungthaman Lake and enjoy the sunset there. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6: Sagaing - Ava
Start this day by the discovery of Sagaing, historic center of Burmese Buddhism. This excursion will make you familiar with pottery making and silver working. Back to the ship for Lunch. In the afternoon, visit of the ancient city of Ava, capital of the Burmese kingdom from 1364 to 1841. Explore the ruins by horse cart visiting the beautiful 200 years old Bagaya Kyaung Teak Monastery, the Nanmyin Watchtower (27m. high) and the Me Nu Ok Kyaung monastery. Dinner and overnight on board. Traditional dance show by local performers on board.
Day 7: Monywa
Full day exploration of Monywa and its vicinity, located on the banks of Chidwin River. Departure by bus to reach the caves of Hpo Win Daung. They are home to hundreds of Buddha statues dating from the fourteenth and fifteenth century. One can also admire beautiful murals of that period. Then back to Monywa for Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the pagoda Sambuddhai Kat Kyaw where over 500,000 Buddha statues are placed inside the site. Then return by bus to Sagaing and go back on board the RV Paukan. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 8: Yandabo - Shwe Pyi Thar
Stop in the early morning at Yandabo, a picturesque river village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the first Anglo-Burmese war signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Explore the village stopping to some pot-making workshops to learn their unique production technique and then visit the school and the monastery. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, the ship will moor at Shwe Pyi Thar Village for a walk to discover local activities. Dinner on board followed by a Puppet Show. Overnight on board.
Day 9: Bagan
Spend the entire day discovering the prestigious Bagan. The ancient Kingdom’s capital ranks among the most significant religious site in the world. You visit a selection of the 2.000 listed pagodas and temples, many dating to the eleventh century. Alternatively passengers can hire a horse cart or a bicycle and explore the site on your own. Return on board in late evening. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 10: Mount Popa
Full day excursion to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano located 65 km South East of Bagan. It stands as one of the National Parks with preserved forest in the hot, dry and plain region of middle Myanmar. The popularity of Mt. Popa today lies in the interest of religious and mystical beliefs of the great family of the “Nats”. Climb the Taungkalat to see the panoramic view of the whole area. Lunch will be taken at the Popa Mountain Resort. On the way back to Bagan, visit the toddy palm producing home cottage. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 11: Bagan - End of Cruise - Yangon (Rangoon)
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Yangon. Transfer to downtown for the lunch. In the afternoon, the time is free. In the evening return flight to your country.
Day 12: Arrive in your UK
