River Cruises Direct

‘All about the journey…..not just the destination’

  

Irrawaddy Itineraries

Burma Price Guide



Majestic Burma - 17 days / 16 nights

from £4,295 per person (including flights from the UK)

Based on the R/V Princess Panhwar

Downstream Sailing: Mandalay to Yangon

Day 1 - Depart London

Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Burma.

Day 2 - Arrive Mandalay

Upon arrival into Mandalay airport, be met by a representative and transfer to your stylish ship. Settle in to your cabin and enjoy lunch on board. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before a Welcome Dinner on board this evening to get to know your Tour Director.

Stay: 14 Nights: R/V Princess Panhwar

Daily Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Mandalay

Like a Local – Visit Mandalay’s Mahamuni Buddha Temple, where you may be able to add your own sheet of gold leaf to a statue of the Mahamuni Buddha. Then explore a range of workshops. Later, tour Shwenandaw Monastery; visit Kuthodaw Pagoda to see what is thought to be the world’s largest book; and ascend Mandalay Hill for views out over the city. Like a Local – Later, stroll along U Bein Bridge.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Sagaing, Inwa, Myinmu.

In Sagaing, explore Soon U Ponya Shin and Kaunghmudaw pagodas then visit a silversmith’s workshop. Later, cruise to Inwa, an ancient imperial capital which has been rebuilt many times over the years. Enjoy a tour of Inwa, taking in Maha Aung Mye Bon Zan and Bagaya Monestries. Tonight, enjoy a cultural show on board.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Bagan

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Myinmu taking in the sights of the local village. Back on board, capture your first glimpse of Bagan, an awe-inspiring archaeological site. The reminder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Bagan

Today begins with an exciting visit to the bustling Nyaung-U market. Mingle with the locals and browse the wares that are sold at this trade hub. Visit a range of distinctive structures such as Gubyaukgyi Temple, a 13th-century ‘cave temple’ with an Indian-style spire, before you head to a lacquerware workshop and a local village for further insight into the local way of life and craftsmanship.
Enhance your Journey: At sunrise or sunset, perhaps board a hot air balloon and float over the pagodas of Bagan.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Bagan, Tantkyi Hill, Salay

This morning, climb Tantkyi Hill to visit Tantkyitaung Pagoda, encircled by 32 elephant statues and believed to house tooth relics of Buddha. Follwing lunch on board, cruise to the village of Salay, a colourful religious centre. Visit Yoke Sone Kyaung, the region’s oldest surviving wooden monastery resplendent with spectacular wood carvings and ancient religious artefacts. Salay is also home to Shinbin Maha Laba Man Paya, the largest lacquer Buddha image in Burma, believed to date from the 13th century.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Salay, Magwe

Awake today to the glorious scenery along the Irrawaddy River as you begin sailing downstream to the sleepy delta town of Magwe and visit the market. This afternoon visit the Mya Tha Lun Pagoda before returning to your ship this evening and enjoy a puppet show.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Magwe, Thayetmyo

Stop in the town of Minhla, the site of a significant battle during the Third Anglo-Burmese War, which was the inspiration for a Rudyard Kipling poem. Take a small boat to visit Gwechaung and Minhla forts, built by Italian engineers in 1860 to keep British forces out of Burma. Later, cruise to Thayetmyo, a pleasant port town that once sat on the British colonial border between Upper Burma and Lower Burma. Here, step out to wander the streets, take in the colonial houses and visit Burma’s oldest golf course, established by the British in 1887.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Thayetmyo, Pyay (Prome)

See a selection of gilded pagodas this morning, including the imposing Shwesandaw Pagoda this morning before cruising to Sri Ksetra. Marvel at the 1,500 year old brick stupas and temples which are among the earliest Buddhist monuments in the world. Absorb wonderful views of the Akauk Mountains and their river-facing cliff carvings as you continue cruising towards Pyay.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11. Pyay, Myanaung

Disembark in Myanaung for a walking tour this morning will take you past a range of well-preserved colonial houses and on to the bustling local market. Established by the British Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the late 19th century, the town originally served as a transshipment point for cargo being moved between Upper and Lower Burma.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12. Zalon, Danuphyu

Continue south along the Irrawaddy Delta to the delta town of Zalon. You’ll set off on a guided tour, taking in the town’s many colonial-style wooden houses and large tropical gardens. This afternoon cruise to Danuphyu, a small town where the revered General Maha Bandula led a famous Burmese defensive against the British troops during the First Anglo-Burmese War.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13. Danuphyu

Disembark this morning in Danuphyu to explore the Monastery of Maha Bandula and a home cheroot-making workshop before cruising to Maubin.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14. Maubin

Awake today to the glorious scenery of Maubin, home to a number of universities as well as a range of Buddhist pagodas. Prominent Burmese political leader and activist Ba Maw was born here in 1893. Disembark for a walking tour, and learn about the town’s history. Visit the local market before returning to your ship.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15. Yangon

Awake this morning in the beautiful city of Yangon. Disembark this morning to tour the sights of the city including Sule Pagoda, Kandawgyi Lake and Bogyoke Market. Like a Local – This afternoon, visit the Reclining Buddha and marvel at the Shwedagon Pagoda, resplendent with a golden spire that dominates the skyline at sunset before a Farewell Dinner on board this evening.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16. Disembark Ship, Depart Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.

Daily Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17. Arrive UK

 

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