Myanmar Travel

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL IDEAS

PANDAW CRUISES

ROAD TO MANDALAY CRUISES

Htilo Minlo Temple

Mandalay Place

Mingun Bell

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Myanmar Independent Cruise Ideas

Myanmar & Road To Mandalay Cruise

9 DAYS

YANGON • BAGAN • MANDALAY • YANGON

PLUS CRUISE ON THE "ROAD TO MANDALAY"

Day 1. Arrive Yangon. On arrival in Yangon, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 2. Yangon. Today, start a city tour highlighting some of the rich colonial architecture dating back from the British occupation and Sule Pagoda. Visit the China town and fruit market where you will receive good insight into the every day life of the local people and photo stop at Karaweik Royal Barge. Explore Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha. Lunch at a good local restaurant. Before sunset, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most famous landmark in Yangon. Dinner at Le Planteur Restaurant and overnight at your hotel in Yangon. BLD

Day 3. Yangon/Bagan. Fly to Bagan. On arrival in Bagan, visit the Nyaung Oo market to see the local bustling lifestyle then spend the day exploring the myriad of temples in Bagan, as each has a different story to tell. Then visit the most significant Pagodas in Bagan and the Phwar Saw village.

Later visit a lacquerware house to see the process of making lacquerware from the basic stage to the finished products ready for sale at the shop. Enjoy the perfect end to the day by enjoying the sunset over Bagan from the top of a suitable Pagoda. This will be followed by dinner at the Nandar restaurant where you will enjoy a puppet show. BLD

Day 4. "Road to Mandalay". Transfer to the luxurious "Road To Mandalay" berthed on the Irrawaddy River at Bagan. (departs only on Saturdays during certain months). Settle into your comfortable private cabin, complete with en-suite facilities. After lunch on board you have the opportunity to join the guide and visit the inside of some of Bagan's more significant pagodas - Ananda Pagoda and the Gubyaukgyi Temple home of some of Bagan's finest frescoes. Late afternoon, you climb the steep exterior slopes of one of the pagodas for the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the plains. Dinner and local entertainment await you on board. BLD

Day 5. "Road to Mandalay". A guided tour to the most important temples, such as the Htilo Minlo Temple and the Shwezigon Pagoda. Mid-morning, the "Road To Mandalay" begins its cruise north towards Mandalay. After lunch on board, settle back in a comfortable chair on the top deck, drink in hand and watch the fascinating river life glide by. There are also Longyi and Tanaka demonstrations on board and a lecture by the on board guide. Dinner and overnight on board. BLD

Day 6. "Road to Mandalay". Arrive at the quaint little village of Shwe Kyet. After lunch, disembark for a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay, regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Visit the Maha Muni Pagoda one of the most important religious structures in Mandalay and the object of intense devotion to pilgrims from all over the world.

The Shwe Nandaw Monastery was once part of the royal palace and is the only building that has survived the ravages of the last century. Return to "Road To Mandalay". Enjoy a relaxed dinner and local entertainment before retiring for the night. BLD

Day 7. "Road to Mandalay". After breakfast, set off by local ferry, privately hired for RTM guests, to Mingun. There is plenty of river life to observe along the way, ferries, teak and bamboo rafts, paddle steamers and numerous small boats. Visits are made to the most important sights such as the Hsinbyume Pagoda, one of Myanmar's prettiest Stupas and the Mingun Bell, the world's largest working bell.

The Mingun Pagoda was started in 1790 to house the tooth of the Buddha. Return by ferry for a late lunch. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to visit the Sagaing Hills, crossing one of the very few bridges that spans the river. Sagaing is considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and the hundreds of monasteries reverberate with the echoes of cymbals, gongs and pagoda bells. Sagaing is also famous for its silver and silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. Dinner and overnight on board. BLD

Day 8. Mandalay. Breakfast will be served on board, after which guests will disembark to explore the ancient capital of Myanmar, Mandalay, considered to be the Arts & Crafts centre of Myanmar. Visit a marble workshop and an arts & crafts workshop. After lunch at one of the fine restaurants in Mandalay, visit Zecho market where much of the locals' time is spent shopping for everything from fresh fruit & vegetables to everyday household items.

Next, visit Kuthodaw Paya surrounded by 729 upright marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist Scripture as edited and approved by the 5th Buddhist Synod. It is popularly known as " The world's biggest book'' for its stone scriptures. In the evening venture to the top of Mandalay Hill to watch the sun set over the ancient city. BLD

Day 9. Mandalay/Yangon. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Yangon. Visit, on arrival, Scott Market with the largest selection of Burmese handicrafts you will find in one place and you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, gems & jewellery which are available at reasonable prices. The rest of the day is at leisure until your departure flight. BL

PRICES:

Please request prices for the dates you wish to travel.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Domestic air flights, return airport transfers, accommodation with private facilities, superior cabin on the "Road to Mandalay", all meals while in Myanmar except dinner on first evening, sightseeing as described in the itinerary.

HOTELS:

Please click the hotel of your choice from the list below.

FIRST CLASS: Traders Hotel, Bagan Thande Hotel, Sedona Hotel (superior room)

DELUXE: Governor's Residence, Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel, Sedona Hotel (deluxe room)