10 Day Two night cruise upstream from Bagan to Mandalay

Destination: Yangon/Bagan/Mandalay/Heho/Inle Lake

Highlights: A journey along the Ayeyarwady River is a voyage of a lifetime. From this mighty river, which runs the length of the country, treasures can be admired which have for so long been hidden from the world’s gaze. You’ll have a chance to visit the ancient capital of Pagan with its 3000 Buddhist monuments and the last royal capital at Mandalay. You will also experience real village life, agriculture and visit Buddhist monasteries.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Yangon arrival (G)

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. If you arrived by mid day flight, we may proceed for lunch. After lunch, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre.

Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon/Bagan B, G)

This morning we head for the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple.

In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 3: Board to RV Pandaw (B, L, D, G)

Mid morning, you’ll transfer to the jetty and board the River Cruise Boat Pandaw for our two night cruise on the Irrawaddy River, heading to Mandalay. You have twin cabin accommodation with private facilities and can watch the fascinating and picturesque river traffic go by at a very leisurely pace. All cabins are outward facing. You can relax in the Teak and Rattan Chairs on the Observation Deck to watch the passing views, villages, barges, oil wells, little fishing boats, sunrise and sunset. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 4: Onboard RV Pandaw (B, L, D, G)

Cruise all day and lunch on board. Morning stop at the river village of Yandapo. Yandapo is a rarely visited small village with no road access to the world. Dependant on the riverine economy this village is famous for the production of terracotta pottery made from river bank mud. We see the pottery making process at various stages and are invited into people’s homes. Yandabo is famous in Burmese history as the place where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed in 1826 between the Burmese King and the British. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 5: Mandalay Arrival (B, L, G)

Arrive in mid-morning and transfer to our hotel in Mandalay, the last capital of Myanmar monarchy. Mandalay has long been known as a centre of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the royal courts. We will visit craft workshops to see wood carving, bronze casting and gold leaf making. After lunch, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 6: Mandalay/Mingun/Mandalay (B, G)

AAfter breakfast, you’ll drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Return to Mandalay for lunch. After lunch, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay and overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 7: Mandalay/Heho (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Transfer by road to Inle Lake and transfer to our hotel by long tail boat across the lake. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 8: Inle Lake boat excursions (B, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit floating market which is a 5day rotation market most fascinating to watch the daily life of the minorities and their activities. Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Inle Lake/Heho/Yangon (B, G)

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. Our route takes us back to Heho and down the escarpment to Nyaung-Shwe for a busy local market. Check in at airport and fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to visit by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda and visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 10: Departure Yangon (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight