Highlights: Reach
the wonders of Burma in
unrivalled comfort and
style and visit the
sublime gorges of the
north which ply through
the scenic Ayerwaddy
River. A truly memorable
11 night cruise
discovering the hidden
gems of Burma.
CRUISE ITINERARY
Day 1: Yangon -
Mandalay - Mingun
Board the Road To
Mandalay berthed on the
Ayeyarwady River
opposite the Sagaing
Hills studded with
numerous white pagodas.
The ship sets sail on
its voyage to northern
Myanmar through the
unique gorges that
characterise this
stretch of the river. At
Mingun you visit the
world's largest
brick-built pagoda and
uncracked bell. An
evening cocktail party
allows you to get to
know your fellow
travellers.
Day 2: Mingun - New
Nyein
The ship makes an early
start entering the first
of three gorges around
midday. Anchor off New
Nyein for a walking tour
and to see traditional
clay pot sculpting.
Later, sail past the
picturesque island
pagoda of Thihadaw.
Day 3: Kyan Hnyat -
Katha
An early morning stroll
around the delightful
village of Kyan Hnyat
where school children
greet you and the
morning market bustles
with activity. Sailing
north, vast stretches of
the river spread out
before you with
interesting rural
villages dotted on its
shores. As the sun sets,
the ship anchors off the
old market town of Katha,
famous as the site where
the Irrawaddy Flotilla
Company scuttled its
fleet in 1942.
Breakfast, lunch and
dinner on board.
Day 4: Katha - Shwegu
Visit Katha by trishaw
in the early morning and
visit the market place
made famous by George
Orwell in "Burmese
Days". Back on board the
ship continues its
journey north through
the expansive scenery,
with the distant
mountains marking the
second defile coming
into view in the
afternoon. The ship
anchors off the splendid
island pagoda of Shwe
Paw, just north of the
town of Shwegu. Boats
will take you ashore to
explore the ancient
site. Breakfast, lunch
and dinner on board.
Day 5: Zinbon - Bhamo
This morning the ship
passes through the
splendid second gorge
with its green-clad
mountains reaching down
to the narrowing
channel. Sail past
logging camps and the
old colonial village of
Zinbon towards the
challenging first gorge.
The ship sails as far
north as possible and
then turns around to
drop anchor off Bhamo
where you may take a
stroll and meet the
locals. The scenery in
this unspoilt area is
spectacular.
Day 6: Bhamo - Katha
Morning visit to Bhamo,
barely 50 miles from the
Chinese border in the
foothills of Yunnan.
Local transport carries
you into the
countryside, past paddy
fields and towards the
mountains before
returning to the ship
for an early afternoon
departure.
Day 7: Katha -
Tigyaung
In the early morning
board the train to the
forest station of Naba
and experience a journey
into thick Kachin jungle
and teak forests. Later
the ship sails for the
beautiful river port of
Tigyaing, where you can
walk in the early
evening.
Day 8: Tigyaing -
Mogok
At Thabeikkyin you take
the road that winds
towards Mogok past a
forestry reserve where
many precious botanical
specimens are grown for
their essential oils.
Various attractions
await. Return to the
ship to head south
again.
Day 9: Mandalay
Mandalay comes into view
early morning. Disembark
for a varied tour of
Burma's second city.
Rejoin the ship at the
quaint Burmese village
of Shwe Kyet Yet and
enjoy a tribal dance
display in the evening.
Breakfast and dinner on
board.
Day 10: Bagan
The ship sets sail
early morning for Bagan.
Along the way you see
many villages with women
doing the household
chores by the river and
waving children. Witness
sunset over the
marvellous Bagan plain
to whet your appetite
for the tours next day.
Traditional Bagan
artists perform for you
this evening.
Day 11: Bagan - Mt
Popa
On your final day,
visit the ancient sites
in and around Bagan with
the experienced guide,
or take a horse-drawn
cart or bicycle to
explore on your own.
Optional afternoon tour
to Mount Popa, legendary
sacred home of the Nats,
with its impressive
summit monastery.
Day 12: Bagan -
Yangon
An early departure
this morning to Bagan
airport for your flight
to Yangon.
