Discover the mighty Irrawaddy River on board a beautifully-crafted Pandaw ship and travel between the historic royal capitals of Bagan and Mandalay, calling at traditional towns and villages on the way, then spend 2 nights at the mystical Inle Lake.
Enjoy a 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay in the old colonial city of Yangon with a visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, before taking the short flight to Bagan. Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in the world, and a highlight of every Burma trip, with thousands of pagodas, temples and stupas. Discover wood-carved monasteries in Salay and Pakhannge, explore the Tan-Chi-Taung Mountain monuments by WWII jeep and visit one of the clinics which is supported by the Pandaw Charity.
Explore the village of Pakokku by traditional tuk-tuk and learn more about the production of terracotta pottery in Yandabo. Discover over 1,000 hermitages and sanctuaries in Sagaing then enjoy an unforgettable sunset at the world's longest teak bridge - U Bein Bridge. Visit the world's largest working bell before enjoying a sightseeing tour of Mandalay. Finally, spend 2 nights in a hotel at the stunning Inle Lake, one of the biggest lakes in Burma, and see traditional leg-rowing fishermen, mysterious submerged pagodas and artisan workshops.
PD251 Operated by Pandaw River Adventures
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Highlights of Burma Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Yangon (Burma)
Fly from the UK to Yangon.
Day 2 - Yangon
Transfer from Yangon airport to the Sule Shangri-La Hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy an afternoon excursion to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda.
Day 3 - Yangon - Bagan
After breakfast transfer to Yangon airport for the short flight to Bagan. Embark your ship in Bagan and enjoy lunch on board before exploring some of Bagan's 3,000 pagodas and temples by bicycle or coach.
Day 4 - Bagan
Explore more of Bagan's fascinating archaeological sites and visit a lacquer workshop.
Day 5 - Salay - Pakhannge - Tan-Chi-Taung - Min-Nan-Thu
Enjoy an early morning sail to Salay which was once a busy trading port and is now a sleepy village filled with colonial architectural treasures and monasteries, including the best-known teak carved monastery in Burma. Continue on to Pakhannge, a dynasty city which is home to various temples and wood carved monasteries. Sail to the foot of the Tan-Chi-Taung mountains and ascend this World Heritage Site by WWII jeep to visit some of the 3,000 listed monuments. Later, visit Min-Nan-Thu, one of the eight clinics supported by the Pandaw Charity.
Day 6 - Pakokku
Visit Pakokku's local market and town centre by tuk tuk - the traditional mode of transport. Moor overnight near the Chindwin confluence at Aung Pan Chaung.
Day 7 - Yandabo
Explore Yandabo, famous for its finely-crafted terracotta pottery, and get a glimpse of real village life. This afternoon is spent sailing to moor near Ava at Pau Taw Pauk Myaing.
Day 8 - Sagaing - Amarapura
Sail to Sagaing to admire its hermitages and sanctuaries which are full of woodcarvings and religious art. In the afternoon, drive to Amarapura, Burma's former capital, to enjoy a boat trip on the Taungthaman lake. See the sun set behind the U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge, and watch silk weavers at work. Moor overnight at Sagaing Jetty.
Day 9 - Mingun - Mandalay
Set sail to Mingun this morning for a walking tour of the world’s largest working bell and unfinished pagoda. Enjoy sightseeing in central Mandalay this afternoon with visits to the palace, craft workshops and shopping. Moor overnight at Sagaing Jetty.
Day 10 - Mandalay - Inle Lake
Disembark ship after breakfast and transfer to Mandalay airport for the flight to Heho and your 2-night stay at the Sanctum Inle Resort at Inle Lake. Transfer from the airport to Nyaung Shwe to board a local motorboat and discover the unique features of the lake, including the leg-rowing fishermen and artisan workshops.
Day 11 - Inle Lake - Indein
Travel by boat through the narrow channels of the Burmese jungle and explore the hidden village of Indein, famous for its stupas which are hundreds of years old stupas.
Day 12 - Inle Lake - UK
Transfer from the hotel to Heho airport for your flight back to the UK.
Day 13 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.