Itinerary Overview
This is a very different Burma cruise. Sailing through the heart of ‘Middle Myanmar’ we pass through a varying landscape – from the lush teak plantations around Prome to the desert country south of Bagan. We visit a number of small villages and towns and see local agriculture and manufacturing at first hand. These places are remote from the modern world and offer a glimpse of a timeless, lost Myanmar far from the usual tourist track. We also visit a number of old monasteries and temples of art historical interest in this the cultural heartland of old Myanmar!
Travel Map
Detailed Itinerary
- 1. Upstream
- 2. Downstream
Day 1: Yangon - Prome
Meeting point at Sule Shangri La Hotel in Yangon at 06.00am, followed by coach transfer to Prome. Please note that this transfer can take up to 6 hours. We reach Prome by the afternoon and travel by coach to the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, the former centre of the Pyu civilization with a fascinating museum of early Buddhist artifacts and sculptures.
- Meals: Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
Day 2: Thayetmyo
This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanmar War of 1855. Many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. Thayet also boasts the oldest golf course in Myanmar (1885). We visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horse cart to the golf course, passing through the former British botanical garden.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 3: Magwe
Minhla - We visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. The fight for the Minhla redoubt was the only serious action in the war and the death of a young subaltern inspired Kipling to write a poem.We ride Trishaws to reach the magnificent Magwe Myat-thalon Pagoda, constructed with solid gold bricks. Of interest are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 6: Bagan
Further exploration by coach of the monuments follow by a lacquerware workshop and visit to the local markets. Sail in the noon to upstream. Evening walk at Oh Ne Kyaung village to see the local life in this typical river side community.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 8: Mandalay - Sagain & Amrapura
Guests will take a tour of central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung teak carved monastery. In the afternoon we visit Sagaing. The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and religious art. Next we explore the ancient capital of Amarapura by coach, take a boat ride along Taungthaman lake and watch the tranquillity and serenity of this beautiful lake and its famous U-Bein Bridge at sunset.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 9: Mingun
We stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda which is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old Peoples Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 10: Kyauk - Myoung
Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are handmade. We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week-long firing in huge kilns. Afternoon cruise back downstream to Mandalay.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
Day 2: Yandabo
We move on to explore the ancient capitals of Ava and cast off cruising downstream through lunch and in the late afternoon we explore Yandabo, a small rural village specialized in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School and the new dispensary both built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 4: Bagan
Ascend Tan-Chi-Taung mountain by mini van for the spectacular sunrise over Bagan. In Salay we visit a number of teak monasteries including the Yout-Saun-Kyaung with its spectacular wood carvings and we explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
DAY 6: Minhla & Gwechaung
We visit Minhla Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. Thayetmyo, this pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanmar War of 1855. Many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. We visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horsecart to see the countryside and golf club.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Pandaw Cruise
Important Notes:
- THIS IS OUR DEFAULT ITINERARY AND WOULD BE CHANGEABLE
Departures
2021 | 2022 | |
| Upstream | 19 Nov, 29 Dec | 09 Feb, 07 Mar, 02 April |
| Downstream | 04 No, 15 Dec | 09 Jan, 20 Feb, 18 Mar |
Important information
What's included ?
Transportation
Accommodation
Meals
Price Includes
- Coach transfer Yangon-Prome (for upstream itinerary only, no bus transfer needed for downstream itinerary)
- Overnights on Pandaw Cruise
- Daily (group) shore-excursions & entrance fees
- Sightseeing and transfers during the cruise
- English speaking tour guiding on-and offshore
- Entertainment/activities during the cruise as mentioned in the program
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- Local mineral water
- Jugged coffe, teas & tisanes
- Complimentary usage of ship facilities (exclusive of spa treatments)
Price Excludes
- Transfers from/to meeting point to/from the Luxury Pandaw Cruise
- Crew and guide gratuities
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Other beverages than those stated under inclusion
- Medical services
- Spa treatments
- Port and anchorage fees
- All other services or items not listed under inclusions
Customer Reviews
