The Irrawaddy Experience Tailor-made

Itinerary View Map

Day 1: To Yangon via Bangkok

Morning departure on direct Thai Airways flight to Bangkok.

Day 2: Yangon via Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok and connect to Yangon. Transfer to hotel in Rangoon. Afternoon excursion to Shwedagon Pagoda. Overnight The Strand Hotel.

Day 3: Irrawaddy Delta – Pandaw Cruise

After breakfast and registration transfer to the Kyan Mar Yay Jetty to board the RV Pandaw II / RV Kanee Cruise Boat for a 14 nights, 600 miles Irrawaddy Cruise.

Sail with the first tide up the Rangoon River and enter the Twante Canal, which connects the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy Delta. Stop on route at the Twante Town and explore city center.

Day 4: Maubin and Nyaung Don – Pandaw Cruise

In morning visit to Maubin bustling market and city surrounding area. Afternoon explore the Delta area and visit NyaungDon Moor over night at Zakagyi.

Day 5: Danabyu and Zalon – Pandaw Cruise

Today continue exploration of Delta creeks and stop at Donabyu, another little known town with a busy port and bustling markets. In the First Anglo Burmese War of 1825 the Burmese General Maha-Bandoola was defeated here following a long and disastrous campaign by the British. Afternoon walk in Zalon city to visit beautiful Golden Buddha image and return to ship. Moor overnight at Henzada.

Day 6: Manaung and A Kuak Taung – Pandaw Cruise

Sailing all day stop to visit the markets and see old colonial buildings in the sleepy Delta town of Manaung and now enter the Irrawaddy River itself.

Day 7: Prome – Pandaw Cruise

Reach Prome by early morning and travel by coach to the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, former centre of the Pyu civilization with a fascinating museum of early Buddhist artefacts and sculpture.

Day 8: Thayetmyo Frontier Post – Pandaw Cruise

Today visit Thatyetmyo, This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanma 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). Visit the market, see the colonial houses and enjoy a horse cart ride to the golf course, passing through the former British botanical garden.

Day 9: Minhla Forts and Magwe Gold Bricks – Pandaw Cruise

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. Take a trishaws ride 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.

Day 10: Sale – Pandaw Cruise

Morning visit the Yout-saun-kyaung monastery with its spectacular wood carvings; also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses and continue sailing upstream.

Day 11: Tan Chi Tuang & Bagan – Pandaw Cruise

In the morning the ship will moor at Tan Chi Taung mountain and ascend by WWII jeep. Afternoon, we tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments at this World Heritage Site, Pagan.

Day 12: Balloon Over Bagan & Ohn Ne Kyaung Monastery

This morning experience a unforgettable Hot Air Balloon ride over Bagan Temples. (This is a optional excursion – cost applicable) This excursion will be early in the morning and would last approx. 2 ½ to 3 hours Later further explorations of Pagan. Sail in the noon to upstream. Evening walk at Oh Ne Kyaung village to see the local life in this typical river side community.

Day 13: Yandabo – Pandaw Cruise

This small rural village specialises in pot making. Visit the Pandaw School and the new dispensary both built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.

Day 14: Mandalay, Sagaing and Amarapura – Pandaw Cruise

Today tour central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung teak carved monastery. In the afternoon visit Sagaing. The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and religious art. Next 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.

Day 15: Mingun Pagoda and Bell – Pandaw Cruise

Today 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.

Day 16: Kyaung-myoung Potteries – Pandaw Cruise

Sail upstream and 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.

Day 17: Mandalay

Disembark in Mandalay. Transfer to the airport to board Thai Airways flight to Bangkok.

Day 18: To London via Bangkok

Depart Bangkok early in the morning - day arrival in London on Thai Airways.

Looking to extend your holiday ? Contact our consultants today for your options.

Itinerary map

Prices

Price per person (Double/Twin share)
£4,135.00

Cost includes:

International & internal flights in economy class.
Accommodation with en-suite facilities.
Daily breakfast throughout. Full board meals whilst on the Pandaw Cruise.
Services of English speaking guide during sightseeing.
Transfers as per the itinerary by air-conditioned vehicles.
Excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary.
Full ATOL Bonding.

Cost does not include:

Visa Fee.
Any optional Excursions.
Any expenses of a personal nature.
Travel Insurance.

020 8901 7320 holidays@indusexperiences.co.uk

The Irrawaddy Experience Tailor-made