Upstream The Irrawaddy & The Great Irrawaddy Delta 23 Days

Cruise name

Pandaw Myanmar

Company

Irrawaddy Flotilla Company Ltd

Class

Luxury

Capacity

24 cabin

Type

Sharing

Destination

Myanmar

Itineraries

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Early morning departure from Rangoon via the Twante Canal stopping at Twante to view the potteries and on to Pyapon (64miles) a delightful delta town and seaport with lively docks and markets.

Bogale is at the heart of the delta and once a Mon capital and trading port connected to international trading routes between the 15th and 18th centuries. It features the only mangrove ecosystem reserve in the Delta. A visit to the monastery of the town will be organized.

This will be the most fascinating day’s sailing as we weave through creeks and channels cross-country across the heart of the delta. We will stop for a walk about in a suitable village.

Morning cruise across the final section of delta to join the great Bassein River that takes us up to Bassein, the capital of the delta and an important seaport too. Of interest here are the traditional umbrella manufacturies, where the typical monk’s waxed cloth umbrellas are made. On foot we will explore the town, its shrines and vibrant markets.

A day at leisure in this charming port town and optional day trip by car to Ngwesaung Beach with lunch there.

Morning departure with lunch to follow, taking the more usual upper delta route of the old IFC ‘launch service’ between Rangoon and Bassein. Evening exploration of this attractive river port.

On these busier channels there will be a variety of shipping whilst the riverbanks team with life and activity. Maubin is a very pleasant place to enjoy a sunset walk along its colourful strand.

Morning run crossing the Twante Canal and home to the Rangoon River and our berth in colonial downtown. Afternoon optional visit to Rangoon War Cemetery.

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

In morning we walk visit to Maubin bustling market and city surrounding area. Afternoon our exploration of Delta area NyaungDon city visit to see country life style. Moor over night at Zakagyi.

We continue our 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.

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

Early morning we sail slowly upstream and downstream A Kaut Taung area, to view Buddha carvings on the mountainside, from the upper deck or Sundeck. 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.

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.

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.

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

In the morning, moor at the Tan-Chi-Taung mountain and enjoy the view. Continue with one of the highlights of your trip with a tour of a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments at this World Heritage Site, Pagan.

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.

This small rural village is specialized in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School, built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.

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.

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.

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. Afternoon sailing to Mandalay.

Disembark at Mandalay.

Important Notes

Price includes

Coach transfer (for upstream itinerary only, no bus transfer needed for downstream itinerary)
Entrance fees
Guide services (English language)
Gratuities to crew
Main meals
Locally made soft drinks, local beer and local spirits
Jugged coffee
Selection of teas and tisanes'
Mineral water.

Price excludes

International flights
Port dues (if levied)
Laundry
All visa costs
Fuel surcharge
Imported beverages such as wines
Premium spirits and liqueurs
Fancy soft drinks like Perrier
Espressos and cappuccinos at bar
Tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers

Remark:

Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather and operating conditions. Unused services are not subject to a refund.
Meals on board are fusion: Myanmar & international. Guests should advise of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least three days prior to the cruise date.
Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry date for all passengers. A valid passport is required upon check-in. Otherwise, boarding may be denied by port authority.
Surcharge on Christmas (24/12/) and New Year (31/12) & on Lunar New Year .

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The Golden Land Downstream Mandalay - Yangon 11 days

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Destination : Mandalay , Yandabo, Pagan, Magwe, Minhla, Prome, KaukTaung, Danupyu, Twante

Upstream The Irrawaddy & The Great Irrawaddy Delta 23 Days

Upstream The Irrawaddy & The Great Irrawaddy Delta 23 Days

Itineraries

Day 1: Rangoon to Pyapon (L, D)

Day 2: Pyapon to Bogale (B, L, D)

Day 3: Bogale to Myaungmya (B, L, D)

Day 4: Myaungmya to Bassein (B, L, D)

Day 5: Bassein (B, L, D)

Day 6: Bassein to Wakema (B, L, D)

Day 7: Wakema to Maubin (B, L, D)

Day 8: Maubin to Rangoon (B, L, D)

Day 9: Rangoon (B, L, D)

Day 10: Maubin & Nyaung Don (B, L, D)

Day 11: Danabyu & Zalon (B, L, D)

Day 12: Myanaung (B, L, D)

Day 13: Prome (Pyay) (B, L, D)

Day 14: Thayetmyo (B, L, D)

Day 15: Minhla & Magwe (B, L, D)

Day 16: Sale (B, L, D)

Day 17: Pagan (B, L, D)

Day 18: Pagan (B, L, D)

Day 19: Yandabo (B, L, D)

Day 20: Mandalay, Sagaing & Amarapura (B, L, D)

Day 21: Mingun (B, L, D)

Day 22: Kyauk Myoung (B, L, D)

Day 23: Mandalay (B)

Important Notes

Other itineraries