THE GREAT MYANMAR TOUR WITH A RIVER CRUISE FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON THE UPPER AYEYARWADDY

This expedition combines scenic interest with a study of local life and culture. We visit the main historic and cultural centres as well as many remoter places well off the beaten track. Such small towns and villages are part of a rich river economy and thriving with local industry and activity. Irrawaddy valley civilization has changed little in hundreds of years and wherever we go the people are warm, friendly and very hospitable.
The river varies enormously: it is vast with endless winding channels just above Mandalay and then dark and narrow through the 3rd Defile. It is a constantly changing landscape with a stunning back drop of mountains.

Mit der RV Pandaw 1947:
The RV Pandaw 1947 was built in Scotland in 1947 for the shallow conditions of the Ayeyarwaddy. The Pandaw is a ship laden with charm, atmosphere and character. With fine cuisine and high standards of service a cruise on the RV Pandaw 1947 is a unique travel experience. Click here to see a complete Deck Plan of the RV Pandaw 1947.

YANGON – BAGAN - MANDALAY – KYAUNG MYAUNG – TAGAUNG – KATHA – BHAMO – SHWEGU – MINGUN – MANDALAY – AMARAPURA – SAGAING – MANDALAY – HEHO – KALAW – NYAUNG SHWE – INLE SEE – NYAUNG SHWE – HEHO - YANGON

Departure: 21.10.10 & 28.10.10
Price based on 2 persons/per person:
From US$ 3.173 up

DAY 01 YANGON / arrival day Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport welcome by our local tour guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon drive to Mawtin Jetty and take a rickshaws for a short trip along the Yangon River, enjoy “High Tea” at the Strand Hotel built in 1896, once described as the "leading hotel of the East" and proceed to Botataung Pagoda, where sacred hair relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined in it. Overnight in Yangon.
DAY 02 YANGON (B) Early morning take the City Circle Train for a 2 ½ hours ride through rural areas, stopping at numerous stations watching cigarette sellers, betelnut sellers, fortune tellers and and and…. Back in downtown visit the splendid National Museum, including the gem-studded royal regalia and the Lion Throne of King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last kings of the Myanmar Kingdom. Afternoon sightseeing starts with Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda (a huge reclining Buddha), Karaweik Hall, a Royal floating barge on the Royal Lake for a photo stop and late in the afternoon, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, Temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the Pagoda. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 03 YANGON – BAGAN (B) Early morning flight to Bagan. Full day sightseeing tour of Bagan with a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples, such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; the Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes; the Ananda Temple, with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior and the Shwe Gu Gyi Temple, noted for its fine stucco carvings and panoramic views of the area’s many monuments. In the afternoon visit Myinkaba, two km south of Bagan. This village is well known for its lacquerware workshops and has also a number of interesting temples, as Nanphaya Temple, said to have once been the residence of King Manuha and Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, which has very nice frescoes inside. Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 04 BAGAN (B) After breakfast drive to Nyaung Oo and visit the lively market and the down town area. From here continue to Nyaung Oo jetty and take a private boat to Kyaukku U Min Temple, which contains some very impressive sandstone relief's. On the way back to Bagan, stop at the Bupaya Pagoda, on the bank of majestic Ayeyarwady River and visit the Mahabodhi Temple, resemble of Mahabodi Temple in Bodaghaya. In the afternoon visit Abeyadana Temple, with very interesting paintings, showing a Mahayana influence; the Nagayon Temple, an elegant and well-preserved temple, built by King Kyanzittha; the Ashe & Anauk Pagoda, with hundreds of unglazed terracotta tiles illustrating scenes from the jatakas and Lowkananda Pagoda, built in 1059 by King Anawrahta. Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 05 BAGAN – MT. POPA – MANDALAY (B) After breakfast drive to Mt. Popa (appr. 1½ hrs drive). On the way visit some villages and watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion into palm sugar. Visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful " nats ". Then continue to Mandalay (approx. 6 hours), the city of the last Myanmar Kings. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.
DAY 06 MANDALAY – KYAUNG MYAUNG (L,D) Embark the RV Pandaw 1947 at 09:30. Cast off time is at 10:00 and sail upstream to the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-Myaung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are hand made. Moor overnight nearby a river village.
DAY 07 KYAUNG MYAUNG – TIGYAING (B,L,D) Cast of early in the morning at 05:30. We enter the Third Defile and sail upstream all day. We explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications, a famous nat or spirit shrine and the archaeological area. Continue sailing North up to Tigyang village where we stop for the night.
DAY 08 TIGYAING – KATHA (B,L,D) Early departure. Before lunch we arrive the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwells Myanma Days, and little changed since then. Of interested are the fire stations collection of IFC ships bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War. Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. If permitted, we visit an elephant logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and if time allows a visit to the lake at Indaw-lay offers a glimpse of highland Myanmar with its rich bird life.
DAY 09 KATHA – BHAMO (B,L,D) We continue upstream passing the little town of Shwegu we cruise through the 2nd Defile, the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow channel. Reach Bhamo in the afternoon for an evening walking tour of this important trading town set close to the Chinese border.
DAY 10 BHAMO – SHWEGU (B,L,D) Chartering a smaller country boat we will proceed upstream from Bhamo and attempt to reach the village of Singu below the dramatic 1st Defile. Back to the ship before lunch and cast off at 11:30 for the downriver return journey to Mandalay. We pass Kyun Daw, an Island with a lot of monasteries and small pagodas and moor overnight at Shwegu pottery village.
DAY 11 SHWEGU – KHAN NYAT (B,L,D) Sail downriver all day stopping at Khan Nyat Village with its many Buddhist monasteries.
DAY 12 KHAN NYAT – MINGUN (B,L,D) We cast off early in the morning and stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old Peoples Home. Moor overnight in a sandbank opposit Mingun Pagoda. Dance and Theatre performance on the Sundeck.
DAY 13 MINGUN – MANDALAY (B) Disembark at Mandalay Gawein Jetty at 08:00. Sightseeing in Mandalay starts with a visit to Shwe In Bin Kyaung, one of the most outstanding monasteries and the down town are, the Mahamuni Pagoda, originally built by King Bodawpaya in 1784, hosting the revered Mahamuni image, cast in the 1st Century and now covered in thick gold leaves and arts and crafts center (bronze casting; stone carving, etc.). In the afternoon visit the Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, Atumashi Monastery, the "Incomparable Monastery", the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures and sunset on Mandalay Hill, a vantage-point for panoramic view of the city. Overnight in Mandalay.
DAY 14 MANDALAY - AMARAPURA – SAGAING - MANDALAY (B) After breakfast drive to Amarapura the “City of Immortals” and visit the 150 year old Mahagandayon monastery, and famous Buddhist learning center. It is home to a thousand monks, who will form a procession as they go to take their noon and final meal of the day. Apart from Pagodas that have survived, the ancient art of silk and cotton weaving, using handlooms, is very much alive and visit U Bein wooden bridge, over 150 years old, which is still in use. After lunch drive over Ava bridge to Sagaing, 21 km southwest of Mandalay and visit the Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees with numerous Pagodas, monasteries and nunneries. Visit the village of Sagaing, at the foot of Sagaing Hill with markets, shops and restaurants; one of the monasteries on the hillside; the Tilawkaguru cave temple, with mural paintings; Umin Thounzeh caves, containing 45 Buddha images and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda built in 1312. The view of Sagaing from here is outstanding. Late afternoon come back to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.
DAY 15 YANGON - HEHO – KALAW (B) Morning flight to Heho in the Shan state. Upon arrival drive to Kalaw (appr. 1 hour), a former British colonial town. Kalaw, another hill station as well as peaceful summer resort nestled in pine-clad mountains, is 1,400 meters above sea-level. It is located 70 km west of Taunggyi. Many of the Tudor-style houses and English gardens of colonial days remain. In the neighborhood lie villages of Palaung and other hill tribes who come to Kalaw market held every five days in their colorful costumes, adding to the quiet attraction of Kalaw. Overnight in Kalaw.
DAY 16 KALAW - PINDAYA – NYAUNG SHWE - INLE LAKE (B) After breakfast drive to Pindaya (appr. 2 hours drive), a charming village with its paper umbrella cottage industry. Visit the Pindaya cave, famous for its thousands of Buddha images and the paper umbrella cottage industry. In the afternoon continue to Nyaung Shwe (appr. 3 ½ hours) drive, a small town at the northern end of Inle Lake. From here take a boat for the transfer to your hotel, for check-in and overnight.
DAY 17 INLE LAKE (B) Full day excursion on Inle Lake (25 km) famous for its unique one-leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, contorted because of the quantity of applied gold leaf, gifts from the believers. The Buddha images are purported to have come here in the 12th Century. In the afternoon excursion to Indein (appr. 1 hour drive) to see the ancient Bagan + Shan style pagodas, built during Bagan Period, passing the beautiful scenery with tall grasses and little water steps. The ruin pagodas, hide in the bushes will give you an impression of you were in the 12th - 13th Centuries ago. Overnight at Inle Lake.
DAY 18 INLE LAKE – NYAUNG SHWE – HEHO - YANGON (B) After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival visit Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2000 years, the Mahabandoola Park with it's Independence Monument and walk around the downtown area and the sprawling Bogyoke Market. Wide streets, orderly town planning and neglected public buildings revive visions of British rule, while busy streets scenes and shimmering pagodas, bursting through a leafy canopy, hint at the rich local culture. Skyscrapers and glaring neon billboards have yet to overtake the capital. Overnight in Yangon.
DAY 19 YANGON / departure (B) Free at your own leisure till transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.

SERVICE:
- Bed & breakfast in double sharing room
- 16th person FOC in single room
- Lunch and dinner as mentioned in our program
- Local guide throughout the tour (not for the river cruise)
- Domestic flights by Air Bagan, Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways
- Air-con car/van/bus throughout the tour (not during the river cruise)
- Entrance fees as indicated in our itinerary
- RV Pandaw 1947 (first class / main deck and deluxe category / upper deck)
- All boat excursions as mentioned in our itinerary
- Porter fees at the airports
- Drinking water and refreshment tissues during the sightseeing

NOT INCLUDED:
- International air fare to/from Yangon
- Visa fees
- Intl. airport tax of US$ 10 per person
- Lunch & dinners not mentioned in our program
- Beverage
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Personal expenses such as camera fees, tips, laundry service, ect

IMPORTANT NOTE:
For All the Shoulder and Summer Season departures should the occupancy be less than 10 PASSENGERS the Company reserves the right to cancel the cruise up to 60 days prior the departure date. A written confirmation notice will be released to all booked clients and/or their agents within and not later than 60 days prior the departure date. In case of cancellation an alternative cruise will be offered and if not acceptable all down payments will be refunded.

PAYMENT CONDITION:
Deposit:
To secure your reservation, a 30% deposit may be required for certain departures upon booking confirmation and for some specific departure dates it might be “not-refundable”.
Full payment or final balances:
Should be received in US$ cash within 21 days prior to departure. Payment failure may be treated as a cancellation and the above cancellation charges apply.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Up to 46 days prior to departure: no cancellation fee
45 to 31 days prior to departure: 30% of the cancelled cabins amount
30 to 21 days prior to departure: 50% of the cancelled cabins amount
From 20 days and no show: 80% of the cancelled cabins amount

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