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

Enjoy “High Tea” at the Strand Hotel in Yangon, visit the city of four million pagodas, board the RV Pandaw 1947 for an unforgettable river cruise on the Chindwin River, passing through some of the most dramatic and exciting rivers capes possible, stroll through Mandalay, the city of the last Myanmar King’s, fly to Kalaw, a former British colonial town, drive to Pindaya, a charming village with its paper umbrella cottage industry and explore Inle Lake famous for its unique one-leg rowers and typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life.

YANGON - BAGAN – PAKOKKU – PANKANGYI – MONYWA – MINGIT – KALEWA – MAWLAIK – MANDALAY – HEHO – KALAW – PINDAYA – NYAUNG SHWE – INLE SEE – NYAUNG SHWE - YANGON

Fri. 17.09.10 YANGON / Arrival 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.
Sat. 18.09.10 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.
Sun. 19.09.10 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.
Mon. 20.09.10 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.
Tue. 21.09.10 BAGAN – PAKOKKU (26 miles / 42 km) (B,L,D) Board RV Pandaw 1947 at 09.00 hrs. We cast off at 09.30 hrs and sail upstream to the Ayeyarwaddy and Chindwin confluence. If time permits we stop in Thein Gone, a typical river village where we visit the school and the monastery. Continue cruising North to the bustling town of Pakkoku where we visit the monastery, cheroots and weaving workshops. We pass the Chindwin and Ayeyarwaddy river confluence and we stop for the night.
Wed. 22.09.10 PAKOKKU – PANKANGYI – AHMYINT VILLAGE - MONYWA (70 miles / 113 km) (B,L,D) Visit the little town of Pakhan-gyi. This post-Pagan period provincial capital was walled with a moat and originally had a governor¹s palace. We see the old walls, visit the museum and a spectacular 19th century wood carved monastery. Continue cruising to Ahmyint village and visit the local market, see beautiful houses and the lovely the 17th century style Min Kyaw Swa stupas with 18th century style paintings. Arrive Monywa, the Chindwin River largest port, in the early evening.
Thu. 23.09.10 MONYWA (Pho Win Daung and Shwebadaung Caves) (B,L,D) Visit Hpowindaung and Shwebadaung caves where hundreds of Buddha Statues are placed inside niches decorated with wonderful mural paintings. If the weather and time permits we will also visit Twin Daung Lake better known as lake of “Spirulina”, the famous green-blue algae rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The origin of the lake is unknown, some geologist claim to be an extinct volcano crater, others a crater formed by a meteorite. Alternatively we drive to Kyaukka village to visit a “plain” lacquerware type workshop. Called in Myanmar “Kyauk Kar” this kind of lacquerware has only two colors, black and red made by natural pigments. Late lunch and cast off.
Fri. 24.09.10 MONYWA – KANI (34 miles / 55 km) - KIN (30 miles / 48 Km) (B,L,D) Late morning explore the village of Kanee and climb the pagoda hillock for its view. Continue sailing upstream until late at night to reach the village of Kani.
Sat. 25.09.10 KIN – MINGIN (Miles 40 / 64 km) (B,L,D) Early morning we explore Kin village with its beautiful wooden houses and the woodcarvings monastery. Continue sailing upstream to the small enchanting town of Mingin. Explore its temples and 1900’s wooden houses and the Min Kyaung Monastery with old Buddha Images.
Sun. 26.09.10 MINGUN – KYIDAW (1.5 Miles / 2.4 km) - KALEWA (42 miles / 68 km) (B,L,D) At Kyidaw (Kyi Taung Oo) we visit Shwe Za War Yaw monastery one of the oldest and best preserved wood carved monastery of Myanmar, embellished with wooden sculpted idols with fascinating gold leaf wall decorations. We walk through a beautiful scenario of paddy fields to the village of Kan where we visit another splendid example of Myanmar old monastery. Back to the ship by local boat. Proceed upstream up to Kyaw Zin, a village very close to Kalewa, where we stop for the night.
Mon. 27.09.10 KALEWA – MAWLAIK (38 miles / 61 km) (B,L,D) In the morning we explore Kalewa, the main river port for the trading with India, the lively market and climb up to Shwe Moat Htaw stupa for the beautiful view. Back to the ship before lunch and keep on cruising upstream to Mawlaik.
Tue. 28.09.10 MAWLAIK – Sailing back Downstream (B,L,D) Mawlaik (situated 35 km from the Indian Border) was the administrative capital of this area rich of Teak forests. It is a pleasant colonial town with its golf course surrounded by splendid colonial houses built by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation in the 1920’s and 1930’s (there is still a small community of Indians that used to work for the Scottish company and their descendents). The governor’s house, the administrative building, the school, the hospital, the “Dak Bungalows”, the headquarter of the company are well preserved, still in use nowadays and nicely maintained. Being this our turnaround point, we begin sailing back downstream to Monywa.
Wed. 29.09.10 Sailing Downstream for 100 miles (160 km) (B,L,D) Continue sailing all day downstream. Stop at Kyauk Hlay Gar village, famous for its Petrified Wood, where we visit the school and the typical houses.
Thu. 30.09.10 MONYWA – MANDALAY (B,L) Arrive Monywa in the morning. Transfer by coach to Mandalay with stop enroute to visit he splendid Sambuddhai Kat Kyaw pagoda where more than 500,000 Buddha statues are placed and the Aung Sakyar Stupa with the longest reclining Buddha of Myanmar (333 ft/100 m). Lunch at a restaurant in Sagaing. Continue to your hotel in Mandalay for check-in. Rest of the day free at your own leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.
Fr. 01.10.10 MANDALAY – AMARAPURA – 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. In the afternoon visit gold leaf making industry, 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, arts and crafts center (bronze casting; stone carving, etc.), the Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, 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.
Sat. 02.10.10 MANDALAY - HEHO – KALAW (B) After breakfast transfer to the airport for your 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.
Sun. 03.10.10 KALAW - PINDAYA – NYAUNG SHWE - INLE SEE (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.
Mon. 04.10.10 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.
Tue. 05.10.10 INLE LAKE –  HEHO – YANGON (B) After breakfast transfer to Heho airport for the 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.
Wed. 06.10.10 YANGON / departure (B) Free at your own leisure till transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.

PRICE IN US$ PER PERSON VALID FROM 17.09.2010 – 06.10.2010

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
- River Cruise by 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
- Porter fees at the hotels


IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Chindwin River Cruise will be operated ONLY if there is a minimum of 14 passengers booked. The cruise confirmation deadline is 91 days prior to departure date.

PAYMENT CONDITION:
Deposit:
To secure your reservation, a 30% deposit is required upon booking. Deposit is “not-refundable”.
Full payment or final balances:
Should be received in US$ cash within 91 days prior to departure. Payment failure may be treated as a cancellation and the above cancellation charges apply.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Up to 91 days prior to departure: no cancellation fee
90 to 60 days prior to departure: 30% of the cancelled cabins amount
59 to 21 days prior to departure: 50% of the cancelled cabins amount
From 20 days and no show: 80% of the cancelled cabins amount

Send booking request
Contact us:

^ Top ^
 

Travel-Myanmar.net
Shwe Gone Dine Tower 212, Building C, Apartment 006, Shwe Gone Dine Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar.
Tel: 0095-1-552835
Fax: 0095-1-552654
E-mail: info@shweyoo.com.mm, shweyootravelmm@gmail.com
Website: www.travel-myanmar.net, www.burma-exclusive.com