Yangon to Mandalay – the cruise of a lifetime on the Irrawaddy

Recently returned from one of cruising’s great experiences, one of my very valued clients spoke to me about their amazing river cruise between Yangon and Mandalay on the Irrawaddy River.

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words, and I can think of no better way of letting others know just how spectacular this trip is than by sharing their (my clients) pictures and their specific itinerary, with kind permission of my clients. Their trip was on APT’s RV Samatha.

So, here goes:

Day 1. Embark Ship. Be met at the airport and transferred to the Irrawaddy River. Here, board your luxury river ship, the RV Samatha, for the start of your incredible 14-night Irrawaddy River cruise. Enjoy lunch on board and time to settle in, then head back into the city of Yangon for the opportunity to view the famous Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset. Get to know your fellow travellers and APT Cruise Director during a Welcome Reception this evening. 14 Nights: aboard APT’s brand-new boutique river ship, the RV Samatha
Meals included: Lunch and DinnerThe above picture shows caged bird sellers in central Yangon.

Day 2. Yangon, Maubin. Awake today to the glorious scenery along the mighty Irrawaddy River as you begin cruising upstream. Admire endless green rice fields and traditional stilt houses perched high over the water as your ship zigzags leisurely along the river. Arrive after lunch in Maubin, home to a number of universities as well as a range of significant Buddhist pagodas. Disembark for a tour, during which you’ll learn about Ba Maw – a prominent Burmese political leader who was born here in 1893. You’ll also enjoy the chance to visit the local market before returning to your ship.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3. Danuphyu, Zalon. Stop to explore Danuphyu, where the revered General Maha Bandula led a famous Burmese defensive against the British troops during the First Anglo-Burmese War. Visit a local cheroot (cigar) workshop and take some time to explore at leisure. Picture here of the market in Danuphyu.Back on board, take in the unique sights of the Irrawaddy Delta region today as your ship cruises to the small port town of Zalon. On disembarking, you’ll set off on a trishaw tour. Pass the town’s many colonial-style wooden houses and large tropical gardens on the way to the incredible Pyi Taw Pyan Pagoda, which houses a famous bronze Buddha that was once stolen by the British Army and later returned by order of Queen Victoria.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4. Myanaung. Cruise onwards today to the quiet riverside township of Myanaung. Here, a guided walking tour will take you past a range of well-preserved colonial houses and on to the bustling local market. (Actually, this stop was replaced with the visit to Man-gat-gyi village). This is a remote farming village. No electricity here. Picture of Man-gat-gyi village can be seen here.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerDay 5. Pyay (Prome), Sri Ksetra. Take in views of the Akauk Mountains and their river-facing cliff carvings as you cruise to Pyay. On arrival in Pyay, you’ll disembark for a walking tour. Established by the British Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the late 19th century, Pyay, originally served as a trans shipment point for cargo being moved between Upper and Lower Burma. See a selection of pagodas, including the imposing Shwesandaw Pagoda, one of the country’s most revered religious sites.Shwesandaw Pagoda in Pye, pronounced Pew. Shwesandaw means golden hair. Apparently, there are two strands of the Buddhas hair here. Later, travel eight kilometres to the south-east of Pyay on an excursion to the ancient ruins at the old Pyu kingdom capital, Sri Ksetra, meaning ‘Cityof Splendour’. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, the region’s 1,500 year old stupas are among the world’s earliest Buddhist monuments.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6. Thayetmyo. Cruise into Thayetmyo, a pleasant port town that once sat on the border between Upper Burma and Lower Burma, which the British annexed during the Second Anglo-Burmese War. Here, step out to wander the streets, take in the colonial houses and visit the charming local market.
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7. Minhla, Magwe. Stop in the town of Minhla, the site of a significant battle during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. Board a small boat and cruise to Gwechaung and Minhla forts, built by Italian engineers in 1860 to keep British forces out of Burma. Learn how the British captured these forts, and indeed the town, during a war that saw an independent Burma lose its sovereignty.The above picture shows novice nuns at a Buddhist nunnery in Magwe. The girls stay for a limited time, sometimes only 7 days. The youngest was 5 years old.

Cruise onwards to Magwe, where you’ll head up to the Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, located atop a hill overlooking the Irrawaddy River. Take in amazing views and explore the pagoda, constructed with thousands of solid gold bricks.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8. Salay. Cruise to the village of Salay, a colourful religious centre. On disembarking,you’ll visit Yoke Sone Kyaung, the region’s oldest surviving wooden monastery. The picture below is shows an abandoned pagoda in Salay.Built in 1882, the monastery is famous for its wood carvings and an extensive collection of religious artefacts. Afterwards, continue on to Shinbin Maha Laba ManPaya, home to the country’s largest lacquer Buddha image, which dates back to the 13th century.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9. Tantkyi Hill, Bagan. Disembark your ship and climb Tantkyi Hill to visit Tantkyi taung Pagoda, encircled by 32 elephant statues facing in all directions. Back on board later, you will be able to capture your first glimpse of Bagan, one of Burma’s most iconic attractions. Scattered across the lush plains of Bagan lie more than 2,000 sacred stupas, many dating as far backas the 11th and 13th centuries.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10. Bagan. Enjoy a full-day to discover Bagan, one of the world’s truly awe-inspiring archaeological sites. Disembark your ship and head for the Bagan Archaeological Zone, home to thousands of stupas, temples and monasteries. Here, climb to the top of a pagoda for panoramic views over the plains.

The picture above is of the Anada Temple in Began.The above picture is of a Kayan lady at the Anada Temple market. Rings are added as the ladies get older and are never removed.

Travel to the township of Nyaung-U where you’ll enjoy some time at Nyaung-U Market, before enjoying a visit to the Ananda Temple and Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the country’s most significant religious sites. Shwezigon Pagoda is covered in gold leaf in Nyaung-U near Bagan.Later, stop by Gubyaukgyi Temple, then visit a lacquer-ware workshop and a local village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11. Bagan, Yandabo. Enjoy a final sunrise over Bagan this morning then disembark in Yandabo, a charming village known for its finely crafted terracotta wares. Here, enjoy an intimate look at village life and attend a pottery-making demonstration by local artisans. Re-board your river ship and take in the scenery as you continue cruising.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12. Inwa. Arrive today in Inwa, an ancient imperial capital of Burmese kingdoms from the 14th to 19th centuries. Here, set out on a tour by horse-drawn cart, taking in Maha Aung Mye Bon Zan Monastery and the teak-wood Bagaya Monastery, built in 1593. You’ll also have the opportunity to get up close to the ’Leaning Tower of Inwa’ – a magnificent watchtower that was damaged by an earthquake in 1838.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13. Sagaing, Mingun. In Sagaing, visit a silver workshop then explore Soon U Ponya Shin and Kaunghmudaw pagodas. Later, cruise to Mingun, home to the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, a monumental but incomplete brick pagoda that dates back to the late 18th century. Here, see the second largest ringing bell in the world, the Mingun Bell, as well as the Myatheindan Pagoda, modelled on the mythological Buddhist mountain, Mount Meru. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The picture below is of sunrise over the river at Sagaing.Day 14. Mandalay. Set out on a full-day tour of Mandalay which will take you to many of the city’s major attractions and hidden gems. Visit Mahamuni Buddha Temple, one of Burma’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites and home to a six-tonne Mahamuni Buddha statue. The below picture shows a view towards the hills in Mandalay.Afterwards, explore a range of workshops in which thin sheets of gold, marble carvings and tapestries are produced. Then head for Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill to see what is thought to be the world’s largest book. Here, Buddhist scripture has been inscribed on some 729 marble slabs, each contained in its own stupa. Later, ascend Mandalay Hill for views over the city before a tour of Shwenandaw Monastery, an architectural masterpiece known for the carvings of Buddhist myths that adorn its roof and walls.