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 Dinner
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.
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 Dinner
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here are a few other pictures.
So… I’m sure you will agree. One very amazing travel experience.
Need to know more? Call me directly on 0330 303 8397 or, email me waynef@cruise.co.uk