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Upper Irrawaddy Cruise
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 civilisation 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.
We go inland at Katha and see the jungle at first hand and hopefully
working elephants. Bhamo is normally off limits to foreigners and
until recently was close to the insurgent war zone. It is the ancient
gateway to China and remains an important centre for cross border
trade.
Pagan-Mandalay-Bhamo Upstream (12 Nights)
Day One
Rangoon: transfer from the airport check in to 4 star KandawGyi
Palace Hotel (or equivalent). Lunch and rest. We visit the Shwedagon
for the sunset followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day Two Fly to Pagan and board the Pandaw II. Tour by bus
a selection of the most significant of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments
found at this World Heritage Site. We will visit lacquerwear manufactories.
Sail in the afternoon and moor over night at Pakokku exploring the
markets and workshops by trishaw. Puppet show on deck at night.
Day Three Upstream to the Chindwin confluence and stop in
the evening at Yandabo where the treaty between the British and
Burmese kings was signed in 1826 at the end of the first Anglo Burmese
War. This is a picturesque village with small family run potteries.
Day Four In the morning we travel by coach to Ava and explore
the ruins there by coach visiting the superb Bagaya Kyaung, a 200
year old royal monastery made of teak with elaborate wood carvings.
In the afternoon we travel to Mandalay by coach for an orientation
tour of the Mandalay city area visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and
sunset at Amarapura U-Baine Bridge. The Mandalay classical ballet
troupe will perform on deck scenes from court dramas.
Day Five 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 mass of brick in the world.
Day Six Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung
where the famous 50 gallon water pots are hand made. We see all
stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week
long firing in vast kilns. We enter the Third Defile and sail upstream
all day stopping at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries
and an orphanage we support. If free, the village orchestra and
dancers will perform for us on the sun deck after dinner.
Day Seven We explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung
viewing the fortifications, a famous nat or spirit shrine and the
archaeological area. In the evening we climb the Pagoda Hill at
Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy. We explore this
pleasant little wooden town
Day Eight We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha,
setting for George Orwell's Burmese Days, and if possible visits
an elephant logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that
surround the town.
Day Nine We continue upstream to Shwe-gu, another centre
of pot making, and Kyun-daw a mid-stream island of monasteries and
countless small pagodas
Day Ten 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 Eleven Chartering a smaller 'country boat' we will proceed
upstream from Bhamo and attempt to reach the village of Singu below
the dramatic 1st Defile. This area has never been visited by foreign
travellers before. In the evening we will have more time to explore
Bhamo's bustling markets and Chinese temples.
Day Twelve Disembark at Bhamo, transfer to airport by local
bus, and fly by charter flight (private airline) to Rangoon. Check
in to the Kandawagyi Palace Hotel. Coach trip to Downtown area and
visit the famous Scott Market and if of interest gem emporia.
Day Thirteen Optional early morning visit the War Graves
at Htaukchan. International departures.
Departure
dates
Price: £2,950 per person; single supplement £800
(Main Deck Cabins)
Upper Deck Cabin Supplement: £400 per person
Price includes: ground handling, which includes: 2 nights
in a 4* hotel in Rangoon, all transfers, domestic flights, entrance
fees, guide services, all main meals, coffee and tea
Price excludes: international flights, drinks at bar, laundry,
gratuity to crew.
Cruise only: deduct £250 per person or £300 if single
For currency
conversions, click here: XE.com
Personal Currency Assistant
Bhamo - Mandalay - Pagan Downstream (8 Nights)
Day One
Rangoon: transfer from the airport check in to 4 star KandawGyi
Palace Hotel (or equivalent). Lunch and rest. We visit the Shwedagon
for the sunset followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day Two Fly to Bhamo via Mandalay and sight seeing around
Bhamo on way from landing strip to jetty; 1230 embark on ship; cast
off immediately followed by lunch; we pass through the spectacular
2nd Defile; moor overnight at Shwe-gu pottery village
Day Three explore the delightful colonial town of Katha -
setting for George Orwell's Burmese Days; overnight Tigyaing
Day Four morning visit either Tagaung an ancient early capital
of Burma with its old walls, pagodas and nat
Day Five late morning stop at Mingun for the Great Pagoda
and its bell; then in the mid afternoon disembark at Gawein Jetty
for brief orientation tour of central Mandalay, visit the Mahamuni
Pagoda followed by the Amarapura U Bein Bridge for the sunset; rejoin
the ship at Shwe-kye-yet Jetty where we moor overnight. The Mandalay
classical ballet troupe will perform on sundeck scenes from court
dramas.
Day Six morning site seeing around Ava; set sail late morning
Day Seven in the morning we visit the Yandabo pottery village
and in the afternoon we visit Pakokku by trishaw and local bus.
After dinner Puppet Show on the sundeck.
Day Eight Pagan - tour by bus a selection of the most significant
of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments found at this World Heritage Site.
We will visit lacquerwear manufactories. Late afternoon flight to
Yangon and check in to the Kandawagyi Palace Hotel.
Day Nine In the morning coach trip to Downtown area and visit
the famous Scott Market and if of interest gem emporia. International
departures.
Departure
dates
Price:
US$2,150 per person; single supplement US$800 (Main Deck Cabins)
Upper Deck Cabin Supplement: US$400 per person
Price includes: ground handling, which includes: 2 nights
in a 4* hotel in Rangoon, all transfers, domestic flights, entrance
fees, guide services, all main meals, coffee and tea
Price excludes: international flights, drinks at bar, laundry,
gratuity to crew.
Cruise only: deduct $250 per person or $300 if single
For currency
conversions, click here: XE.com
Personal Currency Assistant
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