Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK Airport / Mandalay

Depart on a choice of overnight flights to Mandalay. There are no direct flights and so there is the chance to perhaps break your journey in Bangkok, Singapore or Dubai.

Day 2: Arrive Mandalay

On arrival you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred to the city centre where you check in to your choice of hotel for 2 nights.

The rest of the day’s free to recover from the journey and explore the city under your own steam.

Day 3: Mandalay (B) - Free Day or Add Tour

The cruise includes a city tour of Mandalay tomorrow and so we've left today free to recover from your journey and explore a little under your own steam. However we can arrange a range of tours perhaps exploring parts of the city that won't be covered by the cruise or out of the city to the surrounding hills. We'll forward a few suggestions when quoting.

Day 4: Mandalay - 10 night Pandaw Cruise -  City Tour (B / L / D)

Late morning your guide will take you to the Irrawaddy jetty where you board the small Pandaw cruise ship with just 16 cabins. Designed to take you back to the 1880’s when these beautiful craft made use of their shallow draft to take produce and passengers up and down the river this a fantastic addition to any holiday.

Time to settle in, then back on dry land for a tour of Mandalay. Start at the Mahamuni Pagoda, home to one of the country’s most venerated Buddha images. Continue on to a gold leaf and tapestry work shop and walk along the marble & stone carver’s street. Visit a silk and cotton weaving workshop. Travel by bus to the famous “U Bein” bridge, the world’s longest teakwood bridge that was made from wood salvaged from the city’s dismantled teak palace when the capital moved to Mandalay around 1784. It remains a central part of the community with locals and saffron-robed monks walking their bicycles across it and fishermen going about their work in its shadow. The tour ends aboard a small boat watching the sun set over Taungthaman Lake.

Back on the Pandaw boat, this evening meet your fellow passengers at the welcome dinner. Moor overnight.

Day 5: Cruise to Kyauk-Myoung (B / L / D) 

This morning the cruise really gets underway and this afternoon visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are handmade. You will see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week-long firing in huge kilns. The boat then heads up the third defile (narrow pass or gorge) of the Irrawaddy where it moors for the night.

Day 6: Cruise to Khan-nyat & Tigyang (B / L / D) 

This morning the first stop is at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries and the chance to visit the former head teacher's house that houses a small museum collection. Continue the cruise, then stop to climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy.

Day 7: Cruise to Katha (B / L / D) 

This morning arrive at the enchanting colonial town of Katha, the setting for George Orwell’s Burmese Days where little has changed. Also of interest may be the fire station’s collection of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ship’s bells that were taken from ships sunk in the Second World War. Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. Continue on to an elephant logging camp set in the hardwood forests in the hills that surround the town.

Day 8: Sail Upstream to Kyunt Daw Island (B / L / D)

Disembark this morning in favour of more agile local boats that are able to access the enchanting small village at Kyunt Daw, where you can leisurely explore the ornate pagodas and be immersed in authentic Burmese village life away from the main tourist trail.

Day 9: Cruise Through 2nd Defile of Irrawaddy (B / L / D)

A leisurely day relaxing on board and admiring the views as your boat sails through the Second Defile, the Irrawaddy's most dramatic river gorge, with towering, sheer cliffs lining the narrow channel.

Day 10: Cruise to Tagaung (B / L / D) 

Today will be spent visiting the charming ancient city of Tagaung, which many believe to be the first capital of Burma and so has an important place in the country's history and mythology. Interesting sites include the historic fortifications that date back to the First and Second Millennium, a vast archaeological area and a famous spirit shrine. As the sun begins to set there will be chance to climb Pagoda Hill for lovely views down to the river.

Day 11: Cruise to Mingun (B / L / D)

The boat will set sail early this morning and stop at Mingun for you to see the largest working bell in the world as well as the town's enormous Unfinished Pagoda that was begun by King Bodawpaya in 1790 but never completed. You also visit the Mingun Old People’s Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s. Then drive through the beautiful Sagaing Hills to the hilltop and enjoy an amazing view over the countryside and Irrawaddy River.

Day 12: Cruise to Ava, Bagaya Kyaung royal monastery & Yandabo (B / L / D)

Morning visit to Ava to explore the ruins, visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a 200-year old royal monastery made of teak with elaborate woodcarvings. In the afternoon arrive at Yandabo village, famous for its production of terracotta pottery from the riverbank clay.

Day 13: Cruise to Bagan Private guided Pagoda Tour (B / L / D)

This morning arrive at Bagan, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, a sight to rival the Angkor temples. The setting is sublime, a verdant 26 square-mile plain, part-covered by palm and tamarind, caught in a bend of the Irrawaddy and framed by the hazy silver-grey of distant mountains. Today you will enjoy a tour of some of a selection of the 3,000 plus monuments and enjoy take a horse and cart to watch the sunset over this wondrous landscape from the Shwesandaw Pagoda. 

Day 14: Disembark - Fly Bagan (B) to Yangon

Enjoy breakfast on the boat then airport transfer and short flight to Yangon. On arrival you'll be met and transferred to your choice of hotel for 1 night.

Time to check-in then you’ll be collected for a private city tour. Although the city is no longer the official capital of the country it’s the most dynamic and forward facing city in the country. There are many cultural and historical highlights to be found in between the hustle and bustle of city life here. Visit Botahtaung Pagoda, the colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi and Kandawgyi Lake. Lunch will be in a local restaurant at own expense. Walk through old streets lined with colonial buildings and do some shopping at Scott Market. In the evening take in the spectacular view of Shwedagon Pagoda all lit up. This is the most important Buddhist site in the country and is said to hold strands of Buddha’s hair and other relics. The spire reaches up to 99m and is encrusted with diamonds and covered by gold plate. Join the hundreds of locals who pray here as the sun sets and you get an indication of how Buddhism is the keystone of Burmese life.

Day 15: Yangon (B) / UK Airport

  Day free until your airport transfer a flight home. Arrive back in UK the following morning.

Inclusions

What's Included

Each featured itinerary is really a starting point from which to create your ideal holiday.

We can include as much or as little as you like, mix and match hotels, excursions and experiences, add extra nights and change the destinations you'd like to visit.

The common thread is that each is a privately guided holiday, allowing you to travel where and when you want, with your own private transport and dedicated guide.

General Inclusions:

• Return scheduled international flights (optional if you would like to arrange your own)
• English speaking, local guide & driver
• Choice of hotel accommodation with breakfast
• First class river cruise on full board
• Transport in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic flights detailed in itinerary
• Admission fees to all attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• All meals as detailed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

General Exclusions:

• Entry visas (if applicable)
• Optional Tours / Excursions
• Any meals not listed in the itinerary
• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips for Guides / Drivers (discretionary)
• Travel insurance
• Any camera or video fees charged at sites

Where You'll Stay

 Hotels

The hotels below are there as examples, designed to act as a starting point from which to create your holiday. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from and when we quote we will include other suggestions so we get to understand your likes and dislikes. Quite often clients mix and match hotel categories throughout their holiday.

Myanmar

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