Yangon - Bagan - Ayeyarwady River: 8 Days 7 Nights
Overview
Anawrahta-The Great King, With the largest cabin space on the Ayeyarwady, and the highest crew to passenger ratio, The Anawrahta offers the finest on-board experience in Myanmar. This impressive vessel is named after the founder of the Burmese nation, modern day Myanmar. During his reign, from 1044-1077, he introduced and spread the religion of Theravada Buddhism throughout the land.
Highlights
- Day 1: Sailing Day
- Day 2: Danuphyu
- Day 3: Sailing Day
- Day 4: Pyay
- Day 5: Thayet and 19C Forts
- Day 6: Magwe
- Day 7: Bagan
- Day 8: Bagan and check out
fter checking-in and a short Safety Briefing you can enjoy a relaxing day's sailing, an ideal way to unwind after the busy streets of Yangon City. Our spacious Spa facilities (including the Ayeyarwady's only Swedish-style sauna) and our 8 meter, Jacuzzi-style swimming pool await you. For those wanting some mental stimulation there will be the first of our “Burmese-for-Beginners” language lessons during the morning and a lecture on the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company during the afternoon. We will pass through the Twante Canal which was built by the British between 1881 and 1883 to connect the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy River and shorten transit times for the steamers of the IFC, the biggest fleet of river ships ever seen.
Yangon – Bo Myat Tun = 78 miles.
Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Early-morning yoga is available as we sail for Danuphyu. Despite their heroic resistance and the skillful leadership of their great General Maha Bandoola, here, in 1825, the Burmese army suffered a crucial defeat in the First Anglo-Burmese War. General Maha Bandoola himself also fell here and we will visit his memorial now situated in a Pali Monastic University. We will also visit a small, family-run cheroot producer and take tea with the locals in a tea shop
After lunch on board there will be an explanation and demonstration concerning the ancient habit of betel-chewing. Tasting is optional!
Bo Myat Tun – Danuphyu = 18 miles
Danuphyu – Hinthada = 43 miles
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Early-morning yoga is available as we continue northwards. Again, relaxation is the order of the day simply watching the life on the riverbanks slipping by. A second “Burmese-for Beginners” is on offer this morning, followed by a Book Review, looking at classic and current literature available on this fascinating country. Early in the afternoon there will be a demonstration of “Myanmar Traditional Dress” and, to continue the cultural theme, this afternoon's lecture will be entitled “Myanmar Ways of Life”. A Cocktail Party before dinner will give you a chance to wear your traditional “longyi”.
Hinthada – Lat Pan Phu = 92 miles
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Our yoga session can again start your day before disembarking after breakfast for a tour of Pyay. Known as Prome to the Colonial British, in the mid 19C this was the dividing line between British-held “Lower Burma” and the Kingdom of Ava and, as such, was an important trading point. We will also visit the ancient Pyu city of Sri Ksetra which is nearby and was granted World Heritage Status in 2014.
After lunch and afternoon tea there will be a lecture entitled “Myanmar, Past and Present” which will give an overview of the history of this complicated country, including a look at the present situation.
Htonebo – Pyay = 29 miles
Pyay – Thayet = 40 miles
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
This morning there will be the opportunity to stretch your legs early in the morning and walk in the Colonial period town of Thayet. Like many Asian countries, the cool of the morning sees small towns and villages at their busiest and in an ideal light for photography. Things will be a little hotter for the first of the two forts we will see in the afternoon – Gwechaung Fort. You will experience very local transport for the first (ox-drawn carts) while the second, Minhla Fort, is just a short walk along the riverbank from our mooring place.
Thayet – Gwechaung = 49.5 miles
Gwechaung – Minhla = 4.5 miles
Minhla – Kanni = 9.5 miles
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Another early-morning tour, this time by tuk-tuk, will show you around Magwe; stopping at the bustling market before enjoying some more peaceful river views from the high vantage point of the Mya Than Lun Pagoda.
Back on the ship there will be the final “Burmese-for-Beginners” lesson where you can learn how to write your own name in beautiful Burmese script.
After lunch our Chefs will have a Burmese Cookery Demonstration and after Afternoon Tea there will be a lecture entitled “History of Bagan” to prepare you for tomorrow's arrival in Bagan.
Kanni – Magwe 8.5 miles
Magwe – Hsinpyu Kyun 46 miles
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Those enjoying our morning yoga session on the Sun Deck may enjoy beautiful views as the pinnacles of Bagan's temples and pagodas come into view. After breakfast you will disembark for an Orientation Tour of this incredible area. You will be shown some of the more significant sites including Manuha, Gubyaukgyi and Ananda and including a visit to a local lacquer ware producer to have a fascinating explanation of this ancient craft, for which Bagan has long been famous.
After lunch (back on board) your guide will depart for a Sunset Tour of this fascinating area, starting with the mysterious Dhammayangyi, built as an apology for patricide, and continuing on to see the pretty Sulamani before visiting a local village and finishing at one of the “sunset” pagodas.
After your Farewell Dinner there will be a performance by a local “Bagan Dance” troupe in the Mandalay Lounge.
Hsinpyu Kyun – Bagan = 42 miles
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
For those not taking early-morning onward flights there is the opportunity to have one of the most famous experiences on offer in Myanmar – a sunrise flight in a hot air balloon over the Bagan plain. These flights are extremely popular and nearly always require advance booking of two or three months. Flights last approximately 45 minutes and require a departure from the ship well before dawn.
Check-out after breakfast on board.
Breakfast
The price per person | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Cabin Type | Deluxe | Junior Suite | Executive Suite | Royal Suite |
Double | $7,000 | $8,450 | $9,350 | $10,000 |
Single | $9,600 | $11,500 | $12,740 | $13,500 |
Booking form
Inclusion
- All cruises include group shore-excursions
- entrance fees
- transportation
- tour guide services (English speaking)
- taxes, fuel, river pilots, port dues
- Meals are included full board
- Drinking water, coffee/tea (from jug) is included all day.
- Fruit juices are included in addition during breakfast.
Exclusion
- Port tax per passenger (levied by Port authorities and port taxes appear on our invoice).
- Crew gratuities (8 USD – 10 USD per passenger per day are recommended).
- Myanmar Visa
Inclusion
- All cruises include group shore-excursions
- entrance fees
- transportation
- tour guide services (English speaking)
- taxes, fuel, river pilots, port dues
- Meals are included full board
- Drinking water, coffee/tea (from jug) is included all day.
- Fruit juices are included in addition during breakfast.
Exclusion
- Port tax per passenger (levied by Port authorities and port taxes appear on our invoice).
- Crew gratuities (8 USD – 10 USD per passenger per day are recommended).
- Myanmar Visa