Bhamo – Mandalay (5 Days)
Be prepared to be amazed. This is a very typical Myanmar cruise. We start sailing from Mandalay through the heart of central dry plain, small villages, historical famous cities, trace back old British lifestyle in the colonial town of George Orwell?s famous book ?Burmese Days?. Sail along the Scenic landscape, experience simple life style, wonder around the monuments rich in history. We will bring you to small villages and towns where time stands still and see means of agriculture and manufacturing mostly done by hand just as in old bible. Most places we visit are far away from the modern civilization. Since its predominant religion is Buddhism and we will find old monasteries and temples, we will take time to enjoy historically valuable sites and the simple art of Myanmar.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Bhamo – Kathar
In the morning board on board Metta cruise and leave the bustling jetty, set sail the cruise to Mandalay. Soon as you leave the jetty, the first eye catching sites are the gold prospectors who do the traditional panning on the river bank. See the SECOND DEFILE, of the 3 AYEYARWADDY GORGES, dramatic and lush scenery with steep rock faces.
Visit SINKAN, a lovely village and important transit point for teak during the British colonial era. Take a walk past the old teak monastery and some old temple ruins overgrown by grass, moss and trees. Continue your journey to KATHA. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on board. Dock near Kathar. Lunch and Dinner included and overnight stay on board.
Day 2 Bhamo – Kathar – Tagaung
After breakfast on board, visit KATHA, a beautiful town with an interesting market and friendly people. Katha is well-known from the book ?Burmese Days? written by George Orwell. Sit back in a deckchair and observe the diverse river life. Teakwood and bamboo rafts, gold prospectors, cargo boats dating from the colonial times, the government ferry and faster private passenger boats.
Visit TAGAUNG, one of the oldest capitals of Myanmar. The origins of Burma can be found here according to some legends. The remnants of the former palace walls of the ancient Pyu kingdom are still visible today. The kingdom was later relocated to Sri Ksetra near current PYAY city. Take a walk through the rather poor town with its unusual Nat shrine and a small market.
Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on board. Dock near TAGAUNG.
Day 3 Tagaung – Kyaukmyaung
After breakfast on board, sit back in a deckchair as the ship heads through the THIRD DEFILE of the Ayeyarwaddy Gorges. Shortly after lunch, THABEIKKYIN, a small town on the eastern shore of the river which seems to be built on a small cliff overlooking the Ayeyarwaddy River comes into view.
The scenery is beautiful, the river though wider and the hills not as dramatic. Stop at the famous pottery village New Nyein near KYAUKMYAUNG. Go ashore to learn all about the production of big earthen ceramic pots and jars. Nwenyine is the main pottery village of the country where thousands of large ceramic pots are traditionally crafted by masters and baked in huge kilns. This village is a fascinating place to see different types of cottage industry and is full of life and curiosities.
If luck be on your side, you may spot the infamous Ayerwaddy River Dolphin, one of the endangered species in the world.
Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on board. Dock near KYAUKMYAUNG.
Day 4 Kyaukmyaung – Mandalay
After breakfast on board, a faous highlight of Mandalay, Mingun will come into view. A delightful stroll in Mingun village will be rewarding with its largest un-cracked bell in the world, weighing 90 tons, which was dedicated to the grandiose unfinished Mingun Pagoda. Visit and observe the beauty of Mya Thein Tan Zedi which best described the Hindu cosmologic beliefs of Mount ?Meru? that was later integrated into Buddhism. Mingun village is also famous for its country?s renowned artists.
Board your boat for your final leg to MANDALAY which you will reach within an hour. Lunch on board. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Have a long nice shower.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.
WHAT IS INCLUDE
Cruise Price Includes : Coach transfer Bhamo city to Jetty, Jetty to Mandalay Hotels, trishaw, local transports in the villages, tours, entrance fees, guide services (English language), main meals, afternoon tea and nourishments, locally made soft drinks, local beer and local spirits, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.
Cruise Price Excludes : International flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, alcohol, all visa costs, imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar and tips to tour guides, tips for boat crew, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.
TRANASFER AND JOINING
Day 1 Bhamo Town
Meeting point at Friendship hotel Bhamo or pick up request at your desired hotel in Bhamo at 07.30am, then transfer to Jetty.
Day 4 Mandalay City
Drop off at your Hotel around 17:00 hours in Mandalay. (You can adjust the time if you have to fly earlier).
EXPEDITION MAP
RIVER CONDITION WARNING
The Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level. In the case of water levels being too high or low an alternative itinerary will be offered to Passenger. Published itineraries are indication only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop. Though every effort will be made to ensure that the published itinerary is followed as closely as possible, given uncertain river and other local conditions, all schedules and itineraries may be subject to alterations and delays at short notice. The ship?s manager and captain are jointly responsible for passengers? comfort and safety. Passengers must accept their decisions and instructions.
Facilities
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