Mandalay – Bhamo (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 Mandalay – Bhamo
In the morning board on board Metta cruise and set sail over the mighty river. After an hour our first stop will be made at the Mingun Village. Walk in the famous village where you will see a pagoda dotted range MINGUN, one of the highlights of the region. Visit will include MINGUN BELL, the world?s largest un-cracked bell weighing 90 tons. Continue to the HSINBYUME pagoda and the unfinished MINGUN pagoda built as one of the world?s largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya.
Continue the cruise up the river. Lunch on board. Visit a local village call Myaezun where, if luck be in your side, Ayerwaddy dolphins roam around in different seasons.
Overnight sleep in a village before we approach New Nyein.
Dinner on Board.
Day 2 Nwe Nyein Village – Hanlin – Kyauk Myaung
After breakfast on board, explore famous pottery village, Nwe Nyein. Wonder around the village and gain an insightful knowledge of pottery and glazing methods. Continue ashore to one of the most ancient civilizations of Pyu era in Myanmar, a village call Hanlin. Hanlin is one of the Pyu Ancient Cities located 13 kilometers from the river and drive nearly one and half hours. Today Hanlin is listed as a World?s Heritage Sites because of its unique remains. Visit Archeological Museum, excavations, the graveyards, silver coins, inscriptions written in Pyu script and bronze ornaments. According to the archaeological findings, the Pyu ancient people lived during the 2nd century BC until 9th century AD trading with China and India and spoke Tibeto-Burma languages.
Come back to the cruise and have lunch and set sail.
Dinner on board.
Day 3 Thebeik Kyin – Tagaung
After breakfast on board, sit back in a deckchair as the cruise 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.
Call in 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.
Breakfast, Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on board. Dock near TAGAUNG.
Day 4 Tigyaing – Katha
In the morning, continue sailing up to where we make a visit, a small town largely rely on the river transport.
Cruise on to 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.
Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on board. Dock on a sand bank.
Day 5 Katha – Bhamo
After breakfast, We continue sailing upstream and after passing the little town of Shwegu we enter the dramatic See the SECOND DEFILE, of the 3 AYEYARWADDY GORGES, dramatic and lush scenery with steep rock faces with its magnificent cliffs reaching down the narrow channel. We arrive at Bhamo in the later afternoon. Evening walking tour of the town, and important trading post located just 50 miles from the Chinese border. visit the colorful local market where Lisu, Kachin and Shan people meet to trade. Roam around the beautiful town sitting back in a trishaw ( bicycle taxi) and pass lovely wooden colonial buildings until you arrive at a large bamboo bridge and Shwe Kina Pagoda. Transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch on board.
End Of Services.
WHAT IS INCLUDE
Cruise Price Includes : Coach transfer Mandalay city to Jetty, 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 trishaw drivers.
TRANASFER AND JOINING
Day 1 Mandalay
Meeting point at Mandalay Hill Resort or pick up request at your desired hotel in Mandalay at 07.30am, then transfer to Jetty.
Day 1 Bahmo
Drop off at Friendship Hotel around 17:00 hours after sightseeing. (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.
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