Highlights

Board Road To Mandalay for seven nights. Explore the many temples and pagodas of Bagan. Relax and enjoy local riverlife as you cruise the Ayeyarwady River. Discover the sights of Sagaing, Mingun and Mandalay and enjoy excursions to the traditional Burmese village of Shanlay.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Saturday (Bagan)
Morning domestic flight from Yangon to Bagan.  On arrival, transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River. In the afternoon the guide takes you to into Bagan where over 2,000 temples and pagodas remain on an awe-inspiring plain. Watch the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas by the river. Return to the ship for dinner. 

Day 2 – Sunday (Bagan Markets)
After breakfast join the guide to explore some of Bagan’s local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longis and rattan goods.  See Myanmar’s famous lacquerware being made.  Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this enchanting area on your own.  Mid morning, the ship sets sail for Mandalay.  On board the guide lectures on the Ayeyarwady River. The ship anchors mid-river for the evening providing a marvellous opportunity to observe the stars.  Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 3 – Monday (Sagaing)
Arrive at the quaint little village of Shwe Kyet Yet after lunch.  Enjoy an afternoon excursion to Sagaing considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. Return to the ship for dinner in the evening.

Day 4 – Tuesday (Maymo)
A full day’s excursion to Maymo, a colonial hill station set high in the mountains.  Soak up the atmosphere with its cool climate, English style houses, colourful market and beautiful botanic gardens.  A typical Shan lunch is taken at a colonial house. Return to the ship for dinner and local entertainment in the evening.

Day 5 – Wednesday (Mingun & Mandalay)
After breakfast take a cruise to Mingun.  Visit the most important sights such as the pretty Hsinbyume Pagoda and the world’s largest uncracked bell.  Return by ferry for a late lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning.  Return to Road To Mandalay for dinner.

Day 6 – Thursday (Shanlay*)
In the morning, visit Shanlay village for a walking tour.  This traditional Burmese village gives you the opportunity to discover the Burmese way of life first hand – from farming and schools to spirit houses and tea-shops. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Bagan once more. Relax on the top deck and watch the fascinating river life glide by.  Dinner on board in the evening. 

Day 7 – Friday (Bagan)
Arrive mid morning into Bagan  On this visit your guide will introduce you to some of Bagan’s more significant pagodas.  After lunch on board, your afternoon is at leisure.  You may visit more of these fascinating temples with the guide,  alternatively, hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore the area on your own.    Dinner in the evening. 

Day 8 – Saturday
After an early breakfast you are transferred to Bagan airport for your onward flight to Yangon.  

* Due to adverse local conditions July-October, the Shanlay Tour is replaced by a tour of Ava, the capital of a Burmese Kingdom for nearly 500 years. Sights include the magnificent wooden Bagaya Kyaung Monastery and the Nanmyin Watchtower.

Prices

Departure Dates – Saturdays