ITINERARY IRRAWADDY CRUISE (14 nights / 15 days on board)

YANGON – MANDALAY

Day 1 Yangon

Arrive Yangon transfer to the port and embark RV Thurgau Exotic II. Afternoon city tour in the former capital Yangon with visit to the splendid Shwedagon Pagoda, the city’s famous landmark. Welcome Cocktail and dinner on board.

Day 2 Yangon – Irrawaddy Delta – Ma U Bin

Morning second part city tour by bus in Yangon with stop at the Royal Lake, visit to ancient church and the famous Scott market. Cast off from Yangon before lunch and sail on Yangon river through the Twante Canal to the confluence of the Irrawaddy river. Late afternoon walk through the lively delta port of Ma U Bin with its fish market.

Day 3 Danupyu

Excursion to Danupyu by local rickshaw with visit to a century old monastery with a beautiful botanical garden and a traditional cigar factory. Cruise through Delta. Lecture on board about Burmese culture and traditions.

Day 4 Myan Aung

Morning walk in the small town of Myan Aung with its many well-preserved colonial houses. Visit to the local market. Sail upstream.

Day 5 A Kauk Taung – Pyay – Shwe Daung

Sail past the famous cliffs of A Kauk Taung with amazing stone carvings. Afternoon excursion by bus to Pyay, once an important trade town on the Irrawaddy river. Visit to the local ancient library with an amazing collection of ancient art. Continue to the famous Shwesan-Daw pagoda, before heading by bus to the village of Shwe Daung, with its famous glasses – wearing Buddha statue.

Day 6 Thayet Myo

Thayet Myo was once the border town between the Royal Burmese North and the British Colonial South. Sightseeing by horse cart around the town and market. Afternoon sail upstream. Lecture on board.

Day 7 Minhla – Magwe

Visit to the fortress of Minhla on foot; it was built by Italian architects to help the Burmese King to keep the British at bay from advancing their troops towards the north. Afternoon excursion by bus to the surrounding area of  Magwe with visit to the holy “Dragon Volcano” at Minbu. Continue to the famous Myat Thalon pagoda in Magwe to enjoy the sunset over the Irrawaddy river.

Day 8 Magwe

Morning city tour by local rickshaw with visit to large local market and a blacksmith. Afternoon sail upstream. Presentation on board about exotic fruits and vegetables and traditional Burmese medicine.

Day 9 Sale – Tan Gyi Taung

Explore on foot this little town with its impressive colonial villas and the 150-year old teak monastery with magnificent wood carvings. Arrive at Tan-Gyi Taung in the late afternoon and climb the hill with local jeeps to enjoy the view. Afterwards elephant dance performance by local artists on the river shore.

Day 10 Bagan

Bagan is the former Royal historical capital and, with more than 3000 Buddhist shrines it is a major archaeological centre in South East Asia. Full day coach tour with visit to some of the most important temples and pagodas. Evening puppet show on board.

Day 11 River village - Yandabo

Morning visit to a small riverside village. Continue upstream passing the confluence of Chindwin and Irrawaddy river. Walk through the picturesque village of Yandabo with its many family – runned potteries. Yandabo attained fame when the peace agreement after the second Anglo – Burmese war was signed here.

Day 12 Amarapura

Enjoy a relaxing morning on board cruising upstream. Visit to a silk and cotton weaving factory and at sunset continue to Amarapura to visit the world’s longest teak bridge, built in 1784.

Day 13 Sagaing – Ava – Mingun

Bus excursion to the beautiful Sagaing Hills, with its many hermitages and monasteries. Sagaing is an important religious and meditation centre. Visit to the 14th century Sun-U-Ponnya-Shin pagoda on the hill top and stop at a nunnery.

Followed by excursion by horse cart to the ruin city of Ava (Inwa). Afternoon visit to the famous Mingun Paya, meant to be the biggest pagoda worldwide. However after the death of King Bodawphaya in 1819 the construction was halted. Admire the largest, hanging bell in the world with over 100 tonnes weight. In the evening traditional Burmese dance performance on board.

Day 14 Mandalay

Full day excursion by bus in Mandalay, the former Royal capital of Burma and the second biggest city as well as economical centre for central Myanmar. Visit to the much admired Mahamuni pagoda, with its famous Buddha image, covered with a 15cm thick layer of gold leaf. Continue to the Shwenandaw Kyaung monastery, a silent reminder of the ancient Royal Palace. Visit to different art workshops, such as a gold leaf and stone carver workshop. Stop at the central market for shopping. In the evening farewell cocktail on board.

Day 15 Mandalay – Yangon

Early morning transfer to Mandalay airport and fly to Yangon. Lunch in a local restaurant and in the afternoon transfer to international airport for connecting flight.

We reserve the right to alter this schedule.