Road to Mandalay: 14 nights from Rangoon to Mandalay
This expedition operates only once every two years when Pandaw II returns to Rangoon for an out of water survey, and is offered at a special price to cover our repositioning cost.
The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company operated steamers between Rangoon and Mandalay from the 1880s onwards and this classic route became known as the 'Road to Mandalay'. In fact even with the construction of a railway line between the two cities, most people prefered to travel by IFC steamer, enjoying the great panoramas that unfold and the vibrant river life along the way.
This two week journey covers just over 600 miles or approximately 1000 km. Four nights are spent in the little known Irrawaddy Delta, a fascinating area of wetlands covering over 10,000 square miles. In this labyrinthine water world, with its maze of creeks and channels, children learn to paddle a boat before they can walk.
The expedition continues through a varying landscape - from the lush teak plantations around Prome to the desert country south of Pagan, where we visit a number of remote traditional villages offering a glimpse of a timeless Myanmar. We make a two day visit to Pagan to explore a selection of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments and spend time in and around Mandalay with its many cultural treasures and rich Buddhist culture.
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Road to Mandalay: 14 nights from Rangoon to Mandalay
If you would like to know more information about the river stops in this itinerary, please click on the underlined destinations.
Day 1 : Yangon
International arrivals in Rangoon. Transfer to ship moored in the heart of colonial 'Downtown' Yangon. Afternoon sight seeing and visit to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset.
Day 2 : Irrawaddy Delta
Sail with the first tide up the Rangoon River and enter the Twante Canal, which connects the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy Delta. We stop on route at the Twante village to visit the potteries there, famed for their enormous water pots. Arrive Yandoon for evening walk in this delightful Delta town.
Day 3 : Danupyu
Continue our exploration of Delta creeks and stop at Donabyu, another little known town with a busy port and bustling markets. In the First Anglo Burmese War of 1825 the Burmese general Maha-Bandoola was defeated here following a long and near disastrous campaign by the British. Moor overnight off Henzada.
Day 4 : Manaugn and Tonbo
Sailing all day we stop to visit the markets and see old colonial buildings in the sleepy Delta town of Manaung and now enter the Irrawaddy River itself. We continue to moor for the night at Tonbo.
Day 5 : Prome
Stop at the famous A Kauk Taung to explore the spectacular stone carving on the cliff. We reach Prome by early afternoon and travel by coach to the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, former centre of the Pyu civilization with a fascinating museum of early Buddhist artifacts and sculpture.
Day 6 : Thayetmyo Frontier Post
This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanma War of 1855. Many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. Thayet also boasts the oldest golf course in Myanmar (1885). We visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horse cart to the golf course, passing trough the former British botanical garden.
Day 7 : Minhla Forts
Minhla and Gwechaung - We visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. We climb the Gwechaung hill for the view. These were captured by the British in the 3rd Anglo Myanma War. The fight for the Minhla redoubt was the only serious action in the war and the death of a young subaltern inspired Kipling to write a poem.
Day 8 : Magwe Gold Bricks
We ride Trishaws to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda, constructed with solid gold bricks. Of interest are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts.
Day 9 : Sale
Here we visit the Yout-saun-kyaung monastery with its spectacular wood carvings; we also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses and continue sailing upstream.
Day 10 : Pagan
In the morning the ship will moor at Tan Chi Taung mountain and ascend by WWII jeep. In the afternoon, we tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments at this World Heritage Site, Pagan.
Day 11 : Pagan - Theingone Monastery
Further explorations of Pagan. We cast off at lunchtime and proceed to the Ohn Ne Kyaung village to see the local life in this typical riverside community.
Day 12 : Yandabo
This small rural village specialises in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School and the new dispensary both built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.
Day 13 : Ava and Amarapura Old Capitals
We explore these ancient capitals visiting the teak Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Ok-kyaung. We cross the famous U Bein Bridge to see the paintings in a temple and come back in sampan.
Day 14 : Sagaing Hills and Mandalay
The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1.000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and religious art. In the afternoon we tour central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-im-bin teak carved monastery. We see tapestry making and other traditional crafts.
Day 15 : Mandalay
Disembark the ship between 8.00 am - 9.00 am at Shwe Kyet Yet Jetty, Mandalay.
Cruise Price Includes: All meals on board, locally made soft and alcoholic beverages, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, transfer from Yangon Airport to ship on Day One.
Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, flight from Mandalay to Yangon on Day 15, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar.
River Conditions Warning!
The rivers you will sail on are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level, in some places as much as 30 metres. Water levels can change dramatically overnight and a sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably and even prevent us from passing under certain bridges. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Groundings on sandbars are not infrequent and are part of the excitement of any Pandaw expedition. Published itineraries are indicational 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. Passengers are thus forewarned and expected to be flexible and patient. River cruising in Asia can be a dramatic and adventurous experience - not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also that we operate in areas with little or no developed infrastructure and subject to the strictures of local officialdom. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun!
Registration Details
Embark on the Pandaw between 10.30 am - 11.45 am at Nanthida Jetty (Strand Jetty), Yangon