Upper Irrawaddy: Mandalay-Katha/Mandalay - 8 days
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Circular cruise: Mandalay/Katha/Mandalay - 8 days on a Pandaw
If you would like to know more information about the river stops in this itinerary, please click on the underlined destinations
8 November 2010: Mandalay
Embark at Mandalay Shwe Kyet Yet Jetty (between 10.30am - 11.30am). Lunch on board. Afternoon, coach tour of to the ancient capital of Amarapura. Crossing the U Bein Bridge to see the paintings in a temple by sampan.
9 November 2010: Mingun Pagoda and Bell
We cast off early in the morning and stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda, that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old Peoples Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s.
10 November 2010: Kyaung-myoung Potteries and Khan-nyat Village
Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are hand made. We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week long firing in huge kilns. We enter the Third Defile and sail upstream all day stopping at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries and an orphanage we support. If free, the village orchestra and dancers will perform for us on the sun deck after dinner.
11 November 2010: Tagaung Ancient City and Tigyang Hill
We explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications, the shrine of Bo Bo Gyi a famous nat or spirit who protects sailors plying the river, and the archaeological area. In the evening we climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy.
12 November 2010: Katha / Burmese Days
We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwell’s Burmese Days, and little changed since then. Of interest is the fire station’s collection of IFC ships bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War. Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. If permitted, we visit an elephant logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and if time allows a visit to the lake at Indaw-lay offers a glimpse of highland Myanmar with its rich bird life.
13 November 2010: Shwegu and the Second Defile
Travel by local speedboat to view this the largest of the three Irrawaddy gorges. In the afternoon return downstream.
14 November 2010: Downstream
We stop for a walk in a jungle village.
15 November 2010: Mandalay
Disembark in afternoon.
Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), port dues, main meals, locally made soft and alcoholic beverages, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral
Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, 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 informational 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!