Pandaw River Cruises
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DISCOVER THE LAND OF THE NAGA WARRIOR

A VOYAGE TO NAGALAND

7 NIGHTS

Only the small Kalay and Zawgyi Pandaws, with their ultra-low drafts, can journey north beyond Homalin in the high water season from mid-August to Mid-October on an adventure to Nagaland, famous for the fierce and distinctive Naga warriors and various ethnic communities. Along the way, the Chindwin River passes through dramatic scenery of dense jungles, high cliffs and deep gorges and visits remote villages each with a unique way of life.

To further enhance your experience, we now have a number of quality mountain bikes for your use on the cruise.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to reconnaissance. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

Please note that Chindwin expeditions need special permits which can take up to 3 weeks. We kindly ask you to contact us via EMAIL or PHONE for short notice bookings.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THIS EXPEDITION

The situation in Burma has deteriorated rapidly to the point where we are now looking at long-term impacts on the country and the local people. After much deliberation and discussion with our team on the ground, we have come to the difficult decision to cancel all of our scheduled departures in Burma for the foreseeable future, returning only once the situation is settled.

To register your interest for this expedition once we return to Burma please click the button below and complete your details, we will contact you to discuss your arrangements when travel to Burma is possible again.

Click Here to Register Your Interest

IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

PRE CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Pre Royal Mandalay 3 nights

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OPTIONAL PACKAGE ADDONS

Private Dining

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Pre-Bookable House Wine Package

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Free Flow Drinks

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Free Flow Drinks & Wine Package

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ITINERARY

Upstream      Downstream

DAY 1 KALEWA

Transfer to the your Pandaw. Explore ashore visiting the local market and enjoying panoramic views over the Chindwin from top of a hill.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to reconnaissance. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

More about Kalewa

DAY 2 MAWLAIK

Set sail to charming Ma Sein Village and continue to Mawlaik, the former seat of the Bombay Burma Corporation's timber extraction operations for the Chindwin Area. The old Headquarters building still stands here.

More about Mawlaik

DAY 3 KINDAT

Sail to Kindat (translated in Burmese meaning a military outpost), with its old colonial post office (now a school). Also visit the tiny village of Yuwa, where previous Pandaw travellers report a delightful atmosphere from friendly locals.

More about Kindat

DAY 4 SITTHAUNG

Continuing upstream we sail to Sitthaung, the final resting place of a number of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers scuppered there in 1942 in an ‘act of denial’ from the advancing Japanese who were a matter of hours behind. Remains of these ships can be found here. It was from here that the survivors of the Japanese invasion marched out to Tamu on the India border. Pantha was an important oil refinery belonging to the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers). We also explore Paungpyin village and take a walking tour including a visit to the market and the attractive wooden houses.

More about Sitthaung

DAY 5 TOUNGDOOT

Morning visit to Toungdoot or Hsawng-hsup in Tai, is an ancient Shan enclave who in British times still had a ruling Sawbwa complete with palace and court. It will be interesting to see what has become of the royal family and their home and to see these Shan people so far from their Tai-Shan homelands. Alistair McCrae wrote of his visit there 1935 ‘I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north’.

More about Toungdoot

DAY 6 KHAMTI

Scenic explorations upstream into the remote Nagaland. Afternoon arrive at Khamti, known as ‘the land full of gold’ due to the prevalence of gold panning in the nearby tributary of the Chindwin. We visit the town, the monastery meet local Tai speaking peoples.

More about Khamti

DAY 7 NAGALAND

Morning visit to Khampti market and sail the Chindwin today towards Homalin stopping at villages not used to western travellers.

More about Nagaland

DAY 8 HOMALIN

Morning visit Homalin, an interesting town close to the Indian border with attractive forested mountains on either side – some rising to over 9,000 feet. Irrawaddy Flotilla Company used to visit here and during World War II, Homalin was occupied by the Japanese. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight.

More about Homalin

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WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Domestic flights Yangon/Mandalay to Kalewa and Homalin to Mandalay, entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes. Quality mountain bikes available for independent exploration on the Kalay and Zawgyi Pandaws.

Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.

TRANSFERS & JOINING

DAY 1 KALEWA

Fly from Yangon or Mandalay to Kalay and transfer to your your ship in Kalewa.

For flight from Yangon: Registration at 10:30am at Sule Shangri-La Hotel.

For flight from Mandalay: We will pick you up from your hotel in Mandalay between 12:30 and 13:00.

Please note that flight times might change.

Yangon - Kalay K7-226 1300-1530 (Via MDL)
Mandalay - Kalay K7-226 1440-1530 (Direct)

DAY 8 HOMALIN

Disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Mandalay. Please note that flight times might change.

Homalin - Mandalay UB-586 1610-1720 (Direct) May – Sep