DAY 1 AMARAPURA / MANDALAY
Embark the ship and after lunch on board, we tour central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-im-bin teak carved monastery and Amarapura with the teak Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Ok-kyaung and crossing the U Bein Bridge.
More about Amarapura
DAY 2 YANDABO
We move on to explore the ancient capitals of Ava and cast off cruising downstream through lunch and in the late afternoon we explore Yandabo, a small rural village specialized in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School and the new dispensary both built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.
More about Yandabo
DAY 3 PAGAN
We tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments in this important World Heritage Site and visit lacquer workshops.
More about Pagan
DAY 4 PAGAN
Ascend Tan-Chi-Taung mountain by mini van for the spectacular sunrise over Pagan. In Salay we visit a number of teak monasteries including the Yout-Saun-Kyaung with its spectacular wood carvings and we explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses.
More about Pagan
DAY 5 MAGWE
We climb the river bank and wind our way through a labyrinth of passages and paths to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda. This pagoda is constructed with solid gold bricks.
More about Magwe
DAY 6 MINHLA AND GWECHAUNG
We visit Minhla Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. Thayetmyo, this pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanmar War of 1855. Many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. We visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horsecart to see the countryside and golf club.
More about Minhla and Gwechaung
DAY 7 PROME (PYAY)
Visit 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.
More about Prome (Pyay)
DAY 8 A KAUKTAUNG
Stop at the famous A KaukTaung to explore the spectacular stone carving on the cliff.
More about A Kauktaung
DAY 9 DANUPYU
Continue our exploration of Delta creeks and stop at Donabyu, another little known town with a busy port and bustling markets.
More about Danupyu
DAY 10 TWANTE
Sail through the Rangoon River and enter the Twante Canal, which connects the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy Delta. We stop on route at the Twante in the afternoon. Enter to the Yangon river port.
More about Twante
DAY 11 RANGOON (YANGON)
Morning excursion to visit the Rangoon War Cemetery. After lunch explore Rangoon's colonial 'Downtown' area.
More about Rangoon (Yangon)
DAY 12 RANGOON TO PYAPON
Early morning departure from Rangoon via the Twante Canal stopping at Twante to view the potteries and on to Pyapon (64miles) a delightful delta town and seaport with lively docks and markets.
DAY 13 PYAPON TO BOGALE
Bogale is at the heart of the delta and once a Mon capital and trading port connected to international trading routes between the 15th and 18th centuries. It features the only mangrove ecosystem reserve in the Delta. A visit to the monastery of the town will be organized.
More about Pyapon
DAY 14 BOGALE TO MYAUNGMYA
This will be the most fascinating day’s sailing as we weave through creeks and channels cross-country across the heart of the delta. We will stop for a walk about in a suitable village.
More about Bogale
DAY 15 MYAUNGMYA TO BASSEIN
Morning cruise across the final section of delta to join the great Bassein River that takes us up to Bassein, the capital of the delta and an important seaport too. Of interest here are the traditional umbrella manufacturies, where the typical monk’s waxed cloth umbrellas are made. On foot we will explore the town, its shrines and vibrant markets.
More about Myaungmya
DAY 16 BASSEIN
A day at leisure in this charming port town and optional day trip by car to Ngwesaung Beach with lunch there.
DAY 17 BASSEIN TO WAKEMA
Morning departure with lunch to follow, taking the more usual upper delta route of the old IFC ‘launch service’ between Rangoon and Bassein. Evening exploration of this attractive river port.
More about Wakema
DAY 18 WAKEMA TO MAUBIN
On these busier channels there will be a variety of shipping whilst the riverbanks team with life and activity. Maubin is a very pleasant place to enjoy a sunset walk along its colourful strand.
More about Maubin
DAY 19 MAUBIN TO RANGOON
Morning run crossing the Twante Canal and home to the Rangoon River and our berth in colonial downtown and disembarkation between 12 and 12.30 pm (lunch excluded).
