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Departure
Date in 2009
(On Every Wednesdays)
September 23, 30
October 4, 7, 14, 21, 28
November 11, 18, 25
December 2, 16, 23, 30
Highlights:
Join
the Road To Mandalay for seven nights. Visit Mandalay,
the centre of Burmese culture, and Sagaing famous for
its silversmiths before cruising south to Bagan. Explore
the magnificent temples and pagodas of Bagan and visit
Mount Popa, sacred home of Nats. Cruise north again to
Shwe Kyet Yet and discover Shanlay village, considered
to be the living centre of the Buddhist failth in Burma,
and the beautiful hill station of Maymyo.
DETAILED
PROGRAMME
Day
1 – Wednesday (Mandalay)
Morning domestic flight from Yangon to Mandalay. On
arrival transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the
Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet. After
lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay
regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist
learning. Return to Road To Mandalay stopping
enroute to admire the sunset over the river.
Dinner and local entertainment on board.
Day
2 – Thursday (Shanlay*)
After an early breakfast visit Shanlay village for a
walking tour. This traditional Burmese village
gives you the opportunity to discover the Burmese way of
life first hand - from farming and schools to spirit
houses and tea-shops. The ship gets underway mid
morning and begins its journey south. The rest of
the day is spent relaxing on board observing the
fascinating local river life from the top deck. An
on-board guide lectures on the Myanmar way of life.
Dinner on board in the evening.
Day
3 – Friday (Bagan)
The ship arrives at Bagan where over 2,000 temples and
pagodas are scattered over an awe-inspiring plain beside
the river. A guided orientation tour introduces
you to the most important temples. After lunch you
may rejoin the guide to visit the inside of some of the
more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can
hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this
fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon the guide
takes you to watch the sun setting over a field of
glowing pagodas by the river. Dinner and local
entertainment in the evening.
Day
4 – Saturday (Mount Popa)
A full day excursion to Mount Popa, a national park and
believed to be the sacred home of powerful
‘Nats’ (spirits). On top of a rocky crag is a
picturesque complex of monasteries, pagodas and shrines
which can be reached via a winding, covered walkway.
Lunch is taken at the Mount Popa Resort. Dinner
and local entertainment on board.
Day
5 – Sunday (Bagan)
After breakfast join the guide to explore some of
Bagan’s local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics,
longis and rattan goods. See Myanmar’s famous
lacquerware being made. Alternatively, you can
hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this
enchanting area on your own. Mid-morning, the ship
sets sail for Mandalay. On board the guide
lectures on the Ayeyarwady River. The ship anchors
mid-river for the evening providing a marvellous
opportunity to observe the stars. A casual
cocktail party is followed by dinner.
Day
6 – Monday (Sagaing)
Continue sailing up the river until Road To
Mandalay arrives at the little Burmese village of Shwe
Kyet Yet in the early afternoon. After lunch enjoy
an excursion to Sagaing considered to be the living
centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its
silversmiths who still work in much the same way as
their ancestors did. Return to the ship for dinner and
local entertainment.
Day
7 – Tuesday (Maymyo)
Visit Maymyo, a colonial hill station set high in the
mountains. Soak up the atmosphere with its cool
climate, English style houses, colourful market and
beautiful botanic gardens. A typical Shan lunch is
taken at a colonial house. Return to the ship for a
final dinner on board. Overnight on board.
Day
8 – Wednesday
After an early breakfast, you are transferred to
Mandalay’s airport for your onward flight to Yangon.
* Due to adverse local conditions July-October, the
Shanlay Tour is replaced by a tour of Ava, the capital
of a Burmese Kingdom for nearly 500 years. Sights
include the magnificent wooden Bagaya Kyaung Monastery
and the Nanmyin Watchtower.
Inclusions
of the trip
*
Prices
are per person and include all table d'hôte meals and
accommodation on board based on two people sharing
(except Single Cabin), economy class flights, transfers
and sightseeing in Myanmar as shown in the itinerary.
Yangon
Extensions (890 USD nett per person)
Day
1: Bangkok - Yangon
Fly
from Bangkok to Yangon with Thai Airways or Bangkok
Airways and transfer to your hotel for 2 nights. Enjoy
an afternoon sightseeing tour, including a visit to the
fabulous Shwedagon Pagoda; the largest and oldest temple
of its kind. A place you feel as much as see. Built in
the 18th century the shrine is a place of pilgrimage for
Buddhists and the symbol of why Myanmar is called 'The
Golden Land'.
Visit
other attractions such as the Sule Pagoda, in the centre
of Yangon, unusual in that its octagonal shape continues
right up to the bell and inverted bowl, and the Chauk
Htat Gyi Pagoda containing a modern, 70m long reclining
Buddha. Dinner at leisure either at your hotel or in one
of the many restaurants in Yangon (own account).
Day
2: Sightseeing
After
breakfast at the hotel the day is yours to enjoy at
leisure. We will be happy to arrange a half or full day
sightseeing programme to suit your own interests. Visit
Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market); it has the largest
selection of merchandise you’ll find under one roof.
Or explore the Kandawgyi Lakes - formerly Royal Lakes,
close to the city centre and are at their most
attractive at sunset, when the glittering Shwedagon is
reflected in their calm waters. Lunch and dinner are
from your own account.
PRICE
INCLUDES:
-
International
economy class flights between Bangkok and Yangon.
-
2
Nights at The Governor's Residence, Yangon.
-
Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Yangon (Day 1).
-
Transfers
to/from Yangon airport.
-
Services
post-cruises in Yangon (depending on flight time -
refreshments at Season of Yangon airport hotel or
day room and buffet lunch
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