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.
Book this cruise
departing before the end
of April 2010 and
receive one free night
at the 5 star Governor's
Residence Hotel in
Yangon. Quote code RGR7
to activate this special
offer. Offer valid until
15th December 2009 and
subject to availability.
CRUISE ITINERARY
Day 1: Yangon -
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: Burmese
Village
After an early breakfast
visit a local 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 handicrafts
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Mandalay -
Yangon
After an early
breakfast, you are
transferred to
Mandalay's airport for
your onward flight to
Yangon.
