The Irrawaddy & The Great Irrawaddy Delta

Description

Sailing through the heart of ‘Middle Myanmar’ we pass through a varying landscape – from the lush teak plantations around Prome to the desert country south of Pagan. Combined with The Great Irrawaddy Delta, an area of over 1000 square miles originally a vast inhabited wetland and jungle. The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company by the 1920s operated over 100 creek steamers across the Delta connecting these towns and villages at a time when there were neither roads nor bridges. These places are remote from the modern world and offer a glimpse of a timeless, lost Myanmar far from the usual tourist track.

Trip Name

The Irrawaddy & The Great Irrawaddy Delta

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: River Boat Passenger Capacity: 28 These ultra-shallow twin decked vessel can go where other ships cannot and is perfect for soft adventure river expeditions. This much-loved, safari-style vessel offers outdoor or indoor dining, run-round promenades and ample indoor and outdoor living space. The cabins are cleverly designed and very comfortable with roomy bathrooms. ACCOMMODATION • 6 upper deck and 8 main deck staterooms • Staterooms are 170 square feet (16sqm), finished in teak and brass • Panoramic French window • Kimonos and slippers • Spa-branded amenities • Unlimited mineral water • Electric mini safe • Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows • Premium mattresses • Convertible bed configuration • Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift • Make-up mirror • Multi-configuration plugs • Generous closet space and under-bed storage • Hair dryer • Daily nightly turndown service • 24hr laundry service • Complimentary evening canapés • Yoga mats in all cabins WINING & DINING • Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team • Personalized meal services • Daily lean & light menu options • Complimentary local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes • Extensive wine list with premium wines • Welcome Drink on arrival • Welcome cocktail • Farewell Reception • Theme- and gala dinners • Open air lounge and bar • Al fresco bistro style dining ON EXCURSIONS • Admissions • Shoe cleaning after excursions • Bottled drinking water • We give away aluminium water bottles • Cold towel service after excursions • Refreshing drink following excursions • 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1 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 2 - DAY 2 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.

Day 3 - DAY 3 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.

Day 4 - DAY 4 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.

Day 5 - DAY 5 BASSEIN

A day at leisure in this charming port town and optional day trip by car to Ngwesaung Beach with lunch there.

Day 6 - DAY 6 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.

Day 7 - DAY 7 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.

Day 8 - DAY 8 MAUBIN TO RANGOON

Morning run crossing the Twante Canal and home to the Rangoon River and our berth in colonial downtown. Afternoon optional visit to Rangoon War Cemetery.

Day 9 - DAY 9 RANGOON (YANGON)

Sail up the Rangoon River and enter the Twante Canal, which connects the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy Delta. We stop on route at the Twante Town and explore city center.

Day 10 - DAY 10 MAUBIN AND NYAUNG DON

In morning we walk visit to Maubin bustling market and city surrounding area. Afternoon our exploration of Delta area NyaungDon city visit to see country life style. Moor over night at Zakagyi.

Day 11 - DAY 11 DANABYU AND ZALON

We continue our exploration of Delta creeks and stop at Donabyu, another little known town with a busy port and bustling markets. In the First Anglo Burmese War of 1825 the Burmese General Maha-Bandoola was defeated here following a long and disastrous campaign by the British. Afternoon walk in Zalon city to visit beautiful Golden Buddha image and return to ship. Moor overnight at Henzada.

Day 12 - DAY 12 MYANAUNG

Sailing all day and we stop to visit the markets and see old colonial buildings in the sleepy Delta town of Manaung. We enter the Irrawaddy River.

Day 13 - DAY 13 PROME (PYAY)

Early morning we sail slowly upstream and downstream A Kaut Taung area, to view Buddha carvings on the mountainside, from the upper deck or Sundeck. We reach Prome by the afternoon and travel by coach to the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, the former centre of the Pyu civilization with a fascinating museum of early Buddhist artifacts and sculptures.

Day 14 - DAY 14 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. Thayet also boasts the oldest golf course in Myanmar (1885). We visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horse cart to the golf course, passing through the former British botanical garden.

Day 15 - DAY 15 MINHLA AND MAGWE

Minhla - We visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. The fight for the Minhla redoubt was the only serious action in the war and the death of a young subaltern inspired Kipling to write a poem.We ride Trishaws to reach the magnificent Magwe Myat-thalon Pagoda, constructed with solid gold bricks. Of interest are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts.

Day 16 - DAY 16 SALE

Here we visit the Yout-saun-kyaung monastery with its spectacular wood carvings; we also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses and continue sailing upstream.

Day 17 - DAY 17 PAGAN

In the morning, moor at the Tan-Chi-Taung mountain and enjoy the view. Continue with one of the highlights of your trip with a tour of a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments at this World Heritage Site, Pagan.

Day 18 - DAY 18 PAGAN

Further exploration by coach of the monuments follow by a lacquerware workshop and visit to the local markets. Sail in the noon to upstream. Evening walk at Oh Ne Kyaung village to see the local life in this typical river side community.

Day 19 - DAY 19 YANDABO

This small rural village is specialized in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School, built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.

Day 20 - DAY 20 MANDALAY, SAGAING AND AMARAPURA

Guests will take a tour of central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung teak carved monastery. In the afternoon we visit Sagaing. The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and religious art. Next we explore the ancient capital of Amarapura by coach, take a boat ride along Taungthaman lake and watch the tranquillity and serenity of this beautiful lake and its famous U-Bein Bridge at sunset.

Day 21 - DAY 21 MINGUN

We stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda which 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.

Day 22 - DAY 22 KYAUK MYOUNG

Sail upstream and visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are handmade. We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week-long firing in huge kilns. Afternoon sailing to Mandalay.

Day 23 - DAY 23 MANDALAY

Disembark at Mandalay.

Day 24 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Discover Wakema. A small yet bustling town surrounded by awe-inspiring greenery and wildlife, it is known as a melting pot of religions, with Baptist, Buddhism and Muslim places of worship scattered around it.
Enjoy Maubin. Known for its growing communication and transportation services, colourful sand and its bustling markets, it will make a pleasant stop during your river cruise.
Experience the small town of Pyapon on the Pyapon River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy Delta.