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Departure
Date in 2009
(On Every Saturday)
September: 23, 30
October: 4, 7, 14, 21, 28
November: 11, 18, 25
December: 2, 16, 23, 30
Jan:
2
Highlights:
Board
Road To Mandalay for seven nights. Explore the many
temples and pagodas of Bagan. Relax and enjoy local
riverlife as you cruise the Ayeyarwady River. Discover
the sights of Sagaing, Mingun and Mandalay and enjoy
excursions to the traditional Burmese village of
Shanlay.
DETAILED
PROGRAMME
Day 1 – Saturday (Bagan)
Morning domestic flight from Yangon to Bagan. On
arrival, transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the
Ayeyarwady River. In the afternoon the guide takes you
to into Bagan where over 2,000 temples and pagodas
remain on an awe-inspiring plain. Watch the sun setting
over a field of glowing pagodas by the river. Return to
the ship for dinner.
Day 2 – Sunday (Bagan Markets)
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. Dinner and
overnight on board.
Day 3 – Monday (Sagaing)
Arrive at the little village of Shwe Kyet Yet after
lunch. Enjoy an afternoon 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 in the evening.
Day 4 – Tuesday (Maymo)
A full day’s excursion to Maymo, 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 dinner and local entertainment in the
evening.
Day 5 – Wednesday (Mingun & Mandalay)
After breakfast take a cruise to Mingun. Visit the
most important sights such as the pretty Hsinbyume
Pagoda and the world’s largest uncracked bell.
Return by ferry for a late lunch. In the afternoon,
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 for dinner.
Day 6 – Thursday (Shanlay*)
In the morning, 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. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail
for Bagan once more. Relax on the top deck and watch the
fascinating river life glide by. Dinner on board
in the evening.
Day 7 – Friday (Bagan)
Arrive mid morning into Bagan On this visit your
guide will introduce you to some of Bagan’s more
significant pagodas. After lunch on board, your
afternoon is at leisure. You may visit more of
these fascinating temples with the guide,
alternatively, hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and
explore the area on your own. Dinner
in the evening.
Day 8 – Saturday
After an early breakfast you are transferred to Bagan
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.
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:
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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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