MYANMAR

Historic Burma and Irrawaddy River Journey ‑ 8 days

The MV “Pandaw”

A journey on Burma's Irrawaddy River is one of life's great travel experiences. No vessel could be more appropriate for this than the MV Pandaw. Built in Scotland in 1947, the "Pandaw " is the same design as the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers that coped so well with the shallow conditions of the Irrawaddy. The "Pandaw" sails between the ancient capitals of Bagwan and Mandalay, offering a tranquil and stimulating Myanmar experience.

The MV Pandaw is 150 feet long and was powered by a stern paddle, now replaced by modern engines. Until last year she still carried cargo and passengers. Conserving many original features, 16 comfortable air-conditioned cabins, with en suite shower rooms have been added Finished in local hardwoods, and furnished with period pieces, the "Pandaw" is home to a collection of historic prints and antiques. Promenade decks enable, passengers to sit outside their cabins in rattan chairs. The intention has been to recreate the atmosphere and character of the First Class deck of a classic river steamer.

A11 cabins are air‑conditioned, are 14 x 12 feet in size and contain a shower room with hot and cold water. Interior walls are finished with hardwood tongue and groove panelling and on the upper deck the original teak‑ decking has been retained. Beds are traditional teak ship cots with brass marine fittings. Old prints, maps and oil paintings decorate the rooms. Local hand‑woven fabrics are used for the curtains, bed covers and cushions; there are no mini‑bars or TVs! Cabin windows have insect screens so windows may be kept open at night in preference to the air‑conditioning.

The old first class 'saloon' the upper deck over the bow has been preserved as the Observation Lounge with a cocktail bar. The Dining Room is conceived as an extension of the open deck space with fold back doors to allow the breeze to pass through.

Three meals a day are included Breakfast and lunches are buffets.

Dinner is a sit‑down affair with a set menu. Meals are a mixture of Asian and European, with an emphasis on local fish and prawns, tropical fruits and exotic vegetables.

Every effort will he made to ensure that the published itinerary is followed as closely as possible, however, given the uncertain and variable river conditions and the local weather conditions, all schedules and itineraries are subject to alterations and delays at short notice.

Day 1 Depart Hong Kong by air

Arrive Yangon

Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Hotel: INYA LAKE

Day 2 After breakfast an early morning transfer to Yangon Airport.

Depart Yangon by air

Arrive Bagan.

From the airport start a full day Bagan sightseeing tour with a visit to see the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda. which is Bagan's most important reliquary shrine

– look out for images of the 37 'nats' housed in a small hall. See the 12^th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha Cave Temple. Continue to Gubyaukgyi, another cave temple with fine frescoes of the 'Jataka Tales'. Next stop is Htilominlo the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes.

Pass through Tharaba Gateway into Old Bagan. Continue to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the Early Bagan era with well‑preserved murals. Make a photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 meters ‑ Thatbyinnyu known as

the 'temple of omniscience' and dating from 1091. Check into your hotel late morning.

Lunch at your hotel. In the afternoon. Continue to ammayangyi, a massive‑looking temple dating from 1170 which is famous for its interlocking mortarless brickwork. Next, visit Mingalazedi, the last of the large pagodas built in the 13^th Century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. Late afternoon, stop at Moe Moe lacquer ware factory to see craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. At suriset, climb to the top of one of the monuments to enjoy magnificent views over Bagan's temples and the Ayeyarwady River. Dinner at Mahar Bagan Restaurant.

Hotel: BAGAN HOTEL

Day 3 Breakfast. Early morning visit to Nyaling U local market and the Archeological Museum. Then visit Abeyadana Temple with frescoes representing Bodhisattvas and the gods of Indian mythology, continue to Nanpaya Temple, built in style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been Manulia's residence. See the four Buddh a images in Manuha Pagoda and then stop at Myazedi Stupa to see Myanmar's `Rosetta Stone", bearing inscriptions written in four languages. Lastly, admire the fine stuccowork at Gubyatikgyi Temple.

Late morning, board MV Pandaw in Bagan. Buffet lunch on board.

Enjoy an afternoon on board, sailing up the Ayeyarwady River. A stop will be made at Pakokku, a small town just south or the Chindwin confluence. Visit the town by trishaw to see the extensive market area and weaving shops.

Set dinner and accommodation on board MV Pandaw, on the Ayeyarwady River.

Day 4 Buffet breakfast. Full day on board MV Pandaw to enjoy watching life on and along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River. Buffet lunch. A stop will be made at the delightful village of Sameikkon, which is connected to the world only by river. This used to be a wealthy trading post and you call still see old merchant's mansions, as well as a network of teak footbridges, which connect the Traditional fishing on the river. village to the monastery. Visit the local school.

Set dinner and accommodation on board MV Pandaw

Day 5 Butfet breakfast on board. 'Enjoy the morning sailing towards Mandalay. Late morning, shortly before arriving in Mandalay, sail under Ava Bridge and enjoy views up over Sagaing Hill.

Disembark and transfer to your hotel, for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon's home. Continue to see the 'world's largest book’ being the Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs, at Kuthodaw Pagoda. Visit Kyauk‑dawgvi Pagoda to see a large Buddha statue carved out of a single block of local marble. See gold leaf being beaten into wafer thin pieces. Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, where there are interesting glass‑studded temples.

Dinner at Ko's Kitchen Restaurant. Traditional Myanmar Puppet Show at Mandalay Marionettes.

Hotel: NOVOTEL HOTEL

Day 6 After breakfast start your full day Mandalay sightseeing tour with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay’s holiest Buddha statue. Stop to see stone carving. Continue to the ancient city of Amarapura and to nearby U‑Bein Bridge, which is over a kilometre long and made entirely of teak. Drive across Ava Bridge, built by British engineers, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill which is perhaps the living centre of Buddhist faith in Myarimar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Enjoy lunch at Happy Restaurant.

In the afternoon, return across Ava Biidge and take the local feiry to visit Innwa (Ava), located oil an island between the Ayeyarwaddy and the Myltnge Rivers. You will visit Innwa by horse cart and pass through the ancient city walls to visit a brick and stucco monastery called Maha Aungmye Bonzan (also known as 0k Kyating). Continue to Nanmyln Watch Tower ‑ the climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. See also the impressive wooden monastery of Bagava Kyaling. Time permitting, visit some village homes to see local handicrafts, such as silk weaving, cane mats and alms bowls.

Return to Mandalay in the early evening for dinner.

Day 7 Transfer to the airport, depart Mandalay by air.

Arrive Yangon, transfer to the hotel.

Hotel: INYA LAKE

At midday, depart from your hotel and visit Chauk Htat Gyl Pagoda to see a huge reclining Buddha image. Then, enjoy an excellent Myanmar lunch at Green Elephant Restaurant. In the afternoon, drive through the colonial style buildings downtown, to the Chinatown area and the Indian quarter. Visit Sule Pagoda with its golden chedi, which makes a useful landmark in downtown Yangon. Continue to Botathaung Pagoda, located close to Yangon River and

said to contain Buddha relics. Stop alongside Kandawgyl (Royal) Lake to take photographs over the lake towards Shwedagon. Enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, famous world wide ‑ its golden stupa is the “heart” of Buddist Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa is surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. There are always many Myanmar people praying and. making offerings at Shwedagon, and it is a fascinating place to spend time watching the world go by.

Hotel: INYA LAKE

Downtown Yangon.

Day 8 Transfer to the airport

Depart Yangon by air

Arrive Hong Kong

This is a suggested itinerary only, which can be varied to suit individual requirements.

COSTS

For the cost of this itinerary, it is dependant upon the season and the class of travel taken, please call and we will be pleased to make up a quotation on you particular preferences.

Prices are subject to change without prior notice.