Road to Mandalay: Ayeyarwady Adventure

Itinerary Highlights

Experience an epic journey along the Ayeyarwady onboard Belmond Road to Mandalay river cruise
Acquaint yourself with Burmese way of life during a walking tour of a local village
Visit some of Bagan's most important temples on a guided tour
Enjoy the serene atmosphere of Maymyo with its colourful market and botanical gardens

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
All Meals
Domestic Flights

8 nights from £2,340 per person

Nick

Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

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Step aboard the luxury Belmond Road to Mandalay river cruiser to journey the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River in style, experiencing Myanmar from a unique perspective. This eight-day cruise goes from Mandalay to Bagan, visiting Mount Popa and local villages.

Explore the royal city of Mandalay with a guide before enjoying a spectacular sunset over the river from aboard the boat. Journeying to the temple and pagoda-littered river plains of Bagan, stop to visit a local Burmese village, and discover the traditional ways of life first hand. Visit Mount Popa, a pretty hilltop complex of monasteries, pagodas and shrines, sail to see the traditional silversmiths of Sagaing and discover the colonial hill station, Maymyo.

Call us for a tailor-made quote on your preferred destinations, hotels and dates.

Itinerary

Day 1 Mandalay

On arrival in Mandalay transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Mandalay. Return to the ship stopping to admire the sunset over the river. Dinner and local entertainment on board.

Day 2 Burmese Village

Visit a local village for a walking tour and discover the Burmese way of life first hand. The ship gets underway mid morning and the rest of the day is spent relaxing on board observing local river life from the top deck. An on-board guide lectures on the way of life. Dinner on board this 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 tour introduces you to the most important temples. After lunch visit the inside of some pagodas or hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore on your own. Late afternoon enjoy the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas. Dinner and local entertainment in the evening.

Day 4 Mount Popa

A full day excursion to Mount Popa, believed to be the sacred home of powerful 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 explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics and rattan goods. 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 and a casual cocktail party is followed by dinner.

Day 6 Sagaing

Continue sailing up river to the Burmese village of Shwe Kyet Yet. After lunch enjoy an excursion to Sagaing considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar and famous for its traditional silversmiths. 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 English style houses, colourful market and 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.