MYANMAR RIVER CRUISES

Road to Mandalay

WEDNESDAY                 Yangon - Mandalay
Morning flight with Air Mandalay flight from Yangon to Mandalay. Transfer by bus with the other Road To Mandalay clients to Shwe Kyet Yet and board the Road To Mandalay. Buffet lunch on board. This afternoon, visit Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue, and visit Shwe Inn Bin Monastery. Make a photo stop at the south of the moat around the Royal Palace, with views on Mandalay Hill. Visit Shwenandaw Monastery. Stop to see stone carving (if time permits) and, later, to see gold leaf being beaten into wafer thin pieces (if time permits). Lastly, enjoy the sunset from U-Bein bridge, which is over a kilometer long and made entirely of teak. Return to Road To Mandalay. Dinner and cultural show on board. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

THURSDAY                 Mandalay - Bagan
Breakfast. Cross Ava Bridge, built by British engineers, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill which is perhaps the living center of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Stop to see the silversmiths producing silver alms bowls (if time permits). Also visit the Zayar Thein Gyi Nunnery. Return to Road To Mandalay for departure from Shwe Kyet Yet - jetty in the direction of Bagan. Lunch on board. In the afternoon an onboard program with a lecture by the tour guides, demonstrations of Tanaka and the famous Myanmar Longyi. Dinner on board. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

FRIDAY                 Bagan
Breakfast. Road To Mandalay arrives Bagan. In the morning visit 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. Visit Nyaung U local market and continue to Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes. Return to Road To Mandalay. Lunch on Board. In the afternoon, visit Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the Early Bagan era with well-preserved murals. Admire the fine stucco work at Gubyaukgyi Temple (Myinkaba village) and stop at a lacquer ware shop to watch craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. Continue to the village of Minnanthu to see how the local people live and see the sunset from one of the famous monuments of Bagan. Return to Road to Mandalay. Dinner and traditional Myanmar Puppet Show on board. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

SATURDAY                 Bagan - Mount Popa - Bagan
Breakfast. Drive out of Bagan to visit Mount Popa, home to Myanmar's intriguing 'nats' (spirits). The steps and path climb steeply up Mount Popa – an energetic climb rewarded by fabulous views from the top. Lunch at Popa Mountain Resort, which enjoys good views over Mount Popa and the surrounding countryside. Return to Road To Mandalay in the late afternoon. Dinner and entertainment on board. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

SUNDAY                 Bagan - Mandalay
Breakfast. Morning at leisure to explore your own or you can enjoy optional tour. Road To Mandalay departs Bagan in the direction of Mandalay. Lunch on board. In the afternoon an onboard program with a lecture by the tour guides and demonstrations of how to use Tanaka and how to dress the famous Myanmar Longyi on the top-deck. Dinner on board. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

MONDAY                 Mandalay - Ava - Mandalay
Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Lunch on board. Early afternoon Road To Mandalay arrives in Mandalay at Shwe Kyet Yet - Jetty, close to Ava Bridge. This afternoon, take the local ferry to visit Innwa (Ava), located on an island between the Ayeyarwady and the Myitnge Rivers. You will visit Innwa by horse carts and pass through the ancient city walls to visit a brick and stucco monastery called Maha Aungmye Bonzan (also known as Ok Kyaung). Continue to Nanmyin Watch Tower – the climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. See also the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. Time permitting, visit some village homes to see local handicrafts, such as silk weaving, cane mats and alms bowls. Return to Road To Mandalay. Dinner and Arts & Handicraft demonstration. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

TUESDAY                 Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay
Breakfast. Morning boat trip by local ferry to Mingun, site of a brick pagoda towering 50 meters above the Ayeyarwady River, and home to the world's largest intact bell. The boat trip is interesting because you see all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. Return to Road To Mandalay. Lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure or you have a choice of optional tours is available, Dinner and cultural show on board. Accommodation on Road To Mandalay.

WEDNESDAY                 Mandalay - Yangon
Breakfast. Disembark Road To Mandalay. Transfer to Mandalay Airport for Air Mandalay flight from Mandalay to Yangon.

Winter 2005-2006 Cruises                          Departure Yangon: