RIVER JOURNEY TOURS

10-Day Highlight With ‘Road To Mandalay’

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SATURDAY

DAY 01          ARRIVE YANGON

Upon arrival at YANGON airport you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Your journey begins with an afternoon tour through Yangon’s colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha CHAUK HTAT GYI; and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET, a compound of hundreds of food, garment, handicraft and gem stores. Complete your first day in Myanmar with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

SUNDAY

DAY 02          YANGON - HEHO (BY FLIGHT) – PINDAYA

After breakfast, transfer to Yangon airport for a domestic flight to HEHO. Upon arrival, proceed by road to PINDAYA (65 km - 1½ hour). After lunch in a local restaurant, visit PINDAYA CAVES, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims and devotees over the centuries.
Overnight stay in Pindaya.

MONDAY

DAY 03          PINDAYA - INLE LAKE

After breakfast, drive to NYAUNG SHWE (90 km - 2½ hour). An excursion by boat on INLE LAKE will include sights of the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery.

After lunch at local restaurant, visits are made to PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA, one of the most scared shrines in Myanmar, dating back to the 18th Century; the NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY, famous for its jumping cats trained by monks and the  weaving village of INPAWKHON. 
Overnight stay in Inle Lake.

TUESDAY

DAY 04          INLE LAKE - HEHO – MANDALAY (BY FLIGHT)

Breakfast at hotel. The morning is at your leisure for relaxing.
After lunch transfer to Heho Airport (32km - 1½ hour) for a domestic flight to MANDALAY. Upon arrival to Mandalay transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

WEDNESDAY

DAY 05          MANDALAY – ROAD TO MANDALAY

After breakfast, experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay. Start with a stunning view over the city from the top of MANDALAY HILL. Then proceed to SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wood work and KUTHODAW PAGODA the world’s largest book made of marble. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestry craftsmen’s shop.
Late morning transfer to the jetty to board the ‘ROAD TO MANDALAY’. After lunch on board, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights around Mandalay.
Dinner and overnight stay on the ‘Road to Mandalay'(****). (The ship anchors for the night.)

THURSDAY

DAY 06          ROAD TO MANDALAY

After breakfast buffet on board, proceed to Sagaing Hill dotted with numerous monasteries and pagodas in sight. Return to the ship and set course to Bagan along the country’s great natural highway, the AYEYARWADDY RIVER.
While cruising on the river, lectures on Myanmar history are held in the Observation Lounge. Cocktail party on the Sun Deck is followed by 1st and 2nd seating dinner.
Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on the ‘Road to Mandalay' (****). (The ship anchors for the night.)

FRIDAY

DAY 07          ROAD TO MANDALAY IN BAGAN

While the ship departs anchorage, you will take buffet breakfast on board. After the arrival in BAGAN you will start an orientation tour of one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Return to the ship for lunch buffet. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Bagan on your own or to join a sunset tour. 1st seating dinner is followed by a traditional puppet show in the Observation Lounge and 2nd seating dinner.
Overnight stay on the ‘Road to Mandalay' (****). (The ship anchors for the night.)

SATURDAY

DAY 08          BAGAN

After buffet breakfast on board, leave the ship after farewells and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day visiting the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan which you have not yet seen, SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; GU BYANUK GYI, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images.
After lunch, learn about one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts at a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. Continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059 and explore the NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument which according to legends used to be palace site of the King Manuha. Next, explore the MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. Complete the day by watching sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from a temple top.
Overnight stay in Bagan.

Optional : Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon, for the first time ever. ‘Balloons over Bagan’ offers visitors exclusive sunrise champagne flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to April. (For more details see Asian Tour ‘Balloons over Bagan’ info sheet).

SUNDAY

DAY 09          BAGAN – YANGON (BY FLIGHT)

Breakfast at your hotel and transfer to Bagan airport for a domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival to Yangon transfer to your hotel. Complete your Yangon impressions with a visit to the KABA AYE (WORLD PEACE) PAGODA and the MAHAPASANA CAVE, where the sixth Buddhist synod took place. Proceed to Yangon’s oldest Chinese temple and at the riverside located BOTATAUNG PAGODA. Last but not least, see the 8 meter high Golden Lion Throne as well as the Mandalay Royal Regalia at the NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

MONDAY

DAY 10          DEPART YANGON

Breakfast at your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Relax by the pool, or explore the city until the departure transfer to the airport.

The itinerary is subject to changes depending on flights, availability of rooms, river and road conditions.

ROAD TO MANDALAY

The Road to Mandalay is the most luxurious craft of its kind on the Ayeyarwady River.

All 66 cabins aboard the river cruiser are beautifully appointed with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and facilities that guarantee your comfort and add to your pleasure. Besides the 28 superior cabins the ship features 38 more spacious State cabins. Twenty-four hour room service is available. The cruiser has a small on-deck swimming pool and a magnificent canopied observation deck where you can sit in the shade as you take in the sights. It is also a delightful retreat in the cool of the evening. Buffet lunches are served on the observation deck or in the restaurant and at dinner attentive waiters serve you delicious courses created by our experienced chefs. The air-conditioned Observation Lounge on the main deck is a comfortable retreat during the heat of the day and the focus for the local on-board entertainment in the evenings. There is a boutique on board with a full range of gifts designed exclusively for the Road to Mandalay. The atmosphere everywhere on board is informal and friendly.

NGAPALI and NGWE SAUNG BEACH EXTENSIONS

Our Ngapali and Ngwe Saung Beach Extensions are ideal for guests who wish to spend some relaxing days at one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in Asia. Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways and Air Bagan operate daily non-stop flights between Yangon and Thandwe (Ngapali Beach). Direct flights to Ngapali also operate from Bagan and Heho. Air Bagan operates flights from Yangon and Heho to Pathein (Ngwe Saung Beach) – request the updated flight schedule information from our office.