Day 1 - Sunday Australia-Singapore-Yangon Fly with Singapore Airlines to Yangoon via Singapore. Departures may require overnight accommodation in Singapore*.
Day 2 - Yangon Arrival (L, D) Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, meet with your local guide and transfer to The Chatrium Hotel. Following a lunch of Burmese cuisine, we set off for sightseeing in Yangon, starting with a short tour of downtown.
Travel streets lined with faded colonial buildings, past historic landmarks, to Sule Paya, one of the city's iconic sites and continue through Chinatown to Bogyoke Market. Experience an integral part of Burmese life by drinking tea at the Modern Tea Shop before visiting Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar.
This evening enjoy a 'welcome' dinner at the hotel and overnight at the Chatrium Hotel.
Day 3 - Yangon-Prome-Embark RV Orient Pandaw (B, L, D) After breakfast this morning, transfer by coach from Yangon to Pyay port to embark RV Orient Pandaw. Later, we cross jungle and countryside to visit the 5-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, former centre of the Pyu civilisation and the earliest and most important archaeological site in Burma. This was an early centre of Buddhism, a walled palace city complete with art and culture, merchants and princes. You can see the excavations of this former palace city, and the monumental Pyu stupas just outside the gates.
Day 4 - Thayet-Myo Frontier Post (B, L, D) Thayet-Myo is a delightful river stop, half a day's sail north of Prome. This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanmar War of 1855. The town retains its colonial character, with bungalows draped in gorgeous bourgainvillea and court houses, a jail, post office and markets built in a rustic Anglo-Indian manner. You will have time to visit the covered markets and ride by horse and cart through the former British Botannical Gardens to the oldest golf course in Myanmar.
Day 5 - Minhla Forts (B, L, D) Today, we visit Minhla and Gwechaung Forts, Italian and French designed forts built to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. These forts were captured by the British in the 3rd Anglo Myanmar War, with the fight for the Minhla redoubt being the only serious action during that war. You may climb Gwechaung Hill to the fort standing high on the east bank of the river for a fabulous panoramic view.
Day 6 - Magwe Gold Bricks (B, L, D) Today, ride trishaws or alternatively cross the river by sampan (depending on water levels), to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda. The Pagoda is constructed with solid gold bricks and links to the river by attractive winding covered stairways ascending the steep wooded river banks. The temple includes many interesting shrines within its precincts and overlooks the river, offering spectacular views of the Irrawaddy.
Day 7 - Sale (B, L, D) Sale was the home town of U Ponna, the most celebrated poet and playwright in King Mindon's court. Visit Yout-saun-kyaung, a monastery donated in honour of U Ponna, and now a museum housing many of his writings and spectacular wood carvings decorating its exterior walls. Continue sailing upstream for an afternoon mooring at Tan Chi Taung mountain. We will ascend the mountain by WWII jeep for a stunning view of the sunset over Bagan.
Day 8 - Pagan (B, L, D) The World Heritage Site of Pagan is an absolute wonder in this 'Golden Land'. Originally home to 10,000 temples constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, there are still 3,000 scattered across the vast arid plain attesting to the power of Burma's first empire. Enjoy the chance to tour a selection of these listed monuments, including the Dhamma-yan-gyi, a colossal brick pyramid, and That-byin-nyu, which soars over 50 metres high. In the afternoon, explore Pagan further and visit a lacquer workshop.
Day 9 - Pagan-Ohn Ne Kyaung (B, L, D) Enjoy some final explorations of Pagan this morning, before casting off at lunchtime for the Ohn Ne Kyaung village, a lively and colourful community. It's a heartwarming opportunity to experience the daily local life and customs within a typical riverside village.
Day 10 - Yandabo (B, L, D) Yandabo is a rarely visited village, with no access via road. Dependant on the river economy, this small rural village specialises in terracotta pots made from the river bank clay. You will see the pottery making process in various stages of production, and visit the Pandaw School and clinic, built with donations from Pandaw passengers.
Day 11 - Disembark Mandalay (B, L, D) Arriving in Mandalay, we disembark RV Orient Pandaw mid morning to meet with our local guide. Begin touring today with a walk up Mandalay Hill, towering 240 metres above the city, it affords a great view of the countryside, Irrawaddy River and city centre. At the base of the hill, visit the Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its intricate wood carvings, and then Kayuktawgyi Pagoda to view the huge marble Buddha. Finally, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to 'the world's largest book', a collection of over 700 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. After lunch, we will stop at Amarapura, for a silk weaving workshop, Mahagandayon monastery, and the 200 year old (and over 1km long) teak U Bein Bridge. This evening, we transfer to and enjoy dinner at the Mandalay Hill Resort.
Day 12 - Mandalay-Ava and Sagaing (B, L, D) This morning, we will cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar and is home to 3000 monks and 100 meditation centres. You will have the chance to visit various pagodas, a local Burmese market and a small pottery village. We then continue south to Ava, the capital from 14th-18th centuries, and take a short ferry ride across the river for lunch. Afterwards, take a tour of Ava by horse and cart, to visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort. We then return to Mandalay Hill Resort this afternoon and enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Day 13 - Mandalay-Yangon (B, L) We will be transferred this morning to Mandalay Airport for a domestic flight to Yangon, continuing to Australia with Singapore Airlines. Due to flight schedules, overnight accommodation in Singapore may be required.
* Some departure flights may leave Australia early morning on Day 2.
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
AUTHENTIC ASIA
EXCLUSIVE CRUISECO CHARTERS
Current Promotional Offers Valid Until 04 May 2012
MAIN DECK: Upstream Prome to Mandalay
Date:
Brochure
Twin Cost Per Person
Twin
Discount Per Person
Brochure
Single Cost
Single
Discount
Per Person
NOW FROM
(twin, pp)
29-Jun-12
$5,999
$700
$10,099
$1,050
$5,299
15-Jul-12
$5,999
$800
$10,099
$1,200
$5,199
31-Jul-12
$5,999
$1,000
$10,099
$1,500
$4,999
16-Aug-12
$5,999
$900
$10,099
$1,350
$5,099
01-Sep-12
$5,999
$900
$10,099
$1,350
$5,099
17-Sep-12
$5,999
$900
$10,099
$1,350
$5,099
03-Oct-12
$5,999
$500
$10,099
$750
$5,499
19-Oct-12
$5,999
$800
$10,099
$1,200
$5,199
04-Nov-12
$5,999
$500
$10,099
$750
$5,499
20-Nov-12
$5,999
$800
$10,099
$1,200
$5,199
06-Dec-12
$6,399
$1,000
$10,599
$1,500
$5,399
30-Dec-12
$6,399
$800
$10,599
$1,200
$5,599
15-Jan-13
$6,399
$1,000
$10,599
$1,500
$5,399
31-Jan-13
$5,999
$500
$10,099
$750
$5,499
16-Feb-13
$5,999
$500
$10,099
$750
$5,499
04-Mar-13
$5,999
$1,000
$10,099
$1,500
$4,999
20-Mar-13
$5,999
$1,000
$10,099
$1,500
$4,999
05-Apr-13
$5,999
$1,000
$10,099
$1,500
$4,999
21-Apr-13
$5,999
$1,000
$10,099
$1,500
$4,999
UPPER DECK: Upstream Prome to Mandalay
Date:
Brochure
Twin Cost Per Person
Twin
Discount Per Person
Brochure
Single Cost
Single
Discount
Per Person
NOW FROM
(twin, pp)
29-Jun-12
$6,399
$700
$10,899
$1,050
$5,699
15-Jul-12
$6,399
$800
$10,899
$1,200
$5,599
31-Jul-12
$6,399
$1,000
$10,899
$1,500
$5,399
16-Aug-12
$6,399
$900
$10,899
$1,350
$5,499
01-Sep-12
$6,399
$900
$10,899
$1,350
$5,499
17-Sep-12
$6,399
$900
$10,899
$1,350
$5,499
03-Oct-12
$6,399
$500
$10,899
$750
$5,899
19-Oct-12
$6,399
$800
$10,899
$1,200
$5,599
04-Nov-12
$6,399
$500
$10,899
$750
$5,899
20-Nov-12
$6,399
$800
$10,899
$1,200
$5,599
06-Dec-12
$6,799
$1,000
$11,399
$1,500
$5,799
30-Dec-12
$6,799
$800
$11,399
$1,200
$5,999
15-Jan-13
$6,799
$1,000
$11,399
$1,500
$5,799
31-Jan-13
$6,399
$500
$10,899
$750
$5,899
16-Feb-13
$6,399
$500
$10,899
$750
$5,899
04-Mar-13
$6,399
$1,000
$10,899
$1,500
$5,399
20-Mar-13
$6,399
$1,000
$10,899
$1,500
$5,399
05-Apr-13
$6,399
$1,000
$10,899
$1,500
$5,399
21-Apr-13
$6,399
$1,000
$10,899
$1,500
$5,399
Prices exclude accommodation in Singapore if required due to flight schedules.
Prices are subject to change. Prices include $480 air taxes (subject to change).
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Cruiseco Charter
This sailing is under exclusive charter to CRUISECO.
Yangon
Yangon, formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was superseded by Naypyidaw in November 2005. The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. New high-rise buildings were constructed from the 1990s as the government began to allow private investment. However, Yangon continues to be a city of the past, as seen by its lyongi-wearing pedestrians, its street vendors, and its pungent smells.
Country - Myanmar (Burma) Distance from port to City - 10 km Distance from Port to Airport - Currency - kyat (mmK)
Places of Interest
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second largest city in Burma. It was the last royal capital of an independent Burmese Kingdom. It is the current capital of the administrative Mandalay Division.
It has the largest and most modern airport in Burma (Mandalay International Airport).
Country - Myanmar (Burma) Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - kms Currency - Kyat
Places of Interest
Mandalay Hill, Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, Maha Muni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda
Pandaw - Myanmar Cruises Cabin Info
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Cruise line info
Pandaw Cruises
Reviving the old Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in 1995, we were the first since the Second World War to offer pioneering cruises on Myanmar's spectacular Irrawaddy River, attempting to reach Bhamo, one thousand miles from the sea. In 1998 we pioneered the stunningly attractive Chindwin River. In 2001 were the first since colonial days to offer a complete cruise from Rangoon to Mandalay.
The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was established by Scot’s merchants in 1865. By the 1920s the company ran over 650 vessels on the rivers of Burma. It had become the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. Mainly paddle steamers, the largest class of vessels were 350ft long and licensed for 4,000 passengers. In 1942 the fleet in its entirety was scuppered as an Act of Denial when the Japanese invaded. The Irrawaddy Flotilla was in 1995 revived by the Burma historian Paul Strachan.
First restoring an original Clyde-built steamer called the Pandaw, and then going on to build four brand new replicas, a unique concept and style of river cruising was created.
In 2002 we took our Pandaw concept to the Mekong River in Indochina where we now have two Pandaws plying between Saigon in Vietnam and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Here the Pandaws broke the seemingly impenetrable river border between two very different countries. In high water our vessels accomplished the first cross navigation of the Tonle Sap, an inland sea previously un-navigated by anything other than local speed boats.
Each ship, hand finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen are in themselves objects of great beauty. The secret of our success is that on our ships, whilst luxury and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and friendly atmosphere that predominate. All our Pandaws have ultra shallow drafts and can travel to remote areas, which would be unreachable by other vessels, let alone overland.
Ship info
Pandaw - Myanmar Cruises
On board a Pandaw Ship
Staterooms All categories of Pandaw stateroom are teak or other precious hardwood paneled with brass marine fittings. All have own air conditioning, mini-safe, luggage storage, wardrobe, writing desk and amenities include hair drier, kimono, slippers. All upper and main deck cabins have own deck space with own rattan chairs and table outside the room.
Amenities On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside areas, saloon bar, movie theatre / lecture room Equipment Cell phones, Sat phones VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system and tannoy system for navigation purposes.
Safety Smoke detectors in all cabins and public places, emergency lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses, fire extinguishers, life jackets for all on board and life rafts. Water Treatment plants for desalination, de-sedimentation and purification using UV and osmosis. Sewage: Microbiotic treatment plants.
Insurance Protection & Indemnity policies with over USD 45 million coverage per vessel.
Management European and Asian experts employed directly by Pandaw Cruises.
Please note that on board accounts on any Pandaw cruise can only be settled by cash, visa or mastercard. Travellers cheques and AMEX cannot be used. Onboard currency is USD.
Click on the ship name for details about each specific ship. RV Pandaw II
