Colorful boating trip In The Irrawaddy River ($2700)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay (arrival)
Day 2: Mandalay- Bhamo (by flight)
Day 3: Bhamo- Shwegu- Katha
Day 4: Katha- Hti Gyiak- Maungkone
Day 5: Maungkone- Kyauk Myaung
Day 6: Kyauk Myaung- Indaung
Day 7: Indaung- Mingun-Mandalay
Day 1: Mandalay
Upon arrival at Mandalay international airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide. Check in hotel and take some time for leisure. In the evening, start sightseeing with a visit to the last Royal Palace of Myanmar kingdoms, Shwe Nan Daw Monastery with finest wood-carvings, Kuthodaw pagoda consisting of 729 marble slabs of Tri-pataka (the world largest book and memory of UNESCO) and second largest marble-carved Kyauktawgyi Buddha Image. Enjoy sunset with panoramic views at natural tower, Mandalay Hill.
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 2: Mandalay- Bahmo
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the Mandalay International Airport to fly to Bahmo with morning flight. Arrive at Bahmo, is a small quiet town on the banks of the Irrawaddy in Kachin State and very mixed with various ethnic groups including Chinese and Bamar. Visit to the evening market by three-wheelers along the Irrawaddy River; observe the local life, products, foods as well as beautiful old wooden houses, some of them still remaining ingood condition. Explore to the Sanpanago Myohaung (old capital of Shan kingdom) near Terpen river. Visit to Shwekyina Pagoda by walking on the bamboo made bridge beside the river, become much popular among the local pilgrims in Bahmo and around.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Overnight in Bhamo
Day 3: Bahmo – Shwegu – Katha
After Breakfast at hotel, transfer to our charter boat berthed on The Ayeyarwaddy river. The river boat will continue to set sail downstream. The second defile of the legendary river is located between Bahmo and Katha. The part of the river is famous for its breath taking scenic views. The depth of the river is 180 feet in the rainy season. On the way, see the Nat Myet HnaTaung (Nat’s Face Mountain-) where the river becomes narrowest. After that, see the famous rock parrot’s beak being regarded to measure the water level by local people. When the water level reaches to the parrot’s beak (like the parrot is drinking river water), it is usually impossible for boats to go up river because of the strong current and whirl-pools.
Just north of the town Shwe Gu, visit to Kyun Taw, the sublime pagoda on the island and its festival is annually celebrated in March. Just after passing second defile, the boat stops at Shwegu which is famous for pottery. We will visit to the local village depending on the water level up and down. In the late afternoon, the ship will anchor off the old market town of Katha became famous by George Orwell in “Burmese Days”. The main economy of the town is fisheries and farming of kidney beans.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner on boat
Overnight on boat
Day 4: Katha – Hti Gyaik –Maung Kone
At early morning, we will take you with a local van to visit to Nat Pauk Elephant camp. After 25 minutes driving, reach to the camp; touch with unspoiled natural beauty by riding elephants. You would see world famous Natural Teak forest along the road. Drive back to Kathar. Explore the town by local transport through the market place and visit to the George Orwell’s house and town jail by three wheelers or bike. Then the boat continues sailing down to the beautiful river port of Hti Gyaik. Disembark at the jetty to walk for minutes to see typical life of upper Myanmar. This town is glorified as a small replica of Sagaing. Then, the boat will sail down to Maung Kone for night stop.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight on boat
Day 5: Maung Kone - Tagaung -Kyauk Myaung
Then, proceed sailing to Tagaung, the ruined capital Phyu kingdom who would be Burmar later, which stood earlier before Bagan. Sightseeing to explore the famous town for Myanmar history by bike or three-wheelers including local market. Enjoy a full day of sailing down into the vast stretches of the river with many interesting rural villages on its shore. Set sail along the mighty river and entering the 3rd defile between ThabeikKyin and (once, a heavy fighting place in 1945) Kyauk Myaung. On the way, the ship will sail past the picturesque island pagoda of Thihadaw (One of the most famous and revered island pagodas). In the late afternoon, the boat will anchor off the town of Kyauk Myaung. Enjoy overnight on boat near Kyauk Myaung.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on boat
Overnight on boat
Day 6: Kyaukmayaung- Indaung
This morning, take biking or walking tour in Kyauk Myaung (the biggest pot-making workshop in upper Myanmar) for the opportunity to see the traditional clay pot sculpting. Then, we will sail down to Myitkangyi Village, to see mostly local fishermen’s lives, cultivated islands, oil production, shcools, and others. The area is where you might have a chance to see fresh water Ayeyarwaddy dolphins. Take local small boat to watch the cooperative fishing between local fisherman and dolphins. Approximately, it takes about 1 hour long. Tonight, the boat will anchor-off the village jetty at Indaung to make nights stop.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner on Boat. Lunch at local family’s house.
Overnight on Boat
Day 7: Indaung- Mingun-Mandalay
After breakfast, keep continue sailing downstream to Mandalay; you will finally reach to Mingun (residence of king). You will have a chance to visit very massive unfinished Mingun pagoda, largest ringing bell called Mingun Bell, two broken gigantic lion statues facing with the river and very unusual structure Myatheindan White-washed Pagoda with circular round shaped compound. Continue sailing for thirty minutes to Mandalay around 5pm and disembark at Gawein Jetty. You may have time to take photos background Ayeyarwaddy River with beautiful sunset.
Overnight in Mandalay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Pax Price per group
0-1pax USD2700
1-2pax USD3000
1-3pax USD3500
1-4pax USD3700
Included Services:
• Private local boat for a 5 days / 4 nights cruise from Bhamo to Mandalay on Irrawaddy River,
• Accommodation in Bhamo
• Professional English Speaking Guide to accompany
• Entrance fees at Nat Pauk Elephant Camp, Tagaung, Mingun, Mandalay
• Domestic flights: Mandalay to Bhamo
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on all days
• Water, Coffee, Tea on board
• Brand new Bed sheet, pillows and towels, blankets
• All Transportation for sightseeing as per specified in the program
• All Transfer charges from jetty/airport/hotel
• Hire local fishermen for demonstration and small boat to watch the dolphin
Excluded Services -
• Services not specified in the itinerary,
• Visa
• International flight tickets and domestic flight tickets (except Mandalay-Bhamo)
• Personal expenditure such as tips, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc.,
• Travel insurance (to cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, repatriation in the event of accident or serious illness).
• Accommodation (except Bhamo Town)