Places Covered : Yangon to Prome (Pyay) – Minhla – Magwe – Salay & Tan Kyi Mountain – Bagan – River Village – Mingun – Ava – Amarapura – Central Mandalay – Disembarkation)
Duration: 9 Nights
Tour Overview
Between Prome and Mandalay (10 Days / 09 Nights)
(Upstream: Transfer from Yangon to Prome (Pyay) – Minhla – Magwe – Salay & Tan Kyi Mountain – Bagan – River Village – Yandabo – Monywa (Hpowindaung & Shwebadaung Caves) – Mingun – Ava – Amarapura – Central Mandalay – Disembarkation)
Between Mandalay and Prome (10 Days / 09 Nights)
(Downstream: Mandalay – Amarapura – Mingun – Ava – Monywa (Hpowindaung & Shwebadaung Caves) – Yandabo – Shwe Pyi Thar Village –
Bagan – Tan Kyi Mountain – Salay – Magwe – Minhla – Prome (Pyay ) – Yangon)
DAY 1 : YANGON – PROME
Ship transfer meeting point: Sule Shangri-La.
Guests will enjoy a scenic drive from Yangon to Prome, approximately 6 hours.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Pyay and Sri Ksetra
Once controlled by the Mon tribe during the Bagan Era, and then conquered by the Burmese King Alaungpaya in 1754, Prome (known as Pyay to the locals) boomed along with the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1890s and is now an important trading post for goods traveling between northern and southern Myanmar. This afternoon we drive to Thayekhittaya (also known as Sri Ksetra, the “Fabulous City” in the Pali language), an ancient Pyu city that ruled in this area between the 5th and the 9th centuries. We visit the well-documented Sri Ksetra Museum, full of excellent maps and artifacts including Hindu deities, Buddha images from as far back as the 6th century, Pyu beads, and silver coins, then enjoy a short tour of the excavation sites. Before returning to the ship, we make our way to central Prome to visit the impressive Shwesandaw Pagoda complex, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites of Myanmar.
Ship will sail from Prome to Palo where client will rejoin after sightseeing
DAY 2 : MINHLA
MORNING: Enjoy sailing the whole morning follow by BBC Documentary ‘The Life of the Buddha’
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Minhla Walking Tour
Walking tour of the fortress of Minhla built by Italian architects to repel the British during the third Anglo-Burmese War in1855. Return to the ship and set sail.
DAY 3 : MAGWE
MORNING EXCURSION: Magwe by Trishaw
This morning we venture out into the district capitol city of Magwe aboard Trishaws (three wheeled bicycle where one person sits alongside the driver). Our trishaws will take us on a ride through the city to the local market. After some time to explore and shop at the market we board our trishaws and return close to the ship for a visit to Mya Tha Lun pagoda. Mya Tha Lun is a beautifully gilded stupa a 1929 built pagoda of gold solid bricks set on a hilltop with a beautiful panoramic vantagepoint. Back to the ship and sail the rest of the day.
DAY 4 : SALAY-TANKYI MOUNTAIN
MORNING EXCURSION: Salay Walking Tour
This morning we walk ashore at Salay, a small town founded in the 13th century with Bagan-era shrines, beautiful 19th century teak monasteries and preserved British colonial buildings. We begin by exploring the Salay House, a restored 1906 colonial trading company warehouse on the bank of the Irrawaddy. Our walk then takes us along the town’s main Strand Street towards the local market before turning away from the river to visit the beautiful Yoke Soun Kyaung Taw Gyi wooden monastery. This ornately carved teak monastery was designed as a copy of the Crown Prince House of Mandalay, and is now a museum boasting remarkable wood carvings and artifacts. We continue past some interesting Bagan-era monuments, visiting Mann Paya, a pagoda with a beautiful lacquerware Buddha, before returning to our ship with a stroll past some of Salay’s many beautiful colonial buildings.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Tan Kyi
This afternoon we are met on the opposite side of the river by vans that will take us on a scenic half-hour drive up to Tan Kyi Mountain, where we climb to the top of the temple and admire the panoramic view of the Bagan plain across the Irrawaddy. Buddhists who practice Mahabote believe there is an animal protector based on the day of the week you were born, and the eight animals representing the days (Wednesday has two elephants: one with tusks for morning; one without for afternoon/evening). If you wish, you may visit your Mahabote zodiac animal before returning to the vans for our return trip to the ship.
After Dinner, follow Puppet Show on Sun Deck.
DAY 5 : BAGAN
MORNING EXCURSION: Temples of Bagan
This morning our excursion takes us to one of the most incredible areas of Myanmar: Bagan. Once the center of the Pagan Empire, Bagan today is a tourist, artist, and archeological mecca. After a short coach ride we begin our morning by climbing aboard traditional, ceremonial oxcarts for a short ride to the massive Htilominlo, built by King Htilominlo on the site where he was chosen from the five sons of King Nadaungmya to be the crown prince of Pagan. While the murals that once decorated much of the inside of this temple have only survived on the ceilings, Htilominlo boasts the finest plaster carvings which still remain undamaged on the arch pediments. Next we explore one of the most famous temples of Bagan, Ananda. Built in 1105 CE during King Kyanzittha’s reign, it is one of only four surviving temples from this period. We will explore the cruciform of the temple, with four standing Buddhas facing north, south, east, and west. Our final stop this morning is a photo opportunity at Dhammayangi, the largest of the Bagan temples. It was built in the 12th century by King Narathu, to atone for his sins. This morning we will also see a sand painting demonstration by a local artist before returning to the ship.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: The Art and Sunset Over Bagan
After lunch, we visit a local workshop where the traditional methods of creating lacquerware (known as yun-de in Burmese) are still practiced. After a demonstration of the labor-intensive process required in making each piece, we have time to shop before continuing on our tour (for truly unique, special pieces, ask the proprietor to visit the air conditioned Royal Room behind the counter). Next we take a short coach ride to Gubyaukgyi Temple (Great Painted Cave Temple), where the richly-colored paintings are thought to date to the original construction period in the early 12th century. Next to this temple is the gilded Myazedi Stupa, which offers both a linguistic and a historical significance: an inscription consecrating Gubyaukgyi in four languages (Pyu, Mon, Old Burmese, and Pali), which established Pyu as an important cultural influence in the early Pagan period. We then proceed to our last temple of the day, Shwe San Daw, where we will view the sunset over the pagodas and stupas of Bagan. This temple offers five levels of panoramic viewing terraces connected by four sets of steep exterior stairs. Those who wish may (carefully) climb to any of the five terraces to view the sunset before returning to the ship.
DAY 6 :BAGAN-HNAW GONE
MORNING EXCURSION: Markets and Temples of Bagan
This morning, we transfer by motor coach to Bagan’s largest open market, where fresh produce, meats, spices, woodcarvings, longyis, thanaka, and rattan products are sold every day. We have the opportunity to watch the negotiations and transactions taking place, and if we are lucky, see one of the local women carrying their purchases on their heads. After our walk through the market, we proceed to the gilded Shwezigon Pagoda. This important religious site dates to the reign of King Anawrahta, founder of the Bagan Empire. The construction of this complex spanned both King Anawrahta’s lifetime, as well as his son and successor King Kyanzittha’s lifetime. The golden stupa at its center is said to contain a bone and tooth relic of the Buddha, a gold image of Anawrahta and a Chinese emerald Buddha. After exploring this large temple complex we will say goodbye to the temples of Bagan as our coach returns us to the ship and we set sail.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Hnaw Kone Walking Tour
This afternoon we sail to the village of Hnaw Kone, and enjoy our second leisurely walk of the day. Hnaw Kone is a typical, rural, river village, with friendly residents and adorable children. During our exploration of the village we will stop to see the local handicraft of bamboo cane basket weaving. We will watch the villagers as they expertly split bamboo and skillfully weave the strands into baskets or larger panels for building homes.
DAY 7 :YANDABO
MORNING EXCURSION: Yandabo Walking Tour
On 24 February 1826, the peace treaty of the first Anglo-Burmese War was signed at Yandabo. Today, it is a picturesque village famous for its pottery. As we take a leisurely walk through the village, we have the opportunity to stop at the various family homes and workshops, each with its own unique style and markings, to witness the making and firing of the Yandabo pottery, famous throughout Myanmar. If the local school is in session, we have an opportunity to stop and meet the local children and schoolmaster.
DAY 8 : MONYWA
FULL DAY EXCURSION: Hpowindaung Caves & Thanboddhay Pagoda
We depart the ship early this morning by motor coach for the drive past Monywa to the Hpowindaung caves, where we find hundreds of Buddha statues placed inside 947 small and large, richly decorated niches. The statues and paintings date to periods between the 14th and 18th centuries. The walk will last for one hour, over and through the sandstone hills, while monkeys follow along, waiting to see if there will be a snack of bananas at the end. We reboard our coaches and stop at the amazing Thanboddhay Pagoda, famous for its collection of Buddha statues. Dating back to the 13th century, the pagoda’s reconstruction began in 1939, and saw the addition of rows of golden stupas and two sculpted white elephants to guard the entrance. Still the most impressive offering of this temple, however, is the almost 600,000 large and small Buddhas that are housed within. We will enjoy a box lunch in Monywa, and afternoon snacks and beverages await us on our return to the ship.
DAY 9 : MINGUN-AVA-AMARAPURA
MORNING EXCURSION: Mingun Walking Tour
After breakfast we will enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the small town of Mingun. Our first stop is King Bodawpaya’s monumental, uncompleted stupa. During construction, an astrologer to the king argued that the king would die upon completion of the temple, and work was immediately halted. Had it been completed, it would have been the largest in the world. The cracks we see are the result of the 23 March 1839 earthquake that shook the area. We continue our walk to the Mingun Bell, which was the heaviest working bell in the world until 2000 when the Bell of Good Luck was unveiled in Henan, China. After having the opportunity to stand inside the bell as it is rung, we have time to shop in the local market, famous for its makeshift galleries that display inexpensive art from both local and internationally known artists.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Ava by Horse Cart and Amarapura
The Ava Kingdom ruled upper Burma from 1364 to 1555. We travel by coach to meet local horse carts for our tour to the town of Ava. Our first stop is the beautiful, 200-year-old, teak Bagaya Monastery (also known as Maha Walyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery). Originally built in 1593, it was destroyed by fire in 1821, and reconstructed with 267 gigantic teak wood posts. After exploring the incredible carvings, ornamentations, and other artistic works of the Inwa Era, we rejoin our horse carts for the ride to impressive Mei Nu Oak Kaung Brick Monastery.
After saying farewell to our horse carts, we travel by coach to the penultimate Burmese royal capital of Amarapura to visit a silk workshop before driving to U-Bein Bridge, believed to be the world’s longest and oldest teakwood bridge. Local sampans wait to take us on a leisurely cruise of the lake while admiring the sunset over the bridge.
Following dinner guests will enjoy a dance and theatre performance on-board
DAY 10: CENTRAL MANDALAY
After breakfast, disembark and visit central Mandalay: Mahamuni Pagoda and Mandalay Hill where spiraling staircases lead to sweeping views of the city and its temples. Nearby, we’ll visit Kuthodaw Paya, which contains the world’s biggest book, the workshops of gold leaf and tapestry making, woodcarving, marble carving and bronze casting. Tour conclude at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (Meeting Point)
| Vessel Name | Cruise Code | Departure Date | Arrival Date | Direction | Cabin Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE042U | 09 Jan 2018 | 18 Jan 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE043D | 18 Jan 2018 | 27 Jan 2018 | Downstream | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE045D | 05 Feb 2018 | 14 Feb 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE047D | 23 Feb 2018 | 04 Mar 2018 | Downstream | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE048U | 04 Mar 2018 | 13 Mar 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE049D | 13 Mar 2018 | 22 Mar 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE050U | 22 Mar 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE051D | 31 Mar 2018 | 09 Apr 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE052U | 09 Apr 2018 | 18 Apr 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE053D | 18 Apr 2018 | 27 Apr 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE054U | 27 Apr 2018 | 06 May 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE055U | 11 Sep 2018 | 20 Sep 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE056D | 20 Sep 2018 | 29 Sep 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE057U | 29 Sep 2018 | 08 Oct 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE058D | 08 Oct 2018 | 17 Oct 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE059U | 17 Oct 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE060D | 26 Oct 2018 | 04 Nov 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE061U | 04 Nov 2018 | 13 Nov 2018 | Upstream | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE062D | 13 Nov 2018 | 22 Nov 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE063U | 22 Nov 2018 | 01 Dec 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE064D | 01 Dec 2018 | 10 Dec 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE065U | 10 Dec 2018 | 19 Dec 2018 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE066D | 19 Dec 2018 | 28 Dec 2018 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE067U | 28 Dec 2018 | 06 Jan 2019 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE068D | 06 Jan 2019 | 15 Jan 2019 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE069U | 15 Jan 2019 | 24 Jan 2019 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE073U | 20 Feb 2019 | 01 Mar 2019 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE075U | 10 Mar 2019 | 19 Mar 2019 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE077U | 28 Mar 2019 | 06 Apr 2019 | Upstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY | |
| Irrawaddy Explorer (RV Paukan 2014) | IE078D | 06 Apr 2019 | 15 Apr 2019 | Downstream | GOOD AVAILABILITY |
Cruise Type- RV Paukun 2014( Departure Dates- 13th August 2018)
| Deck | Type Cabin | Price In US Dollar
( Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Deck | Orwell- Suite Cabin | USD4514 |
| Orwell- Suite Cabin Single Use | USD 7223 | |
| Upper Deck | Kipling- Suite Cabin | USD 5249 |
| Kipling- Suite Cabin Single Use | USD 10498 | |
| Upper Deck | Mandalay- Suite Cabin | USD 5984 |
| Mandalay- Suite Cabin Single Use | USD 11968 | |
| Main deck | Maugham- Suite Cabin | USD 4094 |
| Maugham- Suite Cabin Single Use | USD 6551 |
Note- The Rates Keep Changing Based on Date Of Departure and Cruise Type and Above Rates are Just For Indication.
RATES
• Rates are per person in US$ based on two pax sharing a cabin.
• Rates are based on known costs (including Fuel Costs and Governmental Taxes/fees) as for 01 April 2014.
• Rates are guaranteed within the validity of the same but the company reserves the right to apply a surcharge (up to 30 days before the departure) in the sole case of an increase in Governmental Tax/Fees and/or Fuel Costs.
BOOKING PROCEDURES
· Deposit: To secure the reservation, 30% deposit (not refundable) is required upon reconfirmation. If the booking is made less than 61 days prior the departure we require to settle the full amount of the holiday price.
CANCELLATION TERMS
The cancellation notice must be received by login to your booking or in writing by e-mai. It will be effective on the date of receipt. Cancellation charges, per person, are based upon the date of cancellation:
· Up to 61 days prior to departure: Deposit will be forfeited.
· From 60-31: 50% of Holiday Price
· From 30 days to “no show” 100% of Holiday Price
DEPARTURE DATE CHANGE / REVISION
· Any change of departure date is deemed as Cancellation and a Penalty Fee is applied as stated above.
PAYMENT TERMS
· In order to secure your reservation, 30% deposit (not refundable) is required upon booking confirmation
· Final balance: within 30 days prior the departure date.
· Payment can be done by Credit Card only
CHILDREN POLICY
RV PAUKAN (2007)
• Up to 2 years: Complimentary in the parent/guardian’s cabin.
• 3-12 Years: if the child stays in the cabin with one of the parents/guardians 50% of the twin-sharing rate. Upon request we can provide an Extra Bed at US$ 90 net per bed/ night.
• Suite rooms: Complimentary up to 12 years old (extra bed is provided).
RV PAUKAN (1947) & RV PAUKAN (2012) & RV PAUKAN (2014)
• Up to 2 years: Complimentary in the parent/guardian’s cabin.
• 3-12 Years: if the child stays in the bed with one of the parents/guardians 50% of the twin-sharing rate. Upon request we can provide an Extra Bed at US$ 90 net per bed/ night.
ADDITIONAL TERMS
MINIMUM OCCUPANCY
For all departures should the occupancy be less than 10 passengers for Short Discovery Cruise and 12 passengers for Exploration and Discovery Cruises the Company reserves the right to cancel the cruise up to 60 days prior the departure date. A confirmation notice in writing will be released by the company to all booked clients and/or their agents within the deadline. In case of cancellation an alternative cruise will be offered and if not acceptable all down payments will be immediately refunded.
OPERATING VESSEL
Paukan Cruises reserves the right at its sole option and discretion, without any liability for damages or refund, of any kind to arrange for substantially equivalent transportation by another vessel, whether belonging to the Company or not.
EXCURSIONS / LAND TOURS
LIABILITY
Excursions might be operated by third parties. Paukan Cruises acts as coordinator, supervisor and agent only and is therefore not responsible for any loss, injury or damage sustained by the tourists, including those occurring outside the touring programs.
PASSENGER INFORMATION
Information regarding “life on board” and safety procedures can in 4 languages is to download from our website or sent via e-mail upon request. We strongly recommend all agents and passengers to read it before travelling.
RIVER CONDITIONS WARNING
The Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level.
In the case of water levels being too high or low an alternative itinerary will be offered to Passenger.
Published itineraries are indication only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop.
Though every effort will be made to ensure that the published itinerary is followed as closely as possible, given uncertain river and other local conditions, all schedules and itineraries may be subject to alterations and delays at short notice.
The ship’s manager and captain are jointly responsible for passengers’ comfort and safety.
Passengers must accept their decisions and instructions.
PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT
We strongly recommend all agents and passengers to read it before printing cruise ticket.