HERITAGE LINE ANAWRAHTA CRUISE

5 DAYS - ANCIENT CAPITALS

For five days, we have a chance to see five of Burma's former capitals; spanning nine hundred years of history. During jorney, it’s great occasion to visit the huge, unfinished pagoda of King Bodawpaya at Mingun, the sacred hills of Sagaing and the ruins at Ava. Call in to the riverside pottery village of Yanderbo before arriving at Bagan where thousands of ruined medieval temples and pagodas are scattered across the plain.

Tour type:  Private tour                        Duration : 5 Days   

Departure: Heritage Line Anawrahta Cruise                   

Cruise: Irrawaddy Cruises, Luxury Cruises

Destination: Mandalay - Mingun - Yanderbo - Bagan

ITINERARY TOUR:

DAY 1: BAGAN - PAKKOKU

Around noon you embark the luxurious Anawrahta, berthed at the quay of Bagan. After a warm welcome by our staff offering some refreshments you move into your “home” for the next days. Enjoy a leisurely lunch as the ship sails towards Pakkoku. Pakkoku is an old trading town on the western riverbank of the Ayeyarwady. Right before the arrival you see the longest bridge of Myanmar, the Pakokku Bridge. On shore the tour takes us to some of the small industries in this area, such as a cheroot-rolling factory and a producer of ‘Burmese slippers’ (“flip-flops”). Local handicraft vendors try to make their living selling these. A visit at the thriving market gives us insights into local goods and trading. Pakokku is also well-known for the production of tobacco. If you are interested in buying Burmese cigars, this is the place. We continue our tour to the Shwegu Temple. This temple features incredible, intricate carvings made from rare Yamanei wood. It also houses a unique Buddha image seated on a lotus throne. Back on board, Anawrahta continues her journey northwards on the Ayeyervady. As the evening approaches and the Burmese sun immerse everything in a golden light, a special event will take place at the Kipling’s Bar. Dress up in style as we send “A toast to the past” at our British club gathering where gents may whiff cigars and ladies sip on tasty gins with tonic. Share some tales of the old (British-Burmese) days. Isn’t sometimes the time to lose time. Dinner is served at the Hintha Hall. Join our open air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing classic movies (depending on weather conditions)

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise

DAY 2: PAKKOKU - YANDABO

For early morning risers there is a special opportunity to participate at a yoga session on the sun deck. Strengthen your muscles and ease your mind by merging with the Ayeyarwady and its therapeutical slow flow upstream. We leave in the morning from Pakkoku for our next stop, Yandabo. While having breakfast the ship passes the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and it’s greatest tributary, Chindwin River. We arrive at the quiet, small riverside village of Yandabo. A unique and fascinating gem of a village where in 1826 the King of Ava signed the Treaty of Yanderbo, signaling the end of the First Anglo-Burmese War. Nowadays the villagers produce a type of water pot, which is reputed to keep water cooler than pots from anywhere else in the country. Anawrahta’s broad-knowledge guides will offer you the explanation to this phenomenon. By foot, we explore the village. You quickly notice that the villagers here are extremely friendly, charming and open for chit-chats. You will definitely take back home some enchanting memories. Their techniques and skills to produce a variety of pots and utensils are perplexing. Try yourself to work on one of these pots. Back on board a delicate lunch buffet awaits you. The ship continues its journey northwards. Gaze on the river banks of this eternal stream from your bench on the sun deck or alternatively, a spa treatment would have the same recreation effects. In the afternoon we learn more about some of the long-lasting tradtions (Longyi and Thanaka demonstration). A fascinating presentation about the history and culture of Myanmar follows afterwards. Before dinner you may like to enjoy one of our various treatments in the Thazin Spa. Dinner is served at the Hintha Hall restaurant. Feel free to join our open-air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing a classic movie (depending on weather conditions). Day Two Pakkoku - Yandabo ANCIENT CAPITALS Bagan - Mandalay Former GOLDEN LAND VOYAGE Join our Yoga class in the morning to start your day with a powerful exercise. Then, you can enjoy breakfast as the ship sails northward and eventually we arrive in Ava. In Ava we disembark for a wonderful discovery of the highlights of this former royal capital. By horse-drawn carriage we explore this area, sprinkled with many kinds of distingueshed ancient monasteries and fanes: Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery built in 1834, which nowadays continues to be a monastic school; Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or the Nanmyint watch tower come both in a different art and creation. It is the peace of Ava which you will then hopefully absorb during a laid-back apéritif at a secret place in the middle of this sacred spot on Earth. Back on board our lunch buffet is served and Anawrahta continues the cruise northwards, eventually arriving at the utmost highlight of this journey - Mandalay. Take time to observe the beautiful Sagaing Hills when the ships passes by the myriads of scattered pagodas on the hills. We will dock at Mandalay in the early afternoon (approx. 2pm). At this time we bid farewell to our guests of the 3-day/2-night cruise. In the afternoon, our tour leads us to the most interesting sights of Mandalay. Observe the incredible process of the goldleaf beating, visit a silk-weaving manufactorer and finally have a stroll through the amiable streets that host several marble carving workshops. The ultimate highlight of the day is a sunset sailing in a small rowing boat around the famous 200-year-old U-Bein Bridge, a true Kodak moment. After some refreshing time on board, you are invited to watch a traditional dance and music performance by students and teachers of the Mandalay Art School. After dinner our nightly open-air cinema will play another classic movie on the sun deck (depending on weather conditions). Day Three Yandabo - Ava - Mandalay A

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise

DAY 3: YANDABO - AVA - MANDALAY

Join our Yoga class in the morning to start your day with a powerful exercise. Then, you can enjoy breakfast as the ship sails northward and eventually we arrive in Ava. In Ava we disembark for a wonderful discovery of the highlights of this former royal capital. By horse-drawn carriage we explore this area, sprinkled with many kinds of distingueshed ancient monasteries and fanes: Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery built in 1834, which nowadays continues to be a monastic school; Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or the Nanmyint watch tower come both in a different art and creation. It is the peace of Ava which you will then hopefully absorb during a laid-back apéritif at a secret place in the middle of this sacred spot on Earth. Back on board our lunch buffet is served and Anawrahta continues the cruise northwards, eventually arriving at the utmost highlight of this journey - Mandalay. Take time to observe the beautiful Sagaing Hills when the ships passes by the myriads of scattered pagodas on the hills. We will dock at Mandalay in the early afternoon (approx. 2pm).

At this time we bid farewell to our guests of the 3-day/2-night cruise

In the afternoon, our tour leads us to the most interesting sights of Mandalay. Observe the incredible process of the goldleaf beating, visit a silk-weaving manufactorer and finally have a stroll through the amiable streets that host several marble carving workshops. The ultimate highlight of the day is a sunset sailing in a small rowing boat around the famous 200-year-old U-Bein Bridge, a true Kodak moment. After some refreshing time on board, you are invited to watch a traditional dance and music performance by students and teachers of the Mandalay Art School. After dinner our nightly open-air cinema will play another classic movie on the sun deck (depending on weather conditions).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise

DAY 4: MANDALAY - MINGUN - MANDALAY

Wake up early in the morning to watch the river life on the Ayeyarwady before breakfast will be served.

After breakfast we say good-bye to our guests of the 4-day/3-night cruise. Today, we take our guests on a discovery of the most impressive pagodas of Mandalay during our morning tour. First, we visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the “the world’s largest book”. This pagoda comprises a gilded pagoda, hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs and several pavilions. We continue to the Mahamuni Pagoda, which is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Burma and houses the highly revered Buddha image in the country. Last but not least, the atmospheric Shwenandaw Monastery, which is the finest examples of traditional 19th century wooden monastery buildings. It used to be part of King Mindon’s Mandalay Royal Palace. From this elevated point we can have a fantastic look over the entire city of Mandalay. We return to the ship and have lunch while Anawrahta sets sail to the site of Mingun. Mingun showcases the monumental, unfinished stupa of King Bodawpaya. It has never been completed, due to an astrologer who stated: once the temple is completed, the king will die. On a relaxed walking tour, we reach the world’s biggest un-cracked bell, weighing 90 tons. Upon returning to the ship, our cruise manager will invite for High Tea with cocktails, sweats and treats. Anawrahta sails gently back to Mandalay and dinner is served in the restaurant. Afterwards the crew offers some farewell entertainment in the lounge before you can retrieve for your last night on board

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Anawrahta Cruise

DAY 5: MANDALAY

After breakfast your stay on your floating home ends. Heritage Line and the Anawrahta crew wish you a wonderful onward journey in the Golden Land - Myanmar

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA

PACKAGE PRICES:

Notes:

• All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
• Small group tour available (max 10 guests): HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
• Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request

OUR PRICE INCLUDE:

• 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinner
• Cruise
• Anawrahta Cruise (4 nights)
• Port tax $129 per passenger, subject to change without prior notice (levied by Myanmar Port Authorities and port taxes appear on our invoice).
• All cruises include group shore-excursions
• Entrance fees
• Transportation
• In-tour guide services (English speaking)
• Taxes, fuel, river pilots, port dues.
• Group transfers from/to the meeting point to/from embarkation/disembarkation point or vice versa.
• Mineral water, coffee/tea, soft drinks and local beer is included all day.
• Fruit juices are included in addition during breakfast and afternoon tea.
• Inclusions for Anawrahta Suites - All Suite: Private butler service, balcony breakfast or in-suite dining, daily laundry service, daily newspaper delivered to suite room, complimentary mini bar, daily turn down gift, one private candle light dinner in the balcony, welcome fruit basket, flower and a bottle of Prosecco, complimentary tea/coffee making facility and spa services. Subject to change without prior notice.

OUR PRICE EXCLUDE:

• Crew gratuities (8 USD – 10 USD per passenger/day are recommended).
• Fuel surcharges, if any (see terms and conditionsPeak season surcharge at USD 175 per person for all cruises falling on Christmas and/or Eve New Year’s Eve.).

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Cancellation by Customer

• 60 days prior to the arrival date: Non Refundable deposit charge and the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• 59 – 31 days prior to arrival date: Cancellations fee of 30% per group/booking and plus the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• 30 days – 15 days prior to arrival date: Cancellations fee of 50% per group/booking plus the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• 14 – 7 days before arrival: Cancellations fee 70% charge plus the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• Less than 7 days before arrival Or No show: 100 % charge per group/booking.

*** Nonrefundable deposit and banking service fee will be forfeited in all cancellation cases.

CHILDREN PRICES:

• The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
• For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
• 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
• 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
• 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate