About this Tour
We are able to offer a number of different river cruises throughout Myanmar along the Irrawaddy river, which is our preferred river to navigate. However, we can also arrange boat trips on the Chindwin river, as well as through the great Irrawaddy Delta and the stunning Mergui Archipelago.
5 Day Irrawaddy Cruise: Bagan to Sagaing and visa versa
11 Day Irrawaddy Cruise: Prome (Pyay) to Mingun and visa versa
14 Day Irrawaddy Cruise: Yangon to Mandalay and visa versa
These boat cruises can also be done in reverse, such as starting in Sagaing and finishing in Bagan in accordance to the 3 day Irrawaddy cruise, or from Mingun and finishing in Prome (Pyay) on our 11 day Irrawaddy cruise, or from Mandalay and finishing in Yangon on our complete 14 day boat trip.
Below we have listed the 5 day Irrawaddy river cruise from Bagan to Sagaing as an example.
Please Note: We can arrange land extension trips before and after this boat trip in both Bagan and Mandalay as well as in Yangon and Inle lake.
Highlights
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5, 11 or 14 Day River Cruises
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Visit to a Lacquerware Workshop
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Bagan Temples
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Former Trade Port of Salay
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Hill top Stupa at Tant-Chi Taung Mountain
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Market town of Pakokku
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Yandabo Village (Famous for its Terracotta Pottery)
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Saging & Mandalay
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Much more on the longer cruises
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Bagan
Embark Cruise
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Bagan and then transferred to your river cruise boat, where you will enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon you leave the boat to visit a lacquerware workshop to explore the process of making lacquer handicrafts before continuing to Payathonezu, which is a unique temple consisting of three inter-connected temples. From here you discover the 11th-century temple of Dhamayangy, which is the largest of all the temples in Bagan before enjoying the sunset at the top of Taung Guni and dinner back on board of your boat.
Overnight in Bagan (Meals: _/L/D)
Day
2
Nyaung
Bagan to Nyaung
Today you set sail for the small and former trade port of Salay, which is now a sleepy village filled with beautiful colonial architecture and some timeless teak monasteries. You will then take a walk to Yoke-Sone Kyaung, which the best-known teak carved monastery in Burma before visiting Salay house. Back on board again you continue on, until pausing at the Tant-Chi-Taung mountain to visit the hill-top stupa. Your day ends by watching a traditional paper-mache elephant dance performed by local villagers.
Overnight in Nyaung (Meals: B/L/D)
Day
3
Aung Pan Chaung
Nyaung to Aung Pan Chaung
Your day begins by exploring the local market and town of Pakokku, home to 100,000 inhabitants. The area’s main sources of income are tobacco, cotton, peanuts, textiles and Thanatkha, which is a traditional make-up/sun lotion that locals use. In the afternoon you visit a local cheroot workshop to discover how traditional cigars are made before boarding your boat again and cruising to Aung Pan Chaung near the Chindwin confluence, where you will weigh anchor for the night.
Overnight in Aung Pan Chaung (Meals: B/L/D)
Day
4
Pauk Taw Pauk Myaing
Aung Pan Chaung to Pauk Taw Pauk Myaing
This morning you start your day by exploring Yandabo village, which is famous for its production of terracotta pottery from the riverbank clay. This village is well-known as the place, where the first Anglo-Burmese war ended by the peace treaty signed in 1826. You will experience a walking tour of the area and visit a pottery workshop. After lunch, you will visit a local school before you sail and moor overnight at Pauk-taw Pauk-Myaing village near Ava.
Overnight On Board (Meals: B/L/D)
Day
5
Sagaing
Pauk Taw Pauk Myaing to Sagaing
Today your journey on the cruise comes to an end. After a leisurely breakfast on board, you will arrive at Saging, your final destination on this trip. From here you will be transferred to Mandalay. Once here an extended sightseeing trip of Myanmar could be arranged upon your request.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Contact Us
Start planning your holiday today
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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1Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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2We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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3We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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4Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Myanmar
Myanmar has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
Our Favourite Hotels in Myanmar
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Myanmar. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.