MYSTICAL MYANMAR AND IRRAWADDY RIVER Introducing Mystical Myanmar & the Irrawaddy River Join us on a journey to our new and exciting destination — Myanmar, along the Irrawaddy River. Cruise the heart of Myanmar in comfort and style aboard Southeast Asia’s most luxurious ship, the Irrawaddy Explorer. Designed with sophisticated English colonial style to reflect the region’s history but built with the contemporary passenger in mind, the Irrawaddy Explorer is a 56-passenger vessel equipped with the modern conveniences of 21st-century travel. Discover the very best that Myanmar has to offer on a 16-day, once-in-a-lifetime river expedition. Create new memories and adventures — from the rich cultures and history of Yangon and the magical Inle Lake and villages built on stilts to exotic temples and Mandalay’s pagoda pilgrimage sites and Gold Buddha statue. The Myanmar Region remains fundamentally untouched by the advances of the modern world — a rare unsullied gem waiting to be explored. EWC_Irrawaddy_DM_AugREV.indd 2 9/10/15 7:24 PM It’s amazing what’s included: All onboard meals and a collection of Visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site highlight dinners Spectacular service from an English speaking Tea and coffee available at all times crew throughout your cruise Knowledgeable local guides at each Carefully selected wine, beer and soft drinks destination to accompany lunch and dinner Complimentary internet in all public areas on Bottled water restocked daily in your cabin board the ship An included shore excursion in every port All airport transfers to and from your ship* Extra special included excursions with PLUS we even take care of all gratuities. EmeraldPLUS FLY FREE* FROM 13 CANADIAN GATEWAYS (OR $1000 PER PERSON CREDIT) Expires October 31, 2015 *Airport transfers are available on the first and last day of your cruise or tour only and at times designated by Emerald Waterways. FLY FREE is from the following major Canadian gateways: YHZ Halifax, YYZ Toronto, YOW Ottawa, YUL Montreal, YQR Regina, YXE Saskatoon, YEG Edmonton, YYC Calgary, YVR Vancouver, YYJ Victoria, YKA Kamloops, YLW Kelowna, YCD Nanaimo. All other airports receive a $1,000 air credit. Economy class only. Fly Free offer is for flights up to $1800 max CAD and cannot be exceeded and on a per person basis. Offer is not transferable to cash. Fly Free Offer expires October 31, 2015. EWC_Irrawaddy_DM_AugREV.indd 3 9/10/15 7:24 PM Mystical Myanmar and Irrawaddy River Cruise 16 DAYS YANGON – YANGON DAY 1: ARRIVE YANGON visit Yangon’s reclining Buddha. At 65 meters people go about their day-to-day activities. Welcome to Burma, now officially the Republic in length, the statue’s placid face is topped by a Wander through Inle’s floating market—which of the Union of Myanmar! Arrive in Yangon jewel-encrusted crown; the soles of its feet are changes location every five days—and barter for where you’ll be met at the airport by an Emerald intricately painted with symbols of the Buddha’s traditional goods. This afternoon, visit a local Waterways representative and transferred life. As the sun begins to set on the gold-leafed family-run restaurant and uncover the spicy to your centrally-located hotel. Although Shwedagon Pagoda, watch locals gather for secrets of traditional Intha cooking. Later, travel Myanmar’s capital was recently moved to prayer and end your day with a mystical, out-of- to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, considered the Naypyidaw, Yangon (formerly Rangoon) body experience. holiest site on the entire lake. Along the way, remains the people’s capital and economic Included excursions: Walking tour of Yangon you’ll have the chance to explore several small lakeside villages where you’ll visit a weaving center of the country. As the heart of British Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Burma during the 19th century, Yangon has factory and a cheroot factory where they make more colonial-era buildings than any other city classic Burmese cigars. in Southeast Asia. Take in your first glimpse DAY 3: YANGON – INLE LAKE EmeraldPLUS: Visit a local family-run restaurant of this stunning country as you travel from the After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your for a cooking demonstration airport to your hotel. Tonight, join your Tour flight to Heho. Removed now from fast paced Included excursions: Boat tour of floating Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome city life to the tranquil Burmese countryside, market and guided tour of Phaung Daw Oo Drink followed by a traditional Burmese dinner. you’ll enjoy lunch at a nearby winery where they Pagoda serve locally grown wines made from grapes Included meals: Welcome Drink and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner imported from either France or Spain. Continue Included meals: afterward to Inle Lake, truly a sight to behold DAY 2: YANGON with its stilted bamboo houses, ancient Buddhist DAY 5: INLE LAKE - MANDALAY This morning’s walking tour through the pagodas, and floating gardens and markets. A Relax along the shores of Inle Lake, taking in cobblestone streets of Yangon will leave you trip across Myanmar’s second-largest lake on a the early morning bustle and distant mountain with sensory overload as you attempt to take private motorboat will provide an intimate look views. Transfer later to Heho for a short flight in the incredible fusion of colonial architecture into the lives of the Intha people who live here. to Mandalay—Myanmar’s second-largest city, and stunning Buddhist stupas for which the city Keep your eyes peeled during the ride for Inle’s cultural and religious center, and one-time is known. On your tour, visit the must-see Sule famous leg rowers, often seen working for the capital. Once in Mandalay, you’ll discover Pagoda that is believed to contain a hair given day’s catch. streets lined with spectacular, old monasteries. by the Buddha to two Burmese merchants. Included excursions: Visit a winery and motor Climb Mandalay Hill at sunset for commanding Along the way, take time to explore the local boat tour of Inle Lake views of the Irrawaddy river and surrounding markets where they sell everything from fresh Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner countryside. produce to temple offerings. When taking in the Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner sights, sounds, and smells of the marketplace, you’ll realize that you’ve experienced Yangon DAY 4: INLE LAKE from a uniquely Burmese perspective. Later Take the opportunity to better understand DAY 6: MANDALAY – EMBARK CRUISE this afternoon, drive past Kandawgyi Lake and the Intha way of life as you witness the lake’s Rise before the sun to witness a procession www.emeraldwaterways.ca EWC_Irrawaddy_DM_AugREV.indd 4 9/10/15 7:24 PM of saffron-clad monks walking silently Ava Kingdom by horse carriage. Here you’ll visit to a nearby school where you’ll have the chance through the streets collecting alms. Partake landmarks such as the teak Bagaya monastery, to interact with local children as they go about in this moving and memorable experience the 19th-century brick Me Nu Ok monastery, their daily activities. by offering the monks rice for their bowls. and the Nanmyin watchtower. Return to your EmeraldPLUS: Onboard lecture: “Life Along the Further explore Mandalay’s most renowned ship for an onboard performance of traditional Irrawaddy River.” monasteries, including the Mahamuni Pagoda Burmese dancing. EmeraldPLUS: Visit a local school to learn about and Shwenandaw, or Golden Palace Monastery. EmeraldPLUS: Evening entertainment with daily life The Kuthodaw Pagoda, or the “World’s Largest traditional Burmese dancing Book,” is so called for its collection of over Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Included excursions: Guided tours of Mingun 700 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist and Ava teachings. After a full morning of exploration DAY 10: BAGAN Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in Mandalay, board the luxurious, all-suite This morning, we’ll take time to explore the Irrawaddy Explorer to begin your river cruise. fascinating city of Bagan in greater depth. Enjoy lunch onboard followed by an excursion to DAY 8: MONYWA Bagan is an ancient city in the Mandalay region Amarapura, penultimate Burmese Royal Capital. After sailing into Myinmu, journey to Monywa of Myanmar with over 2,000 breathtaking Here you’ll visit U-Bein Bridge, the longest teak where you’ll explore the extraordinary Buddhist temples whose myriad spires rise bridge in the entire world. After your journey Thanboddhay monastery. This monastery is one majestically above the surrounding plains. Many to Amarapura, return to the ship for tonight’s of the most intricately decorated temples in all of the temples were constructed close to 900 Welcome Cocktail reception and dinner. of Myanmar, containing over 500,000 images years ago, and today they stand testament EmeraldPLUS: Witness Buddhist monks of Buddha! Along with spectacularly-painted, to the wealth and power of the once-mighty collecting daily alms before sunrise sandstone Buddha caves, Monywa is also home Bagan Dynasty—the first kingdom to unify the Included excursions: Guided tours of Mandalay to the world’s longest reclining Buddha at various regions that form present-day Burma. and Amarapura 300 feet. Tonight, you’ll enjoy an informative As evening approaches, take a horse carriage Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and Welcome onboard lecture: “Myanmar—Past & Present.” to one of Bagan’s most noteworthy temples, Dinner EmeraldPLUS: Onboard lecture: “Myanmar – Shwesandaw Pagoda. From here, you’ll take in Past & Present” the once-in-a-lifetime view of the sun setting on the region’s expansive collection of pagodas. DAY 7: MINGUN – AVA Included excursion: Guided tour of Thanboddhay monastery EmeraldPLUS: Horse carriage ride to Aboard the Irrawaddy Explorer, take in the Shwesandaw Pagoda sights and sounds of the river while enjoying Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Included excursions: Guided tour of Bagan spacious cabins and outstanding cuisine on Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner a deluxe nine-night cruise.