8-Day Sanctuary Ananda Cruise Mandalay Roundtrip: Join In

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8-Day Sanctuary Ananda Cruise_Mandalay Roundtrip: Join In

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Tour code: PKMMSMRTA Tour type

( Shared )

Tour Level: Relaxed / Easy Tour Comfort: Luxury Tour Period: 8 Days

English Mandalay, Bagan, Mandalay highlights tour details

7-night Mandalay roundtrip cruise on the luxurious Sanctuary This 7-night cruise is a combination of 4-night and 3-night cruises, Ananda sailing along the mighty Ayeyarwady river. Starting from the ancient Sightseeing in Mandalay and countryside cities of Sagaing and kingdom Mandalay and its impressive countryside areas. Explore the Amarapura pagodas-sprinkled Sagaing Hill from where you will proceed to the Breath-taking sunset stroll on the longest teak bridge of the world, city of immortals, Amarapura and its enchanting teak bridge of U U Bein Bein. Once you arrive in Monywa, excursions to Pho Win Taung and Ancient temples sightseeing in legendary Bagan the beautiful religious caves will be provided. Witness how glorious or Explore the bustling Nyaung U local market how magnificent the Buddhist temples in Bagan are as you travel Sightseeing in Monywa with visit to its famous religious sites across the magical city of Bagan. This cruise journey will eventually Exploring the town of Pakokku and visit its vibrant local market end back in Mandalay. Enjoy variety of on-board activities and luxurious amenities Join In tour with departure on Wednesday.

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com

tour description

Day 1 : MANDALAY (EMBARKATION) (-/L/D)

If you arrive on an early flight, take a tour in Mandalay, arranged by Sanctuary Ananda.

Check in before 12:30 hours and settle into your suite. Lunch will be served on board as you cruise towards Sagaing. In the afternoon, visit the pagoda sprinkled Sagaing Hill, an important religious and monastic centre, home to some 554 monasteries and 6,000 monks and nuns. Visit a Monastic school where you will have the opportunity to meet some of the residents and understand the teachings of Buddhism. Next, take in the views from the top of the hill on the terraces of the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda. Below and all around, pagodas of different shapes and sizes dot the landscape. Proceed to Amarapura which was once known as 'The City of Immortals'. Visit the U Bein Bridge, a spectacular place to enjoy the sunset. This long teak bridge snakes across the Taungthaman Lake. After sunset, return to Sanctuary Ananda for dinner.

Overnight on board

Day 2 : SAILING (B/L/D)

Full day sailing south towards Salingyi. Take the opportunity to enjoy the on board activities and amenities. After breakfast, you will be taken on a culinary journey through the unique flavors of Myanmar with a cooking demonstration. After lunch, a variety of on board activities will be offered including a back of house tour, a longyi (sarong) and thanaka demonstration and a talk on Myanmar - covering the country's incredibly rich history, the recent controversial decades to the outlook for the future of The Golden Land. Just before sunset, enter the Chindwin River and start sailing upstream towards Monywa. Overnight on board

Day 3 : MONYWA (B/L/D)

On arrival in Monywa, a quiet beautiful town which has a very few tourists but at the same time you will see the unexpected charms of this small property. Visit Pho Win Taung caves numbering more than one hundred, are full of Buddhist statues and murals. Most of the images are in the 14th - 16th century Ava (Innwa) style, but some may be earlier. Also visit Thanboddhay Pagoda, about 20 Km from Monywa. The richly decorated central stupa has no less than 845 smaller stupas around it. Inside the pagoda compound are thousands of Buddha images (reportedly over 500,000) decorating every wall, archway and niche. Next stop is at Bodi Tahtaung where you can see giant Standing Buddha statue, the second largest in the world and the Reclining Buddha statue nearby. Both of these immense, iconic Buddha statues can be seen from miles away. Back on board, enjoy a delicious dinner and cocktails. Overnight on board

Day 4 : PAKOKKU - BAGAN (B/L/D)

Today, one of the cruise chefs will take you to the local market in Pakokku where mouth-watering fruit and vegetables are laid out with style. Take a stroll in the market area as well as enjoy the experience of mixing together with the local people. After lunch on board, sail on to Bagan and visit the Ananda temple which was completed in 1091 A.D., commonly referred to as one of the four great temples in Bagan. Proceed to Kayminga pagoda to see the different styles of ancient architectures. Enjoy the sunset over the Bagan plains and admire the light change on the pagodas as they exude antiquity and mystery, a truly magic moment.

Overnight on board

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com

Day 5 : BAGAN (B/L/D)

Enjoy a morning tour of Bagan. Leaving at 09:00 hours, visit a local village in the heart of the Bagan plain, to see the way of life of the local people. A horse?cart will be your mode of transport through the Bagan plains, with several photo stops and a visit to Sulamani pagoda along the way. After lunch on board, depart to visit Pya That Gyi temple, one of the last of the large temples built in Bagan. Continue to Kyauk Gu U Min temple, one of only four temples in Bagan built from stone brick. A candlelit sandbank dinner is served with the backdrop of the twinkling lights of Bagan.

Overnight on board

Day 6 : SAILING (B/L/D)

Visit the bustling local market of Nyaung U. The daily market is where the farmers meet to buy and sell a variety of goods, ranging from fruit and vegetables to china and lacquerware. Proceed to the great golden Shwezigon Pagoda which is said to contain important relics of the Gautama Buddha. Return to the ship and start sailing upstream towards Sagaing during which a variety of on board activities will be offered including a longyi (sarong) and thanaka demonstration, and a talk on Myanmar.

Overnight on board

Day 7 : MANDALAY (B/L/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a back of house tour and cooking class with Sanctuary Chef as you cruise along the Ayeyarwady river. In the afternoon, visit a gold leaf beating workshop where you will see how the thin gold leaf that covers Buddha statues is produced. Continue to a bronze? casting workshop to learn how the impressively?large statues you've seen across Myanmar are made. The last stop of the day will be at the 236 m high Mandalay Hill upon which Su Taung Pyae pagoda rests. A local performance will be followed by dinner on board.

Overnight on board

Day 8 : MANDALAY (DISEMBARKATION) (B/-/-)

Breakfast is served before check out in Mandalay. Mandalay city tour will be organized if you are leaving on a later flight. includes excludes

Accommodation in twin/sharing cabin (or single cabin) Domestic airfare Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and Myanmar visa fee D=Dinner) Optional Balloon flight in Bagan All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the program Transfer to and ex boat Tours with English-speaking on board guide (all tours are join- Surcharges for throughout guides (English and other languages) in) Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, Service charges, room tax and baggage handling camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com

Drinks with meals Laundry Service Telephone calls and Fax charges Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness) notes

Myanmar's rivers are subject to seasonal variations in the water level sometimes by as much as 28 metres. Such changes can occur without prior warning even overnight. This may well result in the ship not being able to sail at the expected speed and/or be unable to pass under bridges or indeed the water level being too low to safely progress. A beautiful feature of the river is its sandbanks, but navigationally these can also pose problems not least of which is the potential to run aground. Additionally, from time to time the river authorities may also close sections of the river, although we normally receive advance notice. Such experiences are part of the excitement of any river expedition and are to be expected. Our published itineraries are an indication only and subject to change due to all the above. We will always replace the itinerary based on our 'safety first' philosophy, whilst doing all we can to respect the published itinerary or substituting alternatives. It simply may not always be possible to maintain every feature. This is all part of the rich experience of travelling on Myanmar's beautiful and fascinating rivers.

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com