River Cruises Through Myanmar (Burma) 2015 - 2017 TABLE of CONTENTS
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river cruises through myanmar (burma) 2015 - 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 PIONEERS OF RIVER CRUISING 3 THE AYEYARWADY 5 MYANMAR 7 THIS GOLDEN LAND 9 AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES WFor the adventurous elcom traveler, there e is no better time than now to explore Myanmar 11 THE AMAPURA (Burma). The country has eased politically, development is still in its early stages, temples and pagodas are largely free of tourists, and the fading colonial legacy 12 ONBOARD EXPERIENCE exudes atmosphere. 13 LAND EXPERIENCES Myanmar is rich with timeless and exotic sights, and the gracious Burmese people 15 GOLDEN TREASURES OF MYANMAR are eager to show off their beautiful country. Visitors are flocking to this once-forgotten 19 HIDDEN WONDERS OF MYANMAR land and the chance to experience it at this historic juncture is simply irresistible. 23 INLE LAKE EXTENSION The Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River offers an ideal way to see this enchanting country 24 AMAPURA DECK PLAN in a leisurely and up-close manner. Our Golden Treasures of Myanmar and Hidden 25 AIRFARE / TRAVEL INSURANCE Wonders of Myanmar itineraries feature all the classic sights, including former royal capitals, majestic statues and shrines, and ancient monasteries. The unhurried pace 25 TERMS & CONDITIONS of a river cruise allows the centuries to slip away, so you can sit back and savor Myanmar in all its golden glory. Join us, before the rest of the world discovers this magical and unspoiled place! Rudi Schreiner President " This is Burma and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.” - RUDYARD KIPLING Letters from the East FRONT COVER: SUNSET OVER THE BAGAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE IN MYANMAR PIONEERS OF RIVER CRUISING AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, each of whom brought decades of knowledge and dedication to the venture. Rudi is one of river cruising’s pioneers, having introduced the modern-day river cruise concept to the travel industry in the mid-1990s. Kristin contributes extensive sales and customer service experience acquired in Europe and North America. Jimmy Murphy was the founder of tour operator Brendan Vacations. Together, their expertise and hands-on way of doing business have created the most distinctive river cruise line in the industry. We are as proud to be a family-owned and operated company as we are to be a recognized leader in river cruising. Our founders and staff share a passion for travel and seek to give other travelers genuinely life-enhancing experiences. We’ve elevated river cruising to a whole new level by focusing on providing distinctive ship designs, the highest quality onboard amenities and services, and meticulously crafted itineraries in locations around the world. THE EXOTICS Ayeyarwady (Myanmar) | Mekong (Vietnam and Cambodia) | Chobe (Africa) Walk the path less traveled. Discover the magic and beauty of a distant land. See the world through someone else’s eyes. At AmaWaterways, our love for travel inspired us to bring our river cruise expertise to the more remote parts of the world. With our innovative ships, carefully designed itineraries, expert guides and immersive tours, you can explore the exotic in elegance and comfort. Join us on a journey that is sure to delight, amaze and leave you with special memories that will last forever. We invite you to experience The Exotics on our itineraries in Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Africa. With its timeless beauty and vibrant history, Myanmar presents intrepid travelers with a treasure trove of cultural riches. www.AmaWaterways.com | 2 The Ayeyarwady RENOWNED FOR ITS BEAUTY AND TRANQUIL ATMOSPHERE, SAGAING IS HOME TO HUNDREDS OF MONASTERIES AND MEDITATION CENTERS. 3 | THE AYEYARWADY Witness to Myanmar’s long and turbulent past, the Ayeyarwady River is a life-sustaining waterway celebrated in legend, song and literature. Rudyard Kipling’s well-known poem, “The Road to Mandalay,” refers not to a road at all but to this very river, which sweeps from the snow-capped Himalayas in the far north down the full length of the country until it empties into the Andaman Sea. The Ayeyarwady played a key role during the rule of every Burmese king, and all of the country’s royal capitals were once set along its banks. Thousands of temples, stupas and pagodas can still be seen along its great length, as well as exotic scenes that have endured for centuries – smiling women in bright sarongs, dark-robed monks gathering alms, rice farmers leading ox carts along the river. The essence of ancient Burma lingers on. The 1,350-mile-long Ayeyarwady has an illustrious history. In the mid-19th century British colonial era, the river was one of the world’s most popular waterways, and the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s shallow draft paddle steamers greatly contributed to Myanmar’s transformation into the “Rice Bowl of Asia.” Years later when the Japanese invaded Myanmar during WWII, the company scuttled its entire 600-ship fleet to prevent the Axis forces from seizing it. In 1948, Burma gained its independence from Britain, changed its name, closed its borders and essentially slipped off the radar of the outside world. Today, after more than half a century of self-imposed political isolation, Myanmar has re-emerged and welcomes visitors with open arms. Experiencing this enchanting country from the vantage of the mighty Ayeyarwady is a must on any world traveler’s bucket list. Myanmar possesses a gentle and unhurried way of life, one that is rapidly disappearing in today’s ultra-modern world. www.AmaWaterways.com | 4 After many years of isolation, the “Land of the MyanmarGolden Pagodas” awaits discovery once again THE BAGAN ARCHEOLOGICAL ZONE HAS MORE THAN 2,200 STUPAS AND PAGODAS, MANY ADORNED WITH GOLD LEAF AND PRECIOUS JEWELS. 5 | MYANMAR Myanmar has an ancient culture, an incomparable collection of architectural wonders, and a deeply-rooted religious tradition that has endured for many centuries. One of the world’s most secretive, mysterious and fascinating places, its rich and often tragic history has left an indelible mark on the Burmese landscape and its people. Bagan More than 2,200 sacred structures stretch across the broad plain of Bagan (Pagan), a magnificent cultural treasure trove on par with Cambodia’s massive Angkor Wat temple complex. In the words of author Somerset Maugham, the temples, stupas and pagodas of this utterly spectacular place seem to “loom huge, remote and mysterious, like the vague recollections of a fantastic dream.” Mandalay The “Golden City” of Mandalay is regarded as Myanmar’s cultural heart, renowned for its master craftsmen and its patronage of the arts, particularly traditional dance and drama. The country’s last royal capital and second largest city, Mandalay’s riverside location was based on a Buddhist prophecy that said a great metropolis would one day be built at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Mt. Popa The stunningly beautiful shrine perched at the top of Mt. Popa, a tall sheer-sided volcanic plug, is considered the legendary home of nats, spirit gods worshipped by Burmese Buddhists. The 360° views from the summit (accessed via 777 steps) are truly remarkable, and well worth the effort it takes to get there. Royal Cities Four ancient royal cities lie a short distance from Mandalay, each possessing its own charm, character and noteworthy sights. Inwa (Ava) was the capital of the Burmese kingdom for more than 400 years. Amarapura has the world’s longest teak bridge, perfect for a leisurely sunset stroll. Sagaing is famous for its monasteries and tranquil atmosphere. Mingun has a number of historic sites to explore, including the “unfinished pagoda” and a giant bronze bell. Yangon Myanmar’s many years of isolation have allowed it to preserve a very strong and unique cultural identity. Yangon (Rangoon), the glittering “Garden City of the East,” retains much of its colonial-era charm with cobblestone streets, tree-lined According to Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, there is avenues and genteel Victorian architecture. “a revolution of the spirit taking place among the people of Burma.” www.AmaWaterways.com | 6 Marco Polo visited here, calling it a gilded place “alive with Thistinkling bells andGo the swishing ldensounds of monks’ robes”Land SHWEDAGON PAGODA IN YANGON IS THE WORLD’S OLDEST PAGODA AND THE MOST SACRED BUDDHIST SITE IN MYANMAR. 7 | THIS GOLDEN LAND Shwe is Burmese for “golden,” and many of Myanmar’s holiest sites rightfully incorporate this word into their names. The tradition of gilding Buddhist stupas and statuary started back in the 15th century and it is still considered an act of reverence to adorn sacred icons with wafer-thin layers of gold leaf. On your journey along the Ayeyarwady, you will have an opportunity to see firsthand the amazing centuries-old methods still used in the production of gold leaf. Gold nuggets are flattened and laboriously pounded by hammer-wielding men until they are as delicate as lace. This “gold leaf” is cut into small squares and sold to Buddhist devotees, who seek to gain karmic merit by gilding sacred objects. Male visitors to Myanmar may also participate in this timeless ritual, a truly authentic and memorable experience. Shwezigon Pagoda is the holiest pagoda in Bagan, built in the 11th century to enshrine several Buddhist relics, with an elegant bell-shaped dome that served as the prototype for all other stupas. An old Burmese tradition was used to determine a suitable location for the stupa: the relics were attached to the back of a white elephant, which was then left to wander freely. The spot where the elephant stopped became the site for this now world-famous pagoda. Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is 2,500 years old and considered Myanmar’s most sacred and beautiful pagoda, containing literally hundreds of thousands of Buddha images and shimmering with 30 tons of gold leaf.