Myanmar by Land &Cruise

What’s happening in the streets of Yangon when most other people are still sleeping or taking their shower?  You’re going to find out soon. An early wake-up call is planned at 6:00 AM and the guide is expecting you in the lobby of your hotel at 6:30AM. Start your monring with a visit to the fish market on the Yangon River when it’s already busy. Next, continue to a vegetable market which is open 24 hours a day and try famous Burmese breakfast called Mohinga (a mild fish soup with noodles and crackers). By that time the monks are walking through the streets of Yangon to collect their alms, you will wait for them to pass and donate some food to them. Continue to the fruit and vegetable market before heading back to your hotel around 9:30 AM to have your full western breakfast.

Yangon is a sprawling city with a relatively small downtown area including several markets, colonial buildings, the Yangon River and a very green area with tree-lined streets and several lakes. During this full day tour you will be shown you the different faces of Yangon from the landmarks to the hidden markets that have sees only few westerners.  During the day you will visit the Sule Pagoda, colonial downtown, the harbour, The Strand, one of the colourful local markets and Kandawgyi lake. The reclining Buddha will be visited just before taking the famous circular train to bring you right behind Bogyoke Aung San market before heading back to your hotel. The tour includes a drink at the Strand Hotel with lunch.

A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Yangon and the airport.

Board your scheduled domestic flight from Yangon to Bagan this morning.

On arrival to Bagan, a cruise representative will direct you to your group transfer to port.

Welcome aboard!
You'll have an opportunity to get settled in to your cabin before lunch.

In the afternoon the guide takes you to into Bagan to visit some of the most important of the over 2,000 temples and pagodas which remain on its awe-inspiring plain. Watch the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas by the river. Return to the ship for dinner.

After breakfast join the guide to explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longis and rattan goods. See Myanmar's famous lacquerware being made. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this enchanting area on your own.

Mid-morning the Road To Mandalay begins its cruise north towards Mandalay. Relax on the top deck and watch the fascinating river life glide by. The guide lectures on local places and customs. The ship moors mid-river for the evening. A casual cocktail party is followed by dinner on board.

Arrive at the village of Shwe Kyet Yet after lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided group tour of the key sights of Mandalay, a city regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to Road To Mandalay stopping enroute to admire sunset over the river. Dinner and local entertainment on board.

After breakfast take a cruise to Mingun. Visit the most important sights such as the pretty Hsinbyume Pagoda and the world's largest uncracked bell, which accompanies an unfinished stopa monument, ordered by the king in 1790. Return by ferry for a late lunch.

In the afternoon, join a group visit of the Sagaing Hills, considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar. Sagaing is also famous for its silver and silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. Dinner and local entertainment on board.

You'll disembark from your ship in Mandalay this morning, and bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

Take a group transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Yangon.

Board your scheduled domestic flight from Mandalay to Yangon.

A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Yangon and the airport.

At the end of the day many Yangonites leave their office and on the way back home they stop for some shopping, catch up with friends at a teashop, visit a pagoda or go to a beer station. This is exactly what you are going to do as well this evening. Highlight of the tour will be the evening visit to the illuminated Shwedagon pagoda – a magic and mystical moment at a time that it’s not very busy on the main platform. After the pagoda visit there will be local snacks to be tasted as well as a local draft beer or a fresh lime juice. The tour includes drinks at the highest tower in Yangon, a walk over the night market in downtown, tea and snacks as well as a simple local dinner shared with some locals.

A private vehicle with driver and guide will pick you up and transfer you between Yangon and the airport.