The beautiful, recently commissioned Orcaella, offers 50 guests a collection of seven- and 11-night cruises along both the Ayeyarwaddy and Chindwin Rivers. The ship’s size means passengers can be taken to the two rivers’ more remote, secret regions. You enjoy longer cruising days, combined with the pleasure of gaining greater insight into Myanmar’s cultural and natural wonders. Back on board, a relaxed atmosphere awaits. The attentive on-board team invites you to enjoy the outstanding but unobtrusive service as you cruise the country’s waterways. Our experience of cruises in Myanmar has enabled us to expertly guide you on exceptional journeys. With offshore excursions offering genuine insights into everyday life, the country’s remarkable story and, above all, the opportunity to meet its hospitable and friendly people, this is a voyage of a lifetime, a journey of never-ending discovery.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Yangon - Bagan

Day 2: Bagan – Salay

Day 3: Salay – Magwe – Min Hla

Day 4: Min Hla – Gwechaung – Pyay (Prome)

Day 5: Pyay (Prome) – Sri Ksetra – Afternoon River Cruise

Day 6: Zalon – Danuphyu – Nuang Tong

Day 7: Naung Tong – Yangon

Day 8: Yangon

Day 1: Bagan                                                                                     [-/L/D]                      

Flying from Yangon to Bagan, you board the Orcaella and indulge in a delicious lunch. Later, you disembark for a guided tour of the ancient city and witness the unforgettable sunset over the myriad of temples. In the evening, local artists perform on board.

Day 2:             Bagan - Salay                                                            [B/L/D]

Start the day with a shopping tour in Bagan and a visit to the gilded Shwezigon Pagoda. You may also wish to arrange a tour of Old Bagan by horse and cart or bicycle. In the afternoon, we set sail towards Salay, where you can visit the Wooden Monastery and an impressive 20ft golden Buddha crafted from straw lacquer.

Day 3:             Salay – Magwe – Min Hla                                         [B/L/D]

Today you visit the port of Magwe and its famous Mya Thalon Pagoda; devotees come from miles around to participate in religious festivals here. Don’t miss the vibrant local market for a taste of typical Burmese life. Continue to Min Hla for a late-afternoon visit to the local fort, the site of a great battle during the second Anglo-Burmese War.

Day 4: Min Hla – Gwechaung – Pyay (Prome)                            [B/L/D]

Today, you’ll travel by ox cart to the quaint Gwechaung village, where you’ll experience rural life along the Ayeyarwaddy River. We spend the afternoon sailing before reaching the ancient Myanmar capital of Pyay (Prome). Your city tour will include a visit to the impressive Shwenandaw Pagoda, said to date from 589BC, and the imposing 10-storey Buddha that watches over it.

Day 5: Pyay (Prome) – Sri Ksetra – Afternoon River Cruise  [B/L/D]

We spend the morning exploring the ancient city of Sri Ksetra with its unique, cylindrical stone stupas. Before returning to the ship, we stop at the Shwe Myat Mhan Pagoda to see the only bespectacled Buddha in Myanmar, believed to have special healing powers. We will while away the afternoon relaxing on board and absorbing the beautiful scenery. Along the way you will have the chance to view the famous cliff carvings at Akauk Taung.

Day 6: Zalon – Danuphyu – Nuang Tong                                      [B/L/D]

We disembark at the small port of Zalon, an interesting town, which suddenly appears from behind a small rise. We take a trishaw ride along the main street, lined with attractive, colonial-style, wooden houses and large tropical gardens. Later we arrive at the Pyi Taw Pyan Pagoda where you’ll see the famous bronze Buddha once stolen by the British Army and later returned by order of Queen Victoria. We continue to another rarely visited town, Danuphyu, where revered General Maha Bandula led a Burmese defensive action against British troops during the Anglo-Burmese War.

Day 7: Naung Tong – Yangon                                                         [B/L/D]

You will spend the morning relaxing on deck as we head for Yangon. Today, you can join an optional excursion to Syriam, a sleepy village just outside the capital. The tour includes a visit to a pagoda set on a tiny island, a riverside market, and the imposing Kyaik Khauk Pagoda.

Day 8: Yangon                                                                                   [B/-/-]

We disembark late morning for your onward travels. (Internal flight from Yangon to Bagan is included.)

 This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The ‘Price From’ quoted is for a party of 6 to 8 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

 TBA