Remote Burma: Cruising the Chindwin

The Story

Best time to go: July & August
Best for: River Cruises, Repeat Visitors, Longer Journeys, Slow Travel, Cultural & Immersive

2017 SAILING DATES FROM MANDALAY: 15th JULY 2017, 31st JULY 2017, 15th AUGUST 2017

The Chindwin River takes you into the remote corners of Burma, and is also possible during the summer months when the higher water levels mean you get further into Burma’s rural heartlands. Most guests who visit Burma tend to just cruise from Mandalay to Bangan, or possibly down to Yangon. Now you can explore the Upper Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers, meaning you can see the breathtakingly amazing authentic culture which makes Burma such a vivid and dramatic destination to visit. There are simply no hotels to speak of in this part of Burma, so the only way to access it is by boat. Get off at local villages and see the traditional way of life, see glittering golden pagodas as you drift along the river.

Guide Pricing

Starting At

LOCATION:

£6150

Price per person including all accommodation, private transfers, unique experiences and excluding international flights. We can arrange international flights should you wish.

Highlights

Begin the cruise in Mandalay with two days to explore the city
Get off-the-beaten track into the remote corners of Burma along the Chindwin River
Stay on the Belmond Orcaella, one of the most luxurious boats cruising the rivers of Burma
Head out on immersive experiences along the river, exploring local villages and meeting the locals
The cruise ends in Bagan before your return to Yangon

Day 1

The Hotel by the Red Canal

Days 2-11

Belmond Orcaella

Days 12-13

Governor’s Residence

Days	Location	Hotel
Day 1	Mandalay	The Hotel by the Red Canal
Days 2-11	Chindwin River	Belmond Orcaella
Days 12-13	Yangon	Governor’s Residence

Day 1-2

Mandalay

Fly to Mandalay and transfer to your hotel. This evening head to Mandalay Hill for sunset. The following day, visit the medieval city of Ava where you can explore on horse-cart or on bikes. Finish at U Bein Bridge.

Day 3

Mandalay

Transfer to the Belmond Orcaella seeing the major sights of Mandalay on the way such as Mahamuni Temple, Kyaukisittan and Shwe Kyuang en route. Sail past the golden temples of Sagaing followed by a cocktail reception.

Day 4

Monywa

Sail towards Monywa seeing the colourful Thanboddhay Pagoda and 424ft standing Buddha at Bodha Tataung.

Day 5

Moktaw

Take a walking tour of the traditional farming village of Moktaw, and see a right-of-passage ceremony at the local monastery.

Day 6

Maukkadaw

Visit the ‘Teak Port’ of Maukkadaw before gently cruising down the river. There is a history lecture on offer during the afternoon.

Day 7

Mawleik

Visit the small village of Kalay, seeing the traditional way of life on display and then cruise onto Mawleik where you will enjoy a barbecue on the shore.

Day 8

Sitthaung

Visit Mawleik, once the base of the Bombay Burma Trading Company. See the Mawleik Elephant Camp before exploring the town before sailing onto Sitthaung.

Day 9

Nuang San Kyin

See the pretty rural village of Sitthaung, accessing it along a short walk through the paddy-fields. Sail onto Nuang San Kyin.

Day 10

Nan Maw Leik

Visit Homalin today, firstly taking a leisurely riverside walk before exploring the morning market and Buddha Lotus Garden. You then sail onto Nan Maw Leik.

Day 11

Kyidaung

Sail onto Kyidaung where you have a short rural walk followed by visiting the local Oo monastery.

Day 12

Kani

Visit Mingin, including the superb Mahar Minkyaung Monastery before heading to Kani in the afternoon.

Day 13

Bagan

Arrive into Bagan and explore the site with a guide.

Day 14

Bagan

Visit the morning market in Nyaung Oo followed by a further tour of the temples of Bagan. In the afternoon either see more of Bagan or head to Mt Popa. You can also opt for a balloon ride over Bagan this morning.

Day 15

Yangon

Fly to Yangon and transfer to your hotel. See Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset.

Day 16

Yangon

Explore Yangon with a private guide, exploring the colonial district on foot.

Day 17

Fly Home

Fly back from Yangon

Suggested Hotels

Itinerary Experiences

Customise Your Itinerary

We can tweak and change any element of this itinerary and you can depart on any day you want, add nights here and there, and we can fully customise your day-to-day experiences depending on your interests. Here are just a few ideas of many that we can look at and discuss when we come to plan your tailor-made itinerary.

Idea 1

You might well have been to Burma before, but you can add on a visit to Inle Lake after your cruise.

Idea 2

For a beach stay, the Chindwin Cruises generally take place in the summer, so best to fly to Bangkok and down to Koh Samui where the weather is perfect.