This 14-day luxury Irrawaddy river cruise picks you from Mandalay to numerous amazing destinations along the legend Irrawaddy river. From the most popular tourist attractions such as Bagan, Yangon, and Mandalay, we take you through the emerging attractions to gain local experiences with the friendly villagers. From the glittering pagodas to the orange temples, from the luxury cruise to the simple pottery village, all are rolled into one to give you a trip of a lifetime adventure.
General Information
Duration: 14 days
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Category: Myanmar river cruise
Tour Route: Mandalay – Irrawaddy Cruise – Mingun – Mandalay – Amarapura Sagaing – Inwa (Ava) Myinmu – Monywa – Yandabo – Pakkoku – Bagan – Salay – Pindaya – Inle Lake – Indein – Yangon
Tour Type: River cruise, In depth-culture & history, Discovery & Experience
Experience a Lifetime River Cruise With:
- Guides: hand-picked best tour guides with deep knowledge, humor and all are licensed
- Drivers: polite, friendly, responsible, reliable with many years of driving experience
- Vehicles: comfortable, spacious, air-conditioned, big window
- Meals: meals at local restaurants so you can taste authentic Burmese cuisine
- Accommodation: various types of accommodation are available, from 5-star hotels, 4-star hotels in the best location, good value 3-star hotels, to boutique hotels reflect the style of the region.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival
Day 2: Mandalay – Irrawaddy Cruise
Day 3: Mingun – Mandalay – Amarapura
Day 4: Sagaing – Inwa (Ava)
Day 5: Myinmu – Monywa
Day 6: Yandabo – Pakkoku – Bagan
Day 7: Bagan Discovery
Day 8: Bagan – Salay
Day 9: Bagan – Inle Lake
Day 10: Inle Lake Discovery
Day 11: Inle Lake – Indein
Day 12: Inle Lake – Yangon
Day 13: Yangon City Tour
Day 14: Yangon Departure
Please note that every element of the tour below can be tailored. Tell us your specific interest and we will be happy to make adjustments for you. This inquiry is totally free and you are under no obligation!
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival
Mingalaba! Welcome to Mandalay, the cultural center of Mandalay. Today, meet your guide and then transfer to the jetty to embark on the cruise where you will spend 14 days transfer to unlock mythical Myanmar.
Overnight on the board.
Day 2: Mandalay – Irrawaddy River
This morning, docking at Mandalay jetty to make your first visit of the day at the Golden Palace (Shwenadaw monastery), a beautiful wooden monastery noted for the fine teak wood carvings outside and inside. The large structure is a great example of the 19th-century monastery feature with the typical Burmese architecture style on the roof as well as the walls.
After that, head to Kuthodaw Pagoda, where the world’s largest Buddha book is housed. From there, proceed to Mandalay Palace to visit the residence of the last Burmese King. It has been gone through a long time that damaged during World War II and then restored several times and now becomes one of the main tourist attraction in Mandalay. Then your guide will lead you to a local workshop to learn the production of gold leaf. Highlight your sightseeing with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most important pilgrim sites in Myanmar where enshrine the impressive golden Buddha image. Later, return to the board and enjoy your cruise to Mingun.
Day 3: Mingun – Amarapura
Spend a full morning of day 3 to discover the ancient Mingun town. Start with a trip to look for the foundation of the world’s largest unfinished Buddhist pagoda – Mingun Pahtodawgyi (or Mingun Paya). It is extremely large and indestructible after a long time damaged by natural disasters. From there, stroll through the Mingun Bell, the second largest ringing bell in the world casting from the time of King Bodawpaya from 1808 to 1810. Then we also make a visit to Hsinbyume temple to marvel at the beautiful white temple which is modeled on the description of the Buddhist sacred mountain, Mount Meru. Finally, fulfill your trip at U Bein Bridge – the longest and oldest teak bridge in the world crossing the tranquil Taungmantha Lake. For a long time, the beautiful bridge has created the best site to take photos for any traveler coming to Myanmar. Spending time to capture the memorable photo during sunset time before returning to the board.
Day 4: Sagaing – Inwa
Your adventure today begins with a visit to Sagaing Hill, an important religious site packed with numerous pagodas, monasteries, and meditation centers. Make your first visit to Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae to witness an array of impressive stupas and learn about the monks’ daily life. After that, soak up the bustling atmosphere of Sagaing local market where you will capture the life of the local people and a variety of Burmese goods and products. Make your way to the ancient city of Inwa (or Ava), the former capital of the Burmese people. Then your sightseeing in Inwa might include Maha Aung Myae Bonzan(or Mai Nu Oak Kayung) a well-preserved brick monastery in ochre color; the 30 meters high masonry watchtower; and Bagaya Monastery, a teak wood masterpiece noted for its intricated design and 267 teak posts. Wandering around Inwa until the sunset time then go back to the board.
Day 5: Myinmu – Monywa
Start the day with a visit to Monywa via Myinmu, a river town has a rich history linked to World War II. Upon Monywa, visit the amazing Phowindaung and Shwebadaung Caves where dotted with hundreds of small temples covers the hillside dating back to the 12th century.
In the afternoon, make your way to Sambodhi kat Kayw Pagoda, an impressive colorful religious construction where houses more than 500,00 Buddha images. Later, transfer to Myin Mu Jetty to rejoin the boat and cruise to Yandabo.
Day 6: Yandabo – Pakkoku – Bagan
Be an early bird today to discover the mythical morning in Yandaboo village, a small but vibrant village on the bank of Irrawaddy river now famous for its pottery production. Take a stroll through the village and see the artisans using their unusual way to fire the pot. Furthermore, today’s sightseeing will deliver you a chance to try hands-on making a pot on your own! Then your guide also takes you to visit the school and monastery in the village to gaze out at the daily study and activities of the students. Later, go back to the board and continue your cruise to Bagan.
Day 7: Bagan Discovery
Rise before dawn this morning to enjoy the delightful sunrise in Bagan. Then you can take part in an optional Hot air balloon flight over the magnificent temples of Bagan. As the sun flickers in the sky, your hot air balloon ride will give you a window to thousand of orange temples merges in the blue sky. After that, you can choose between two option:
Option 1: Bagan excursion to Mount Popa
Mount Popa is perhaps the most beautiful extinct volcano in Myanmar. With the altitude 1518 meters above sea level, Mount Popa is home to the most powerful Nats in the Taung Kalat monastery perched on the top and is where you can gain a magnificent view to the area. Along 777 steps hiking up to the temple, you will catch the image of funny monkeys where is always delightful to tourists.
Option 2: Bagan Temple Tour
Start your amazing day with a first visit to Nyaung U Market to mingle with the local people and see how they conduct their daily lives. Nyaung U is where you can find a variety of Burmese goods and clothes, foods, and other specialties of the country. After that, begin your fantastic temple tour to explore the man-made masterpiece of Bagan. Visit Ananda Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Myanmar built in Mon and Indian style. We then head to Shwezigon Pagoda, the most impressive gold-plated pagoda in Bagan where your guide will tell you the legend of the relic kept inside the pagoda. Continue your visit to That Byinnyu, Gubyauk Gyi, and Dhammayan Gyi Temple before returning to the board.
Day 8: Bagan – Salay
Today is a full day to take an excursion from Bagan to Salay. Rise early this morning to partake in the morning alms for the local monks in Bagan. Then highlight your morning sightseeing with a horse cart ride through the massive temple ruins. For a long time, sightseeing on a horse cart ride is considered the best way to explore the hidden beauty of Bagan. Later, continue cruising to Salay where remains an active religious center.
Visit Youqson Kyaung Monastery, a beautiful teak monastery, the most beautiful sights in Salay designed as a copy of the Crown Prince House in Mandalay. Then spend your time wandering around the tranquil town to indulge in the peaceful ambiance of the riverside and the colonial feel of the town. Enjoy the local Burmese tea and nibble some snacks in a restored colonial villa dating back from 1906.
Day 9: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Pindaya Inle Lake
Leave Bagan this morning to board a domestic flight to Inle Lake. On arrival, our driver will carry you to Pindaya, home to the breathtaking vista. We will make our way to the dramatic Pindaya Cave, where enshrines thousands of Buddha images at different sizes and shapes. Not only sightseeing, but the legend of two giant spiders and the prince at the entrance of the cave will ensure to intrigue you.
After that, head to NaungShwe Jetty to embark on a boat trip and sail to our hotel at Inle Lake.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 10: Inle Lake Discovery
Today is a full day for you to explore the beautiful Inle Lake. Wake up in the sound of bird-singing this morning and ready to take a boat trip around the lake to unlock its charming. We will make our first visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in Shan State where houses five images of the Buddha. Then we also head to Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, the largest and most beautiful wooden monastery in Inle Lake which offers a nice view to the surrounding floating gardens.
Gain local insight as we pass through scenic waterways to Nampan Village to have an interesting meet with the local artisan and learn about the lotus weaving and cigar making.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 11: Inle Lake – Indein
Wake up early this morning to visit the 5-day rotating market to gain authentic local flavor. The market is where you will find an array of local staples and local tribes dressed in colorful attires barter for their good.
In the afternoon, get on a boat trip and pass through the narrow canal to Indein, a small village in the western shore of the lake. Visit Shwe Indein Pagoda, a complex of thousand ancient shrines. Among them, some are well-preserved by gold plate, some are mossy-tiled, and some are dominated by nature. Take your time to explore the great stupas and walk through the colonnade where is filled with shop stalls.
Overnight in Inle Lake
Day 12: Inle Lake – Yangon
Say goodbye to the stunning Inle Lake today to board a flight to Yangonhan – the largest city of Myanmar and also the hub of entertainment in the country. Along the way, you will stop for a visit to Allied War Cemetery in Htaukkyant, which is the cemetery for soldiers who passed away during the Second World War.
Day 13: Yangon City Tour
Today is a full day for you to discover the fascinating city of Yangon. After breakfast at the hotel, you can join in one of our two optional activities:
Option 1: Experience Yangon Circular Train Ride
Riding on the Circular Train provide you a window to the rural life of Yangon’s suburbs to escape from the chaos as well as the hectic pace of the city. Along your train route, you will capture the very simple life of the local besides the track with the image of street vendors and small markets.
Option 2: Yangon City Tours
After breakfast, our driver will pick you up to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, the most famous Buddhist pagoda in Bahan township housing one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the country. Spend your time to behold the scenery in the pagoda and your guide will teach you with great knowledge about the art of Burmese through the special symbols on the feet of the pagoda.
After that, visit Sule Pagoda, the 2500-year-old pagoda located at the roundabout of the city. Soak up the lively atmosphere of Bogyoke Aungsan Market, the largest bazaar in Yangon where you can marvel at an array of Burmese goods and products among over 2000 shop stalls. Finally, remark your city tour at Shwedagon pagoda, the legend pagoda of Myanmar where is far-famed for its architecture, area, and the devotion to Buddhism as well as the country.
Day 14: Yangon Departure
This morning, enjoy your free time until the driver comes to pick you up to the airport for a departure flight. Trip ends. We hope that you love this Myanmar itinerary 14 days. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
