Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Start/End: Yangon/Mandalay
Tour Route: Yangon – Bagan – Irrawaddy Cruise – Salay – Magwe – Yenanchaung– Bagan– Pakkoku – Sagaing – Kyauk Myaung – Mingun – Mandalay – Amarapura – Mandalay
Tour Date: Not fixed, up to your schedule
Tour Type: River Cruise, In depth-culture & history, Nature & Landscape Discovery
Tour Category: Myanmar river cruise
Tour Highlights:
- Enjoy the most breathtaking cruise along the beautiful Irrawaddy river with a cocktail in hand
- Explore the fabulous landscape of Bagan where is packed with over 2200 old temples and pagodas
- Learn about the Nat (spirit) of Myanmar in the monastery on the top of Mt Popa
- Admire the fantastic sunset on U Bein Bridge – the longest teak bridge in the world
- Interact with the novice monks during the visit to schools, pagodas & monasteries
- Learn about gold leaf making at a local workshop in Mandalay
Experience This 11-day Irrawaddy River Cruise With:
- Guides: hand-picked best tour guides with deep knowledge, humor, profession (English speaking guides, other languages upon request)
- Drivers: polite, friendly, responsible, reliable with many years of driving experience
- Vehicles: comfortable, spacious, air-conditioned, big window
- Meals: meals are arranged 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: Yangon – Bagan – Irrawaddy Cruise (L, D)
Day 2: Salay Sightseeing (B, L, D)
Day 3: Magwe – Yenanchaung (B, L, D)
Day 4: Yenanchaung – Bagan (B, L, D)
Day 5: Bagan Sightseeing (B, L, D)
Day 6: Bagan – Pakkoku (B, L, D)
Day 7: Sailing to Sagaing (B, L, D)
Day 8: Sagaing Excursion (B, L, D)
Day 9: Kyauk Myaung Discovery (B, L, D)
Day 10: Mingun – Mandalay – Amarapura (B, L, D)
Day 11: Irrawaddy Cruise – Mandalay (B, L)
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: Yangon – Bagan – Irrawaddy Cruise (L, D)
Mingalaba! Welcome to Myanmar. Today, meet your guide at Pan Pacific hotel and then we board a domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, enjoy a local lunch and have a short break.
In the afternoon, visit Ananda Temple – one of the most beautiful and well-preserved temples in Bagan dating back to the 12th century. After that, transfer to the luxurious Scenic Aura for a night cruise.
Overnight on the ship.
Day 2: Salay Sightseeing (B, L, D)
The amazing day 2 brings you to Salay – a colorful religious center of Burma where you will spend the time to get a glimpse at the colonial buildings and Youqson Kyaung monastery, a fantastic teakwood monastery built as a replica of the Crown Prince House in Mandalay to enshrine the largest lacquer Buddha image in Burma. From there, continue your trip in Salay by strolling to the town to enjoy the local Burmese tea and snack in a restored colonial villa. Later, return to the ship and continue cruising to Magwe.
Overnight on the ship.
Day 3: Magwe – Yenanchaung (B, L, D)
Rise before dawn today to enjoy the early tranquil morning on the riverside. Then following your breakfast with a trip to Magwe, a tranquil town has yet not to be visited by tourists. Upon here, you can embark on a traditional trishaw to explore the town and get a glimpse at the daily life of the local. Visit the landmark Mya Tha Lun Pagoda where features an impressive gilded stupa overlooking at the idyllic Irrawaddy river.
In the afternoon, return to the ship and continue cruising upstream the Irrawaddy river.
Overnight on the ship.
Day 4: Yenanchaung – Bagan (B, L, D)
This morning, enjoy a nearly full day of cruising on the board to Bagan – the city of sun, pagodas, and magic. Sit on the sundeck and enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the river with a cocktail in hand.
Day 5: Bagan Sightseeing (B, L, D)
Be an early bird today to experience one of the best highlights in Bagan with a hot air balloon. There is nothing greater than marveling at the wonderful landscape of Bagan at dawn from above, enjoy the magnificent sunrise and listen to the sound of light swaying wind in the air. After that, we offer two optional activities for you to choose from:
Option 1: Venture the Mt Popa
Mt Popa is a fabulous extinct volcano and home to Burma Nats (natural spirits). Along the way to the top of the Mt Popa, you will have to hike up to 777 steps that are filled with monkeys.
Option 2: Bagan Temple tour
A highlight of traveling to Bagan for travelers is always discovering the old temples and pagodas. This morning after the hot air balloon trip, get a first glimpse at Burmese local life at Nyaung U Market. After that, join in a Bagan temple tour to visit the most famous pagoda in the region including Shwezigon, Dhammayan Gyi, Thatbyinnyu, Htominlo Pagoda, etc.
In the late afternoon, highlight your trip in Bagan at Shwesandaw Pagoda, one of the tallest pagodas in Bagan. Take your time to climb up to the top and sit back to enjoy the gorgeous sunset view before return to the trip. Today’s dinner followed by an interesting Burmese cultural show.
Day 6: Bagan – Pakkoku (B, L, D)
Rise before dawn this morning to partake in morning alms for the local monks in Bagan and behold the charming sunrise from the top of a temple in the region. Then your guide will take you to the tranquil village on a horse cart to visit a local lacquerware workshop to learn about their traditional production of beautiful items. Later, cruise toward the northeast to visit Pakkoku, a trading center in Myanmar. Take this opportunity to visit a local cheroot cigar workshop and longyi and blanket factory to learn more about their production.
Day 7: Sailing to Sagaing (B, L, D)
Today will be a long day of cruising toward the northwest to Sagaing, a serene town where you will have an interesting visit and meet with the friendly locals.
Day 8: Sagaing Excursion (B, L, D)
Highlight the morning of day 8 with a visit to the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda located atop the Sagaing Hill where you will gain a fabulous view tot Irrawaddy river and across to Mandalay. Then head to the local market where you will capture many beautiful items and diverse products and have a chance to gaze out at the daily trading of the local people. Later, make your next visit to a Nunnery to get a glimpse at the daily life of the nuns.
Day 9: Kyauk Myaung Discovery (B, L, D)
This morning continue sailing the whole morning to reach Kyaung Myaung, a traditional pottery village. Here you will have a chance to see authentic local life in the village and then a chance for trying your hand at making a pot followed by the guidance of the local ensure to bring you an interesting experience.
Day 10: Mingun – Mandalay – Amarapura (B, L, D)
Begin your amazing day 10 with a trip to Mingun to unlock the stories behind the massive unfinished Mingun pagoda. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you to the second largest ringing bell in the world: Mingun Bell. Your trip to Mingun also includes a visit to the white-washed Hsinbyume Pagoda – a charming pagoda built in the shape of Mt Meru. Next, continue sailing to Mandalay to visit Amarapura, one of the former capital of Burma. There is not a more eye-opening destination in Amarapura than U Bein Bridge which is the longest teak bridge in the world. Take your time to enjoy the dramatic sunset and take a memorable photo before returning to the board.
Day 11: Irrawaddy cruise – Mandalay (B, L)
Enjoy the last day on our trip with a visit to Shwenandaw Monastery this morning to discover the intricated architecture and the Buddha image. Then ready to witness the world’s largest Buddhist book at Kuthodaw Pagoda.
Highlight your Mandalay sightseeing with a trip to Mandalay Palace, a great construction where used to be the residence of the last Burmese King. If you are keen on, try your hand at gold leaf making at a local workshop before visiting Mahamuni Buddha Temple, an important pilgrim site in Myanmar. The pagoda offers an opportunity for male visitors to place the gold leaf on the iconic Buddha statue.
After lunch, our driver will transfer you to the airport to board a departure flight. Trip ends. We hope that you would love this 11-day Myanmar river cruise. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
Please contact us for the detailed information
