Day 1 – Wednesday (Mandalay)
Morning domestic flight from Yangon to Mandalay. On arrival transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to Road To Mandalay stopping enroute to admire the sunset over the river. Dinner and local entertainment on board.
Day 2 – Thursday (Shanlay*)
After an early breakfast visit Shanlay village for a walking tour. This traditional Burmese village gives you the opportunity to discover the Burmese way of life first hand - from farming and schools to spirit houses and tea-shops. The ship gets underway mid morning and begins its journey south. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board observing the fascinating local river life from the top deck. An on-board guide lectures on the Myanmar way of life. Dinner on board in the evening.
Day 3 – Friday (Bagan)
The ship arrives at Bagan where over 2,000 temples and pagodas are scattered over an awe-inspiring plain beside the river. A guided orientation tour introduces you to the most important temples. After lunch you may rejoin the guide to visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon the guide takes you to watch the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas by the river. Dinner and local entertainment in the evening.
Day 4 – Saturday (Mount Popa)
A full day excursion to Mount Popa, a national park and believed to be the sacred home of powerful ‘Nats’ (spirits). On top of a rocky crag is a picturesque complex of monasteries, pagodas and shrines which can be reached via a winding, covered walkway. Lunch is taken at the Mount Popa Resort. Dinner and local entertainment on board.
Day 5 – Sunday (Bagan)
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 ship sets sail for Mandalay. On board the guide lectures on the Ayeyarwady River. The ship anchors mid-river for the evening providing a marvellous opportunity to observe the stars. A casual cocktail party is followed by dinner.
Day 6 – Monday (Sagaing)
Continue sailing up the river until Road To Mandalay arrives at the little Burmese village of Shwe Kyet Yet in the early afternoon. After lunch enjoy an excursion to Sagaing considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. Return to the ship for dinner and local entertainment.
Day 7 – Tuesday (Maymyo)
Visit Maymyo, a colonial hill station set high in the mountains. Soak up the atmosphere with its cool climate, English style houses, colourful market and beautiful botanic gardens. A typical Shan lunch is taken at a colonial house. Return to the ship for a final dinner on board. Overnight on board.
Day 8 – Wednesday
After an early breakfast, you are transferred to Mandalay’s airport for your onward flight to Yangon.
* Due to adverse local conditions July-October, the Shanlay Tour is replaced by a tour of Ava, the capital of a Burmese Kingdom for nearly 500 years. Sights include the magnificent wooden Bagaya Kyaung Monastery and the Nanmyin Watchtower.
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