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Mystical Irrawaddy

Resort:Mystical Irrawaddy
Operator: Scenic
Destination: Asia, Myanmar (Burma), South East Asia
Price From: Contact for latest offers

Start your 14 day luxury river cruise from Mandalay and journey to Yangon. Discover the temples of Bagan, wander around Shwedagon Pagoda & visit Amarapura.

2019/2020 Mandalay > Yangon

Dip your toes into the magic of Myanmar

From Mandalay to Yangon, the sublime Irrawaddy River and the equally enchanting landscape of Myanmar will accompany you on this adventure of a lifetime. Only recently opened to western travellers, this land of deep spirituality and spectacular treasures will entrance and delight.
Scenic Aura will be your all-inclusive luxurious home-away-from-home. Experience traditional river village life in Kyauk Myaung, let the awe of Bagan wash over you and explore the colonial relics of Magwe and Salay before arriving in the bustling capital of Yangon. The city offers up many surprises including a thriving arts scene and the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda. As the sun sets on an incredible experience youll take part in a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony, an uplifting and magical way to conclude your time in this mystical land.
Tour Map

Full Itinerary:

Day 1 – Mandalay

Welcome to Mandalay and an overnight stay. Later, meet your Scenic Tour Director and fellow guests at your welcome briefing and dinner.

Meals Included:Dinner

Day 2 – Mandalay > Irrawaddy Cruise

Marvel at Shwenandaw, a beautiful wooden monastery covered internally in gold leaf. Equally as impressive are the sights at Kuthodaw Pagoda, where the Worlds Largest Book is housed. Later walk through the rebuilt Mandalay Palace, destroyed during World War II

Enrich

Learn how to produce gold leaf at a local workshop. At Mahamuni Pagoda, male guests may place the gold leaf on the iconic Buddha statue.

Board Scenic Aura and enjoy tonights welcome reception whilst cruising upstream on the mighty Irrawaddy River.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Sagaing

Sagaing, regarded as the countrys spiritual capital, is dotted with hundreds of painted pagodas and monasteries.

Enrich

In the ancient capital of Sagaing interact with novice monks, nuns and orphans during a special visit to a monastic supported school before continuing to a nunnery where you will partake in the ritual and our donation to the resident nuns before their midday meal.

Set sail to the pottery village of Yandabo.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Yandabo > Pakkoku

Arrive in Yandabo where in 1826, the peace treaty ending the First Anglo-Burmese War was signed. Now famous for its pottery, stroll through the village and witness the artisans honing their craft and observe their unusual way of firing the pottery. Later, cruise to Pakkoku for the night to visit a cheroot cigar workshop, local market and a longyi and blanket factory.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Bagan

Arrive into Bagan this morning. After breakfast travel by horse and cart through a local village then through the surrounding plain and its temple ruins before learning all about the production of Burmese lacquerware, a Bagan specialty.

Enrich

Be wowed by a Scenic exclusive mystical themed dinner, with included free flow drinks and cultural show in front of floodlit Bagan temple ruins.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Bagan > Salay

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight – Take a hot air balloon flight over the majestic temples of Bagan. Flights last approximately 45 minutes and must be purchased prior to your cruise to guarantee availability.

This morning visit the most iconic sight of this hypnotic region, the impressive Ananda Temple before cruising downstream to Salay. On your walking tour of the town, explore Paya Thonzu, a small trio of brick shrines, admire Youqson Kyaung, a beautiful teak monastery and look inside the largest lacquer Buddha image in Myanmar.

Enrich

From the riverfront, soak up the ambience of the river and the colonial feel of the town while enjoying traditional local Burmese tea and snacks in a restored colonial villa dating back to 1906.

Remain alongside Salay overnight.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Minhla Fort

Continue cruising downstream through the morning, relaxing by the pool or enjoying some solitude on your private balcony. Later this afternoon visit the Italian built Minhla Fort where its capture by the British during the Third Anglo-Burmese War brought an end to independent Burma.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Magwe

This morning discover the town of Magwe as you are peddled around in a local trishaw bike. Take in the views from Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, a mesmerising architectural vision set on Naguttama Hill. This afternoon relax on board and watch the changing scenery as you sail towards Bagan.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 – Sailing > Bagan

Make use of the ships luxury during your day of sailing upstream along the Irrawaddy towards Bagan. Relax on the Sun Deck with a cocktail in hand viewing the many temples and pagodas that line the river as you approach this ancient location.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 – Bagan

Rise early to attend and partake in morning alms for the local monks.

Freechoice

Venture to Mount Popa, home to Myanmars nats or nature spirits, before heading to a Toddy Farm where a traditional lunch awaits or cross the river to Tant Kyi Tuang to take in the expansive elevated views of Bagan. Alternatively, wander through the markets at Nyaung U before either exploring the Temple Circuit, or enjoying a visit to Old Bagan.

Relax on board for the remainder of the day before your farewell dinner tonight.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 – Irrawaddy Cruise > Yangon

Disembark and fly to Yangon for lunch at the historical House of Memories Restaurant, once the office of General Aung San. Later, settle into your hotel inYangon for a two night Special Stay. This evening enjoy the included amenities of your Pacific Club access.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 – Yangon

Freechoice

Ride a local train around Yangons suburbs. Alternatively, be guided on a tour of Yangons thriving art scene, or ride a ferry across the Yangon River to Dhala village.

Visit Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Yangons reclining Buddha.

Enrich

As the sun sets, wander around Shwedagon Pagoda and learn about the ritual of oil lamp lighting before partaking in this tradition.

Enjoy tonights farewell dinner at the iconic colonial Strand Hotel.

Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 – Yangon

Say ‘Thaw Dau Mal’ to Myanmar.

Meals Included: Breakfast


Tour Inclusions

All-Inclusive Highlights

  • 5-star Scenic ship with luxurious one-bedroom balcony suites
  • 5 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
  • Your choice of 9 Scenic Freechoice activities
  • 2 Scenic Sundowners event
  • 1 memorable Scenic Special Stay
  • Up to four on board dining options, from casual to fine dining
  • 37 meals 13 breakfasts (B), 12 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D)
  • Complimentary beverages all day throughout your cruise
  • Butler service for all guests throughout your cruise
  • Scenic Cruise Director and Tour Director with expert local guides
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your cruise
  • All tipping and gratuities