Hidden Treasures of Myanmar

Be an early bird to delve in the hidden treasure of Mogok with a visit to Aung Chan Thar Market and the place where is famous with selling stones, Htarpwe. Next, visit the two famous pagoda of Paungdaw Oo and Padamyar, then power up your afternoon sightseeing with a savory lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you are free to go shopping, relax, and wait for the appealing sunset at Thar Gyi Pagoda. Transfer back to your hotel for staying overnight.

Your today will begin with a visit to Kyauk Pyat That village before gaze out at the Daw Nam Kyi Mountain. Head to a local restaurant for lunch right after your visit in these pagodas. Back to the hotel in Mandalay for overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, the guide will take you to the pier for check-in the cruise. The Anawrahta cruise ship moors at the quay of Mandalay’s riverside. After check-in, move to your “home” for the next days. The ship sails towards Sagaing, an ancient capital of Myanmar. Find your way to the Hinta Hall restaurant for lunch. After that, enjoy your time on the sundeck while Anawrahta is approaching Saigaing. Disembark the river cruise for a discovery of some famous destinations in Sagaing, and the former royal capital of Ava. Cross the famous 16 span cantilever “Ava Bridge”, witness its architecture and learn more about the meaning of “Ava” in its name. Ava (also Innwa), a metropolis of Burma between the 14th and 19th century. Ava is a secret place in the middle of the sacred spot on Earth. Leave Ava, we back on board and continue the journey to discover the beauty of Burma. Overnight on board.

Your morning begins with a yoga session on the sun deck before a breakfast while cruising to the next stop in Yanderbo. On arrival in the quiet, small riverside village of Yanderbo, where took place the historical even that King of Ava signed the Treaty of Yanderbo, end of the First Anglo Burmese war. Explore the village on foot, meet the locals, see how their daily life is going, witness their techniques and skills to produce many pots and utensils, and you can try on it.The guide will take you back to the ship for afternoon high tea. When sailing on the next overnight spot Pakokku, we pass the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and the greatest tributary, Chindwin River. Adjacent dinner is served at the Hintha Hall. If you like, you can join our open-air cinema right under the stars on the sun deck showing classic movies (depends on weather conditions).

Today begins with a yoga class before a breakfast. Our next place is Pakokku, an old trading town on the western riverbank of Ayeyarwady. Then, go through and see the longest bridge of Myanmar (we call Pakokku Bridge). The cruise takes us to some small industries in the area such as a cheroot-rolling factory, see local handicraft vendors. Next, a visit to the thriving market gives us an insight of local goods and trading practices. Also, Pakokku is a famous place for production of Tobacco. If you like to buy some Burmese cigars, Pakokku is the best place to go. Continue to the Shwegu Temple, where home to a unique Buddha image seated on a lotus throne. Back to the ship to enjoy lunch while the Anawrahta continues her journey southwards, eventually arrive at the highlight of this journey – Bagan. Your ship will moor at Bagan in the afternoon at the same day. In the afternoon, your journey to a scared place starts. There stand over 2000 temples and pagodas in the 30-square-kilometer area. The guide will head you to the most remarkable ones, they are Ananda Temple and Sulamani Pagoda. When the final blowoff during the dusk we are going to enjoy a spectacular vista from a pagoda “summit” to marvel at the temple strewn plains. Return to the boat and have dinner while watching a traditional Bagan dance at Mandalay Lounge. Overnight on board.

Your day will start with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, that is a sunrise balloon flight over the Bagan area. Take a visit to the bustling Nyaung-U market, this is truly Burmese market where the lively local life of people take place. After the market, visit the revered Shwezigon Pagoda. The pagoda consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by many smaller temples and shrines. We then stop at a lacquerware workshop. We take a look on the fine frescoes inside the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Pagoda before returning to the cruise ship at lunch time. In the afternoon, we first visit the Mount Popa monastery sitting on an extinct volcano. The place is believed that it’s home to Burmese animist spirits – the Nats. The trip stops en-route at the palm sugar plantation where you can look over the shoulder of a local candy manufacturer. The next destination is Myinkaba village where home to Manuha Pagoda, and take a short walk to get Gubyaukyi temple. Back to the ship and savor dinner. Overnight here.

After breakfast, the Anawrahta cruise wish you a wonderful on-wards journey in the land of Myanmar Ancient Capitals. Later, the guide will pick you and transfer to the airport for flight to Yangon. When arriving in Yangon, the guide will head you to hotel for check-in and you are free in the rest of the day.

Leave Yangon, head to Golden Rock by a 5-hour drive. When arrive in Golden Rock, you are transferred to the upper area with one of the small open trucks in a one-hour ride. When at the pagoda, you can relish in a spectacular view overlooking the stunning valley and fresh air around you. Back to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Depart to Kyaikhtiyo, strolling around the hill sites to enjoy the peaceful scenery in the morning, then back to hotel for breakfast. Next, we move to Hpa An, a breathtaking small town where you have time to soak in the vibrant market and adore the magnificent limestone. A stop at Kha Yon Cave, a natural cave where the locals come to worship, they pray for good health and prosperity. We next visit Kadoe Kawnat village en-route where the Monastery of Kawnat is staying. Eventually we arrive at Hpa An, head to Kyauk Kalat, a pagoda put up on layers of natural rock formations. Stay nearby a lake, the scenery guarantees a great photo opportunity. Visit the 722-meter-high sacred Mt. Zwe Kabin with thousands of identical Buddha statues. Kaw Gun Cave, or also known as the name of “Cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas” is your next destination after lunch time. Then, you will be mesmerized by the Sadan Cave with its marvelous Buddha statues, intricate wall carving, and golden stupas. At the end of the day, check in hotel in Hpa An and then wander around this charming town, enjoy the nightlife. Overnight in Hpa An.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a drive back to Yangon. On the way back, we proceed to Bago (or named Pegu), the capital of Mon Kingdom in the 15th century and it is steeped in legend town. Your highlights include the 55-meter long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha, the four seated Buddhas at Kyaikpun and the old palace of Kambozathadi. Visit the Mon-style Shewemawdaw Pagoda, the most outstanding religious monument in Bago. From Bago, we return to Yangon this afternoon. However, before we reach the city, stop en-route at Htaukkyan township to visit the Allied War Cemetery. This landscape is the final resting place of more than 27,000 Allied Soldiers during the World War II campaign in Burma. Once in Yangon you will be transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, you have a day off and wait the driver who will come & take you to the airport for departure flight.