The Irrawaddy Exclusive Cruise - 9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 1 - Arrival Yangon (Thursday)

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide who will assist you through the immigration procedures. Transfer in style to the Governor's Residence via the luxurious Elephant Coach, a restored vintage Chevrolet bus. Spend the afternoon exploring Bogyoke Market before enjoying high tea at the legendary Strand Hotel.

End your day at Shwedagon Pagoda, and take in views of the illuminated chedi covered with more than 40 tons of gold leaves.

Overnight in Yangon.

Optional Visit: The Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro is perched on the 20th floor of Sakura Tower, overlooking panoramic views of the metropolis. From here, one can get  scenic views of the Yangon River and its environs. A great spot to take in an overview of this city.

Day 2 - Yangon - Heho - Inle (Friday) by late morning flight (B,D)

Today you will fly to Heho and enjoy the one-hour scenic drive to beautiful Inle Lake with a visit to the Shwe Yanpyay Monastery en-route. A private local motorboat will transfer you to your hotel for check in. You will have time to relax before we take you to explore the many sites around the lake, such as Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the Jumping Cats Monastery, floating gardens and the Inthar fishermen who row their boats with one leg.

Overnight on Inle Lake.

Day 3 - Inle–Indein–Heho-Mandalay by late afternoon flight (Saturday) (B,L,D)

Your day begins with a visit to a vibrant morning market on the lake before heading down a small canal to the Pa-Oh village in In Dein and the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area, where ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. Enjoy a traditional private lunch at an Inthar house before transferring to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. Finish the day with a sunset view of this former royal capital from Mandalay Hill.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 4 - Mandalay (Sunday) Embark RV Paukan 2007 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, your sightseeing tour of Mandalay begins with a visit to the Mahamuni

Pagoda, famous for its venerable gold leaf covered Buddha statue, and handicraft workshops to learn about Myanmar's rich artisanal heritage. Transfer to Gaewin Jetty to embark on the elegant Pandaw 1947 ship with its fine service and facilities. Sail upstream and moor overnight at a river village north of Mandalay.

Overnight onboard.

Day 5 - Onboard Paukan 2007 (Monday) (B,L,D)

Visit Sagaing, a hill studded with many Pagodas and Monasteries rich in wood carving and religious art. We travel by coach to the ancient city of Ava, capital of the Burmese Kingdom from 1364 to 1841. Here we explore the ruins by horse cart visiting the beautiful 200 year old Bagaya Kyaung teak Monastery, Nanmyin watchtower (27m high) and the Me Nu Ok Kyaung monastery. Return to the ship and cast off. (ETD 10.30). Stop at Yandabo, a picturesque river village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war signed on Feburary 24, 1826. Explore the village stopping at the pot-making workshops to learn about their unique production technique, the school and the monastery.

Day 6 - Bagan (Tuesday) (B,L,D)

Your journey on the luxurious RV Paukan 2007 comes to an end in Bagan. Disembark from the boat and transfer to your hotel. After freshening up, you will have a chance to explore the splendor of Bagan, famous for its thousands of ancient stupas and temples that make it one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. Your day of cultural exploration comes to a close with a relaxing horse carriage tour through the temples, giving you a chance to take in even more of Bagan's breathtaking surroundings.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 7 - Bagan (Wednesday) (B,L,D)

Begin your day with a visit to the bustling Nyaung Oo Market before heading for the picturesque countryside village of Minnanthu with its unique temples. This afternoon, attend a Burmese tea ceremony in a monastery near Myinkabar village and sample local snacks and drinks before taking a leisurely horse carriage ride. After visiting some of the village's cultural sites, including mural painting and lacquer ware production huts, sit back and enjoy the sunset from the open upper terrace of one of Bagan's temples.

Overnight in Bagan.

OPTION: from October to March, early morning hot-air balloon flights over the plain of Bagan and its 3000 sites. An unforgettable and unique experience!

Day 8 - Bagan- Yangon (Friday) by late morning flight (B,D)

Enjoy your morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your domestic flight back to Yangon. Your exploration of this fascinating city resumes with a visit to the residence of Gold-ash U Shein, famous for his traditional medicine and faith healing practices in Europe, before taking a short walking tour around the downtown area. Your day concludes with a special farewell dinner at Le Planteur, a fine dining restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 9 - Departure Yangon (Saturday) (B)

After breakfast, enjoy your day at leisure with the car & guide at your disposal, until your transfer to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight.