Chindwin River Cruise
A RIVER JOURNEY TO DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE GOLDEN LAND
Chindwin is a river less travelled, and apart from its religious monuments it offers spectacular sceneries as It meanders through beautiful valleys and jungles, lofty blue mountains rising in the distance or towering over towns and villages on the banks.
The cruise begins from Bagan and we will sail the Chindwin up to the Teak town of Mawlaik our turnaround point. We disembark in Monywa from where we will drive to Mandalay.
We visit remote villages and towns with beautiful and whimsical pagodas and monastery probably the most preserved of Myanmar; the ancient cave pagodas of Hpowintaung and Shwebataung with hundreds of Buddha images and paintings; the Sambuddhay Pagoda of Monywa, a complex of buildings covered with nearly 600,000 Buddha images.
Between Bagan and Mandalay (11 Days / 10 Nights)
(Upstream: Bagan - Pakkoku - Ahmyint - Monywa - Mingkin - Kalewa - Mawlayik - Mandalay
Between Mandalay and Bagan (11 Days / 10 Nights)
(Downstream: Mandalay - Ahmyint - Monywa - Mingin - Kalewa - Mawlayik - Pakkoku - Bagan
Ship Images
IMAGES OF THE CRUISE
Extension Tours
(2 Nights / 3 Days)
(2 Nights / 3 Days)
(2 Nights / 3 Days)
(2 Nights / 3 Days)
(2 Nights / 3 Days)
(3 Nights / 4 Days)
ITINERARY
Itinerary Upstream
DAY 1 : BAGAN-PAKKOKU
TRANSFER : Transfer from airport or hotel to Jetty can be arranged at supplement upon request. Pls note that it takes approximately 30 minuts drive from Airport and Hotel to ship (Koe Lone Ye Kin).
Please note: We are not able to accept early arrival before 09:00 AM.
EMBARKATION: Bagan
Board the ship at 09.00 hrs at Koe Lone Ye Kin Jetty and cast off at 09.30 hrs, welcome drinks in the Salon.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Pakkoku
Sail upstream to the Irrawaddy and Chindwin confluence. Continue cruising north to the bustling town of Pakkoku where we visit the monastery, cheroots and Local Slipper workshops. We pass the Chindwin and Irrawaddy river confluence and we stop for the night.
ENTERTAINMENT: Pre Dinner Welcome Cocktail Party and Crew Introduction.
DAY 2 : PAKKOKU-AHMYINT - MONYWA
MORNING: Sailing
Sailing the whole morning.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Ahmyint Village & Monywa
After lunch, we arrive Ahmyint village and visit to see beautiful houses and the lovely17th century style Min Kyaw Swa stupas with 18th century style paintings. Then guest will be picked up at Ahmyint village by coach and drive to visit Thanbodda Pagoda and Bawdhi Tadaung. We return to the ship by coach where guest will rejoin the cruise at Monywa Jetty. Ship overnight at Monywa.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) - Irrawaddy Documentary Movie
DAY 3 : MONYWA
MORNING EXCURSION: Monywa
After breakfast, visit Hpowindaung & Shwebadaung caves where hundreds of Buddha Statues are placed inside niches decorated with wonderful mural paintings. On the way back visit Local Market if time permit only. Back to the ship for lunch and cast off.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Sailing the whole afternoon and overnight midstream.
ENTERTAINMENT: Afternoon - Longyi & Thanakha Presentation by on board guide. U Shwe Yoo & Daw Moe dance performance by the crew.
DAY 4 : KANEE-KIN
MORNING EXCURSION: Kanee
Late morning explore the village of Kanee and climb the pagoda hillock for its view. Back to the ship for Lunch.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Kin
In the afternoon, we explore Kin village with its beautiful wooden houses and the monastery. Moor overnight at the village.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film Screening (after dinner) - Burma Forbidden Island “About
Salone Ethnic Group”
DAY 5 : MINGKIN
MORNING: Sailing
Continue sailing upstream the whole morning.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Mingin
In the afternoon, we arrive the small enchanting town of Mingin and explore its temples and some wooden houses and the Min Kyaung Monastery with old Buddha Images. Continue sailing to a village where the ship moorovernight.
ENTERTAINMENT: Morning - Country and People lecture by onboard guide.
DAY 6 : KYIDAW
MORNING EXCURSION: Kyidaw & Kan
After breakfast, we explore Kyidaw (Kyi Taung Oo) and visit Shwe Za War Yaw monastery one of the oldest and best preserved wood carved monastery of Myanmar, embellished with wooden sculpted idols with fascinating gold leaf wall decorations. We walk through a beautiful scenario of paddy fields to the village of Kan by tuk-tuk where we visit another splendid example of Myanmar old monastery. Afterwards we return to the ship.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Proceed upstream up to Kalewa, where we stop for the night.
ENTERTAINMENT: Afternoon - Myanmar Traditional Tealeaf and Ginger Salad Demonstration
Evening – Traditional Bamboo Dance Performance by Chin ethnic group (if available) OR In House Movie.
DAY 7 : KALEWA
MORNING EXCURSION: Kalewa
In the morning we explore Kalewa, the main river port for the trading with India before, the lively market and climb up to Shwe Moat Htaw stupa for the beautiful view. Back to the ship before lunch.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
keep on cruising upstream to Mawlaik. Moor overnight near river village.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) - “The Lady Part I” Movie
DAY 8 : MAWLAIK
MORNING EXCURSION: Mawlaik
After breakfast, we visit Mawlaik (situated 35 km from the Indian Border) was the administrative capital of this area rich of Teak forests. It is a pleasant colonial town with its golf course surrounded by splendid colonial houses built by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation in the 1920’s and 1930’s (there is still a small community of Indians that used to work for the Scottish company and their descendents). The governor’s house, the administrative building, the school, the hospital, the “Dak Bungalows”, company headquarter are well preserved, still in use nowadays and nicely maintained. Explore the city by Tuk-Tuk. Back to the ship before Lunch.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Being this our turnaround point, we begin sailing back downstream to Monywa. Moor overnight at midstream.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) - “The Lady Part II” Movie
DAY 9 : SAILING (DOWNSTREAM)
MORNING & AFTERNOON: Sailing
Continue sailing all day downstream. Relax on board and stop midstream for overnight.
ENTERTAINMENT: Morning - Buddhism and History Lecture by onboard guide
Afternoon – Myanmar Traditional Cooking Demonstration
DAY 10 : YANDABO
MORNING EXCURSION: Yandabo
In the morning stop at Yandabo, a picturesque river village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Explore the village stopping to some pot-making workshops to learn their unique production technique and visit the school. Back to the ship for Lunch and sail all day.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Sail the whole afternoon and moor overnight at midstream.
ENTERTAINMENT: Afternoon - Ship Tour
Pre-dinner Farewell Cocktail Party with all Crew
DAY 11 : MANDALAY
DISEMBARKATION: After breakfast, the client dis-embark at Gawein Jetty around 9:00 am.
TRANSFER : Transfer to the Mandalay Int'l Airport or hotel in Mandalay can be arranged at supplement upon request. Pls take note that it takes around 1 hr drive from ship (Gawein) to Mandalay Int'l Airport and 30 minuts to hotel in Mandalay.
Itinerary Downstream
DAY 1 : MANDALAY - YANDABO
TRANSFER : Transfer from airport or hotel to Jetty can be arranged at supplement upon request. Pls note that it takes approximately 1 hr drive from Mandalay Int'l Airport and 30 mints from Mandalay Hotel to ship (Gawein).
Please note: We are not able to accept early arrival before 09:00 am.
EMBARKATION: Mandalay
Board the ship at 09.00 hrs at Gawein Jetty and cast off at 09.30 hrs, welcome drinks in the Salon.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Yandabo
Sail upstream to the Irrawaddy and Chindwin confluence. In the afternoon stop at Yandabo, a picturesque river village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Explore the village stopping to some pot-making workshops to learn their unique production technique and visit the school. Ship overnight at the mouth of Chindwin River.
ENTERTAINMENT: Pre Dinner Welcome Cocktail Party and Crew Introduction
DAY 2 : PAKKOKU - AHMYINT - MONYWA
MORNING: Sailing
Sailing the whole morning.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Ahmyint Village & Monywa
After lunch, we arrive Ahmyint village and visit to see beautiful houses and the lovely17th century style Min Kyaw Swa stupas with 18th century style paintings. Then guest will be picked up at Ahmyint village by coach and drive to visit Thanbodda Pagoda and Bawdhi Tadaung. We return to the ship by coach where guest will rejoin the cruise at Monywa Jetty. Ship overnight at Monywa.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) -Irrawaddy Documentary Movie.
DAY 3 : MONYWA
MORNING EXCURSION: Monywa
After breakfast, visit Hpowindaung & Shwebadaung caves where hundreds of Buddha Statues are placed inside niches decorated with wonderful mural paintings. On the way back visit Local Market if time permit only. Back to the ship for lunch and cast off.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Sailing the whole afternoon and overnight midstream.
ENTERTAINMENT: Afternoon - Longyi & Thanakha Presentation by on board guide. U Shwe Yoo & Daw Moe dance performance by the crew
DAY 4 : KANEE-KIN
MORNING EXCURSION: Kanee
Late morning explore the village of Kanee and climb the pagoda hillock for its view. Back to the ship for Lunch.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Kin
In the afternoon, we explore Kin village with its beautiful wooden houses and the monastery. Moor overnight at the village.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) - Burma Forbidden Island “About Salone Ethnic Group”
DAY 5 : MINGIN
MORNING: Sailing
Continue sailing upstream the whole morning.
AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Mingin
In the afternoon, we arrive the small enchanting town of Mingin and explore its temples and some wooden houses and the Min Kyaung Monastery with old Buddha Images. Continue sailing to a village where the ship moor overnight.
ENTERTAINMENT: Morning - Country and People lecture by onboard guide.
DAY 6 : KYIDAW
MORNING EXCURSION: Kyidaw & Kan
After breakfast, we explore Kyidaw (Kyi Taung Oo) and visit Shwe Za War Yaw monastery one of the oldest and best preserved wood carved monastery of Myanmar, embellished with wooden sculpted idols with fascinating gold leaf wall decorations. We walk through a beautiful scenario of paddy fields to the village of Kan by tuk-tuk where we visit another splendid example of Myanmar old monastery. Afterwards we return to the ship.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Proceed upstream up to Kalewa, where we stop for the night.
ENTERTAINMENT: Afternoon - Myanmar Traditional Tealeaf and Ginger Salad
Evening - Traditional Bamboo Dance Performance by a Chin ethnic group (if available) OR In House Movie.
DAY 7 : KALEWA
MORNING EXCURSION: Kalewa
In the morning we explore Kalewa, the main river port for the trading with India before, the lively market and climb up to Shwe Moat Htaw stupa for the beautiful view. Back to the ship before lunch.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
keep on cruising upstream to Mawlaik. Moor overnight near river village.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) - “The Lady Part I” Movie
DAY 8 : MAWLAIK
MORNING EXCURSION: Mawlaik
After breakfast, we visit Mawlaik (situated 35 km from the Indian Border) was the administrative capital of this area rich of Teak forests. It is a pleasant colonial town with its golf course surrounded by splendid colonial houses built by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation in the 1920’s and 1930’s (there is still a small community of Indians that used to work for the Scottish company and their descendents). The governor’s house, the administrative building, the school, the hospital, the “Dak Bungalows”, company headquarter are well preserved, still in use nowadays and nicely maintained. Explore the city by Tuk-Tuk. Back to the ship before Lunch.
AFTERNOON: Sailing
Being this our turnaround point, we begin sailing back downstream to Monywa. Moor overnight at midstream.
ENTERTAINMENT: Film screening (after dinner) - “The Lady Part II” Movie
DAY 9 : SAILING (DOWNSTREAM)
MORNING & AFTERNOON: Sailing
Continue sailing all day downstream. Relax on board and stop midstream for overnight.
ENTERTAINMENT: Morning - Buddhism and History Lecture by onboard guide
Afternoon – Myanmar Traditional Cooking Demonstration
DAY 10 : PAKKOKU
MORNING EXCURSION: Sailing
Cruise sailing downstream the whole morning.
AFTERNOON: Pakkoku
Sail downstream to the Irrawaddy and Chindwin confluence. Continue cruising south to the bustling town of Pakkoku where we visit the monastery, cheroots and Local Slipper workshops. We pass the Chindwin and Irrawaddy river confluence and we stop for the night.
ENTERTAINMENT: Morning - Ship Tour
Pre Dinner Farewell Cocktail Party with all Crew
DAY 11 : BAGAN
DISEMBARKATION: After breakfast, the client disembark at Koe Lone Ye Kin Jetty around 9:00 am.
TRANSFER : Transfer to the Airport or hotel in Bagan can be arranged at supplement upon request. Pls take note that it takes approximately 30 minuts drive for transfer from ship (Koe Lone Ye Kin Jetty) to airport or hotel in Bagan.
Cruise Price includes
All meals &, Coffee/Tea/Water – Complimentary local beer throughout the cruise- a glass of wine at lunch and dinner- Sightseeing as described in the Itinerary – Ayravata Cruises English Speaking Guide (additional non-English speaking guide is provided if more than 8 cabins are booked by parties speaking the same language) - All Entrance Fees.
Cruise Price excludes
Transfer from/to Mandalay or Bagan Hotel-Airport. Drinks, laundry, all items of a personal nature; health-accident-baggage or travel protection plan outside the ship’s boundaries, fuel surcharges if applicable, domestic flights.
(*) Within the above rates the fuel cost is calculated on the Myanmar Market average price of the months of April 2017 (i.e. USD 0.7 per litre). Should the fuel price rise by more than 10%, AYRAVATA CRUISES will be entitled to impose a fuel surcharge equivalent to the amount by which the fuel price exceeds the price allowed for in the above rates, provided that the notice of this rise is given to the Passenger and/or his-her Agent within 30 days prior the cruise departure date.
RIVER CONDITIONS WARNING
The Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level.
In the case of water levels being too high or low an alternative itinerary will be offered to Passenger.
Published itineraries are indication only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop.
Though every effort will be made to ensure that the published itinerary is followed as closely as possible, given uncertain river and other local conditions, all schedules and itineraries may be subject to alterations and delays at short notice.
The ship’s manager and captain are jointly responsible for passengers’ comfort and safety.
Passengers must accept their decisions and instructions.
