Travel in style and comfort by land and, on your Mekong River cruise when you visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China and Burma with Travelmarvel.
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23 Siem Reap Kampong Chhnang Tan Chau Sa Dec Cai Be Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Angkor CAMBODIA VIETNAM My Tho Phnom Penh Air (included) Cruise No. of nights stay RV La Marguerite 7 3 2 Day 7. Minhla, Magwe. Stop in Minhla, the site of a battle during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. Take a boat to visit Gwechaung and Minhla forts, built in 1860 to keep British forces out of Burma. Learn how the British captured these forts, and the town, during a war that saw an independent Burma lose its sovereignty. Later, cruise to Magwe. Visit the market and see old colonial buildings. Enjoy a puppet show on board tonight. BLD Day 8. Salay. Cruise to the village of Salay, a colourful religious centre. Here, visit Yoke Sone Kyaung, the region's oldest surviving wooden monastery. Built in 1882, the monastery is famous for its wood carvings and extensive collection of religious artefacts. Afterwards, continue on to Shinbin Maha Laba Man Paya, home to the country's largest lacquer Buddha image. BLD Day 9. Tantkyi Hill, Bagan. Climb Tantkyi Hill to visit Tantkyitaung Pagoda. Back on board, capture your first glimpse of Bagan, one of the world's truly awe-inspiring archaeological sites. After a visit to Ananda Temple, head for Nyaung-U, home to the golden Shwezigon Pagoda – one of the oldest and most beautiful monuments on the plains of Bagan, and also one of the country's most significant religious sites. BLD Day 10. Bagan. Today begins with a visit to the Nyaung-U market. Mingle with the locals and browse the wares sold at this trade hub. Then, on a tour of Bagan, visit Gubyaukgyi Temple, a 13th-century 'cave temple' with an Indian-style spire. Continue to a lacquerware workshop and a local village. Later, enjoy a sunset viewing in Bagan at Pyathat Gyi or Dhamayazaka. Enhance Your Journey: At sunrise or sunset, perhaps ride a hot air balloon over the pagodas of Bagan (see page 26 for details). BLD Day 11. Yandabo. Today tour the village of Yandabo, the site of where the Treaty of First Anglo-Myanmar War was signed. It's also famous for its terracotta pots, made from the riverbank clay. BLD Day 12. Inwa. Arrive today in Inwa, an ancient imperial capital of Burmese kingdoms from the 14th to 19th centuries. Rebuilt several times throughout history, the city was abandoned as a capital after it was all but destroyed by earthquakes in 1839. Like a Local – enjoy a tour by horse- drawn cart, taking in Maha Aung Mye Bon Zan Monastery and the teak-wood Bagaya Monastery. You'll also see the 'Leaning Tower of Inwa' – a watch tower that was damaged by an earthquake in 1838. BLD Day 13. Sagaing, Mingun. Arrive in Sagaing and visit a silversmith's workshop for an insight into how silverware is produced. Then visit a range of temples and monasteries, including the city's central pagoda, Soon U Ponya Shin, as well as the egg-shaped Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, built in 1636. Later, cruise to Mingun and visit the 18th-century Mingun Pahtodawgyi. You'll also see the Mingun Bell and the Myatheindan Pagoda. BLD Day 14. Mandalay. Like a Local – visit Mandalay's Mahamuni Buddha Temple, where you may be able to add your own sheet of gold leaf to a statue of the Mahamuni Buddha. Afterwards, explore a range of workshops in which thin sheets of gold, marble carvings and tapestries are produced. Then head for Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill, to see what is thought to be the world's largest book. Here, Buddhist scripture has been inscribed on some 729 marble slabs, each contained in its own stupa. Later, ascend Mandalay Hill for views over the city before a tour of Shwenandaw Monastery, known for the carvings of Buddhist myths. Like a Local – early this evening, go for a stroll along U Bein Bridge, thought to be the world's oldest and longest teak-wood bridge. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner tonight. BLD Gain insight into Burmese rural life Mandalay Sagaing Bagan Pyay (Prome) Thayetmyo Myanaung Zalon Danuphyu Maubin Yangon Salay Tantkyi Hill Magwe Yandabo Inwa Minhla Mingun BURMA (MYANMAR) RV Princess Panhwar 14 EARLYBIRD SPECIALS SEE PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS