Burma River Cruising, Myanmar tours, Irrawaddy River Cruise, Mandalay, U Bein Bridge, Inle Lake
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36 Freedom of Choice TM – Sightseeing Signature Experience THE BUSTLING CITY OF YANGON Day 1. Arrive Yangon, Embark Ship. Be met at the airport and transferred to the Irrawaddy River. Here, board your luxury river ship, the RV Samatha, for the start of your incredible 14-night Irrawaddy River cruise. Enjoy lunch on board and time to settle in, then head back into the city of Yangon for the opportunity to view the famous Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset. Get to know your fellow travellers during a Welcome Reception. 14 Night Stay: aboard APT's boutique river ship, the RV Samatha. LD CRUISING THE IRRAWADDY RIVER Day 2. Yangon. Awake today to the glorious scenery along the mighty Irrawaddy River. Formally known as Rangoon, a mix of colonial architecture, modern high-rises and glistening Buddhist pagodas define the city of Yangon. This morning, select your Freedom of Choice activity. Perhaps travel by train to discover some of the city's best kept secrets. Join a city walking tour. Or gain an insight into Yangon's arts scene. This afternoon, admire the views of endless rice fields and traditional stilt houses perched high over the water as your ship leisurely cruises along the river. BLD Day 3. Danuphyu. Enjoy a morning at leisure on board, as you cruise towards Danuphyu. Take in the unique sights of the Irrawaddy Delta region today as your ship glides through this transport artery. Keep an eye out for bullock carts and ox-ploughs, tiered pagodas atop rambling teak monasteries and homes raised on stilts on either side of the river. Here, the sound of a cars engine is rarity, as to explore these waters is to travel back in time to an Asia of yesteryear. Stop to explore Danuphyu, where the revered General Maha Bandula led a famous Burmese defensive against the British troops during the First Anglo-Burmese War. Visit a local cheroot (cigar) workshop and take some time to explore at leisure. Back on board this evening, enjoy a delicious dinner surrounded by new friends. BLD Day 4. Myanaung. Cruise onwards today to the quiet riverside township of Myanaung. Here, a guided walking tour will take you past a range of well-preserved colonial houses and on to the bustling local market. BLD Day 5. Pyay (Prome). Take in views of the Akauk Mountains and their river-facing cliff carvings as you cruise to Pyay. On arrival in Pyay, you'll disembark for a walking tour. Established by the British Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the late 19th century, Pyay originally served as a transshipment point for cargo being moved between Upper and Lower Burma. See a selection of pagodas, including the imposing Shwesandaw Pagoda, one of the country's most revered religious sites. Later, travel eight kilometres to the south-east of Pyay on an excursion to the ancient ruins at the old Pyu kingdom capital, Sri Ksetra, meaning 'City of Splendour'. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, the region's 1,500 year old stupas are among the world's earliest Buddhist monuments. BLD Day 6. Thayetmyo. Cruise into Thayetmyo, a port town that once sat on the border between Upper and Lower Myanmar. Here, enjoy a fascinating tour of the historic colonial-era post office before taking a swing at Myanmar's first golf course. BLD Day 7. Minhla, Magwe. Stop in the town of Minhla, the site of a significant battle during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. Visit Minhla Fort, built by Italian engineers in 1860 to keep British forces out of Burma. Learn how the British captured this fort, and indeed the town, during a war that saw an independent Burma lose its sovereignty. Cruise onwards to Magwe, where you'll head up to the Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, located atop a hill overlooking the Irrawaddy River. Take in amazing views and explore the pagoda, constructed with thousands of solid gold bricks. BLD See the world's largest book at Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay 15 Day Hidden Wonders of Myanmar 14 Night Luxury River Cruising Yangon | Bagan | Mandalay www.aptouring.com.au