Myanmar & the Irrawaddy

11 days
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Small Group Tour
Journey to untouched Myanmar to experience the serenity of Inle Lake, observe life along the banks of the Irrawaddy River from aboard Sanctuary 'Ananda' and witness the rising sun illuminate thousands of temples in ancient Bagan.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Cruise in luxury for three nights on the legendary Irrawaddy River aboard all-balcony 'Sanctuary Ananda'
    • Experience floating gardens and a private viewing of a traditional Intha boat race on tranquil Inle Lake.
    • Soar above thousands of pagodas and capture the photographs of a lifetime on a magical hot air balloon ride
    • Explore Shwedagon Pagoda - a fantasy of golden stupas, serene Buddhas and mythical beasts
    • Travel off the beaten path on a tour of Musmeah Yeshua, the last remaining Jewish synagogue in Myanmar

What's this trip about?

    Journey to untouched Myanmar to experience the serenity of Inle Lake, observe life along the banks of the Irrawaddy River from aboard Sanctuary 'Ananda' and witness the rising sun illuminate thousands of temples in ancient Bagan.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range10 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityYangon
End CityYangon

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Asia

Attractions

  • Bagan
  • Lake Inle
  • Mandalay
  • Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Yangon

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • River cruise

Trip includes

    • Meals as mentioned in the Itinerary
    • Accommodation
    • Internal transportation
    • Fully guided sightseeing (including park and entrance fees) as noted in the itinerary
    • Services of A&K Tour Director or appropriate Guide on extensions
    • Local bottled water during sightseeing
    • Hotel taxes

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Yangon, Myanmar

Accommodation: Sule Shangri-La Hotel, Yangon

Arrive in Yangon, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Yangon | Queen of the East

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Sule Shangri-La Hotel, Yangon  

Today, enjoy your first taste of Myanmar, a profoundly Buddhist country, where many ancient traditions still flourish. Discover the Reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi Pagod...

Day 3: Bagan | Temples & Pagodas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort, Bagan  

Fly to ancient Bagan, a city with more than 2,000 Buddhist pagodas and temples, the first of which was built by King Anawrahta in 1044. It’s estimated that more t...

Day 4: Bagan | Ballooning Above the Temples

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Sanctuary 'Ananda'  

Rise early for an exhilarating hot air balloon ride (weather permitting) over Bagan, as the dawning sun illuminates the gold- and sand-colored stupas. After breakfast, visit Ananda Te...

Day 5: The Irrawaddy River | A Timeless Journey

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Sanctuary 'Ananda'  

After breakfast on board ‘Sanctuary Ananda,’ explore Nyaung Oo Market and observe the locals selling and bartering for goods. Return to the ship for lunch and continue sailing. Listen...

Day 6: Sagaing/Amarapura | U Bein Bridge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Sanctuary 'Ananda'  

This morning, learn the secrets of Burmese cuisine during a cooking class at a delightful Chef’s Table experience. After lunch, disembark to visit Sagaing, a former royal city renowne...

Day 7: Mandalay | Icons & Evening Prayers

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Rupar Mandalar Resort  

Visit Sinjun village in the early morning hours, to experience village life before the heat of the day weighs on its inhabitants. After breakfast on board, explore a gold-leaf workshop, w...

Day 8: Inle Lake | Floating Gardens

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:  Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake  

Fly to Heho and drive to Nyaung Shwe to explore the 19th century Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, a structure still in use built entirely out of teakwood. Next, stop a...

Day 9: Inle Lake | Fifth-Day Market & Private Boat Race

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake  

After breakfast, visit the Fifth-Day Market, where hill tribe people in traditional dress barter for goods and produce. Stop at a blacksmith’s workshop and a weaving fa...

Day 10: Yangon | Shwedagon Pagoda & Farewell Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Sule Shangri-La Hotel, Yangon  

Fly to Yangon and transfer to your hotel. After time at leisure, transfer to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site in Myanmar, for a sunset oil lamp lighting ceremony. Tonight, toast your time in Myanmar at a special farewell dinner.

Day 11: Depart Yangon

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,495
Price per day$500
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Abercrombie & Kent.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Abercrombie & Kent

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In these and myriad other ways, Abercrombie & Kent consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty — and no A&K journey is complete without that extra, unexpected "and" that makes your experience unique and unforgettable.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International transportation
    • Passport and visa charges
    • Any kind of insurance
    • Personal expenses
    • Gratuities to the Tour Director/Extension guide/safari driver-guides
Ship & cabin information
Sanctuary Ananda
Custom built for cruising the Irrawaddy River by local shipbuilders using age-old knowledge and traditional materials, ‘Sanctuary Ananda’ transports you into a world of luxury and comfort with the modern amenities of a fine hotel. Elegant, Ample Cabins ‘Sanctuary Ananda’ offers the most elegant accommodations on the Irrawaddy River. The decor of every cabin and suite is a contemporary fusion of traditional Burmese handicrafts, local fabrics, teak wood and lacquerware. Each ample cabin or suite (290 to 334 square feet) is named for a historic Irrawaddy Flotilla ship and adorned with a vintage photograph of its namesake vessel. The comfortable beds feature luxurious Malaika Egyptian cotton sheets. You may also upgrade to the ship’s one, lavishly outfitted, 807-square-foot Aloungpayah Owner’s Suite.
21 spacious cabins and suites, each with its own private balcony One 807-square-foot Aloungpayah Owner’s Suite Panoramic lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows for easy viewing Air conditioning and TV in all cabins and suites
Cancellation policy

Cancellation fees per person

Luxury Small Group Journeys, Marco Polo Journeys, Connections Land Journeys, and related Group Pre- and Post-Tour Extensions

  • If 91 days prior to departure or more cancellation fee is $500
  • Is 90-61 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 20% of program price
  • If 60-31 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 50% of program price
  • If 30 days prior to departure or less cancellation fee is 100% of the program price
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners

Age Requirements
10 years and up
Additional Information
Extend Your Journey | Enhance your journey with a pre-tour extension to Bangkok (3 days from $895) and a post-tour extension to Luang Prabang (4 days from $1,595). Pre-Tour Extension: Bangkok, Days: 3 | From: $895 Internal Air from: $425 Internal Air Routing: Bangkok/Yangon Available to add to select departure dates. See Dates & Prices tab for details. Day 1 The Peninsula Bangkok Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, and transfer to your luxurious hotel. Day 2 Meals: Breakfast and Dinner Accommodation: The Peninsula Bangkok Depart the hotel by boat. Onshore, explore the Royal Grounds of the Grand Palace by tuk-tuk, and then tour the palace. Next, behold the spectacular Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Later, glide along the Chao Phraya River and klongs (canals) by boat and visit a colorful market. Tonight, gather for a special welcome dinner. Day 3 Meals: Breakfast After breakfast, fly to Yangon to begin your main journey. *Includes upgrades at all hotels except Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake where guests will enjoy private villas.   Post-Tour Extension: Luang Prabang, Days: 4 | From: $1,595 Internal Air from: $1,285 Internal Air Routing: Yangon/Bangkok/Luang Prabang/Bangkok Available to add to select departure dates. See Dates & Prices tab for details. Day 1 Accommodation: Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao Fly from Yangon to Luang Prabang via Bangkok. On arrival, transfer to your boutique hotel before enjoying a baci ceremony in a local home this evening. Day 2 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao Observe locals giving alms to monks. Visit an organic rice farm and Kuang Si Waterfall. Enjoy a sunset cruise and a farewell dinner. Day 3 Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Accommodation: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel See the monasteries of Wat Xiengthong, Wat Kili, Wat Sop and Wat Sene. Visit the Royal Palace and Phousi Hill on a city tour. This evening, fly to Bangkok. Day 4 Meals: Breakfast Today, transfer to the airport and depart. *Includes upgrades at all hotels except Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake where guests will enjoy private villas.   Explore Dubai: Stopover Package, Days: 3 | From: $1,995 Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach (from $1,995) Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (from $3,295) Add a Remarkable Stopover to Your Journey Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to fly one of the world's premier airlines at exclusive preferred business and first-class rates, and spend two nights in Dubai before or after your journey. Days 1-3 Meals: Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2 Meals: Breakfast on Day 3 Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach or Burj Al Arab Fly glamorous Emirates to Dubai and check in to your luxury hotel. The next day, discover the best of this dazzling city, viewing its remarkable architecture, visiting the Spice Market and colorful shops at the Deira Gold Souk, and ascending the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. On the last day, continue on to your journey or board your flight home. *Includes upgrades at all hotels except Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, Inle Lake where guests will enjoy private villas. Suite Upgrade Package | Upgrade to suites at select hotels* throughout your journey from $385. Customize This Journey | If you would like to customize this itinerary and create a Tailor Made Journey just for you and your companions, click here to inquire, or speak to your travel professional.
Trip ID
abercr-MyaTheAbe

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