Burmese Days: Along The Irrawaddy River with Bangkok & Inle Lake – Southbound

Highlights

• Welcome to Thailand
• Boat ride on klongs; visit the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
• Day at leisure
• Fly to Yangon
• Walking tour of the city’s landmarks; visit a local tea shop, Chaukhtatgyi, and Shwedagon Pagoda
• Fly to Mandalay; onboard welcome reception
• Walking tour through the pottery-making village of Kyauk Myaung; see straw hat making in Sin Kyun
• See unfinished pagoda & bronze bell in Mingun; visit U Bein Bridge and take a sampan ride at sunset in Amarapura
• Sightseeing including Mahamuni, Kuthadaw and Shwenandaw Pagodas; visit tapestry, woodcarving, and gold leaf workshops; traditional dance performance
• Visit Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, a silversmith workshop, and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda
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What's this trip about?

Explore the best of Bangkok and cruise Myanmar’s captivating Irrawaddy River on this Southeast Asia river cruise experience. Begin your journey in Bangkok, the enchanting capital of Thailand, where you’ll get up close to its most renowned temples, including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha—the oldest and largest of its kind. Next, explore Yangon, where you will visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered site in all of Myanmar. Fly from Yangon to Mandalay, where you’ll begin your cruise odyssey to discover historic landmarks, ancient pagodas, regional culinary specialties, and gracious people to welcome you. Your first stop is Kyauk Myaung to see its legendary pottery artisans at work. In Mandalay, you’ll come to know and love this gracious culture of art and spiritualism. See the tapestries, woodcarving, and gold-leaf artistry of Buddhist pagodas, and enjoy captivating song and dance performances. You’ll also visit Amarapura and Shwe Pyi Thar to see the famed U Bein Bridge at sunset, and learn about farming traditions passed down through generations. Finish your Irrawaddy River cruise in Bagan, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites with thousands of historic structures still standing. Visit one of the many spiritual temples at sunrise and a local market selling the unique handicrafts of the region. Last stop is tranquil Inle Lake, a beautiful area surrounded by mountains with stilted houses dotting the shorelines. You will explore this area, stopping in Silk, Silversmith, and Cheroot Workshops, and attend a traditional song and dance performance by the Padaung long-necked women who live in this part of Myanmar. Few Southeast Asia river cruises offer this depth of experiences in these ancient lands, and we’re excited to share the beauty with you. From intricate cultural performances and interactions with the locals, to grand ancient temples and shrines. You’ll get an enlightened view of Myanmar—from exquisite sunrise to sunset—in villages on shore to lofty shrines.

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights