Venturing along the mystical Irrawaddy River with us in this river cruise upstream from Bagan to Mandalay. 3-night cruise with Sanctuary Ananda will be the most memorable of your trip. Even better, you will behold some of the most beautiful attractions of Myanmar, experience the cultural alluring through interesting traditional performances. Ready to go?
General Information
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Start/End: Bagan/Mandalay
Tour Route: Bagan – Mandalay
Tour Category: Burma river cruise
Cruise Ship: Sanctuary Ananda
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Bagan (L, D)
Day 2: Bagan – Sagaing (B, L, D)
Day 3: Sagaing – Amarapura (B, L, D)
Day 4: Mandalay (B)
Day 1: Bagan (L, D)
Mingalabar! Welcome to Bagan – the great treasure of Myanmar, which was recognized as UNESCO Heritage in 2019.
Today, we will check-in at Sanctuary Ananda at 12:30 pm. for early birds, we deliver you with a short excursion in Bagan.
After settling down onto the board, we will spend the whole afternoon to sightseeing Bagan. Make your first visit at Khay Min Ga Temple, a dramatic temple complex of nature’s creation and man-made masterpiece. Next up, gaze out at Ananda Temple, one of the most well-preserved temples in Bagan. Dating back to the 12th century, each corner of the temple is an impressive picture reflects the traditional Mon architecture.
As the sun dye its reddish hue into everything around you, move to one of the highest temples in the region to enjoy the view. After getting back to the ship, enjoy a candlelit sandbank dinner in the Kansi Panorama Lounge.
Day 2: Bagan – Sagaing (B, L, D)
The morning of day 2 delivers you with two options:
Options 1: Take a hot air balloon ride over the plain of Bagan
With more than 3000 temples and ruins stretching over 104 square kilometers, there is no better way to marvel at it fancy than taking a hot air balloon in the morning when the sun flickers its light into the sky. Get your camera ready to capture the best shot of the morning scene.
Option 2: Taste the local flavor at Nyaung U Market
If you love to indulge in the hustle and bustle atmosphere of Nyaung U market in Myanmar, take this chance to capture the daily life of Burmese people. The market area is the best place for you to get a glimpse at the local staples and see their barter for their goods.
Afterward, get back to the board and enjoy your breakfast before continuing your exploration. Make your way to Shwezigon Pagoda, the most sacred and important site in Bagan. Listen to your guide to learn more about nine wonders of Shwezigion and its legend. Next up, return to the ship and we set sail to Sagaing – the religious center of Myanmar.
This afternoon, enjoy your leisure time on the board. Join in a traditional demonstration to learn how to wear longyi (the traditional dress of Burma) and how to put on Thanaka (Burmese make-up powder for women).
Day 3: Sagaing – Amarapura (B, L, D)
Rise before dawn this morning to behold the lovely sunrise over the river, then take part in the yoga session taking place on the sundeck to strengthen your muscle and freshen your mind for a new day sightseeing. Then, why don’t take a cooking class with the chef to know more about Burmese cuisine?
On arrival at Sagaing, visit Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, the sparkling pagoda on the top of Sagaing Hill, in which house an impressive Buddha image. Take your time to wander around the pagoda and enjoy the breathtaking view of Irrawaddy River.
We then head to Amarapura, the former capital of the Burmese Kingdom, which also well-known as the City of Immortality. Upon here, get more local insights in a visit to the traditional weaving workshop. Take this chance to interact with the local artisan and observe their traditional weaving methods. Finally, highlight your trip at U Bein Bridge – the world’s longest and oldest teak bridge which offers you a great viewpoint to the sunset. You can choose either to walk on the bridge, meet and greet many locals or take a short boat trip around the lake with a cocktail in hands. Get your camera ready to not miss this wonderful scenery!
Day 4: Mandalay (B)
This morning, we continue our river cruise to the northward to the idyllic Sin Kyun Village. To date, the village is still less-visited by tourists so this is a good opportunity for you to see the real-life of the villagers. After that, check-out at the board and get back to the land. Your 4-day river cruise ends. We hope that you love the itinerary and services we deliver. Thank you for making your Burma trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
