Special Exploratory Bhamo Cruise with
Orient Express’s Road To Mandalay
Highlights
 Join
the Road To Mandalay for this incredible
passage north through magnificent gorges
visiting fascinating riverside towns and
pagodas along the way.
|
Departure
Dates
(Wednesdays) 2008
July 30
August 13, 27
|
Bhamo as it seen by Road To Mandalay
 Situated
in the state of Kachin, Bhamo is a trading
post close to the Chinese border, and has
suffered frequent incursions over the centuries.
Today it is home to a daily market which
attracts many ethnic minorities to the town.
You can often catch the colourful costumes
and faces of Kachin, Shan, Lisu and Palaung
people.
Adventurous travellers might enjoy the
local ferry boat trip from Bhamo to Mandalay
that takes you through lush jungle, bamboo
forests and steep rock gorges.
The so-called Ledo Road etches out a
route through the rocky mountain region
of Kachin State. This old caravan route
was upgraded in 1965 to link China, Myanmar
and India but has since fallen into disrepair.
Kachin is just opening up to tourism and
will soon become an important destination.
Magnificent mountain scenery, the great
Ayeyarwady River and a fascinating mix of
people from many different ethnic minorities
are all features of this intriguing state.
Please contact Santa Maria for pre & post
tour arrangements and special discounted
rates
Itinerary
Wednesday: Yangon
- Mandalay- Mingun
After a morning flight from Yangon to
Mandalay board the Road To Mandalay. Berthed
on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet
opposite the pagoda-studded Sagaing Hills.
After lunch, sail northwards pass Mandalay,
to the east of the river and enjoy a view
of Mandalay Hill in the distance. Anchor
at Mingun for a visit to the largest brick-built
pagoda in the world and the world’s largest
uncracked bell. In the evening a cocktail
party on the ship's upper deck allows you
to get to know your fellow travellers followed
by dinner and a folkloric display.
Thursday: Mingun
- Kyaukmyaung
The ship makes an early start, transiting
the plain to the north and west of Mandalay
before entering the 3rd Defile (gorge) at
Singu around midday. In the late morning,
the ‘Road To Mandalay’ drops anchor off
the town of Kyaukmyaung for a walking tour.
Later, the ship will sail past the picturesque
island pagoda of Thihadaw. During the afternoon,
enjoy a lecture by the on board guide in
the lounge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
on board
Friday: Kyan
Hnyat - Katha
An early morning walking tour of the
delightful village of Kyan Hnyat. See hundreds
of school children and the lively morning
business in the market. Continue your journey
north through vast stretches of river, expansive
scenery and interesting rural villages on
its shores. As the sun sets, the ship will
anchor off the old market town of Katha,
famous as the site where, in May 1942, the
Irrawaddy Flotilla Company scuttled as many
as 75 ships to defy them from the Japanese.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Saturday: Kathay
- Swegu
Visit Katha by trishaw in the early morning
and visit the market place made famous by
George Orwell in "Burmese Days". Back on
board the ship continues its journey north
through the expansive scenery, with the
distant mountains marking the second defile
coming into view in the afternoon. The ship
anchors off the splendid island pagoda of
Shwe Paw, just north of the town of Shwegu.
Boats will take you ashore to explore the
ancient site. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
on board.
Sunday: Zinbon
- Bhamo
Reach the magnificent second defile today
with its green-clad mountains reaching down
to the narrowing channel. The ship holds
close to one or other of the banks past
logging camps and an old colonial village
at Zinbon. Passing to the west of Bhamo
at mid-morning continue north towards the
challenging 1st Defile. Road To Mandalay
travels as far north as possible before
returning to an anchorage off Bhamo. The
scenery in this unspoilt area is spectacular.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Monday: Bhamo
- Katha
Visit the town of Bhamo, contested over
the years by Burmans, Kachins, Chinese,
British, Japanese and Americans. The town
is barely 50 miles from the Chinese border
in the Foothills of Yunnan that can be clearly
seen to the east. Local transport will carry
you into the countryside, past paddy fields
and towards the mountains. Return to the
ship for an afternoon departure to sail
through the 2nd defile to the anchorage
north of Katha. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
on board.
Tuesday: Katha
- Tigyaung
In the morning an antique train takes
you on a journey into thick Kachin jungle
and to the forest station of Naba. See a
presentation of cultural dancing performed
for you by charming local children. Return
through the rainforest to Road To Mandalay
and continue sailing for the beautiful port
of Tigyaing, where you can disembark for
a walk in the early evening. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner on board.
Wednesday: Tigyaing
- Mokok
Depart Tigyaing early morning and pass
through the 3rd Defile before anchoring
at the ferry point at Thabeikkyin on the
east bank. Enjoy the scenery of the forestry
reserve where many presious botanical specimens
are grown for their essential oils. Various
attractions await you. Back on board the
ship continues to sail south. Enjoy the
remainder of your day on board the ship.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Thursday: Mandalay
Arrive in Mandalay this morning for a
varied tour of the city. Lunch is taken
at the Sedona Hotel, adjacent to the moat
surrounding the old Mandalay Palace grounds.
Rejoin the ship at Shwe Kyet Yet and enjoy
a tribal dance display in the evening. Breakfast
and dinner on board.
Friday: Bagan
Set sail early morning and enjoy a relaxing
day on board. Along the way you will see
many villages with women doing the household
chores by the river and waving children.
By mid-afternoon you will be on your way
into the ancient city of Bagan, to witness
sunset over the plain which will whet your
appetite for the tours the next day. The
evening will allow you to see traditional
Bagan entertainers perform in the Observation
lounge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Saturday: Bagan
and Mount Popa
Your final day offers you the opportunity
to visit more of the ancient sites in and
around Bagan with the experienced guide,
or perhaps taking a local horse-drawn cart
or bicycle to explore on your own. An optional
afternoon tour to Mount Popa, legendary
sacred home of the Nats, with its impressive
summit monastery is also available. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner on board. A cocktail party
held before dinner marks the end of a most
memorable voyage.
Sunday: Bagan
- Yangon
An early departure this morning to Bagan
airport for your return flight to Yangon.
Please contact Santa Maria for pre & post
tour arrangements and special discounted
rates
|
