R-V Pandaw (The gold of Myanmar)

Originally built in Scotland in 1947, Pandaw, and the same design as the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers that used to ply along the Irrawaddy River during the colonial days in Myanmar. River cruises to explore the Royal capitals around Mandalay and experience the life of the great Irrawaddy River beyond Royal Mandalay and Ancient Bagan.Crew are here to ensure that you are as well looked after as is possible within the confines of an expedition vessel making pioneering journeys.

Where to go?
Mandalay – Bagan
Bagan – Mandalay
Mandalay – Bhamo
Bagan – Mandalay

Shcedule for R.V Pandaw
Day 01: Yangon
Transfer from the airport check into our 4 star hotel. Lunch and rest. We visit the Shwedagon for the sunset Followed by welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 02: Bagan
Fly up and board Pandow II . Tour a selection of the most significant of the 3000 Buddhist monuments found at this world heritage Site . We will visit lacquer ware manufactures . Sail in the afternoon and moor overnight at Thein Gone village to visit the new school and the monastery . Puppet show on deck at night.

Day 03: Yandabo Village and School
Upstream to the Chindwin confluence and stop in the evening at Yandabo . a picturesque village with small Family run potteries . Here we visit the Pandaw School built with donations from past Pandaw Passengers.

Day 04: Ava and Amarapura Old Capitals
In the morning we travel to Ava and explore the ruins , visiting the superb Bagaya Kyaung , a 200 year old Royal monastery made of teak with elaborate wood carvings. In the afternoon we travel to Mandalay for an Orientation tour of the Mandalay city area visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and sunset at Amarapura U Bein Bridge,
The Mandalay classical ballet troupe will perform, on deck scenes from court dramas .

Day 05: Mingun Pagoda and Bell
We cast off early in t he morning and stop at Mingon to see the largest working bell in the world and the Unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world . We also visit the Mingun Old People’s Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotiall Company in the 1930s.

Day 06: Kyaung-myoung Potteries
Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are hand made.We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week long firing in huge kilns. We Enter the Third Defile and sails upstream all day stopping at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddshit monasteries and an orphange we support . If free , the village orchestra and dancers will perform for us on the sun deck after dinner.

Day 07: Taung Ancient city
We explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications, a famous nat or spirit shrine and the archaeological area. In the evening we climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy .

Day 08: Katha- Burmese Days
We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha , setting for George Orwell is Burmese days , and little Changed since then. Of interested are the fire station’s collection of IFC ship’s bells taken from sunken ships In the Second War . Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were Scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. If permitted we visit an elephant Logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and if time allows a visit to the take at Indaw-lay offers a glimpse of highland Burma with is rich bird life.

Day 09: Shwegu
We continue upstream to Shwegu, another center of port making, and Kyun-daw a midstream island of monasteries and countless small pagodas. Stop overnight at a tribal village.

Day 10: Cruise through the 2nd Defile , the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow Channel . Reach Bhamo in the afternoon for an evening walking tour of this important trading town set close To the Chinese border.

Day 11: Singu
Chartering a smaller ‘country boat’ we will proceed upstream from Bhamo and attempt to reach the village of Singu below the dramatic 1st Defile . In the evening we will have more time to explore Bhamo’s busting markets and Chinese temples.

Day 12: Bhamo to Yangon
Disembark at Bhamo , transfer to airport by local bus , and fly to Yangon and check in to tour hotel . Coach Trip to visit the famous Scots Market and if of interest the gem emporia.

Day 13: Yangon
Optional early morning visit the World War II cemetery at Htaukchan. International departure .

Mandalay to Bagan

Sample itinerary, actual may vary
Originally built in Scotland in 1947, Pandaw, the same design as the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers that used to ply along the Irrawaddy river during the colonial days in Myanmar. The Irrawaddy river cruising boutique hotel. River cruises to explore the Royal capitals around Mandalay and experience the life of the great Irrawaddy river beyond Royal Mandalay and Ancient Bagan.

THURSDAY Mandalay (Sagaing) - Cruising To Bagan
Check-In-Time
The embarkation time is at 10.45 hrs at SAGAING jetty. Welcome Cocktail in the Saloon.

Downstream To Bagan
The cast off time is at 11.15 hrs. Lunch will be served at 13.00. In the late afternoon we stop at Yandabo, a village specialize in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Cruise all day and moor overnight near a typical river village or a sandbank.
Moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.

FRIDAY Bagan
Check-Out Time
Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark to Bagan Shwe-kun-char jetty at around 10.15 hrs.

Price Includes All Cruises : Full Board, Sightseeing in a river village, Coffee/Tea/Water Sunday Dep. 2 Nights Cruise Shore Excursions: Vehicle in Sagaing-Entrance fees for Mingun /Sagaing / Dance and Drama show on the sundeck.
Price Excludes Transfer to the ship from Mandalay / Bagan Airport or Hotel, drinks, laundry, all items of a personal nature; health-accident-baggage or travel protection plan, fuel surcharges (if any).