Day 1Bangkok
Fly to Bangkok. We meet you at the airport* and take you to the Millennium Hilton (or similar) where you check in for a two-night stay.
Day 2Bangkok
This morning, you can begin to acclimate yourself to this colorful part of the world; after breakfast at your hotel, take a walk, browse one of the open air markets or visit one of the city’s museums. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of some of Bangkok’s highlights, including the canals, the Chao Phraya floating markets and the famous Grand Palace. Dating back to the late 1700s, this walled complex, featuring golden pagodas and the area’s distinctive stupas (spires), has been the royal family’s main residence for more than 150 years, and also houses the entire administrative seat of government—military headquarters, the state department and the mint. The evening is yours to explore; attend a traditional Thai puppet theater or temple dance performance or shop at one of the many night markets. (B, D)
Day 3Yangon
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your flight to Yangon, the former Burmese capital also known as Rangoon (“end of strife”). Founded in the 11th century as a fishing village, Yangon was transformed into a major hub during the colonial era; it was replaced as the administrative capital in 2005 but remains the country’s largest city and cultural capital. Transfer to the sumptuous Traders Hotel (or similar) for a two-night stay; This evening, watch the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, then gather for a welcome dinner at one of the city’s better restaurants. (B, D)
Day 4Yangon
Today you have a guided tour of Yangon’s highlights; we will focus on some of the city’s spectacular Buddhist temples, including the Shwedagon Pagoda, sometimes called the Golden Pagoda, and the Sule Pagoda, a traditional Burmese stupa in the heart of the city, each thought to be over 2,500 years old. You will also see some of Yangon’s grand colonial-era structures along Strand Road and the Kyaukhtatgyi pagoda which houses a monumental reclining Buddha—at 180 feet long the largest in the world. Relax before dinner in a selected local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 5Pyay & Ancient Pyu
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a ride through the verdant Burmese countryside to Pyay, a charming town on the Irrawaddy River, where you will board your river cruise ship. Have lunch, then take a brief excursion to nearby Thiri-ya-kittiya, an archeological site that is the former center of the 5th- through 8th-century Pyu civilization. See monumental Pyu stupas and the excavations of the former palace-city in this walled early center of Buddhism, and visit the museum to see some of the artifacts discovered. Return to your ship and enjoy cocktails on deck as we cast off. Have a festive welcome dinner with your fellow guests. (B, L, D)
Day 6Thayetmyo Frontier Post
Take in the sights of rural Burma along the Irrawaddy’s bank as you begin cruising up the river. Today’s excursion takes you to colonial-era Burma; we visit the Thayetmyo Frontier Post, a pleasant town that once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar. See the 19th-century covered market, colonial houses, golf courses and more. (B, L, D)
Day 7Minhla & Gwechaung Colonial Forts
Continue cruising the Irrawaddy. Midmorning, stop to visit Minhla and Gwechaung, two Italian-built forts constructed to protect Royal Myanmar from the British. A gentle climb up Gwechaung Hill is rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding area and the river. (B, L, D)
Day 8Magway
Cruise through lunch, then stop at the small city of Magway in the afternoon. Take a short walk through the maze of narrow streets to the Mya-Tha-Lun Pagoda, a beautiful, well-kept red-and-gold stupa at the north end of the city. It is said that the temple is made of solid gold bricks. Nats are spirits (both saints and elements of nature) worshipped in Burmese Buddhism; of interest here are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts. Mingle with the monks, worshippers and other visitors and enjoy lovely views. We will also visit a village school here. (B, L, D)
Day 9Salé Monasteries
Today’s scenic Irrawaddy cruising is punctuated with an afternoon stop at the famous Salé Monasteries. The highlight of this group of teak monastery structures is the Yout-Saun-Kyaung, with its spectacular wood carvings, built in 1882. Also explore a nearby area of splendid colonial-style houses before returning to your ship. A little later, we stop at the Tan-Chi-Taung mountain and ascend on foot or ride up by Jeep in time to catch the spectacular sunset over Bagan. This evening, enjoy a traditional puppet theater show on deck. (B, L, D)
Day 10Bagan
Capital of the Kingdom of Bagan from the 9th to the 13th centuries, the prosperous city of Bagan had more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries constructed on its surrounding plains, drawing Buddhist pilgrims from as far away as India, Ceylon and the Khmer Empire in today’s Cambodia. The remains of some 2,200 of these comprise the Bagan Archeological Zone, an unforgettable landscape which you will explore today. Highlights include Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype for later Burmese stupas; Wetkyi-In Gubyaukyi Pagoda with its fine mural paintings of Jataka scenes; and the Tharabar Gate, the last remaining of 12 gates to the 9th-century walled city. There is also an archeological museum on site. (B, L, D)
Day 11Yandabo
Today’s scenic cruising will feature a visit to one of the area’s typical small villages. Yandabo’s claim to fame is that the treaty ending the First Anglo–Burmese War (1824–1826) was signed here in February of 1826. Today, the town has a population of about 1,000, and specializes in pottery-making. We will spend time at a workshop to see how these useful vessels are created and fired. (B, L, D)
Day 12Ava & Amarapura
Today we have stops at two former Burmese capitals: Ava and Amarapura. The Ava Kingdom unified and ruled Burma from the 14th through the 16th centuries, and Ava was the capital city for centuries. Today, we tour this peaceful, rural town, also known as Inwa, by horse-drawn cart. We then proceed to Amarapura, a more recent Burmese capital, now a township of Mandalay; we will see the city’s 19th-century stupas and monasteries and U Bein Bridge, at three-quarters of a mile the world’s longest teak bridge. Return to your ship and sail toward Mandalay this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 13Mandalay
Arrive in Mandalay at lunchtime; this afternoon, take a panoramic tour of central Mandalay, visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda, with its serene gold-leaf statue of the Buddha, and Shwenandaw Golden Palace monastery with its exquisite teak carvings. We stop to see tapestry making, woodcarving and other traditional crafts. Dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 14Mandalay
Today, you have a full-day tour of Mandalay, including important monasteries and pagodas and some of the city’s historic colonial areas. This evening, your ship’s captain and crew invite you for a gala farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 15Mandalay & Bangkok
Have a final onboard breakfast, then disembark and proceed to the airport. Fly to Bangkok and check into the Millennium Hilton (or equivalent) for a final evening before your flight home. (B)
Day 16Bangkok
After your hotel breakfast, proceed to the Bangkok airport. Or, extend your stay in Bangkok with an additional 2-night extension so you can experience more of this fascinating city. (B)