Heritage Line Anawrahta Cruise 5 days - Ancient Capitals

Around noon you embark the luxurious Anawrahta, berthed at the quay of Bagan. After a warm welcome by our staff offering some refreshments you move into your “home” for the next days. Enjoy a leisurely lunch as the ship sails towards Pakkoku. Pakkoku is an old trading town on the western riverbank of the Ayeyarwady. Right before the arrival you see the longest bridge of Myanmar, the Pakokku Bridge. On shore the tour takes us to some of the small industries in this area, such as a cheroot-rolling factory and a producer of ‘Burmese slippers’ (“flip-flops”). Local handicraft vendors try to make their living selling these. A visit at the thriving market gives us insights into local goods and trading. Pakokku is also well-known for the production of tobacco. If you are interested in buying Burmese cigars, this is the place. We continue our tour to the Shwegu Temple. This temple features incredible, intricate carvings made from rare Yamanei wood. It also houses a unique Buddha image seated on a lotus throne. Back on board, Anawrahta continues her journey northwards on the Ayeyervady. As the evening approaches and the Burmese sun immerse everything in a golden light, a special event will take place at the Kipling’s Bar. Dress up in style as we send “A toast to the past” at our British club gathering where gents may whiff cigars and ladies sip on tasty gins with tonic. Share some tales of the old (British-Burmese) days. Isn’t sometimes the time to lose time. Dinner is served at the Hintha Hall. Join our open air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing classic movies (depending on weather conditions)

For early morning risers there is a special opportunity to participate at a yoga session on the sun deck. Strengthen your muscles and ease your mind by merging with the Ayeyarwady and its therapeutical slow flow upstream. We leave in the morning from Pakkoku for our next stop, Yandabo. While having breakfast the ship passes the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and it’s greatest tributary, Chindwin River. We arrive at the quiet, small riverside village of Yandabo. A unique and fascinating gem of a village where in 1826 the King of Ava signed the Treaty of Yanderbo, signaling the end of the First Anglo-Burmese War. Nowadays the villagers produce a type of water pot, which is reputed to keep water cooler than pots from anywhere else in the country. Anawrahta’s broad-knowledge guides will offer you the explanation to this phenomena. By foot, we explore the village. You quickly notice that the villagers here are extremely friendly, charming and open for chit-chats. You will definitely take back home some enchanting memories. Their techniques and skills to produce a variety of pots and utensils are perplexing. Try yourself to work on one of these pots. Back on board a delicate lunch buffet awaits you. The ship continues its journey northwards. Gaze on the river banks of this eternal stream from your bench on the sun deck or alternatively, a spa treatment would have the same recreation effects. In the afternoon we learn more about some of the long-lasting tradtions (Longyi and Thanaka demonstration). A fascinating presentation about the history and culture of Myanmar follows afterwards. Before dinner you may like to enjoy one of our various treatments in the Thazin Spa. Dinner is served at the Hintha Hall restaurant. Feel free to join our open-air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing a classic movie (depending on weather conditions). Day Two Pakkoku - Yandabo ANCIENT CAPITALS Bagan - Mandalay Former GOLDEN LAND VOYAGE Join our Yoga class in the morning to start your day with a powerful exercise. Then, you can enjoy breakfast as the ship sails northward and eventually we arrive in Ava. In Ava we disembark for a wonderful discovery of the highlights of this former royal capital. By horse-drawn carriage we explore this area, sprinkled with many kinds of distingueshed ancient monasteries and fanes: Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery built in 1834, which nowadays continues to be a monastic school; Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or the Nanmyint watch tower come both in a different art and creation. It is the peace of Ava which you will then hopefully absorb during a laid-back apéritif at a secret place in the middle of this sacred spot on Earth. Back on board our lunch buffet is served and Anawrahta continues the cruise northwards, eventually arriving at the utmost highlight of this journey - Mandalay. Take time to observe the beautiful Sagaing Hills when the ships passes by the myriads of scattered pagodas on the hills. We will dock at Mandalay in the early afternoon (approx. 2pm). At this time we bid farewell to our guests of the 3-day/2-night cruise. In the afternoon, our tour leads us to the most interesting sights of Mandalay. Observe the incredible process of the goldleaf beating, visit a silk-weaving manufactorer and finally have a stroll through the amiable streets that host several marble carving workshops. The ultimate highlight of the day is a sunset sailing in a small rowing boat around the famous 200-year-old U-Bein Bridge, a true Kodak moment. After some refreshing time on board, you are invited to watch a traditional dance and music performance by students and teachers of the Mandalay Art School. After dinner our nightly open-air cinema will play another classic movie on the sun deck (depending on weather conditions). Day Three Yandabo - Ava - Mandalay A

Join our Yoga class in the morning to start your day with a powerful exercise. Then, you can enjoy breakfast as the ship sails northward and eventually we arrive in Ava. In Ava we disembark for a wonderful discovery of the highlights of this former royal capital. By horse-drawn carriage we explore this area, sprinkled with many kinds of distingueshed ancient monasteries and fanes: Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery built in 1834, which nowadays continues to be a monastic school; Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or the Nanmyint watch tower come both in a different art and creation. It is the peace of Ava which you will then hopefully absorb during a laid-back apéritif at a secret place in the middle of this sacred spot on Earth. Back on board our lunch buffet is served and Anawrahta continues the cruise northwards, eventually arriving at the utmost highlight of this journey - Mandalay. Take time to observe the beautiful Sagaing Hills when the ships passes by the myriads of scattered pagodas on the hills. We will dock at Mandalay in the early afternoon (approx. 2pm).

At this time we bid farewell to our guests of the 3-day/2-night cruise

In the afternoon, our tour leads us to the most interesting sights of Mandalay. Observe the incredible process of the goldleaf beating, visit a silk-weaving manufactorer and finally have a stroll through the amiable streets that host several marble carving workshops. The ultimate highlight of the day is a sunset sailing in a small rowing boat around the famous 200-year-old U-Bein Bridge, a true Kodak moment. After some refreshing time on board, you are invited to watch a traditional dance and music performance by students and teachers of the Mandalay Art School. After dinner our nightly open-air cinema will play another classic movie on the sun deck (depending on weather conditions).

Wake up early in the morning to watch the river life on the Ayeyarwady before breakfast will be served.

After breakfast we say good-bye to our guests of the 4-day/3-night cruise. Today, we take our guests on a discovery of the most impressive pagodas of Mandalay during our morning tour. First, we visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the “the world’s largest book”. This pagoda comprises a gilded pagoda, hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs and several pavilions. We continue to the Mahamuni Pagoda, which is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Burma and houses the highly revered Buddha image in the country. Last but not least, the atmospheric Shwenandaw Monastery, which is the finest examples of traditional 19th century wooden monastery buildings. It used to be part of King Mindon’s Mandalay Royal Palace. From this elevated point we can have a fantastic look over the entire city of Mandalay. We return to the ship and have lunch while Anawrahta sets sail to the site of Mingun. Mingun showcases the monumental, unfinished stupa of King Bodawpaya. It has never been completed, due to an astrologer who stated: once the temple is completed, the king will die. On a relaxed walking tour, we reach the world’s biggest un-cracked bell, weighing 90 tons. Upon returning to the ship, our cruise manager will invite for High Tea with cocktails, sweats and treats. Anawrahta sails gently back to Mandalay and dinner is served in the restaurant. Afterwards the crew offers some farewell entertainment in the lounge before you can retrieve for your last night on board

After breakfast your stay on your floating home ends. Heritage Line and the Anawrahta crew wish you a wonderful onward journey in the Golden Land - Myanmar

Before noon you board the luxurious Anawrahta, berthed at the quay of Mandalay’s riverside. After a friendly welcome by our staff and some refreshments you move into your “home” for the next days. The ship sets sail towards Sagaing, one of the ancient capitals of Myanmar. Please find your way to the restaurant “Hinta Hall” for lunch time. Afterwards you can enjoy your time at the outdoor Kipling’s Bar or on the sun deck while Anawrahta is approaching Saigaing. We disembark for a wonderful discovery of the highlights of Sagaing and the former royal capital of Ava. We cross the famous 16-span cantilever “Ava bridge”, built in 1934 by the British, which connects the two old capitals. Ava (also called Innwa) was the metropolis of the Burmese kingdoms between the 14th to 19th century. By horse-drawn carriage we explore this area, sprinkled with distingueshed ancient monasteries and fanes: Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery built in 1834, nowadays continues to be a monastic school; Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or the Nanmyint watch tower both come with different design and arts. It is the peace of Ava that you can absorb during a laid-back picnic teatime at a secret spot in the middle of this sacred place. Back on board, we learn more about some of the long-lasting traditions (Longyi and Thanaka demonstration). A fascinating presentation about the history and culture of Myanmar follows afterwards. Before dinner, you are warmly invited to a cocktail gathering at the Kipling’s Bar

For early morning risers there is the opportunity to participate in a yoga session on the sun deck. Strengthen your muscles and ease your mind by merging with the therapeutical flow downstream the Ayeyarwady. Our next stop is Yandabo. After breakfast, a lecture about Bagan’s history is offered at the Mandalay Lounge. We have some relaxation time whilst cruising in the morning. Gaze at the river banks of this eternal stream from the sun deck or alternatively, a treatment at the spa will offer the same recreation. After lunch on board, the ship arrives at the quiet and small riverside village of Yandabo. An unique and fascinating gem of a village where in 1826 the King of Ava signed the Treaty of Yandabo, signaling the end of the First Anglo-Burmese war. Nowadays, the villagers produce a type of water pot which is reputed to keep water cooler than pots from anywhere else in the country. Anawrahta’s expert guides will provide you all info and explanation to that. By foot, we explore the village. You will quickly notice that the villagers are extremely friendly, charming and open for chitchats. You will definitely take some enchanting memories back home. Their techniques and skills to produce a variety of pots and utensils are perplexing. Try yourself to work on one of these pots. We return to the ship for the afternoon High Tea. As we sail on to the next overnight spot Pakokku, we pass the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and its greatest tributary, the Chindwin River. As the evening approaches and the Burmese sun immerse everything in a golden light a special event will take place at the Kipling’s Bar. Dress up in style as we send “A toast to the past” during a British club where gents may whiff cigars and ladies sip on tasty gins with tonic. Share some tales of the old (British-Burmese) days. Isn’t sometimes the time to lose time. Dinner is served at the Hintha Hall. Feel free to join our open air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing classic movies (depending on weather conditions).

Our yoga class in the morning will bring you in shape for another day of great explorations. Enjoy breakfast as the ship sails more miles southwards before we arrive in Pakkoku. Pakkoku is an old trading town on the western riverbank of the Ayeyarwady. Right before arrival, you will witness the longest bridge of Myanmar (Pakokku Bridge). On shore, the tour takes us to some of the small industries in this area such as a cheroot-rolling factory and a producer of ‘Burmese slippers’ (“flip-flops”). Local handicraft vendors try to make their living with it. A visit of the thriving market gives us insights in the local goods and trading pratices. Pakokku is also famous for its production of Tobacco. If you like to buy some Burmese cigars, this is the place. We continue touring to the Shwegu Temple. This temple features incredible, intricate carvings made from rare Yamanei wood. It also houses a unique Buddha image seated on a lotus throne. Back on board lunch is served and Anawrahta continues the cruise southwards, eventually arriving at the utmost highlight of this journey - Bagan. The ship will dock at Bagan in the early afternoon (approx. 2PM).

At this time we bid farewell to our guests of the 3-day/2-night cruise

In the afternoon a magnificent temple serendipity starts. Over 2000 temples, stupas and pagodas can be found in an area of just 30 square kilometers. We explore the most remarkable ones as the Ananda Temple or the Sulamani Pagoda. As final blowoff during dusk, we will enjoy a breathtaking view from a pagoda “summit” to marvel at the temple-strewn plains. We wistfully return to the boat. After some refreshing time, you are invited to watch a traditional Bagan dance performance at the Mandalay Lounge before dinner starts. After dinner our nightly open air cinema is playing another classic movie on the sun deck (depending on weather conditions).

In the morning we provide the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sign up for a sunrise balloon flight over the Bagan area (on extra cost, pre-booking required, subject to season). After breakfast we say good-bye to our guests of the 4-day/3-night cruise.

The morning tour starts with a visit of the bustling Nyaung-U market. A truly Burmese market where almost everything is offered. The tour around the market provides best photo-moments of local life and people. Afterwards we visit the revered Shwezigon Pagoda. This prototype of a Burmese stupa consists a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by many smaller temples and shrines. We stop at a lacquerware workshop. This is a must-see of a long standing, traditional craftsmanship. We complete our morning tour with a visit of the fine frescoes inside the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Pagoda before returning to the ship for lunch time. The afternoon holds two options to choose from. The first is a visit to the sacred Mount Popa monastery which sits picturesquely on an extinct volcano (some mobility and fitness is required to reach the top). Burmese people believe that this place is home to their animist spirits - the Nats. The trip ends en route at a palm sugar plantation where we can have an insight look over the shoulders of a typical local candies manufacturer. The second option includes the exploration of Myinkaba Village. We visit the Manuha Pagoda, dating from 1059 where King Anawrahta imprisoned the Mon King, Manuha. Nearby is the beautiful architecture of the Gubyaukyi temple. You can take some individual time to explore the village of Minnanthu on your own pace. Back on board after some refreshing time, dinner is served. Afterwards the crew is happy to invite you to some farewell entertainment in the lounge.

After breakfast your stay on your floating, luxury home regrettably ends. Heritage Line and the Anawrahta crew wish you a wonderful onward journey in the land of Ancient Capitals - Myanmar.