River Cruises Myanmar Archives

River Cruises Myanmar Getting Popular Among Travel Addicts

Myanmar is a diverse country which not only offers long coastal line but also a wide network or rivers which flow from China to the Bay of Bengal. The river cruising in Myanmar is defined as one of the most rewarded experience which allows you to absorb in magnificent landscapes and appreciate the real local life, culture during the river cruises Myanmar.
From the legendary rivers of Irrawaddy to Chinwin, Myanmar River Cruises including Road to Mandalay, Paukan Cruise, Pandawe Cruise, Malikha Cruise and Amara Cruises, top Myanmar Cruises feature different fabulous options to make your trip in Myanmar colorful.

1. Road to Mandalay 5*

This luxury cruise offers colorful cruises in Myanmar on both Irrawaddy and Chindwin River with an option from 3 to 11 days. The Road to Mandalay takes you on a journey through one of the most enigmatic and captivating countries in Southeast Asia. Fed by the waters of the mighty Irrawaddy River, Myanmar is a rich mix of golden temples, colonial charm and ethnic tribes, whose cultures and traditions can trace their origins back millennia. Beginning in Yangon, your journey takes you into the heartland of this fascinating country, exploring the cultural highlights of its Buddhist heritage and allowing a chance to enjoy the stunning spectacle of Bagan, Mandalay and Lake Inle.

It is strongly believed that the services and comfort that Road to Mandalay in Myanmar provides will satisfy your sophistication in the river cruises.

2. Paukan 2012 Cruise 4*

Paukan 2012 is a gem of a vessel, a compact but elegant vessel made of teak with a hull of marine steel. The walls and floors are of timber with each plank carefully chosen to show off the beautiful grain. The décor is modern chic, with a touch of Myanmar culture through a few traditional motifs, wooden figures, fabrics, and paintings.

All the cabins are nicely decorated and comfortable with in suite bathrooms. The best view of the river can be enjoyed in the two ‘Premier’ staterooms on the upper deck, each with French balconies on two sides, leading out to a spacious balcony. With the drapes pulled aside in all cabins, there lay in front of your eyes the amazing view of the river as it changes moods during different times of the day.

The dining room is a spacious hall on the main deck where every morning a scrumptious breakfast buffet is served. Lunch and dinner are a blend of Western and Myanmar cuisine prepared with care for freshness and taste by experienced local chefs. Breakfast and lunch are buffets followed by a served dinner. The indoor lounge on the upper deck seats 16 and the open deck features a well-stocked bar.

The air-conditioned indoor lounge is arranged and decorated tastefully with comfortable chairs, for groups of several people in a more intimate setting. The outdoor lounge on the sun deck is the best place to enjoy river cruises Myanmar as the sunsets with a backdrop of the sky’s spectacular display of colors.

3. Orcaella Cruise 5*

A newly-launched cruise in 2013, Orcaella brings you a wise choice on Irrawaddy River with colorful Myanmar excursions connecting the most highlighted areas in northern Myanmar where Irrawaddy and Chindwin river flows through.

A journey on our river cruiser is both inspiring and leisurely, with lots of time to do as you please. Unwind in your spacious cabin or take in the views from the Observation Deck. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail with new friends or indulge in a soothing spa treatment. Belmond Orcaella hosts just a small number of guests, meaning personal attention and a relaxing journey are at the heart of your pleasure cruise.

4. Irrawaddy Princess cruise 4*

This is the cruise that reflects traditional Burmese art with wooden covers, warm decoration, and great hospitality. Irrawaddy Princess also has a sister cruise of Royal Princess Cruise which offers Myanmar cruises more choices for cruising Mandalay to Bagan.

Irrawaddy Princess II River Cruise is a traditional Myanmar riverboat traveling along the Irrawaddy River. Built in 1998 and It is measure 134′ x 34′ x 6’6” molded depth with three decks. Board the Irrawaddy Princess on any of her weekly cruise between Mandalay and Bagan and enjoy the greatest travel experiences on the legendary river “The Irrawaddy”.

It has a total of 20 cabins, all attach with their own bathroom with hot and cold shower. “Irrawaddy Princess II” provides for Myanmar day tour pleasure with fully air-conditioned comfortable rooms with all standard facilities including mini bar, bed linen and towels and as well as dining service. Delicious local, Chinese cuisine and western dishes are prepared by experienced chef and many kinds of drinks, tropical fruit cocktails are available at Sundeck bar.

5. Amara Cruise 3*

Another traditional cruise on Irrawaddy River offering different cruising routes varying from 3 to 10 days. There is an option for river cruises Myanmar if you charter the cruise for your group.

The Amara River Cruise is a traditional Myanmar riverboat traveling along the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is made of teak wood and was completely refurbished by local craftsmen in 2003. It is 30 meters / 100 feet long and with a shallow draft of 1 meter / 3 feet and two Japan made 180hp Hino engines it can go as far north as Bhamo. The Amara River Cruise has a total of seven cabins, each with their own bathroom with hot and cold shower. Communal areas, bar, and canopied sun deck. Electricity is provided by a generator and battery 24 hours a day. Safety is provided by smoke detectors in all cabins, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, life jackets and a dinghy. Amenities include onboard laundry, fully equipped kitchen and refrigerators.

Taking Memorable River Cruises Myanmar to the Irrawaddy River and the Chindwin

From a country seen as fairly remarkable, Myanmar is fastly turning into one of the most popular river cruise destinations across Asia. Thanks to drastic changes in political policies, tons of visitors, and cruise lines have been caught attention to join river cruises Myanmar.

The Irrawaddy is the longest river in Malaysia which flows from the north to south, through the center of the country. From the mouth, its navigability is about 1,400km (870 miles). It takes only three or four days to finish river cruises Myanmar along on the Irrawaddy river from Bagan to Mandalay. The route also offers a chance for you to stay in hotels and sightseeing Bagan, Yangon, Mandalay or Inle Lake, which is famous for their fishermen leg-rowers. Regarding scenery, tourists can admire dense jungle-clad river banks, grand gorges, endless rice paddies and snapshots of rural life displayed along the riverbank.

The Irrawaddy river cruises

Typical cruises in Myanmar on Irrawaddy river lasts for seven nights (Mandalay to Bagan-Mandalay), four nights (Bagan to Mandalay) and three nights (Mandalay to Bagan). Occasionally, tourists can join special sailings like an 11-night cruise from Mandalay to Bhamo in August, and a seven-night cruise from Mandalay to the Chindwin River in September. The trip from the north of Mandalay via Mingun, Kyauk Myaung, Tagaung and Katha to Shwegu will take 17 nights. Witnessing the donation of alms to monks is among one of the most memorable during the cruise to Bagan. You can also see the temples from a hot air balloon.

The Chindwin

The Chindwin is the Irrawaddy’s largest tributary Lush jungles. Its mountains and steeply-sided gorges peppered with the odd village will add more excitement to your Myanmar cruises. There are some tourist attractions in the Chindwin. They are:

The Sambuddhai Temple of Monywa which includes 600,000 Buddha images
The cave pagodas of Hpowintaung and Shwebataung
The town of Kani and Mingin which is home to temples and characterful wooden houses.

Traveling on river boats

If you want to see the beautiful scenery of Myanmar nearby during your river cruises, you should travel on small boats, while big express boat journey is suitable for big villages. Express boats, with benches set crosswise in a shallow-draft hull, can hold about 80 passengers.

If you need some food to eat, you can buy from vendors before the departure because express boards hardly stop on the route. There is a variety ranging from fried chicken and fish, steamed beans to teashop doughnuts and samosas, cheroots, fruit juice.

The price of renting river boats falls in $12-$45 each person, it is up to the distance. You are advised to buy tickets in advance, probably the night before or day of departure.
Several cruise agencies

If you join Viking Cruises, your Myanmar excursions start along the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) in a vessel. Bagan and Mandalay are key destinations during the trip, in which you will have further exploration into the country.

AmaWaterways is another outstanding cruise along the river. This agency offers you two 14-night itineraries sailing from Pyay to Mandalay on AmaPura and including three nights in Yangon.

Meanwhile, Belmond (formerly known as Orient-Express Hotels) is a pioneer in short cruises on the Irrawaddy between Mandalay and Bagan. Its MV Orcaella, which was named after the beakless dolphins that inhabit the river, will take tourists along the enchanting Chindwin valley to the northern city of Bhamo, which is a true highlight of Myanmar day tour. Belmond now offers three, seven and 11-night itineraries including longer journeys downstream to Yangon and upstream to Bhamo on the Chinese border. On the 82-passenger ship, you can enjoy luxury services of European rivers with plenty of opportunities to engage with local people.

Another choice is Ayravata Cruises, whose Pandaw ships are built in the style of colonial river steamers. The ship is capable of carrying a small number of passengers but quite comfortable. What’s more, the company launched another called the Orcaella in the year of 2013. This is a contemporary sister ship for tourists can join holidays to Mandalay. It has 25 cabins and is built to withstand long and exploratory voyages. In that way, tourists can explore remote parts during their river cruises Myanmar, including the Chindwin and up to Bhamo.

River Cruises Myanmar – Explore Myanmar River Lives in 12 Days

With thousands of ancient temples spread throughout the country, Myanmar brings to visitors a sense of serene air wherever they are. Here are also fascinating visitors by pristine wilderness, Unique custom of river lives. And the best way to explore this country is going on River cruises Myanmar in 12 days. These are the detail of the journey.

DAY 1: YANGON

Yangon city – Photo: Yangon tours

Check in by 11:15 am then settle before leaving the bustle of downtown Yangon and head to the Twante Canal which connects the Irrawaddy River and the Yangon River.

You will go through urban and rural, see rows of green vegetables by the side of the canal, or some man fishing by a long bamboo line. Twante town is also famous for ceramics which worth you a glance.

At the end of the first day in 12 days Myanmar cruise tours, we will dock at a riverside beach names Nyaung Tong.

DAY 2: DANUPHYU

In morning of the second day, we will explore a charming small town of Danuphyu. This town is a historical place where General Maha Bandula led the Burmese fight against the British during the First Anglo-Burmese war in 1825.

Visit this town by trishaw, come to the Pagoda of Tyuakalon Pun as so as the Maha Bandula monastery.
In the second day night of this Myanmar cruise, we will have dinner and sleep overnight on board.

DAY 3: SAILING

Akauk Taung Caves – Photo: Latefornowhere

Whole the third day of cruises in Myanmar will be spent sailing and making your eyes satisfied with the magnificent tamarind trees, the villages, the green paddy fields, pagodas dot in the distant hills.

We will sail past the Akauk Taung Caves in the afternoon. This is time for you to take the best photos ever of truly staggering caves.

DAY 4 + 5: PYAY

Shwe Myet Hman Pagoda – Photo: Flowery land

The 4th will be spent heading the town of Pyay where places a charismatic dock and a startlingly beautiful pagoda. Explore the local market and the city center in the morning then go to the ancient city of Sri Ksera which is listed as World Heritage status in 2014.

The next morning come to the small town of Shwe Taung, visit the Shwe Myet Hman Pagoda – the place the Buddha photo wears the gold sunglasses. Take a break to eat lunch on board then sailing in the whole afternoon.
At the end of the 5th day of the river cruises Myanmar, we will dock in Thayet.

DAY 6: THAYET

Go on foot to see the charming colonial house and the mystical white pagodas in rural Thayet. There is also the first golf course of Myanmar which was built by the British in 1887.
Sail from Thayet to Minhla in the afternoon of the 6th day.

DAY 7: MINHLA FORT

Minhla Fort – Photo: Irrawady

Firstly, we will walk to the two brick Minhla Forts – a construction from the 13th century. It is also the witness of the Third and final Anglo-Burmese war. Then sail to Magwe after visiting the hilltop Myat Than Lun Paya pagoda – an extraordinary building with of Ayeyarwady. All of them will be the most unforgettable memories in your cruises in Myanmar.

DAY 8: SALE

Yoke Sone Kyaung monastery – Photo: Travel awesome

Wake up early in the morning of the 8th day to see the scenery and lives on the riverbank. Sail past Pakan Lay village with temple ruins place along the banks. Then come to Sale where is ideal to wander around by trishaw to explore Yoke Sone Kyaung monastery – a steak building and Tha-ta-na Kyaung – a small temple with bamboo Buddha image.

DAY 9 + 10: BAGAN

Bagan – Photo: Crossover

Sail to Bagan where have many attractions waiting for you to explore. The ancient village of Myinkaba where is the center of the craft of lacquerware then is the jaggery workshop produces unrefined sugar. The next destination of this Myanmar cruises are some more extraordinary ancient temple of Bagan: the Ananda Temple built in 1091 AD – one of four great temples in Bagan, Htilominlo Temple built around 1211 AD – a two-storey red-brick temple,
Pyathatgyi Temple where you can see the light change mysteriously.

The end of the 9th day of cruises in Myanmar is the magic moment while the sun is setting behind the hills on the Irrawaddy River.

Next day, we will explore bustling Nyaung U local market where you can find a variety of goods. Then go to great golden Shwezigon Pagoda where places two bones and a copy of a tooth of the Gautama Buddha.

After all, return to the board and sailing upstream towards Sagaing. There are many interesting activities waiting for you in the afternoon such as longyi (sarong), thanaka (cosmetic) demonstration, a talk on Myanmar.

DAY 11 + 12: MANDALAY

Sin Kyun village – Photo: Herald

We will enjoy the passing countryside as sailing in the morning in day 11 of Myanmar cruises. Then stop by Sagaing hills and breathtaking Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda with several of the pagodas and monasteries along the hill.
Eating dinner while enjoying a local performance on board to end the 11th day of the cruise.

The last day, we will wake up early and visit the village of Sin Kyun. Less than 1000 inhabitants live here. You can see they make the hat in traditional methods and see how they fight with the nature to grow foods.
We will arrive at Mandalay at 9:45 am for check out.

Hope you get unforgettable river cruises Myanmar!