The mighty Ayeyarwaddy exists as an important means of transport throughout Burma (Myanmar) history. Adopting the old cultural and natural setting, our Ayeyarwaddy adventure tour is designed to include the best part of Ayeyarwaddy.
Tour Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Tour Type: Adventure
Cities: Yangon, Mandalay, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Kathar, Shwegu, Bagan
Price: From US$ 2200/person
Activity Level: Regular itinerary
Day 1 – Yangon Arrival
Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”.
Day 2 – Yangon to Myitkyina by flight
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for your flight to Myitkyina (via Mandalay), the capital of Kachin State. After checking in at the hotel, sightseeing around Myitkyina with busy local market on the Strand Road. After lunch, drive to Win Maw, a Kachin village to see the beautiful scenery of Ayeywarwaddy River and crops cultivation along the road. Overnight at the hotel in Myitkyina.
Day 3 – Excursion to confluence of Ayeyarwaddy
After breakfast, drive to the confluence of River Ayeyarwaddy, 45 km north of Myitkyina. The mighty Ayeyarwaddy begins here and enjoy the panoramic view of the confluence. On the way back, drop by at Karing-Naw resort to relax with a Kachin ‘Churu’ ( Kachin local sprit) and visit Kachin villages to see traditional back strap weaving of Kachin Longi (sarong) and shoulder bags. If time permits, we can visit native Orchid garden where you can see the famous “black orchid” and naturally dwelling bee hives at water tank which is the main source of water supply for Myitkyina. Drive back to Myitkyina and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 – Myitkyina to Bhamo by car
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Bhamo (186 Km south of Myitkyina) on the famous Ledo Road passing through the villages of Jangphaw Kachin who are mostly Baptist. Late afternoon, arrive at Bhamo and check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Bhamo.
Day 5 – Bhamo to Kathar by boat
After breakfast at hotel, visit the local market at Bhamo and board to our charter boat for the journey down the Ayeyarwaddy River. Stop by at Kathar, one of the major port along the Ayeyarwaddy river and famous by the setting for George Orwell’s Burmese Days. Overnight on boat.
Day 6 – Kathar to Shwegu by boat
Breakfast on board. After breakfast, set sail towards Mandalay and stop by a few more river villages of interesting points. Visit the local markets, old monasteries, schools and children are the highlights of the visits. Overnight on boat.
Day 8 – Mandalay
After breakfast on boat, visit Kyauk-Myaung, the largest pottery production of Upper Myanmar and famed for its glazed pottery, including the large “Martaban jars” used to store water throughout rural Myanmar. Continue sail to Mandalay and late afternoon arrive Mandalay. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9 – Mandalay to Bagan by flight
After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel and continue to airport for your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, check in to hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 10 – Bagan to Mt. Popa – Bagan
In the morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan (optional) and back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) – a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It’s time to climb for 777 steps to the summit. Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort ( 1hr drive ) for our lunch. The restaurant offer a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. After lunch, return drive back to Bagan. On the way back, enroute stop at village cottage industry to learn the regional product as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion to brown sugar. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 11 – Bagan to Yangon by flight.
After breakfast, transter to Nyaung U airport and fly back to Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to your hotel. After refreshment, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre. In the afternoon, we plan to visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping and by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon
Day 12 – Yangon departure
After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.
Note: These itineraries much depends on river conditions and other local factors. Although we try our best to follow the itinerary as close as possible, we would appreciate for your understanding on any practical aspects which do not come up to expectations, and for delays or changes in itinerary.
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Passports and Visas
- Go to Myanmar Embassies and Consulates in your home country and you will be guided procedure. You may want to check the list of countries where Myanmar has embassies and consulate offices by clicking here.
- Obtain VISA On Arrival (VOA). For tourists coming from countries has no Myanmar Diplomatic Rep offices, you can obtain VOA online via www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm – the official portal for VOA by Myanmar government. The portal launched in Sep 01, 2014 and took its pilot operation for a month. Providing you encounter any issue, please contact us for support.
Climate & Clothing
Cell Phones & Calling Cards
Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another
Wireless Internet Access
Cards and Currency
- The US$ notes must be new.
- The US$ notes torn, marked, folded will not be accepted.
- The US$ notes having series before 2003 backward may not accepted.
Trip Preparation
- Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you.
- Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order.
- We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement.
- You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names.
- We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock.
- Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage.
