Day 01: Bagan

We embark at Bagan and sail upstream to Monywa.

Day 02: Bagan - Monywa

Sailing upstream to Monywa and cruising all day.

Day 03: Monywa

Cruise all day through the great Lower Chindwin plain where the river widens and the forested hills fall away to farmland we pass a number of attractive villages like Kin or Kanee where we can stretch our legs. Arriving in the busy port town of Monywa will be a bit of a shock after the peace and remoteness of the Chindwin. We will explore the town and time permitting make a quick trip to the Thanbodi Temple with its million buddha images - a sort of Buddhist Disneyland!

Day 04: Monywa - Mingkin

Mingkin, was rediscovered by Paul Strachan in 1987 and described in some detail in his book Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City. It remains for Paul the most art historically interesting site in Myanmar (more so than the now spoilt Bagan) with its Konbaung court style teak monasteries sumptuously decorated. Mingkin may be described as the Luang Prabang of the Chindwin.

Day 05: Mingkin - Kindat

Kindat was as far as te old IFC steamers ventured outside of the Monsoon season it was the former capital of a wun (provincal governor) with a stockade. In the 1920s British moved the capital to Mawlaik on account of a healthier atmosphere. From here as Bird in 1897 states 'this part of the Chindwin valley is very sparsely populated and villages are few and far between'

Day 06: Kindat - Sitthaung

Sitthaung was the final resting place of a number of IFC steamers scuppered there in 1942 in an 'act of denial' from the advancing Japanese who were a matter of hours behind. We hope to find remains of these ships as we have in the past of Katha on the Irrawaddy. It was from here that the survivors of the Japanese Invasion marched out to Tamu on the India border.

Day 07: Sitthaung - Phaungbyin

Pantha was an important oil refinery belonging to the Indo-Myanmar Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers). We pass the mouth of the Yu River which drains the Kubu valley that provided the route for a Lieutenant Grant to march to the relief of the Manupur garrison when the chief commissioner of Assam was massacred in a local rebellion.

Day 08: Phaungbyin - Homalin

We pass the Uyu River worked by gold washers on the way to Homalin, the furthest navigable point on the Chindwin for vessels of our size. Alister McCrae wrote of his visit there 1935 'I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north'. Bird in 1897 says little other than that Homalin is the headquarters of a township, but has very little trade'. Until we get there and explore the place there is not much we can say!

Day 09: Homalin - Mawlaik

Mawlaik replaced Kindat as the administrative capital but ironically the Myanmar refused to move there from upstream Kindat. It was mainly settled with the company houses of the by the Scottish owned and run Bombay Myanmarh Trading Corporation in the 1920s and 1930s. There are many splendid 'Dak Bungalows' set around a verdant golf course. Mawlaik and the other towns of the Upper Chindwin can only be reached by boat so cars are few. There is a dreamy otherworldly quality to such places and truly one feels that one has travelled there in the Pandaw time machine!

Day 10: Mawlaik - Kalewa

The gateway town for the Chin State and we explore Kalewa with its markets and quaint wooden architecture.

Day 11: Kalemyo - Mandalay

We drive to Kalemyo, 40 miles from Kalewa and where we fly back to Mandalay with air charter flight.

End of Tour & Services

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INCLUDES/EXCLUDES

Ticket price includes accomodation, main meals, coffee and mineral water, shore excursions under guidance of ship's crew, port dues and local taxes. Price excludes transfers for embarkation from embarkation. All tickets issued subject to Terms and Conditions of Carriage as published.

PAYMENTS

Upon confirmation 20% of total. If reservation is made less than 91 days prior to departure the deposit will be 40% of total.

CANCELLATION FEES

20% of the total more than 91 days before departure
40% of the total cost between 90 and 61 days before departure
80% of the total cost between 60 days and the day of departure

Visa: A Valid visa is required to enter Myanmar for all the nationalities. Visa can be apply at the Myanmar Embassies in abroad All the tourist visas are valid for 28 days and cost avrage of USD 20. Passports must carry a validity of 6 months beyond intended date of departure from Myanmar. Pre-arranged visa on arrival could be arranged by Myanmar Tourex & take 4 weeks to get the approval. Once we get the approval, we will send the copy by fax to clients as well as to the airline ground office to able for the client to get boarding pass. The visa fee is USD 20 and our service charge is USD 10per person.
Note - If you take only Visa on arrival compulsory in and out transfer is required, and cost USD 18.

Things to bring: Light clothes, slippers (please note that you have to take off your shoes at all the pagodas and temples in Myanmar when you enter the compound) and the medicines that you usually take for your health.

Health Precausion: Conditions in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan are comparable to those in other parts of South East Asia. It is recommended that you contact your medical practitioner or travel specialist for advice on health preparations and requirements.

The ship carries a doctor on board. A small fee is charged for medical services and prescriptions.

Cabin luggage: When you plan your packing, please bear in mind that all luggage must be stored in your cabin. In each cabin there is a wardrobe with hangers.
Please note that there are no facilities available for storage of luggage not required during your cruise.

We suggest that you make arrangements to store excess baggage at your Bangkok hotel. Alternatively, passengers who are travelling via a Yangon hotel to and from the Road To Mandalay, may like to use storage facilities, if available, at their hotel.

Insurance: Clients should take out medical and travel insurance.

Direction to meeting point: A representative will meet you at the Airport at arrival lounge holding a sign board under Myanmar Tourex with your name on it.

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