Gorges of the Far North
« All Road to Mandalay cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Governor Suite | State Cabin | Deluxe Cabin | Superior Cabin | Single Cabin | |
| Aug 1 '12 Aug 15 '12 Aug 29 '12 Sep 12 '12 |
$9,160 | $6,550 | $5,100 | $3,660 | $3,660 |
| Deals, Discounts... Savings! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Savings | Dates | |
| $400 | All Departures | |
| These special offers are applicable only to new bookings. Discounts are subject to availability, so contact us for more details. | ||
- All rates include internal flights from/to Yangon.
- Child discount: children under the age of 11 traveling with an adult save 20% off cruise fare.
- Pre/Post cruise extensions are available, please contact us for details.
Deposit & Payment - Child discount: children under the age of 11 traveling with an adult save 20% off cruise fare.
- Pre/Post cruise extensions are available, please contact us for details.
Day 1 Yangon to Mandalay
Board the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River opposite the Sagaing Hills studded with numerous white pagodas. The ship sets sail on its voyage to northern Myanmar through the unique gorges that characterize this stretch of the river. At Mingun you visit the world's largest brick-built pagoda and uncracked bell. In the evening, a welcome dinner allows you to get to know your fellow travelers.
Day 2 Mingun - Nwe Nyein
The ship makes an early start entering the first of three gorges around midday. Anchor off Nwe Nyein for a walking tour and to see traditional clay pot sculpting. Later, sail past the picturesque island pagoda of Thihadaw before enjoying a cocktail party on the Top Deck.
Day 3 Kyan Hnyat - Katha
An early morning stroll around the delightful village of Kyan Hnyat where school children greet you and the morning market bustles with activity. Sailing north, vast stretches of the river spread out before you with interesting rural villages dotted on its shores. As the sun sets, the ship anchors south of the old market town of Katha, famous as the site where the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company scuttled its fleet in 1942. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Day 4 Katha - Shwegu
Visit Katha by trishaw in the early morning and visit the market place made famous by George Orwell in "Burmese Days". Back on board the ship continues its journey north through the expansive scenery, with the distant mountains marking the second defile coming into view in the afternoon. The ship anchors off the splendid island pagoda of Shwe Paw, just north of the town of Shwegu. Boats will take you ashore to explore the ancient site. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Day 5 Zinbon - Bhamo
This morning the ship passes through the splendid second gorge with its green-clad mountains reaching down to the narrowing channel. Sail past logging camps and the old colonial village of Zinbon towards the challenging first gorge. Visit the serene Thein Pa Taung Meditation center, home to many of Myanmar's monks and nuns. The ship sails as far north as possible and then turns around to drop anchor off Bhamo where you may take a stroll and meet the locals. The scenery in this unspoilt area is spectacular.
Day 6 Bhamo - Katha
Morning visit to Bhamo, barely 50 miles from the Chinese border in the foothills of Yunnan. Local transport carries you into the countryside, past paddy fields and towards the mountains before returning to the ship for an early afternoon departure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Day 7 Katha - Kyan Hnyat
In the early morning, board the train to the forest station of Naba and experience a journey into thick Kachin jungle and teak forests. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon's sailing as the ship makes its way for Kyan Hnayt. Finish off the day with a few cocktails on Top Deck and dinner in the restaurant.
Day 8 Kyan Hnyat - Mogok
This morning the ship anchors off Thabeikkyin where you will take the road that winds towards Mogok past a forestry reserve where many precious botanical specimens are grown for their essential oils. Meet working elephants in the Burmese teak forest before returning to the ship to head south again.
Day 9 Mandalay
Mandalay comes into view early morning. Disembark for a varied tour of Burma's second city, including lunch at a local restaurant. Rejoin the ship at the quaint Burmese village of Shwe Kyet Yet and enjoy a tribal dance display in the evening. Breakfast and dinner on board.
Day 10 Bagan
The ship sets sail early morning for Bagan. Along the way you see many villages with women doing the household chores by the river and waving children. Witness sunset over the marvelous Bagan plain to whet your appetite for tomorrow's tours. Traditional Bagan artists perform for you this evening.
Day 11 Bagan - Mount Popa
On your final day, visit the ancient sites in and around Bagan with the experienced guide. The afternoon brings an optional tour to Mount Popa, legendary sacred home of the Nats, with its impressive summit monastery or take a horse-drawn cart or bicycle to explore on your own. Celebrate your final evening onboard at a cocktail party on the Top Deck and say goodbye to your new friends during the Farewell Dinner.
Day 12 Yangon
An early departure this morning to Bagan airport for your flight to Yangon. (included in cruise fare)
Itinerary Notes
Road To Mandalay cruises include all domestic flights and transfers, all table d'hote meals and all sightseeing outlined in the cruise itineraries.Each of the cruises can be extended either before or after your cruise with an exciting range of additional experiences throughout Burma. Please contact us for details.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 15% of cruise cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AmEx. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more | 20% cruise cost |
| 59-30 days | 35% cruise cost |
| 29-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Road to Mandalay
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 82
- River Cruise Ship
Cruising gently along the Irrawaddy River, The Road To Mandalay accesses the unique sights, scents and sounds of Burma (Myanmar) in style and luxury.
From the royal city of Mandalay, this beautiful craft voyages south to the ancient capital of Bagan, with its 2,500 pagodas spread across a dusty plain; it also heads north through forested gorges to Bhamo near the Chinese border.
There is no more pleasurable way to experience Burma—to feel its pulse, meet its people, live its legends and understand its history.
Accommodations aboard the Road to Mandalay
Newly refurbished cabins on the Road To Mandalay offer guests space and comfort in luxury and style. Inside this graceful river cruiser the emphasis rests on traditional comfort combined with delightful luxury. The spacious en suite cabins are fully air-conditioned and furnished with the most beautiful fabrics, finest linens and softest towels.
Five cabin sizes and categories are available on the Road To Mandalay, all of which feature a small personal safe, telephone, satellite television, en-suite bathroom and shower amenities.
Dining
No journey to Asia would be complete without sampling the regional cuisine, and on board you can enjoy an acclaimed gourmet menu of Eastern and Western delicacies, all served with Burmese courtesy and charm.
Buffet-style lunch is served on the Observation Deck or in the Restaurant in seven different themes: Burmese, Shan, Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and European.
Dinners are served in the Restaurant, at a time to suit you, and offer a choice of dishes to suit all tastes from the flavors of Asia to a la carte menus. A collection of carefully selected European and Australian wines are also available to compliment your meal.
Piano Bar
At the end of a day of discovery, guests may also retire to the Piano Bar for an evening in the company of fellow travelers. Decorated with a mixture of light wood and Burmese lacquerware, the Piano Bar offers guests a range of delicious local and international cocktails while enjoying the musical talents of the local pianist.
The Observation Lounge
The Observation Lounge has a colonial ambiance with its woven-cane furniture and wooden-slated Venetian blinds. Its large windows provide an excellent view of the Ayeyarwady River. A variety of local entertainment takes place here in the evenings, and during sailing days lectures on a variety of Burmese topics are given by guides.
Entertainment
A variety of local entertainers perform in the evenings, ranging from the traditional Burmese marionettes to amazing acrobatic feats and traditional dances. Extend your knowledge of Burmese culture with a lecture given on sailing days by our expert guides. Learn how to tie a longyi and apply thanka.
The small Library of topical books in several languages is available in the Reception, along with a selection of games. Your remote-control cabin TV offers satellite channels and there are two video channels showing in-house movies. Please note that TV channels are only available when the ship is moored at Bagan or Mandalay.
Wellbeing
Located on the Deluxe Deck, Road To Mandalay Wellbeing offers passengers a 33sq meter fitness room consisting of three exercise machines (stepper, bicycle, treadmill), stretch/crunch area and a shower with a changing room. Fresh, healthy drinks are also available.
A range of beauty treatments from aromatherapy massages, facials, manicures and pedicures are available for guests to enjoy alongside a hair wash/blow dry service. Treatments and appointments can be booked onboard the Road To Mandalay.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Governor Suite 1 suite, located on the State Deck. 3 large picture windows, living area, en-suite bath facilities. |
 | State Cabin 18 cabins, located on the State Deck. 2 large picture windows, desk & chair, en-suite bath facilities. |
 | Deluxe Cabin 16 cabins, located on the Deluxe Deck. Twin or double beds, 3 windows, desk & chair, en-suite bath facilities. |
 | Superior Cabin 4 cabins, located on the State Deck. 1 large picture window, twin or double beds, en-suite bath facilities. |
 | Single Cabin 4 cabins, located on the Deluxe Deck. 2 windows, single bed, desk & chair & en-suite bath facilities. |
