The Upper Ayeyarwady

Morning embarkation in Mandalay and sailing north, through the Dolphin Sanctuary. There will be a morning lecture on Myanmar culture entitled “Myanmar Ways of Life” and a Myanmar Traditional Dress demonstration early in the afternoon. In the cooler air of late-afternoon we will make a tour of the pottery village of Nwe Nyein. Here you can see traditional techniques still being used to produce a wide variety of decorative pots. Tonight a longyi Cocktail Party will break the ice with your fellow guests.

Morning yoga/meditation session available. Today's sailing is through the rolling hills of the Third Defile. Passing bamboo villages and even smaller fishing settlements, you will wonder how tranquil these lives can be. Join our Chef for a Cookery Demonstration in the morning and attend an informal Burmese language lesson in the afternoon. We will reach Dagaung for another late-afternoon tour, which will show you life on the riverbank and introduce you to this small town with it's ancient fortifications, archeological area and famous nat or spirit shrines.

Morning yoga/meditation session available. Early-afternoon we reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwell’s Burmese Days. Little has changed since then. Of interest are the fire station’s collections of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s ship’s bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War. Katha was the final resting place for much of the old flotilla as over a hundred ships were scuppered here in 1942 - an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. Our tour will take you around all the places that appear in the book and give you the opportunity to really imagine how life was in this far-flung corner of the British Empire.

In the morning disembark for a visit to Katha's colorful, bustling and noisy market before going on to visit an elephant logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town. After, we will call into the old Golf Club before returning to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon you may relax on the Sun Deck while we continue upstream to Shwe Gu. Afternoon tea will be served before a lecture on Myanmar history and current affairs.

Another early start is recommended as we take you on a tranquil walk through the rarely-visited island of Shwe Paw Kyun. After, be prepared on the Sun Deck as we make our first passing through the dramatic Second Defile. This will take about two hours, depending on the force of the current. Once out the other side we will turn at the Sinkan Bridge and begin our return journey by plunging once again into the fast flowing waters of the Defile. It may take as little as 25 minutes to reach the other end! We will sail on, passing Katha before mooring for the night.

After a short sail we should reach Thagara, where we will go ashore and climb the hill to reach a majestic Reclining Buddha gazing serenely southwards, taking in the view of the Third Defile. Another relaxing afternoon perhaps enjoying the facilities of our spacious Spa (including the only Swedish-style sauna on the Ayeyarwaddy) or our 8 meter whirlpool swimming pool, conveniently raised so you may lie in the water and still enjoy the passing scenery. For those wishing for some mental stimulation there will be a lecture on 'Religion in Myanmar' and another Burmese language lesson. Tonight we will moor near Tabbeikyin, the nearest port to the famous ruby mines of Mogok.

Depending on the water level and local conditions, we hope to visit Thiha Taw Island in the mouth of the Third Defile this morning. Here a beautiful monastery was suddenly and mysteriously abandoned around 100 years ago. The monks from this monastery were reputed to have tamed fish and used to place gold-leaf on them during special ceremonies. In the afternoon there will be a lecture entitled “History of Mandalay” while we continue sailing south. We reach Mandalay late in the afternoon where you will disembark in time to see sunset at the famous “U Bein's Bridge”, the longest teak bridge in Myanmar.

Bid farewell to the crew as you check-out after breakfast.