Paukan Princess

PM: Embark the ship at Gawein Jetty in Mandalay between12:00 - 12:30 and cast off after half an hour time.

Welcome cocktail and briefing in the Saloon or Sundeck followed by lunch.

After lunch, we will enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the ex-Royal Capital of Mingun. Our first stop is King Bodawpaya’s monumental and uncompleted stupa. During the construction, an astrologer to the King argued that the Monarch would have died upon completion of the temple, hence the works were immediately halted. Had it been completed; it would have been the largest in the world. The cracks we see are the result of the 23rd March 1839 earthquake that shook the area. We continue our walk to the Mingun Bell, which was the heaviest working bell in the world until the 2,000 when the Bell of Good Luck was unveiled in Henan, China.

Moor overnight midstream North of Mingun.

AM: After breakfast, visit the spectacular pottery-making village of Ngwe Nyein and see the manufacture stages of the famous 50 Gallons (200 liters) pots, often referred to as Martaban or Ali Baba jars in colonial times, they played an important part of maritime trade throughout Asia for centuries.

Sail all day.

PM: Afternoon lecture “Myanmar: Past and Today” & post-dinner Movie show.

Moor overnight mid-stream.

AM: Enjoy sailing the whole morning.

ENTERTEINMENT: Tea Leaf and Ginger Salad Demonstration

PM: AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Tigyang (14:00–16:00)

Visit the small village of Tigyang for an afternoon WALKING TOUR through its narrow lanes and to visit the pagoda and reclining Buddha on a hilltop with stunning views.

Moor overnight at Inn Ywar Village.

AM: In the morning, visit Katha Elephant Logging Camp located at the edge of the surrounding teak and hardwood forest, once used for the transportation of the Teak logs now they have found themselves “jobless” due to the logging ban but they are still taken care by their Mahout (the elephant caretaker) with the help of government and private funds. We will experience the Mahout bathing and feeding the Elephants. Interesting reading to know more about the close relationship of an elephant to its mahout is George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant”.

PM: Back to the ship for lunch. Sail to Naung Po Village by the entrance of the Irrawaddy 2nd Defile (Gorges) and moor overnight.

AM: Sunrise by the entrance of the gorges and cast off. We will sail upstream through the spectacular Second defile, the largest of the Irrawaddy gorges, with its magnificent cliffs reaching down the narrow channel till the end of it where we will turn around.

Further downstream we will stop at the fascinating island village of Kyun Daw where over 7,000 stupas surround the monastery. Take a WALKING TOUR for memorable encounters with the villagers. Visit a SCHOOL to interact with the children. You will also visit a NUNNERY to present the nuns. Unlike monks, they have to collect and cook their own food.

Back to the ship for lunch.

PM: AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Katha (15:00–18:00)

In the afternoon arrive at the enchanting colonial town of Katha, the setting for George Orwell’s book “Burmese Days “and the place where in the 1942 hundreds of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ships were scuttled before the Japanese could seize them. Katha had been an important center for the Teak trading since the colonial days. We explore the old streets, a fresh market, the former British Club and the Tennis Court featured in the novel to learn more about how life was here during the British Rule. We then visit what is claimed to be the Bungalow where George Orwell resided, when he was posted here as a policeman, now turned into a small museum. We drive a short distance to visit a Kachin ethnic Village where you will see their traditional houses and learn about their culture, traditional dress, and their unique method of making rice wine

Moor overnight in Katha.

AM: MORNING EXCURSION: Kyauk Pone

This morning stop at the gorgeous village of Kyauk Pone with its Pagoda located on a hill for a wonderful view of the Irrawaddy River.

Sail the rest of the day.

PM: Afternoon lecture “Buddhism and the meditation practice” & post-dinner Movie show.

Moor overnight midstream.

AM: MORNING EXCURSION: Kote Tak Village

After breakfast, we arrive at Kote Tak Village located in a very nice location at the beginning of the 3rd Defile. We will visit the monastery where we will interact with the Monks and the school children.

PM: AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Irrawaddy Dolphins Protected Area (14:30–15:30)

In the late afternoon, stop by the village of Sheinmaga in the Irrawaddy Dolphins Protected Area. You will board a local small boat to try spotting the dolphins in their natural habitat with the help of some local fishermen, even if not lucky enough to see them popping up it will be anyway an interesting experience the interaction with the local people and the beautiful river scenery.

ENTERTAINMENT: Crew Presentation & Farewell Reception.

AM: Disembarkation at Mandalay Gawein Jetty from 06:00 am onwards.

TRANSFER : Transfer to the Mandalay Int'l Airport or hotel in Mandalay can be arranged at supplement upon request. Pls take note that it takes around 1 hr drive from ship (Gawein) to Mandalay Int'l Airport and 30 minutes to hotel in Mandalay.

AM: Embarkation at Gawein Jetty in Mandalay between 10.30 to 11.00.

Welcome cocktail and lunch on board. Safety Briefing and Orientation.

PM: Sagaing & Amarapura

After lunch, we visit Sagaing, an important religious site with countless pagodas dotting the surrounding hillsides. Drive to the top of the Hill to visit Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda for a stunning view of the Irrawaddy and across to Mandalay. Proceed then to visit U Min Thoneze Paya, inside a crescent-shaped platform of 45 sitting Buddha images, which appear to repeat infinitely into the distance depending on the angle they are viewed.

We then drive to Amarapura, the penultimate Burmese Royal Capital (1783) to visit a traditional silk weaving workshop followed by U-Bein Bridge, believed to be the world’s longest (1.2 km) and oldest teakwood bridge. Local sampans wait to take us on a leisurely cruise of the lake while admiring the sunset over the bridge

ENTERTAINMENT: Post Dinner Dance & Drama performance by the Mandalay Arts School.

Moor overnight in Sagaing.

AM: Central Mandalay

After breakfast, visit Mahamuni Pagoda, the most revered shrine in Mandalay, to see its impressive gold-leaf Buddha due to the continual application of gold leaves (officials estimate the gold is approximately 15 cm/6 inches thick) and a Gold Leaves Making Workshop. Then we stop at Mandalay Palace Moat for a photoshoot with the background of Mandalay Hill. We continue our visits at the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which contains the world's biggest book as well as the Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung Monastery, the only original monastery left from the Royal era.

Back to the ship for lunch.

PM: Mingun

After lunch, we will enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the small town of Mingun. Our first stop is King Bodawpaya’s monumental and uncompleted stupa. During the construction, an astrologer to the King argued that the Monarch would have died upon completion of the temple, hence the works were immediately halted. Had it been completed; it would have been the largest in the world. The cracks we see are the result of the 23rd March 1839 earthquake that shook the area. We continue our walk to the Mingun Bell, which was the heaviest working bell in the world until the 2,000 when the Bell of Good Luck was unveiled in Henan, China. Moor overnight at midstream North of Mandalay.

AM: Ngwe Nyein Pottery Village.

After breakfast, visit the spectacular pottery-making village of Ngwe Nyein and see the manufacture stages of the famous 50 Gallons (200 liters) pots, often referred to as Martaban or Ali Baba jars in colonial times, they played an important part in maritime trade throughout Asia for centuries. Sail all day.

PM: Burmese Language Lesson. Moor overnight mid-stream.

AM: Enjoy sailing the whole morning.

ENTERTAINMENT: Tea Leaf and Ginger Salad Demonstration

PM: Tigyang

Visit the small village of Tigyang for an afternoon WALKING TOUR through its narrow lanes and to visit the pagoda and reclining Buddha on a hilltop with stunning views.

Moor overnight at Inn Ywar Village.

AM: Elephant Camp

In the morning, visit Katha Elephant Logging Camp located at the edge of the surrounding teak and hardwood forest, once used for the transportation of the Teak logs now they have found themselves “jobless” due to the logging ban but they are still taken care by their Mahout (the elephant caretaker) with the help of government and private funds. We will experience the Mahout bathing and feeding the Elephants. Interesting reading to know more about the close relationship of an elephant to its mahout is George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant”.

PM: Back to the ship for lunch. Sail to Naung Po Village by the entrance of the Irrawaddy 2nd Defile (Gorges) and moor overnight.

AM: 2nd Defile of the Irrawaddy & Kyun Daw

Sunrise by the entrance of the gorges and cast off. We will sail upstream through the spectacular Second defile, the largest of the Irrawaddy gorges, with its magnificent cliffs reaching down the narrow channel till the end of it where we will turn around.

Further downstream we will stop at the fascinating island village of Kyun Daw where over 7,000 stupas surround the monastery. Take a WALKING TOUR for memorable encounters with the villagers. Visit a SCHOOL to interact with the children. You will also visit a NUNNERY to present the nuns. Unlike monks, they have to collect and cook their own food.

Back to the ship for lunch.

PM: Katha (15:00–18:00)

In the afternoon arrive at the enchanting colonial town of Katha, the setting for George Orwell’s book “Burmese Days “and the place wherein the 1942 hundreds of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ships were scuttled before the Japanese could seize them. Katha had been an important center for Teak trading since the colonial days. We explore the old streets, a fresh market, the former British Club and the Tennis Court featured in the novel to learn more about how life was here during the British Rule. We then visit what is claimed to be the Bungalow where George Orwell resided, when he was posted here as a policeman, now turned into a small museum. We drive a short distance to visit a Kachin ethnic Village where you will see their traditional houses and learn about their culture, traditional dress, and unique method of making rice wine

Moor overnight in Katha.

AM: Kyauk Pone

This morning stop at the gorgeous village of Kyauk Pone with its Pagoda located on a hill for a wonderful view of the Irrawaddy River.

Sail the rest of the day.

PM: Longyi and Thanaka Demonstration.

Moor overnight midstream.

AM: Kote Tak Village

After breakfast, we arrive at Kote Tak Village located in a very nice location at the beginning of the 3rd Defile. We will visit the monastery where we will interact with the Monks and the school children.

PM: Irrawaddy Dolphins Protected Area

In the late afternoon, stop by the village of Sheinmaga in the Irrawaddy Dolphins Protected Area. You will board a local small boat to try spotting the dolphins in their natural habitat with the help of some local fishermen, even if not lucky enough to see them popping up it will be in any way an interesting experience, the interaction with the local people and the beautiful river scenery.

AM: Sail downstream till late afternoon.

ENTERTAINMENT: Lecture “Myanmar: Past and Today”

PM: Bagan Sunset & Ananda Temple by Night

Arrive at Bagan in the late afternoon. Cruise along the river to enjoy an impressive sunset experience onboard and the unique perspective of Bagan’s ancient temples, local life and colorful sky changing. After docking at the jetty, we will visit “by night” one of the most famous temples of Bagan, Ananda. Built in the 1,105 CE during King Kyanzittha’s reign, it is one of only four surviving temples from this period. We will explore the cruciform of the temple, with four standing Buddhas facing North, South, East, and West.

Moore Overnight in Bagan.

ENTERTAINMENT: Puppet Show on the Sundeck.

AM: In the very early morning, we recommend a Balloon Flight over Bagan (surcharge applied).

MORNING EXCURSION: Markets and Temples of Bagan

After breakfast continues the visit to Bagan. Explore first some local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longyis and rattan products and a fresh market then stop at the ornate Shwezigone Pagoda, one of the country’s most important shrines. If time permits, photo stop by Htilominlo Temple. Back to the ship for lunch.

PM: The Art of Bagan and Temples Oxcarts ride

Start the afternoon tour with a visit to a workshop to see the ancient technique of lacquerware making. Lacquerware has been produced in Bagan since the 11th century and continues to play an important role in daily life, especially religious practice. The production process has remained unchanged for centuries, giving a sense of authenticity.

We will then pay a visit to Gubyaukgyi Temple. Approximately 900-years-old, this is where you’ll find some of the oldest and best-preserved frescoes in Bagan; they’re also accompanied by ink captions written in the old-style Mon alphabet, providing one of the earliest examples of the language’s use in Myanmar. Gubyaukgyi is also located next to Myazedi Pagoda, inside the compound of which you can find what’s referred to as the Burmese Rosetta Stone; two stone pillars with Pyu, Old Mon, Pali and Burmese inscriptions.

Alternative activity: “FREE and EASY in BAGAN” - Guests can hire a horse cart, a bicycle or an e-bike to explore the site at their own pace.

ENTERTAINMENT: Crew Presentation & Farewell Reception

AM: Disembark at Bagan Koe Lone Ye Kin Jetty at 06:00 am onwards.

PM: Embark the ship at Koe Lone Ye Kin jetty between 11:00 to 12:30 noon. Welcome cocktail and Lunch on board. Safety Briefing and Orientation.

AFTERNOON EXCURSION: Temples of Bagan and Oxcarts ride

After lunch visit a selection of the 2,000 listed pagodas and temples in Bagan. We start visiting one of the famous temples of Bagan, Ananda. Built in 1105 CE during King Kyanzittha’s reign, it is one of only four surviving temples from this period. We will explore the cruciform of the temple, with four standing Buddhas facing north, south, east, and west. We will then pay a visit to Gubyaukgyi Temple. Approximately 900-years-old, this is where you’ll find some of the oldest and best-preserved frescoes in Bagan; they’re also accompanied by ink captions written in the old-style Mon alphabet, providing one of the earliest examples of the language’s use in Myanmar. The visit will be followed by a sunset view of the Bagan plain from Nyaung Letphet viewing mound or the Nan Myint Tower.

ENTERTAINMENT: Puppet Show on the Sundeck.

AM: In the very early morning, we recommend a Balloon Flight over Bagan (surcharge applied).

MORNING EXCURSION: Markets and Temples of Bagan

After breakfast continue the visit to Bagan. Explore first one typical local market selling wood carvings, fabrics, longyis and rattan products then stop at the ornate Shwezigone Pagoda, one of the country’s most important shrines. And if time permits, photo stop by Htilominlo Temple. Then we will visit a workshop to see the ancient technique of lacquerware making. Lacquerware has been produced in Bagan since the 11th century and continues to play an important role in daily life, especially religious practice. The production process has remained unchanged for centuries, giving a sense of authenticity.

Alternative activity: “FREE and EASY in BAGAN” - Guests can hire a horse cart, a bicycle or an e-bike to explore the site at their own pace.

PM: Back to the ship and cast off. We cruise upstream the whole afternoon.

ENTERTAINMENT: Longyi and Thanaka Demonstration.

Moor overnight midstream.

AM: Sail the whole morning.

ENTERTAINMENT: Burmese Language Lesson

PM: Amarapura

After Lunch, we travel by coach to Amarapura, the penultimate Burmese Royal Capital (1783) to visit a traditional silk weaving workshop followed by U-Bein Bridge, believed to be the world’s longest (1.2 km) and oldest teakwood bridge. Local sampans wait to take us on a leisurely cruise of the lake while admiring the sunset over the bridge

Moor overnight at Sagaing

ENTERTAINMENT: Post Dinner Dance & Drama performance by the Mandalay Arts School.

AM: Sagaing and Central Mandalay

After breakfast, we visit Sagaing, an important religious site with countless pagodas dotting the surrounding hillsides. Drive to the top of the Hill to visit Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda for a stunning view of the Irrawaddy and across to Mandalay. Proceed then to visit U Min Thoneze Paya, inside a crescent-shaped platform of 45 sitting Buddha images, which appears to repeat infinitely into the distance depending on the angle they are viewed. We will then travel to Central Mandalay to visit Mahamuni Pagoda, the most revered shrine in Mandalay, to see its impressive gold-leaf Buddha (officials estimate the gold is approximately 15 cm/6 inches thick) followed by a Gold Leaves Making Workshop. If time permits top by the Mandalay Palace Moat for a photoshoot with the background of Mandalay Hill. Back to the ship for lunch.

PM: Mingun

After lunch, we will enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the ex-Royal Capital of Mingun. Our first stop is King Bodawpaya’s monumental and uncompleted stupa. During the construction, an astrologer to the King argued that the Monarch would have died upon completion of the temple, hence the works were immediately halted. Had it been completed; it would have been the largest in the world. The cracks we see are the result of the 23rd March 1839 earthquake that shook the area. We continue our walk to the Mingun Bell, which was the heaviest working bell in the world until the 2,000 when the Bell of Good Luck was unveiled in Henan, China.

Moor overnight midstream North of Mingun.

AM: Ngwe Nyein Pottery Village

After breakfast, visit the spectacular pottery-making village of Ngwe Nyein and see the manufacture stages of the famous 50 Gallons (200 liters) pots, often referred to as Martaban or Ali Baba jars in colonial times, they played an important part of maritime trade throughout Asia for centuries. Sail all day.

PM: Afternoon lecture “Myanmar: Past and Today” & post-dinner Movie show.

Moor overnight mid-stream.

AM: Enjoy sailing the whole morning.

ENTERTAINMENT: Tea Leaf and Ginger Salad Demonstration

PM: Tigyang

Visit the small village of Tigyang for an afternoon WALKING TOUR through its narrow lanes and to visit the pagoda and reclining Buddha on a hilltop with stunning views.

Moor overnight at Inn Ywar Village.

AM: Elephant Camp

In the morning, visit Katha Elephant Logging Camp located at the edge of the surrounding teak and hardwood forest, once used for the transportation of the Teak logs now they have found themselves “jobless” due to the logging ban but they are still taken care of by their Mahout (the elephant caretaker) with the help of government and private funds. We will experience the Mahout bathing and feeding the Elephants. Interesting reading to know more about the close relationship of an elephant to its mahout is George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant”.

PM: Back to the ship for lunch. Sail to Naung Po Village by the entrance of the Irrawaddy 2nd Defile (Gorges) and moor overnight.

AM: 2nd Defile of the Irrawaddy & Kyun Daw

Sunrise by the entrance of the gorges and cast off. We will sail upstream through the spectacular Second defile, the largest of the Irrawaddy gorges, with its magnificent cliffs reaching down the narrow channel till the end of it where we will turn around.

Further downstream we will stop at the fascinating island village of Kyun Daw where over 7,000 stupas surround the monastery. Take a WALKING TOUR for memorable encounters with the villagers. Visit a SCHOOL to interact with the children. You will also visit a NUNNERY to present the nuns. Unlike monks, they have to collect and cook their own food.

Back to the ship for lunch.

PM: Katha

In the afternoon arrive at the enchanting colonial town of Katha, the setting for George Orwell’s book “Burmese Days “and the place wherein 1942 hundreds of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ships were scuttled before the Japanese could seize them. Katha had been an important center for Teak trading since the colonial days. We explore the old streets, a fresh market, the former British Club and the Tennis Court featured in the novel to learn more about how life was here during the British Rule. We then visit what is claimed to be the Bungalow where George Orwell resided, when he was posted here as a policeman, now turned into a small museum. We drive a short distance to visit a Kachin ethnic Village where you will see their traditional houses and learn about their culture, traditional dress, and their unique method of making rice wine.

Moor overnight in Katha.

AM: Kyauk Pone

This morning stop at the gorgeous village of Kyauk Pone with its Pagoda located on a hill for a wonderful view of the Irrawaddy River.

Sail the rest of the day.

PM: Afternoon lecture “Buddhism and the meditation practice” & post-dinner Movie show.

Moor overnight midstream.

AM: Kote Tak Village

After breakfast, we arrive at Kote Tak Village located in a very nice location at the beginning of the 3rd Defile. We will visit the monastery where we will interact with the Monks and the school children.

PM: Irrawaddy Dolphins Protected Area

In the late afternoon, stop by the village of Sheinmaga in the Irrawaddy Dolphins Protected Area. You will board a local small boat to try spotting the dolphins in their natural habitat with the help of some local fishermen, even if not lucky enough to see them popping up it will be in any way an interesting experience, the interaction with the local people and the beautiful river scenery.

ENTERTAINMENT: Crew Presentation & Farewell Reception

AM: Disembarkation at Mandalay Gawein Jetty from 06:00 am onwards.