Cruising the Irrawaddy: The Sanctuary Ananda

Luxury Private Tour in brief

Day 1: To Rangoon

Fly from the UK to Rangoon. (N)

Day 2: Rangoon

Arrive and transfer to the Melia Rangoon for 2 nights. (N)

Day 3: Rangoon

Full-day tour of Rangoon, including its colonial buildings, Sule pagoda, Kandawgyi lake and the spectacular Shwedagon pagoda. (B)

Day 4: Fly to Mandalay • Board Sanctuary Ananda

Take an early morning flight to Mandalay, followed by a city tour. Transfer to the jetty and board Sanctuary Ananda for a 7-night cruise. After lunch, take a coach tour of Sagaing hill, an important religious and monastic centre that is home to more than 554 monasteries and 6,000 monks and nuns, followed by a sunset boat trip to view U Bein bridge. Back on board Sanctuary Ananda this evening, enjoy a champagne reception followed by dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Mingun

Early morning optional visit to the village of Sin Kyun. This wonderful community will show you the typical life of the villagers, enabling you to see a way of life seldom viewed by outsiders. Return to the ship and sail south past the village of Mingun. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Tan Chi Taung mountain

Spend the morning sailing downstream. After lunch on board, head to the top of Tan Chi Taung mountain to enjoy your first glimpse of the Pagan plain. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Pagan

Visit Nyaung U market, a chance to see the daily life of the local people. The rest of the day will be spent visiting the temples of Pagan, including the great Ananda temple and the Shwezigon pagoda. This evening, enjoy the sunset over the Pagan plains. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Pagan

Morning visit to a small rural village, followed by a horse cart ride through Pagan, visiting Sulamani pagoda along the way. Lunch on board then visit the cave-like Kyauk Gu U Min temple, one of only four in Pagan built from stone brick. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Cruise towards Sagaing

Optional early morning hot air balloon tour to capture a bird’s-eye view of the Pagan plain, followed by breakfast back on board. Morning visit to a lacquerware workshop, a craft that has been practised in Pagan since the time of King Anawrahta around 1050AD. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the cruise north towards Sagaing near Mandalay, with optional activities on board. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Mandalay

Morning at leisure on board then a cooking demonstration with the boat’s executive chef. Afternoon visit to a gold leaf beating workshop and a bronze casting workshop. The last stop of the day will be at Mandalay Hill for a 360-degree view of Mandalay, from the Shan mountain range in the east to the royal palace in the south. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Mandalay

Disembark and transfer to the Rupar Mandalar for an overnight stay. (B)

Days 12-13: Mandalay • Fly home

Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly home, arriving the next day. (B)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important Information Non-exclusive cruise

The transfers and excursions relevant to the cruise are operated as a group with other passengers who may or may not be Cox & Kings clients. Cox & Kings is acting as an agent on behalf of Sanctuary Cruises and its cancellation conditions will apply.

Other cruise options

In addition to this 7-night cruise, Sanctuary Cruises also operates a range of 3-, 4-, 7- and 11-night cruises on the Irrawaddy river. 10-night cruises are also available on the less-explored Chindwin river, which visits many tribal villages to learn about local people, traditions and customs. Sanctuary also operate a luxury 3-night cruise on the Yangtze river in China, as featured on China: The Grand Tour.

Luxury tour

Featuring some of the most luxurious accommodation throughout the tour. Prices are based on the standard category, unless indicated otherwise.

Single supplement

Available on request.

Tailor-made travel

For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.